[He's putting the medicinal skills Jing has been teaching him to good use and now was as good a time as any. Perhaps especially now was the time. With everyone sick, a dear friend included, Alphinaud was very motivated to do what he could. While he wasn't sure he was skillful enough to find a cure he could certainly try to alleviate the symptoms.

Except the medicine he mixed was so bitter it was almost impossible to swallow.]

I am glad to hear it. You see, I mixed a medicine with various ingredients in an attempt to reduce its bitterness. It is quite difficult to take on its own otherwise. I sought to have others try and see which one is more appealing to the taste. Although I suppose the smell from some of the mixtures is now a problem.

[This seems legit, right...]