Category: Healing

Tools and tips to support your healing for specific diagnosis.

Where Can I Buy Evil Bone Water

Posted on February 17, 2026 by - Healing

  • Verified
12 minutes read

Where to Buy Evil Bone Water

Willard Sheppy Dipl. OM, LAc, BS

Willard Sheppy is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and Founder of Valley Health Clinic specializing in using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat acute injuries and chronic conditions, and to improve sports performance and rehabilitation.

DR-Joshua

Table of Contents

Where to Buy Evil Bone Water

If you’ve been searching “where to buy Evil Bone Water” or “how to buy Evil Bone Water,” you’re not alone. A lot of people hear about it from a friend, a practitioner, or a clinic video—and then immediately try to find it online.

Here’s the important part up front: Evil Bone Water is intentionally not a mass-market product. It’s built around small-business distribution and practitioner relationships, which means it won’t show up in the usual places (like Amazon). That’s not a glitch. It’s the point.

This guide walks you through exactly where to buy Evil Bone Water, how to buy it (single bottle or wholesale), how to find a store near you, what to expect with spray tops, and how to avoid confusing look-alike products online.

Where can I buy Evil Bone Water?

Evil Bone Water is a small business product that supports other small businesses. That’s why you typically won’t find it on Amazon or in big-box retail channels.
Instead, it’s sold through practitioner networks and clinic storefronts as a way to honor the roots of the formula and the history of where it came from. In practical terms, that means your best buying options fall into three categories:
Buy a single bottle online (easy, straightforward)
Buy in person at an acupuncture clinic (often the best value)
Buy wholesale (best for practitioners, clinics, or resellers)
Let’s break those down.

How to buy Evil Bone Water online (single bottle)

If you want one bottle shipped to your door, the simplest route is buying online through Valley Health Acupuncture.

MSRP is $40 for a single bottle.
This option is ideal if:
  • You don’t have a local clinic that carries it
  • You want a predictable, standard purchasing experience
  • You care about fast shipping and reliable fulfillment

Shipping note (Valley Health Acupuncture)

If you purchase through Valley Health, we try to get orders delivered in three days or sooner. We’re on the West Coast and ship to the East Coast via Priority Mail. We send out deliveries every other day, so most orders move quickly from “placed” to “shipped” without sitting around for a week
If your goal is “how to buy Evil Bone Water fast,” that shipping cadence matters.
How to find Evil Bone Water near me?
If you’re searching “Evil Bone Water near me,” your best bet is a local acupuncture clinic especially clinics that have an in-person retail shelf or a small clinic store. You can often find Evil Bone Water more affordably directly through an acupuncture clinic if you go in person. Not every clinic prices the same way, but many clinics aim to keep it accessible for existing patients, and in-person pickup removes shipping costs and delays.

Two ways to find it locally:

  • Ask your local acupuncturist if they carry it (or can order it).
  • Use the store locator on the Evil Bone Water website to find a store near you.
If you’re someone who likes to “support local” and also wants the best deal, this is usually the sweet spot: you get the product, you support a clinic, and you skip shipping.
Store location near you
How to buy Evil Bone Water in bulk (practitioner option)

If you’re a Acupuncturist and you run a clinic and want it on your shelf you can buy wholesale through the manufacturer, Saint Apothecary.

Wholesale purchases a box of 24 bottles.

Wholesale makes sense if:

  • You’re a licensed practitioner and want consistent stock
  • You want to offer it in-clinic without running out
  • You’re building bundles or treatment support kits
  • You want a better per-bottle cost than single retail

It also aligns with the “roots and lineage” approach: Evil Bone Water is intentionally sold through practitioner channels to honor the formula’s history and keep it connected to clinical care rather than commodity retail.

If you’re not an acupuncturist but you’d still like to carry Evil Bone Water at wholesale pricing, we can sometimes help you find the right path depending on your business and how you plan to sell it. Reach out to me directly and tell me a little about your shop (online, in-person, or both), your estimated monthly volume, and where you’re located. The easiest way is to message us through the Shopify site inbox, or email me, and we’ll let you know what options are available and what we’d need from you to get set up.

Get Now
Does Evil Bone Water come with a spray top?

Does Evil Bone Water come with a spray top?

This trips people up, so it’s worth making explicit. Evil Bone Water does not come with a spray top by default.

Many clinics and sellers offer a spray top as an add-on—often for about a dollar. If you love the convenience of spraying versus pouring, check the product listing details before you buy, or add a spray top to your cart if it’s offered.

Practical tip: if you already own a compatible spray top from a prior bottle, you may be able to reuse it (depending on bottle threading and sprayer fit).

Practical tip: if you already own a compatible spray top from a prior bottle, you may be able to reuse it (depending on bottle threading and sprayer fit).
Don’t get confused by Amazon look-alikes (important)

A lot of people search “where to buy Evil Bone Water” and end up seeing products on Amazon with similar names—often variations that resemble “Zheng Gu Shui” branding.

A lot of people search “where to buy Evil Bone Water” and end up seeing products on Amazon with similar names—often variations that resemble “Zheng Gu Shui” branding.

