Chinese Herbarl Medicine: Lingzhi

Lingzhi, 靈芝 (Ganoderma lucidum mushroom, reishi)
Língzhī is the name for one form of the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, and its close relative Ganoderma tsugae, which grows in the northern Eastern Hemlock forests. These two species of bracket fungus have a worldwide distribution in both tropical and temperate geographical regions, including North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, growing as a parasite or saprotroph on a wide variety of trees.

Ganoderma lucidum enjoys special veneration in Asia, where it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a herbal medicine for more than 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest mushrooms known to have been used in medicine.

According to The Chinese Herbal Materia Medica (本草綱目), lingzhi may be classified into six categories according to their shapes and colors, each of which is believed to nourish a different part of the body.

1. Red – heart
2. Purple – joints
3. Green – liver
4. White – lungs and skin
5. Yellow – spleen
6. Black – kidneys and brain

Lingzhi may possess some anti-tumour, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic activities, supported by some studies on polysaccharides, terpenes, and other bioactive compounds isolated from fruiting bodies and mycelia of this fungus. Lingzhi has been found to be anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, antidiabetic, anti-hypotensive, and protective of the liver. It has also been found to inhibit platelet aggregation, and to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

Because of these properties, lingzhi has been regarded as blood pressure stabilizer, antioxidant, analgesic, a kidney and nerve tonic. It has been used in bronchitis prevention and in cardiovascular treatment, and in the treatment of high triglycerides, high blood pressure, hepatitis, allergies, chemotherapy support, HIV support, and even for fatigue and altitude sickness.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Acupressure points have a high electrical conductivity at the surface of the skin. These points conduct and channel healing energy.  The Chinese call this healing energy Qi or Chi. The Japaneses call the healing energy Ki. The most potent healing energy work uses acupressure points. In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are 12 meridians that are the body's healing energy pathways. The meridian lines are where vital energy can become blocked. Acupressure can relieve tension, numbness or pain, and harmonize all functions of the body.

Sticks and Stones and Acupressure

Stones and arrows were used by early Chinese dynasties during battle. Wounded soldiers noticed that symptoms of disease and pain that had plagued them for years disappeared. Physicians began a meticulous study of the relationship between pressure and health which resulted in the healing art of acupressure.

What is Acupressure:



Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. It uses the fingers to gradually apply pressure to key healing points. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. it uses the fingers to gradually apply pressure to key healing points. Acupuncture and acupressure use  the same pressure points and meridians to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure releases muscular tension and promotes better circulation. It is effective in pain relief and detoxifying the body. Please join me for the Acupressure Workshop. Click on the above Acupressure Workshop tab for details.

"Living with Pain" is this Your Only Option?

The American Chronic Pain Association estimates that 86 million Americans are "living with pain". Using the phase "living with pain" and not "suffering from pain" creates the impression that this is an acceptable "lifestyle". As an acupuncturist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine my approach is wellness not an acceptance of "un-wellness."
The following is an excerpt from a report by the American Pain Society:

How effective is the medical profession in meeting the need for pain relief?

Almost all chronic pain sufferers have gone to a doctor for relief of their pain at one time or another. Almost 4 of every 10 are not currently doing so, since they think either there is nothing more a doctor can do or in one way or another their pain is under control or they can deal with it themselves.

This is not the case with those having very severe pain; over 7 of every 10 are currently going to a doctor for pain relief. In addition, significant numbers of those with very severe pain are significantly more likely to require emergency room visits, hospitalization and even psychological counseling or therapy to treat their pain.

A significant proportion (over one-fourth) of all chronic pain sufferers wait for at least 6 months before going to a doctor for relief of their pain because they underestimate the seriousness of it and think they can tough it out.

Chronic pain sufferers are having difficulty in finding doctors who can effectively treat their pain, since almost one half have changed doctors since their pain began; almost a fourth have made at least 3 changes. The primary reasons for a change are the doctor not taking their pain seriously enough, the doctor’s unwillingness to treat it aggressively, the doctor’s lack of knowledge about pain and the fact they still had too much pain. This level of frustration is significantly higher among those with very severe pain where the majority have changed doctors at least once and almost of every 3 have done it 3 or more times. Their primary reason for changing was still having too much pain after treatment.

Doctors are not a major barrier when a patient asks for a medicine they saw or heard about; in the majority of instances the doctor prescribes it. Similarly, in the majority of instances when a sufferer has been referred to a program or clinic for relief, in the great majority of referrals their managed care or workman’s comp program permitted access.

