Page 116 of Power of the Mind

“Don’t you worry about drug interactions?” I spat. “Overlapping effects? Precipitating preexisting conditions or overmedicating someone who is already on a slew of other drugs? Jesus Christ. Could your shit mix with the doctor’s shit and kill someone?”

Janek looked more annoyed by the second. “If someone with chronic health issues came to me looking for a specific remedy to alleviate a specific symptom, I would probably suggest a consultation. During the consultation, I would review the drugs the person is taking. I would discuss various alternatives and formulate a treatment plan that would boost their current treatment plan. I would caution them against certain combinations that might precipitate issues. If they were willing, I would make an appointment and meet with them again in a month to evaluate how things were going.”

“I told him that.”

“Told who, Mr. Krause?”

“Do you get a lot of referrals from doctors?”

“No. Most professionals in the medical community don’t believe in natural remedies because they feel they are untested.”

“But they are untested, aren’t they?”

“Are we finished, Mr. Krause?”

“No.”

Janek sighed.

“What about a doctor like your neighbor? Someone who’s already advertising medical cures using methods that are a little… unconventional.”

“Dr. Hilty?”

I stayed silent.

“You think his methods are unconventional?”

I breathed instead of responding because the woman was going to give me a pulmonary embolism if I fought with her for much longer.

“I’ve seen a few of Dr. Hilty’s patients over the years. He sends them my way if he feels my assistance might aid their recovery. We have an agreement.”

“What kind of agreement?”

“I think I’m done answering your questions.”

But I wasn’t done asking. “Do you keep track of the patients Hilty sends you? How many are there? What kind of issues do they claim to have? Do you monitor—”

“Unless you’re making a purchase, I’ll see you out, Mr. Krause.” Janek pursed her lips, and her hard-set eyes carried a threat. This unflinching woman would have no qualms about calling the police if I caused a problem, and the last thing I needed was law enforcement involved.

“It would help the investigation if you could—”

“Buy something or leave.”

I hedged, glancing around the store. My blood was hot, and my skin itched. “Do you have anything to help cut back on cravings?”

“What type of cravings?”

“Cigarettes.”

The naturopath stared at me for a beat before weaving down an aisle and plucking a white plastic package from a shelf. “Steep it in boiling water for at least five minutes and drink it like tea as many times a day as required. You can sweeten it with honey if you find it too sharp.”

I turned the bag over in my hand and scowled at the ingredients. “It’s fucking ginseng.”

“Yes. With a touch of valerian root, skullcap, oat straw, and holy basil. Ginseng is well known for alleviating nicotine addiction. It weakens the effect of dopamine, which is the natural chemical released into your body when you smoke. Hence, you get less pleasure from the act. The other ingredients are calming agents. They help relax you, reducing stress and anxiety, which are known triggers for those who smoke.”

“It will reduce my stress and anxiety?”

“It will help.”

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