Here’s the key point: products on Amazon that look like “Zheng Gu Shui” are not automatically the real Evil Bone Water.
Evil Bone Water is its own specific practitioner-distributed product with a controlled supply chain through small businesses and clinics. If you buy a similarly named liniment on Amazon, you may be buying a completely different product with different sourcing, different strength, or different ingredients.

If what you want is specifically “Evil Bone Water,” the safe buying rule is simple:

Buy through a known clinic (in person or online)
Use the Evil Bone Water website store locator
Buy wholesale directly through Saint Apothecary (practitioner route)

If you’re unsure whether a listing is legitimate, look for clear signals that it’s coming from a clinic or practitioner channel—not a generic marketplace reseller.

Evil Bone Water

Evil Bone Water (Zheng Gu Shui) is a Chinese topical medicinal hand-crafted with only empirical grade herbal ingredients in an approved facility.

Get Now

Key takeaways

  • You can’t buy Evil Bone Water on Amazon. It’s distributed through small businesses and practitioner channels.
  • You can buy a single bottle online through Valley Health Acupuncture (MSRP is $40).
  • You may find it at a local acupuncture clinic often more affordably in person.
  • Practitioners can buy wholesale through the manufacturer (Saint Apothecary): box of 24 bottles.
  • Don’t get fooled by similarly named “Zheng Gu Shui”-style products on Amazon—they’re not the same thing.
Get Now

Share on

Will Sheppy, Founder and Acupuncturist at Valley Health Clinic
Willard Sheppy
Willard Sheppy is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and Founder of Valley Health Clinic specializing in using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat acute injuries and chronic conditions, and to improve sports performance and rehabilitation.

FAQ's

buying Evil Bone Water
Is Evil Bone Water on Amazon?
Typically, no. Evil Bone Water is distributed through small businesses and practitioner channels, not Amazon.

For most people: Valley Health Acupuncture online (MSRP $40) is the simplest.

For best value: an in-person acupuncture clinic often has more flexible pricing.

For practitioners: Saint Apothecary wholesale ( box of 24 bottles) is the most cost-effective.

Use the store locator on the Evil Bone Water website, or call local acupuncture clinics and ask if they stock it.

Because the product is tied to clinical tradition and lineage. Selling through practitioners honors the roots of the formula and keeps it connected to hands-on care rather than mass retail.

If you are interested in selling wholesale please email me or message me on Shopify inbox.

Not usually. Many sellers offer a spray top as a small add-on (often about $1).

A simple “how to buy Evil Bone Water” checklist

  1. Decide: single bottle, local pickup, or wholesale.

  2. If you want it shipped: buy online through Valley Health Acupuncture (MSRP $40).

  3. If you want the best deal: check local acupuncture clinics and ask about in-store pricing.

  4. If you want a clinic near you: use the Evil Bone Water website store locator.

  5. If you’re a practitioner: order wholesale through Saint Apothecary ( 24 bottles).

  6. If you want a spray top: confirm whether it’s included or add it on.

  7. Avoid confusion: don’t assume similar-looking Amazon “Zheng Gu Shui” listings are the real Evil Bone Water.

Evil Bone Water isn’t just a product you “add to cart.” The way it’s distributed is part of what protects its quality and its story supporting clinics, honoring practitioner roots, and keeping it in the hands of people who actually use it.

If you want the simplest route, buy a single bottle online through Valley Health Acupuncture. If you want the best local option, find an acupuncture clinic near you that carries it. And if you’re a practitioner looking for a reliable supply, wholesale through Saint Apothecary is the cleanest path.

Notes

Where can I buy evil bone water evil bone water is a small business that supports other small businesses that means that you won’t be able to find it on Amazon but only through other small businesses

Evil bone water is only sold through Upwork practitioners as a way to honor the roots of the formula and the history of where it came from

If you are interested in buying it, you can buy a wholesale through the manufacturer at Saint apothecary for $295 for 24 bottles

If you are interested in buying a single bottle, you can do it online at Valley Health Acupuncture MSRP is $40

You can often find it more affordably directly through an acupuncture clinic if you go to their clinic store in person

You can find a store near you through the evil bone water website

Evil bone water does not come with the spray top, but many people will offer it as an add-on for a dollar

Don’t get confused with the knock off Zheng Gu Shi
On Amazon
It is not the real evil bone wate r

If she purchased through Valley health market we try to get all orders delivered three days or sooner
We are on the West Coast and ship to the East Coast in priority mail

Send out deliveries every other day

Recent Posts

Microgard for Chronic Indigestion

Posted on December 30, 2025 by - Healing

Microgard
  • Verified
14 minutes read

Microgard

Dr. Joshua
Dr. Joshua Park, DSOM, L.Ac

Dr. Joshua Park is a digestive health specialist and among the first in North America to receive a clinical doctorate in Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. He trained at the National University of Natural Medicine, studying with leading physicians from Korea, China, Europe, and the United States.