Huangqin (Chinese Herbal Medicine)

Huangqin, 黃芩 (Scutellaria radix)
The medical functions of huang qin include: huang qin’s ingredient baicalin can promote secretion of bile. Alkaloids of huang qin possesses antihistamine effect; baicalein has anti-toxin effect, inhibits permeability of capillaries and anti acetylcholine and anti anaphylaxis effects, it also inhibits acute asthma attack and allergenic eczema; prevents atherosclerosis; ingredient wogonin has anti hepatitis B virus effects. In modern medicine, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of wogonin have been widely used in clinical treatment of inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, hyperlipemia, and atherosclerosis. It has been reported that wogonin has the potential for therapeutic use in the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis based upon its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antiproliferative activities.
(Source: Dictionary of Chinese herbs; Molecular Pharmacology Vol. 60, Issue 3, 507-513, September 2001.)

Mountain Biking and Hip Pain

Hip flexibility is needed to relieve pressure on the knee and lumbar. During cycling the hip remains in a flexed position. Chronic tightness through TFL/ITB, iliopsoas and adductors is very common. This can lead to hip and groin problems. Gluteal and hamstring range needs to be maintained to sit comfortably in lumbar flexion, and avoid  falling too far into posterior tilt. Most hip and groin pain is related to the lumbar spine and pelvis. Acupuncture resolves pain issues.
(reference: Sports Injury Bulletin/Sean Fyfe)

Mountain Biking and Lower Back

Lower back injuries are similar to neck pain, except the aggravating positive is prolonged flexion. Ongoing back pain can be caused by muscle fatigue, chronic tension to posterior vertebra ligaments and prolonged compression to intervertebral discs. Your pelvic position while riding is significant, sitting in a  tilted position increases lumbar flexion.. The long period of flexed trunk position produces aches in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. Acupuncture can relieve the pain. (reference: Sean Fyfe/Sports Injury Bulletin)

Mountain Biking and Knee Pain

The most common cycling injury is patellofermoral syndrome (knee pain).  As the cartilage breaks down, extra pressure is put on the bones at the knee joint, producing pain and inflammation. One of the solutions is acupuncture.

Ginger Beer a Turn of the Century Health Tonic

Herbal remedies have played a part in all cultures. (Take 8 oz with fish and chips)

This classic ginger beer recipe is taken from the book "Dr. Chase's Third, Last and Complete Recipe Book, Memorial Edition" by Dr. Alvin Wood Chase, M.D., published by F. B. Dickerson Company, Detroit and Windsor, in 1891.

Old English Ginger Beer Recipe

Loaf sugar, 2-1/4 pounds; cream of tartar, 1-1/2 ounces; gingerroot, 1-1/2 ounces; 2 lemons; fresh brewer's yeast, 2 tablespoonfuls; water, 3 gals.

Directions: Bruise the ginger, and put into a large earthenware pan, with the sugar and cream of tartar; peel the lemons, squeeze out the juice, strain it, and add, with the peel, to the other ingredients; then pour over the water boiling hot. When it has stood until it is only just warm, add the yeast, stir the contents of the pan, cover with a cloth, and let it remain near the fire for 12 hours. Then skim off the yeast and pour the liquor off into another vessel, taking care not to shake it, so as to leave the sediment; bottle it immediately, cork it tightly; in 3 or 4 days it will be fit for use.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba (deciduous dioecious) Is one of the oldest living tree species. It is also known as the Maidenhair Tree. This species has no close living relatives and is native to China. Ginkgo biloba is one of the most studied botanicals.

The leaves are fan shaped with fleshy yellow seeds. The leaves are not usually used in their crude sate. They are used as a concentrated extract (GBE) The leaves contain flavonoids and terpenoids which have potent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals. Free radicals occur naturally in the body. They damage compounds in the body that alter cell membranes, DNA and cause cell death. Free radicals are contained in environmental toxins including cigarette smoking and air pollution. Ginkgo contains antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals and reduce and even help prevent some of the damage. It is used for its revitalizing, stimulating and firming qualities. It is used to treat circulatiory disorders and enhance memory.

Mountain Biking and Neck Pain.

One of the most common problems I see in my cycling patients is neck pain. This usually relates to a prolonged time spent in an extended position. The constant compression of any joint over a long period will lead to muscle fatigue and chronic muscle pain. A prolonged position will also result in cumulative tensile stress on joint capsules and ligaments. This can produce long term structural changes to joint arthrokinematics. Cervical extension with shoulders in a depressed position increases neural tension. Cervical extension with shoulders in a depressed position increases neural tension. This can result in ulnar or median neuropathy. The symptoms are pain, numbness or tingling. Acupuncture offers relief from the pain.

