Over his career, Dr. Luc has made it a habit to take time away from his busy practice and teaching to introduce homeopathy in various remote corners of the world.  Sri Lanka and Africa behind him, he continued this lifetime crusade this summer with three weeks in China.  For someone who receives and answers 50 emails each day, his time is precious, so I am thankful that he has allowed me to help spread the message of homeopathy by answering my questions.

[Note:  Dr. Luc is conducting a 3 year advanced program in the United States with 5 days in August 2005 in Albuquerque, 2 days in Denver in January 2006 and 3 days in NJ in April 2006. The session for summer 2005 was fully booked (60 students) 3 months in advance. Part of the advanced course is integrating clinical approach to TCM, something that was never done. For more info: email Dr. Luc at drluc@cybermesa.com]

GC: Was this your first time to China?

Dr. Luc: This was the second time I went to China. First time was 10 years ago as a tourist. Much has changed: for one bicycles are now replaced with cars which has one bad consequence: even the taxi drivers complain that there is never a blue sky to be seen. On the other hand, the Chinese drivers must be the best drivers I have seen in this world. And you never have to wait more than one minute to get a taxi and you move in the town for less than $1!  If you have to drive 30 minutes or more, it might be $8 but not more!

GC: Were you travelling alone?

Dr. Luc: I went with my friend and student in homeopathy, Prof. Steve Xue, from Portland State University. Not only was he a great companion, but it was him who had secured through previous meetings all the connections we had in China. Without him, it would not have been possible. And speaking fluently Chinese, born in the famous city of Xian, he was indispensable to move in those taxis and more importantly to translate my speech in Chinese when needed. Just the younger students seem to have a great grasp of English. And of course, Steve contributed his own lecture wherever we came.

GC: Which locations did you visit?

Dr. Luc: First we went to Shanghai, a 24 hour bustling city where we lectured in the East China Normal University and in the most prestigious TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) University of China: Shanghai University of TCM on a beautiful new campus. The second city was Hangzhou, a very popular tourist city and very beautiful. Although we did not lecture there, great contact was made with another prestigious TCM school: the dean invited us for dinner and plans are made to start most likely more lectures and clinical studies. He also promised us to make us both honorary professors of the university. After this we took a 90 minute flight to the province of Hubei, in central China. Arriving in Wuhan, we were picked up by the medical dean's driver of Jingzhou, the next city, about 3 hours north of Wuhan. After spending 4 days there and teaching several lectures in the medical school, the hospital and the TCM school, we then taught in Wuhan at the TCM school and the hospital.

GC: How long were you there?

Dr. Luc: All together we were in China from June 13 till July 3.

GC: How did you spend your time - teaching, in a clinic setting, public talks, sightseeing?

Dr. Luc: Almost of our time was spent teaching, often in morning and afternoon, the rest traveling to our destination and infrequently a day off to visit these beautiful cities. Most talks were for students, the staff of hospitals, and medical students. (See pictures)

GC: Were you considered an American or European, or would it make a difference?

Dr. Luc: They all knew I came from the US and frankly Europe would not have made a difference, In fact I think America sounded better to them and many expressed the wish to even visit the US in the future, either for studying or as tourists. 

GC: There have been stories in the news lately suggesting that China does not have particularly friendly intentions towards the United States.  For example, author Peter Brookes says: "China's goal is to replace the U.S. as the preeminent power in the Pacific -- even globally. It's using every method possible, including espionage, to improve its political, economic and, especially, military might ."  In this competitive climate of world affairs, some may find it curious how a benevolent figurehead of natural medicine embarks on an apparently humanitarian mission to this country which some say is borrowing, buying or stealing large amounts of information from American business, technology and science (perhaps including medicine) to gain world dominance.  Do you think these forces played any part in the hospitality the Chinese gave you?

Dr. Luc: The story of Peter Brooks might well be correct but I am not interested. I am not a fool either but the only goal I truly have, is to bring an effective and cheap medical system to the countless people who will benefit. Call it naive but I have no qualms!

GC: Can you describe the circumstances that led you to choose to make this trip?  Was it the same energy that led you to the trips to other countries, or how was China different? Did you ever feel that government agents were keeping an eye on you?

Dr. Luc: So far, we are only two lone individuals who are trying to move huge rocks. The outcome is uncertain but have not all great things started that way? The greatest mistake we can make in life is to rest upon laurels. We must never be content with what has already been achieved. Life never ceases to put new questions to us, never permits us to come to rest. My motto, as a parallel to President John Kennedy’s immortal words, “Don’t ask what your country can do for you but rather ask what you can do for your country,” has become, “Don’t ask what life can do for you, but rather ask what you can do for life.” It has served me well. Why China? Precisely because nobody knows anything about homeopathy, and if fate will have it, our mission will succeed. But I am not afraid of failure either. My friend Prof Xue paid too much homage to me when he compared me to the Chinese people as another Dr. Norman Bethune, the Canadian physician who helped the Chinese people during the 1937 war with Japan. I am far away from being any of the greatness of this man, but my goals are purely altruistic, something that was often received with disbelief since China truly has become a strong capitalistic nation. But not for one second do I doubt the sincerity with which I have been received by the Chinese friends everywhere. In all the countries I visited, I have never met with more hospitality than in China. When you are their "honored guest," they mean it. They wine and dine you twice a day, pay for your hotel and make sure that you are happy. Steve and I were sitting next to the minister of finance and education in the Province of Hubei and were treated as special guests!

It always has been my dream to put homeopathy on the map anywhere in the world where it would be welcomed. Being virgin terrain for homeopathy, and knowing the difficulties ahead, I even went with more energy and anticipation on this trip than to Africa or Sri Lanka. I felt totally free to move around and felt welcome every moment of my stay. And certainly, it was much safer than what some of the countries in Africa had to offer me.