DR-Joshua
Microgard

Table of Contents

The Natural Solution for Chronic Indigestion (Functional Dyspepsia)

When your antacids and acid blockers aren’t fixing your chronic indigestion, it’s time for a different approach. Most treatments for upset stomach only target one issue at a time, which is why they often leave you still dealing with bloating, burning, or feeling full too quickly after meals.
Microgard is a comprehensive, all natural herbal formula that draws on the legacy of Bao He Wan, and Po Chai Pills, digestive remedies trusted across Asia for generations. Microgard has proven to be one of the most effective options available for treating functional dyspepsia.
If you’ve never heard the term before, functional dyspepsia is the medical name for chronic indigestion with no clear cause. Functional dyspepsia can present with symptoms such as persistent bloating after eating, early fullness, nausea, or burning discomfort in the upper abdomen that can’t be explained by ulcers or structural disease.
Microgard combines the effects of multiple botanical ingredients to restore balance across the digestive system. It supports enzyme activity, calms inflammation, repairs the gut barrier, improves motility, and regulates the gut-brain axis so that stress and indigestion no longer fuel each other.

What You’ll Learn in This Article

I use this test with patients when the source of their anxiety is unclear. It’s simple but telling:
  • Why functional dyspepsia is so frustrating to treat with conventional medicine
  • How chronic indigestion develops from overlapping digestive, inflammatory, and neurological imbalances
  • How specific herbs in Microgard target each of these mechanisms to restore healthy digestion

What Causes Functional Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia is chronic indigestion without ulcers or structural disease. In other words, your stomach isn’t working right, but tests and imaging don’t show anything obvious. Symptoms might feeling full after just a few bites, bloating that lingers for hours, nausea after eating, burning in your upper stomach, acid reflux, and that heavy sensation where food just sits.
What’s actually happening with functional dyspepsia isn’t one single issue, but several overlapping systems breaking down:

Slow Stomach Emptying

Food lingers too long in the stomach instead of moving along normally. This delayed emptying causes bloating and that “stuffed” feeling even from small meals.

Oversensitive Stomach Nerves

Nerves in the stomach overreact to normal signals, turning mild fullness into pain, cramping, or nausea.

Low-Grade Inflammation

Chronic irritation in the stomach lining interferes with normal function and keeps symptoms coming back.

Disrupted Gut-Brain Communication

Stress worsens digestion, and poor digestion amplifies stress, creating a feedback loop where anxiety and stomach upset feed off each other.

Digestive Enzyme Problems

When the body doesn’t produce or release enough digestive enzymes, food breaks down poorly, leading to gas, fermentation, and bloating.

Why Conventional Drugs Fall Short

If you’ve tried the usual treatments for functional dyspepsia (chronic indigestion), you already know they don’t work very well. Here’s why:

Acid Blockers Have Limited Success (And Serious Side Effects)

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Prilosec and Nexium are the most common prescriptions, but research shows they only work 7–10% better than placebo. If 30% of people feel better on a sugar pill, only about 37–40% feel better on acid blockers. Long term use of these medications can also come with severe side effects, including nutrient deficiencies, kidney problems, increased risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease, bone fractures, infections, and dementia.

H. pylori Treatment Rarely Helps

Doctors often test for Helicobacter pylori bacteria and prescribe a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (called “Triple Therapy”) to eliminate it. But this only helps 6–14% of functional dyspepsia patients, meaning 85–94% still have symptoms afterward.

Motility Drugs Are Inconsistent

Prokinetic medications that help food move through the stomach can work for some people, but not reliably. Many of the most effective ones, like cisapride, were pulled from the market due to dangerous cardiac side effects.

Antidepressants Come with Heavy Costs

Tricyclic antidepressants are prescribed for functional dyspepsia when other treatments fail. Although some studies have shown they may help up to 64–70% of patients, their side effects, which can include sedation, dry mouth, weight gain, constipation, heart problems, anxiety and sexual dysfunction, make them difficult to tolerate long-term.

Single-Target Treatments for a Multi-System Problem

Functional dyspepsia is caused by overlapping dysfunctions: delayed gastric emptying, inflammation, nerve hypersensitivity, enzyme issues, and gut-brain disruption. Conventional drugs only address one piece at a time, leaving the rest untouched which is why so many patients stay stuck with symptoms.

How Microgard Works For Chronic Indigestion (Functional Dyspepsia)

Microgard addresses functional dyspepsia (chronic indigestion) by restoring function across digestion, inflammation, barrier integrity, motility signaling, and the gut–brain axis.

Direct Stomach Protection

  • Fu Ling (poria): Supports repair of the gastric mucosa and balances immune signaling (Th1/Th2, Th17/Treg) through TLR and JNK pathways. Improves gut–brain peptide regulation, helping calm inflammation and reduce hypersensitivity in functional dyspepsia. Calms the low-grade inflammation that keeps the stomach lining reactive.
  • Huo Xiang (pogostemon): Active compound pogostone protects the gastric lining by enhancing antioxidant defenses, boosting protective prostaglandin E2, and preventing cell death. This reduces burning or nausea from irritated mucosa.
  • Cang Zhu (atractylodes lancea): Reduces TNF-α/NO activity and promotes protective mucins. Fortifies the gut wall against irritation and bloating triggers.
  • Bai Ji Li (tribulus): Inhibits NF-κB/iNOS-NO pathways involved in chronic irritation, has been shown to be mucosal protective with anti-H. pylori activity.