(reference: Sean Fyfe/Sports Injury Bulletin)

The Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture balances the body's energy systems improving health and quality of life.  Our lives can become out of balance due to thought patterns, diet, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and excesses. Acupuncture helps balance the energy systems by directing energy to the areas of body that are deficient.
This also reduces stress and helps you relax.  Acupuncture can bring the body back into emotional balance. It has been helpful in treating depression and anxiety. Acupuncture points have a physical and emotional aspect to their function. There are many reasons for insomnia, acupuncture can treat the causes of insomnia or be used to directly treat sleep disorders. Balancing your body's energy systems strengths your immune system. Acupuncture increases circulation, reduces inflammation and scaring and helps the patient recover faster from injury, illness or surgery. Chronic and acute pain reduction is one of the most common reasons patients seek acupuncture. Acupuncture relieves migraine and arthritis, carpal tunnel, back pain, etc. Respiratory health including allergies and asthma are positively impacted by the use of acupuncture. A powerful benefit of acupuncture is the reduction of the side effects of chemo and radiation therapies.

The effects of acupuncture are not limited to one area of the body or one symptom. Acupuncture treats the whole person.

Herbal Tea for Sore Throat

Honeysuckle Flower is one of the most commonly used herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine for sore throats. It is not as easy to find as slippery elm which is commonly used in Western herbal remedies. Most health food stores will order it for you. Honeysuckle Flower tastes as sweet as it smells. Bring one quart of water to a boil, add one cup honeysuckle flowers, not the leaves, cover and steep for ten minutes. Two to four cups a day are recommended.

Acupuncture and The Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

“In a car you’re always in a compartment, and because you’re used to it you don’t realize that through the car window everything you see is just more TV. You’re a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.

On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re completely in contact with it all. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.” Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values.

I am a Harley riding, beer brewing, acupuncturist, who understands how the state of constant pain makes a person a passive observer of life. Pain can take away the sense of being present in the activities of life. Life becomes a remembered routine and the joy of being part of the lives of those you love fades. Too often people seek relief in prescription medications that dull the senses and deaden the passion for living. There are alternatives and acupuncture is one of the alternatives. When the “frame work” of pain is gone, you are free to experience the sense of presence. (And, you don’t need to a Harley for that.)

The Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was published in 1974 and sold five million copies. It has the distinction of having been rejected by more publishers that any other best seller. It was rejected by 121 publishers.

Oriental Ginseng

Oriental ginseng is also called Korean ginseng, Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, red ginseng and white ginseng, and Panax Ginseng. It is imported from either China or Korea. white ginseng refers to untreated ginseng and is "less warm" than red ginseng. Red ginseng is steamed and cured with other herbs in the Korean tradition. In Chinese medicine ginseng root is believed to promote Yang energy and is Yang in nature.  This improves circulation and stimulates the body and improves the immune system. Oriental ginseng tonifies the lungs and spleen, nourishes vital fluids, builds stamina and strength, and rejuvenates the glandular secretions of the endocrine system. Other uses are to improve vision and hearing, normalize high blood sugar content, combat fatigue and stress. It increases energy and helps people who suffer from cold hands and feet.
There is a strong qi boosting quality and is not recommended for people with high pressure or heart conditions.

Because of its strength, traditional herbalists rarely use ginseng by itself. It is combined with other herbs to increase clinical benefits and reduce negative reactions.

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian ginseng is a hardy, tolerant herb that grows in coniferous mountain forests as undergrowth. Siberian ginseng is not a ginseng. It belongs to the plant species known as Eleutherococcus Stenticosus. Its active chemical ingredient is eleutherosides, not ginsenosides which is found in ginseng roots. Siberian ginseng shares many qualities with Chinese and American ginseng. It acts as an adaptogen, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune tonic. It can also help with sore muscles and dark under eye circles. Siberian ginseng contains many essential nutrients including sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and vitamins A, B3, B12, C and E.  In folk medicine it is referred to as the root of life.

American Ginseng

American ginseng is the Yin that complements the Asian ginseng Yang.

The American ginseng plant has green leaves that grow in a circular formation, with large yellow flowers. It is similar to to Asian ginseng in appearance. In Chinese Medicine American ginseng is associated with tranquil Yin energy. It has a milder qi boosting effect and is suitable for all ages. American ginseng  is used primarily for clearing the body's inner heat and tonifying the qi. The body accumulates inner heat when we consume too much fried or spicy foods or from lack of sleep. It has been used to reduce blood sugar levels, to treat colds, anemia, insomnia, stress and fevers, and strengthens the immune system and improves circulation. American ginseng works on the spleen and lungs and generates body fluids.

