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.)

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.

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.