Gastric Motility Enhancement

  • Ge Gen (pueraria root): Modulates PI3K-Akt–linked metabolism and smooth muscle tone. This reduces cramping and tension in the abdomen and digestive tract after eating.
  • Bai Zhi (angelica dahurica): Reduces NF-κB/COX-2/iNOS signaling and inflammatory pain, easing inflammation and smooth-muscle tension that disrupts motility and produces burning discomfort in the stomach.
  • Mu Xiang (aucklandia): Sesquiterpene lactones with demonstrated gastroprotection; also eases spasm. Shields the stomach mucosa and reduces that tight, crampy “stuck” feeling.

Digestive Enzyme Support

  • Shen Qu (medicated fermented mass): Fermented preparation supplying enzymes, B-vitamins, and beneficial microbes. Supports digestion of carbohydrates, promotes gastric secretions, and helps balance gut flora while reducing inflammation. Eases that swollen, slow, after-meal feel.
  • Shan Zha (hawthorn fruit): Classically used for for “food stagnation,” especially fats and proteins; modern data supports lipid-metabolism benefits. Helps heavy meals clear without the brick-in-the-stomach sensation.
  • Gu Ya (germinated barley): Broad enzyme spectrum and prebiotic fibers aid digestion. This helps reduce heaviness, gas, and post-meal bloating.

Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms

  • Yi Yi Ren (coix seed): Supports intestinal barrier integrity and mucosal repair while moderating inflammatory cascades. Reduces “leaky gut”, leading to fewer flare ups of symptoms.
  • Tian Hua Fen (trichosanthes): Anti-inflammatory and immune support; traditionally “heat-clearing.” Helpful when the system runs “hot” and irritable.
  • Hua Ju Hong (exocarpium citri grandis): Flavonoid-rich antioxidant activity helps soothe upper-GI oxidative irritation that can stall digestion.
  • Bo He (mentha): Menthol-rich volatile oils are anti-inflammatory and induce smooth-muscle relaxation to ease digestive reactivity and gas. Comforts “hot,” irritated digestion.

Gut–Brain Axis Modulation

  • Gou Teng (uncaria): Serotonergic/neuromodulatory effects with anxiolytic properties. In other words, it soothes stress, calming the gut-brain axis and reducing flare ups of functional dyspepsia.
  • Shi Chang Pu (acorus): Reduces neuroinflammation and improves gut–brain signaling. This makes stomach sensations feel normal again instead of painful.
Microgard

Microgard

Microgard, an imperial grade herbal formula from Botanical Biohacking, is expertly crafted to enhance digestive health and balance. Microgard gently stimulates gastric motility, aiding in smoother intestinal movement and elimination. This synergistic action restores the diversity of the gastrointestinal microbiome and decreases the prevalence of biofilm.
Get Now

Why Microgard Is Different

Most treatments for chronic indigestion (functional dyspepsia) work like using a single wrench on an entire engine. They might tighten one bolt, but they leave the rest of the system broken.

Multi-System Approach

Microgard works through enzyme support, inflammation, barrier repair, gut-brain signaling, and mucosal protection so you're not left with half your symptoms still bothering you.

Built on Proven Formulas

Microgard evolved from Bao He Wan and Po Chai Pills, trusted for centuries. The difference is that Microgard has been refined for functional dyspepsia using modern biomedical insight.

Gentler Than Pharmaceuticals

Prescription drugs often bring side effects like nutrient deficiencies, infection risk, and heart complications. Herbs in Microgard have centuries of safe use. You get broad relief without the side effect burden.

Addresses What Drugs Miss

Conventional meds don’t provide digestive enzymes, regulate the gut-brain axis, and hit multiple inflammatory pathways at once. Microgard does, by working with your body's natural systems instead of overriding them.

Share on

Dr. Joshua
Dr. Joshua Park, DSOM, L.Ac
Dr. Joshua Park is a digestive health specialist and among the first in North America to receive a clinical doctorate in Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. He trained at the National University of Natural Medicine, studying with leading physicians from Korea, China, Europe, and the United States.