Types of Ginseng

There are three main species of ginseng. Oriental ginseng (panax ginseng) is grown in both China and Korea. In Korea it is called red panax. During the processing it turns red. White Oriental ginseng occurs because the root is allowed to dry naturally. Siberian ginseng (eleutherococcus stenticocus) is a distant cousin to panax ginseng. It is also known as the santa root and is native to East Asia, China, Japan, and Russia. American ginseng is a member of the ivy family and grew wild. It takes the root approximately five years to reach harvesting maturity.

Each type of ginseng possesses different qualities and healing properties. We will cover each type and its healing uses as this series continues.

A Series on Ginseng

Ginseng is the most widely used and most respected herb in the Orient. It is a short, perennial plant that grows on the slopes of ravines and shady, well drained mountainous hardwood forests.  It has five compound leaves on a single stalk with a gray bloom that turns into a cluster of crimson fruit from which the ginseng seed is extracted. The Chinese have been using the ginseng root for over 5000 years. The name means "Man Plant". Its' botanical name is Panax derived from the Greek for All Healing or Cure All. There is a variety of ginseng native to the North Americans continent that was used by the native peoples for healing. In this series we will cover the properties of ginseng.

Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine

Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use herbs derived from plant, animal, and mineral substances. Plant derived herbs are the most common, such as ginseng and ginger. Minerals and animal parts such as oyster shells, deer antlers and bear gall bladder are also used in China.

Herbs have four basic qualities and properties: nature, taste, affinity, and primary action.
An herb's nature is described as cooling or heating, moistening, relaxing or energizing. The herb's taste is categorized by five tastes. These are sour, bitter, sweet, bland, spicy, and salty.  Affinity is the connection the herb has to a particular organ network. Primary action refers to the effect of an herb to move, restrain, expel or strengthen.

The History of Acupuncture in the United States. Part 2 Nixon and the New York Times

James Reston in background

"At that precise moment, or so it now seems, the first stab of pain went through my groin," Reston wrote in a story titled "Now Let Me Tell You the Story of My Operation in Beijing" printed in the New York Times on July 26, 1971.

James Barrett Reston (Scotty) was a journalist for the New York Times and served as the associate editor from 1964 to 1968, executive editor from 1968 to 1969 and vice president of the Times from 1969 to 1974. Reston interviewed many of the world's leaders including Kennedy and Khrushchev.

Reston suffered an appendicitis while in China in 1971. His appendix was removed through surgery at the Anti-Imperialist Hospital in Beijing. The post operative pain was treated with acupuncture which was immediately effective. James Reston was so impressed that he wrote an article for the Times about this experience. This was the first time most Americans had heard of acupuncture.

For years it was thought that Dr. Li Chang-yuan, was the acupuncturist who treated James Reston. It was recently discovered that the misspelling of the acupuncturist's name by Reston had left him in oblivion for more thatn 30 years. He name was Dr. Li Zhanyuan.

The History of Acupuncture in the United States - Part 1

The practice of acupuncture was brought to the United States by the Chinese and Japanese in the 1800's. It was not an accepted practice outside of their communities. Acupuncture was considered barbaric and banned in most states.

 Miriam Lee, author of Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist, and founder of the Acupuncture Association of America, was one of the pioneering acupuncturists in the United States and was responsible for the legalization of acupuncture in California.

Dr. Lee was a nurse, midwife and acupuncturist in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War.  She escaped to Singapore in 1949 and lived there for seventeen years, studying emotionally-based illnesses. In 1966 Dr. Lee moved to California. At that time Acupuncture was illegal and Dr. Lee took a job in a factory.
Dr. Lee used acupuncture to treat a friend's bed-ridden son and after several treatments he completely recovered. This was the beginning of her practice in California. Through word of mouth, Dr. Lee was treating as many as 75 to 80 patients a day.

In 1975 Dr. Miriam Lee was arrested for practicing medicine without a license. Her patients rallying in support of her filled the court room. Dr. Lee was permitted to continue to practice acupuncture as an "experimental procedure." One year later acupuncture was signed into California law as a legal medical practice, making Dr. Lee one of California's first licensed acupuncturists.

 In 1977 acupuncture was recognized by the U.S. National Institutes of Health as a mainstream medicine healing option with a statement documenting the procedure's safety and efficacy for treating a variety of health conditions.

The Effects of Acupunture on Stress.

We have accepted stress as a normal part of our lives and spend countless dollars and hours on books, tapes, DVD's and workshop to help us overcome stress. Stress weakens our immune systems making our bodies more susceptible to illnesses and diseases. It is estimated that 80% of all illnesses are brought on by stress. Acupuncture has been shown to induce a relaxation response and strengthens the immune system by reducing the negative effects of stress on our body.