Dr. Luc: I met many people who made a deep impression on me. First I can say, we loved teaching to the young students everywhere. They were open and very interested in knowing what homeopathy stood for. While Prof Xue spoke often about the history of homeopathy, I taught about the clinical applications and made a speech about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) comparing results and etiology to TCM and Allopathy. As a licensed acupuncturist my opinion was valued in the TCM schools as I also spoke their language.  Then I must say, the Dean of the medical school, and the Professor of Pharmacology in Jingzhou made a huge impression on me through the amount of interest they showed themselves and the enthusiasm they created. Their hospitality was phenomenal! When we spoke in the hospital a huge banner with Prof Xue and my name adorned the entrance of the hospital. In Hangzhou, the dean of the TCM clinic was the first one to make resolute plans for the future. He impressed me because he saw the "customs of allopathic medicine" which they are trying to break in China and saw it how it was: a slow euthanasia for TCM in China. No doubt TCM is an ally for Homeopathy in China.

GC: Do homeopathic remedies affect different races of people differently?  If so, how might this apply to Chinese patients?  Are there any particular remedies that they need more than Americans?

Dr. Luc: I never have seen that a homeopathic remedy would affect any race differently. The simillimum is the simillimum, regardless the race of the patient! There will be a great need for effective and cheap remedies for illnesses that we see as much here in the US as anywhere else. Air pollution will cause more asthma, coughs as it does anywhere. Depression is prevalent but certainly not as much as in the USA.  Children especially can benefit enormously for ear infections, diarrhea, viral infections...and SARS! But there is basically little difference with any other country. How many millions of people could benefit from homeopathy in the US? Start with the millions of the uninsured!

Dr. Luc: I think from what I saw that the Chinese student, especially the TCM student, will have no difficulties at all learning homeopathy!

GC: We receive a few book orders from China, but nowhere near what we would expect for that population. 

Dr. Luc: Really no one knows homeopathy in China, so your few book orders must be from people who have visited the US or Europe.

GC: Do the Chinese homeopathy students use English books? Are there any books in Chinese on homeopathy?

Dr. Luc: There are no Chinese books on homeopathy but Prof Xue and I have co-authored the first book in the Chinese language. We hope to have it on the market beginning 2006!

Dr. Luc: As I mentioned before my training in TCM of course is an advantage. I can speak of any kind of patient and ask, "What would you do in TCM?" Often I take an example where I know that it is difficult to treat a patient with TCM (i.e., ASD). The nice thing about TCM and homeopathy is that they have common laws and directions of cure. Therefore it is a little step to make connection with homeopathy.

GC: In a communist country, did you ever feel that the concept of a 'vital force' was too metaphysical?

Dr. Luc: I never felt that the concept of the VF was difficult to grasp. After all, TCM talks about the Qi, which is not much different. They are two energetic medical modalities and I have much respect for the tradition of TCM.

GC: CNN says : "South China has long been the epicenter of pandemic flus, giving birth to three or four global outbreaks a century."   How do the Chinese you met feel about stories like this?  Do you see them reacting in a positive way?

Dr. Luc: I always talked about the successes of homeopathy in epidemics of the past. And even explained how it could benefit in the new flu epidemics and SARS. They are interested. Do I always know what they think? Of course not. One thing I know after the lectures I was always surrounded by the young students who asked very intelligent questions!

 

GC: How do you see homeopathy growing in China, as compared to the United States?  Is it mainly practiced by lay people or by licensed professionals? Do all groups have equal access to remedies, or are some restricted like in the US?

Dr. Luc: The obstructions for homeopathy in China are the same as everywhere: it is cheap and effective! Two great qualities and therefore the two main obstructions! After all business persons look at profits. But the one who will start it can earn millions. I would hope that a homeopathic giant like Boiron would show some interest. There is no one practicing homeopathy in China and there are no remedies available. One of the major steps will also be the acceptance by the Chinese FDA. They need to be approached by the universities themselves after they will see the benefit! A long way to go: for sure! But what else is life for!

GC: Was there anything about the culture that you learned for the first time, that has changed your outlook on life?

Dr. Luc: There are many things I learned. What I learned the most is to admire the genuine friendliness of the little servants in restaurants. They lived away from family, could hardly afford going on a visit to them, earned about $90 a month and yet, they were very happy. As one said to me: "We all come along very well, and we are happy!" It showed, as a smile was always returned and a tip was NEVER accepted! I learned from this that I chose right in my life: my vocation always came before a lucrative private practice.

GC: Did they want you to come back again?

Dr. Luc: As I said before they want us to come back and Prof Xue will most likely go back this fall while I will go back next year!

GC: Would you go back again? 

Dr. Luc: I would LOVE to go back but must see indeed that it is moving in the right direction, which I positively hope!

GC: Would you go back under the same circumstances or would you do anything differently?

Dr. Luc: I would go back under the same circumstances, in fact it would be easier. One thing I would do: learn some Chinese! I would love to be part of their animated conversations!

GC: Do you expect some of your Chinese students to continue study with the Renaissance Institute, either by visiting the US or by distance education?

Dr. Luc: I hope actually together with Prof Xue to have a Homeopathic University to be part of the TCM and medical universities.

GC: Are there any other countries you hope to bring homeopathy to in the future?

Dr. Luc: I am certainly willing to go anywhere in the world and usually I do to the point that my finances allow it. Of course I told my 5 kids that I am spending their inheritance (it is true!). I can always be contacted via my email address. I receive about 50 emails everyday and answer them all.

Dr. Luc's email address is drluc@cybermesa.com
His website is www.drluc.com