FAQ's

About Microgard
What is Microgard?
Microgard is a 16-herb formula evolved from the traditional digestive remedies Bao He Wan and Po Chai Pills, refined for functional dyspepsia (chronic indigestion). It addresses multiple causes of persistent upset stomach at the same time, from poor motility to inflammation and gut-brain signaling.
Take 8–25 micro pills, 2–3 times daily, or follow your healthcare practitioner’s instructions. Because these are micro pills — much smaller than standard capsules or tablets — the dosage may sound high, but the tiny size makes them easy to swallow and adjust to your needs.
Each bottle contains 18 g of traditional micro pills. Since there are no preservatives, keep the bottle in a cool, dry place and refrigerate after opening. For best results, finish the bottle as soon as possible once opened.
If you eat a Standard American Diet, have chronic indigestion (functional dyspepsia) or other digestive symptoms, and have signs of gut dysbiosis like a thick tongue coating, Microgard is likely a good formula for you. If you are unsure about Microgard, contact a TCM professional (licensed acupuncturist) who can determine if it’s the best fit.
Yes. Microgard contains no additives or preservatives, only the 16 traditional herbs. Ingredients are sourced from authentic growing regions, verified by TCM botanical experts, and tested for purity, heavy metals, and pesticide residues at a Chinese FDA-certified lab.
Microgard is not suitable during pregnancy, or for people with Celiac Disease. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you are nursing or taking medications.
Many people notice reduced bloating and post-meal heaviness within 1–2 weeks. More complete resolution of functional dyspepsia symptoms develops over several months as digestive function rebalances.
Most digestive aids only target one problem acid blockers reduce acid, enzymes help with breakdown, probiotics support gut bacteria. Microgard does all three plus more: improving motility, calming inflammation, protecting the stomach lining, and regulating the gut-brain axis. That’s why it’s uniquely effective for complex conditions like functional dyspepsia.
Microgard is manufactured by Botanical Biohacking, using time-honored herbal methods combined with modern GMP-certified quality testing to ensure safety and potency.

References

Yang, X., Wang, Y., Bai, L., Miao, T., & Wen, X. (2023). Mechanism of action of Baohe pills in improving functional dyspepsia. MEDS Chinese Medicine, 5(7), 48–55. Clausius Scientific Press. https://doi.org/10.23977/medcm.2023.050707

Maideen N. M. P. (2023). Adverse Effects Associated with Long-Term Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors. Chonnam medical journal, 59(2), 115–127. https://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2023.59.2.115

Tu, Y., Luo, X., Liu, D., Li, H., Xia, H., Ma, C., Zhang, D., Yang, Y., Pan, X., Wang, T., Xia, Y., Dan, H., You, P., & Ye, X. (2022). Extracts of Poria cocos improve functional dyspepsia via regulating brain-gut peptides, immunity and repairing of gastrointestinal mucosa. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 95, 153875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153875

Chen, X. Y., Chen, H. M., Liu, Y. H., Zhang, Z. B., Zheng, Y. F., Su, Z. Q., Zhang, X., Xie, J. H., Liang, Y. Z., Fu, L. D., Lai, X. P., Su, Z. R., & Huang, X. Q. (2016). The gastroprotective effect of pogostone from Pogostemonis Herba against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.), 241(2), 193–204. https://doi.org/10.1177/1535370215600099

Zhen, B. X., Cai, Q., & Li, F. (2023). Chemical components and protective effects of Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam against acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats. World journal of gastroenterology, 29(43), 5848–5864. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i43.5848

Lee, H.-A., Yoo, J.-H., Chung, Y., & Kim, O. (2017). Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation in human gastric epithelial AGS cells by the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L. extracts. Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research, 18(3), 121–124. https://doi.org/10.12729/jbtr.2017.18.3.121

Wang, Q., Shen, Z. N., Zhang, S. J., Sun, Y., Zheng, F. J., & Li, Y. H. (2022). Protective effects and mechanism of puerarin targeting PI3K/Akt signal pathway on neurological diseases. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 1022053. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1022053

Zhao, H., Feng, Y. L., Wang, M., Wang, J. J., Liu, T., & Yu, J. (2022). The Angelica dahurica: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Frontiers in pharmacology, 13, 896637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.896637

Feng, L., A, L., Li, H., Mu, X., Ta, N., Bai, L., Fu, M., & Chen, Y. (2023). Pharmacological Mechanism of Aucklandiae Radix against Gastric Ulcer Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Experiment. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 59(4), 666. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59040666

Fu, X., Wang, Q., Kuang, H., & Pinghui, J. (2020). Mechanism of Chinese medicinal-medicated leaven for preventing and treating gastrointestinal tract diseases. Digestion, 101(6), 659–666. https://doi.org/10.1159/000493424

Microgard By Botanical BioHacking Close up

The Bottom Line on Microgard

If you’re ready to stop living with bloating, burning, and meals that leave you feeling weighed down, now is the perfect time to make a change. Microgard delivers comprehensive support for functional dyspepsia and chronic indigestion by addressing every system involved: inflammation, barrier repair, motility, and the gut-brain connection.

Don’t settle for band-aid solutions that only mask symptoms. Order Microgard today and take the first
step toward eating comfortably, restoring balance, and feeling like yourself again.

Shop Now

Gut Brain Axis Test

Posted on December 24, 2025 by - Healing

  • Verified
11 minutes read

Gut Brain Axis Test

Will Sheppy, Founder and Acupuncturist at Valley Health Clinic
Willard Sheppy Dipl. OM, LAc, BS

Willard Sheppy is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and Founder of Valley Health Clinic specializing in using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat acute injuries and chronic conditions, and to improve sports performance and rehabilitation.

Table of Contents

Is Your Anxiety Starting in Your Gut or Your Brain?