Stress activates our survival system, increases the heart rate and lung function and reduces movement of our large intestine and increases blood pressure. This puts our bodies into a constant state of flight-or-fight. When stress persists over an extended period of time, our sympathetic nervous system remains constantly stimulated and becomes depleted. The constant state of stress produces an unbalanced nervous system which can produce a variety of health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerated colitis. Our risk of infections, colds and flu increases. Stress increases the production of cortisol which suppresses our immune system. Cortisol acts as an immunosuppressant by reducing the number of white blood cells which produce antibodies and destroy viruses, bacteria and tumor cells.

Acupuncture works to reverse the effects of stress by suppressing the sympathetic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system.  The sympathetic nervous system controls our body when we are stressed and the parasympathetic nervous system controls our body when we are relaxed and calm. Acupuncture changes the messages being sent from our nervous system to our endocrine system and immune system.

Simply put: the metal acupuncture needle is a conductor of energy. Acupuncture points are surrounded by a greater concentration of nerve endings than in other areas of the body. The nervous system uses energy to send messages. Acupuncture conducts and adjusts the flow of energy.

What is Acupuncture.

The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. An acupuncturist views health and sickness as concepts of "vital energy," "energetic balance" and "energetic imbalance." The acupuncturist assesses the flow and distribution of this "vital energy" within its pathways, known as "meridians and channels".  The acupuncturist is able to influence health by stimulating key areas along these "meridians" called "acupoints", with fine, slender needles.  The procedure adjusts the "vital energy" so the proper amount of energy reaches the proper place at the proper time. This helps your body heal itself.

Acupuncture is just one form of therapy used within a coherent system of healing known as Oriental Medicine which includes herbology, physical therapy, dietetics and special exercises (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong).   This is a complete medical system unto itself.  Acupuncture evolved from principles and philosophies unique to Oriental thinking and Oriental Medicine over thousands of years.

The 7 Mountains Story

I am often asked how I came to call my acupuncture practice 7 Mountains. Of course there is a story in the answer.

When I was in acupuncture school I was also a father of three young girls, a husband, and a respiratory therapist. Often the best time for uninterrupted study was about 4:00 am to 6:00 am. Over time I noticed that as the sun came up it would illuminate, one by one, seven large mountain tops around our home in the Colorado foothills.

Fast forward to 2004 and Beijing China where I was studying herbal medicine. One day one of my herbal teachers asked me about Colorado and my home town.  I showed him a picture of our house with ice-icicles hanging off the roof. Then I shared the story of the seven mountains being illuminated by the sun.  At my Chinese herbal graduation I was presented with my diploma. It actually had two names hand printed on it - my English name, Bruce Ayers, and in Chinese characters was written "The Man From 7 Mountains."

When I returned home to Colorado and started my acupuncture and herbal practice, 7 Mountains seemed like the perfect name.

The Origins of Acupunture.

The oldest known book on Chinese medicine is the "Neiching", also known as "The Yellow Emperor's classic of internal medicine". It is written in the form of a dialogue between the Yellow Emperor "Huang Ti" and "Chi Po" a Taoist teacher and physician. It is believed that the Yellow Emperor lived around 2700 B.C. The book indicates that acupuncture was widely practiced in China much before the time it was written.

During archaeological excavations in China, various types of gold and silver acupuncture needles were found in the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng who died around 200 B.C. This confirms that these different types of needles were in use over two thousand years ago.

Acupuncture originated in the cold north-west parts of China where herbs and other medical remedies were scarce. Acupuncture spread from there to other parts of the world through travelling physicians, scholars and pilgrims.

One of these was a famous Chinese physician called Pien Chueh who lived around 400 B.C. While visiting the province of Quo with some of his students, he arrived at a town there the people seemed very sad since their beloved prince had suddenly become unconscious. His doctors had been unable to revive him and it seemed that he was going to die.

Hearing that Pien Chueh was a great physician, the people asked him if there was anything he could do to help their prince. Pien Chueh agreed to examine the prince. Arrangements were made and he was received by the king, who willingly allowed him to examine the unconscious prince.

Pein Chueh made a thorough examination of the prince and arrived at a diagnosis. He treated the prince with acupuncture who soon regained consciousness. Pein Chueh continued to treat the prince with acupuncture, heat treatment (moxibuxtion) and various herbs till the prince recovered completely. It is said that the king rewarded him richly and directed the physicians in his Court to learn acupuncture and thus the practice of acupuncture spread.