Your gut and brain talk to each other all day long. That conversation isn’t just metaphorical the gastrointestinal tract is extremely sensitive to emotion, and a troubled intestine can send stress signals to the brain just as a troubled brain can upset your stomach.
In clinic I see this connection daily. Recently a patient came in complaining of post‑traumatic stress, anxiety and high cortisol. My evaluation showed no obvious endocrine imbalance, so I asked a simple question: “When do you feel anxious?” He admitted that at home, in his “happy place,” he felt calm. The anxiety only hit when he went out in public.
That little conversation is the backbone of what I call the Gut Brain Axis Test. It’s a quick way to tell whether your anxiety is coming upward from the gut or downward from the mind. Understanding the direction of those signals changes how we treat the problem and it brings a whole new appreciation for the complex, bidirectional relationship between digestion and mood.

What Is the Gut Brain Axis?

Scientists have discovered that we have a “second brain” inside our gut. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is made up of more than 100 million nerve cells that line the digestive tract . In fact, there are more nerve cells in your gut than anywhere else in your body outside of your brain . This neural network controls digestion and sends constant feedback to the central nervous system via the vagus nerve . Because of this wiring, the gut and brain are in continuous conversation: hunger, fullness, nausea and the urge to use the bathroom are all messages from your gut . The brain responds by adjusting motility, enzyme release and blood flow .
This connection works the other way, too. Stressful thoughts or strong emotions can trigger butterflies, cramping or indigestion. Psychology influences the actual physiology of the GI tract: stress and depression alter the movement and contractions of the gut .
Irritation inside the digestive system may in turn send signals to the central nervous system that trigger mood changes . That’s why people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional gut disorders have higher rates of anxiety and depression .
In Chinese medicine we recognized these patterns millennia ago: the Spleen and Stomach govern rumination and worry, while the Liver affects irritability and tension.
Modern science also shows that this axis involves endocrine, immune and metabolic pathways . The gut produces neurotransmitters and hormones; around 95 % of the body’s serotonin the chemical that regulates mood, appetite and sleep is made in the intestinal lining .
The gut microbiome (trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in our intestines) produces metabolites and neurotransmitters that influence brain function . Imbalanced gut bacteria have been linked to depression, anxiety and even developmental disorders . Because of this network, disturbances in one system can create symptoms in the other.

The Gut Brain Axis Test

I use this test with patients when the source of their anxiety is unclear. It’s simple but telling:
  • Notice where you are when symptoms appear. Do you feel anxious when you’re at home in your safe space, or only in certain situations? Are you calm at rest but agitated after meals? Or do your symptoms only arise when you leave the house?
  • Look for external triggers. Are there obvious stressors deadlines, crowds, loud noises that spark your symptoms? Or do you feel edgy for no apparent reason?
  • Compare top‑down vs. bottom‑up patterns.
  • Bottom‑up: If you’re calm in your mind but still feel anxiety, irritability or sadness, your digestive tract may be sending distress signals to the brain. This pattern shows up when people are in their happy place but still feel off. Irritation in the GI tract can trigger mood changes and alter stress responses.
  • Top‑down: If your anxiety only appears in stressful situations (public places, work deadlines, social settings), your mind is sending signals down to the gut. This top‑down pattern causes stomach pain, bloating or diarrhea during stress. It’s associated with PTSD, social anxiety or ongoing worry. Stress can make the gut more sensitive to pain and change gut motility .

Know Which Direction to Treatment The Gut Brain Axis

When the mind is calm but the gut is unhappy, focusing on fixing digestion often calms the brain.
Research shows that changes in gut bacteria can affect mood, cognition, and the stress response through gut-to-brain signaling, including the vagus nerve.
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and inflammatory patterns correlate with anxiety and irritability. Supporting gut health with diet, herbs, and probiotics can reduce anxious signaling at its source.

Gut Harmony

Restore digestive balance with Gut Harmony, a comprehensive 16-herb formula crafted to reduce bloating, improve gut motility, and support a healthy microbiome.
Get Now
When anxiety is clearly triggered by thoughts or environment, the focus shifts to calming the nervous system. Mind‑body practices (breath work, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy) have been shown to improve IBS symptoms . Acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas can tone the vagus nerve, modulate cortisol and ease tension. Treating the mind often relieves digestive symptoms in these cases.

Gut Brain Axis Research Shows

Modern literature is exploding with studies on the gut–brain axis. A few highlights:

The gut-brain connection

Pay attention to your gut-brain connection – it may contribute to your anxiety and digestion problems

The Gut-Brain Axis

Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health...

Partial destabilization of native structure

by a combination of heat and denaturant facilitates cold denaturation in a hyperthermophile protein...

The Brain-Gut Connection

If you’ve ever “gone with your gut” to make a decision or felt...

Gut Harmony

Restore digestive balance with Gut Harmony, a comprehensive 16-herb formula crafted to reduce bloating, improve gut motility, and support a healthy microbiome.

Share on

Will Sheppy, Founder and Acupuncturist at Valley Health Clinic
Willard Sheppy
Willard Sheppy is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and Founder of Valley Health Clinic specializing in using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat acute injuries and chronic conditions, and to improve sports performance and rehabilitation.

FAQ's

Common Questions About the Gut Brain Axis
How do I know if my anxiety is from my gut?
If you notice mood swings, irritability or anxiety when life is calm, look for digestive clues: bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn or food sensitivities. Research shows the gut can send signals to the brain that trigger emotional changes . Keeping a food and symptom diary, getting a stool analysis to assess your microbiome and working with a practitioner to address inflammation can help you determine if your gut is the culprit.
There isn’t a single lab panel that measures this connection. Clinicians use a combination of history, stool tests (to look at microbiome diversity and pathogens), breath tests (to assess SIBO), inflammatory markers, cortisol and vagal tone assessments. The simple thought experiment described above is a useful mental check. Ultimately, treating the gut or calming the mind or both is more effective than relying on a single “test.”
A high‑fiber, plant‑rich diet promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria . Whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables feed your microbiome and encourage production of neurotransmitters. Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi provide natural probiotics . Limiting refined sugars, alcohol and processed fats reduces inflammation. In Chinese medicine, warming, cooked foods like soups and porridges nourish the Spleen and calm the mind.
Probiotics are live bacteria that can help rebalance the microbiome. Small clinical trials have shown that taking specific probiotics for six weeks can improve both IBS and anxiety symptoms . Prebiotics nondigestible fibers that feed beneficial bacteria have also been shown to reduce cortisol levels . Not all probiotics are the same, so work with a practitioner to choose strains appropriate for your condition.
Yes. Diet directly alters the composition of your microbiome . Eating a diverse array of fiber‑rich foods increases short‑chain fatty acids, which support gut lining integrity and have anti‑inflammatory effects. Processed foods and alcohol can encourage growth of microbes that produce endotoxins, which may cross the gut barrier and affect the brain..

How to Support Your Gut–Brain Harmony

Eat for your microbiome

Focus on whole, unprocessed foods. Include plenty of fiber (vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains) and fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut. I am not a fan of yogart, too much sugar and milk.

Limit irritants

Reduce alcohol, sugary drinks, processed seed oils and ultra‑refined carbohydrates. These can disrupt your microbiome and promote inflammation.

Manage stress

Practice deep breathing, meditation and tai chi. These activate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm gut motility. Studies show mind‑body therapies improve IBS symptoms and mood .

Use targeted supplements

Prebiotics (soluble fibers like inulin), probiotics (such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species) The digestive products in this collection are designed to support gut health thoughtfully, safely, and effectively

Get moving

Regular, moderate exercise improves gut transit time and increases microbiome diversity. Here are six simple, low intensity activities for less pain, less risk, and more comfort in your body

Sleep well

The gut microbiome follows circadian rhythms. Poor sleep can disrupt microbial balance and increase cortisol. Establish a consistent sleep schedule.

Seek professional

If you’re ready for support consider joining the Chorus Circle community. This guided support group blends traditional Chinese medicine wisdom with modern neuroscience to help calm the gut, clear the mind, and restore steady energy. Led by experienced herbalists and practitioners, members gain access to free classes, practical gut–brain education, Synchrony Training using EEG and HRV, mindful practices, and botanical support so you can feel lighter, clearer, and more at ease as you rebuild balance from gut to brain and brain to gut.

Start Healing Your Gut Today

If your body is sending you mixed signals, don’t ignore them.  Whether your anxiety starts in your gut or your head, the gut–brain axis gives us a roadmap for healing.  In my clinic, I’ve watched patients transform their mood by repairing their microbiome and soothing their nervous system.  Gut Harmony — our Chinese‑herb‑based blend — is designed to do just that.  It combines traditional formulas that nourish the Spleen, disperse Liver qi and clear damp‑heat with modern insights into microbiome diversity.  Real medicine, for real people, done the right way.

Ready to calm your mind by treating your gut? [Treat your gut microbiome with Gut Harmony] and start feeling the difference.

Shop Now

The Guide to Topical Chinese Medicine

Posted on October 15, 2025 by - Healing, Pain Management

Free Guide To Topical Chinese Medicine

Stop Hurting, Start Healing

The Guide to Topical Chinese Medicine

Discover natural pain relief with herbal liniments, salves, and patches. Get your free guide to Topical Chinese Medicine from Valley Health Marketplace.

Download It Now!
Will Sheppy, Founder and Acupuncturist at Valley Health Clinic
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what I use every day in my clinic , the same formulas, techniques, and combinations that help my patients heal faster and feel better. I’ve included all my favorite tips and tricks for using topical Chinese medicine effectively, so you can get real results at home, the same way we do in the treatment room.
Willard Sheppy
LAc, Diplo O.M.

Real Medicine, Made by Real People, Done the Right Way

At Valley Health Marketplace, we believe in real medicine made by real people the right way. Our Guide to Topical Chinese Medicine helps you understand how topical herbal formulas used by martial artists, healers, and families for generations can relieve pain safely and effectively.

Why Didn’t Anyone Show Me This Sooner?

That’s what my patients say once they learn how to use Topical herbal medicine correctly

My patients tell me the same thing over and over: “Why didn’t anyone show me this sooner?” Once they start using herbal topicals correctly, they finally feel relief that lasts , not just numbing. This guide walks you through exactly how we do that in the clinic, so you can get real results at home, too

A Peek Inside

These chapters walk you through exactly what I teach my patients , how to choose the right product, when to use it, and how to combine formulas for the best results.

Whether you’re dealing with a new injury or long-term pain, you’ll find tools you can actually use at home to heal faster and feel better

What’s Inside the Guide

  • A breakdown of each type of topical medicine — and how to match it to your pain
  • The science behind herbal absorption and why it works better than pills for local pain
  • Step-by-step application tipsl for acute injuries and chronic conditions
  • Real stories and product origins from the makers themselves

So Why Wait?

Bring the Clinic Experience Home

I’ve put everything I teach in the clinic into this guide, real formulas, practical tips, and simple steps that help people heal faster. 

Download it now

Klaros AI Tongue Diagnosis

Posted on August 21, 2025 by - Healing

Klaros AI Tongue Diagnosis

Bring Traditional Chinese Medicine into the Digital Age with Advanced Tongue Analysis

Traditional Chinese Medicine has used tongue diagnosis for centuries to uncover hidden health patterns

Now, with Klaros, you can discover what your tongue reveals about your health from the comfort of your own home. 

Whether you’re new to Chinese medicine or an experienced practitioner, Klaros helps you better understand your body, track progress, and receive tailored recommendations in the comfort of your own home

Get the answers you need through Klaros!

Take Your Tongue Photos

Snap a clear photo of your tongue in natural light. This image is all Klaros needs to start analyzing your health.

How to Use Klaros

Simply take a photo of your tongue, let Klaros’ AI analyze it using Traditional Chinese Medicine principles, and receive personalized recommendations for herbs, diet, and lifestyle

Analyzes Patterns

Klaros will guide you through a short series of health questions. Your answers help refine the analysis and ensure the recommendations are safe, accurate, and tailored to your unique needs.

Start Now

Step by Step Guide

Here‘s a step-by-step guide (with tips!) to do it right the first time.

Step 1

Take Your Tongue Photos

  • Use natural lighting: Stand by a window or stand outdoors in an area with bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid harsh artificial lights if possible!
  • Keep your head straight: Don’t tilt your head or look down at your phone. It can be tempting if you’re trying to see if you‘re taking a good picture!
  • Ask for help: If possible, have someone else take the photos for you for the best shot!
  • Take breaks if needed: Don’t stick your tongue out for too long. If you do that, your tongue can change color and skew your results.
  • Avoid taking photos right after eating or after drinking coffee: Wait at least 30 minutes after eating, drinking coffee, or smoking to prevent discoloration. Drink water to help flush out any discoloration.

Take the Best Images for Klaros

  • Top of the tongue: Stick your tongue out and tilt the phone downward 15–30° so you’re capturing the surface with light hitting from above.
  • Bottom of your tongue: Place the tip behind your upper teeth, then tilt the phone 15° upward or shoot straight on to capture the sublingual veins.

Step 2

Analyzes Patterns

After taking and submitting your photos, Klaros will assess health issues and next steps using a series of questions to evaluate indicators. Here are the three questions you can expect

Get the answers you need through Klaros!

Do you have a puffy face or water retention?

Answer Yes if

  • You don’t feel thirsty and don’t drink much water.
  • Your eyelids or face look puffy in the morning.
  • Your fingers, ankles, or legs swell by the end of the day.
  • When you press on your skin (like the shin), does it leave a dent (pitting edema)?
  • You often feel heavy in your body, like you’re carrying extra weight?

If a part of your body is uncomfortable (like your tummy or lower back) does it feel better when heavy pressure is applied to it?

Answer Yes if

  • Your Symptoms worsen with exertion/activity (e.g., fatigue after mild exercise, shortness of breath.
  • You have gradual, persistent symptoms (e.g., lingering fatigue, dull pain).
  • Your Symptoms persist or worsen slowly.

Do you have trouble falling asleep at night?

Answer Yes if

  • You find your mind racing or overthinking when you lie down.
  • You feel restless in your body, unable to get comfortable.
  • You need to look at your phone, TV, or distract yourself to fall asleep.
  • You have palpitations, anxiety, or chest tightness when trying to fall asleep.
  • You have hot flashes, night sweats, or a dry throat at night.

Last Questions

medications and diagnoses

Here‘s where you share your primary concern and any medications you’re taking and or diagnoses you have received

other symptoms

Let Klaros know if you have any of the following problems:

  • Cardiovascular system – including your heart and blood pressure.
  • Respiratory system – regarding your breathing and allergies.
  • Digestive system – with follow-up questions about bloating and bowel movements.
  • Urinary and Reproductive health – frequency, pain, and menstruation

Final Step

Get Treatment Plan

  1. Enter your email address to receive your results. You can also enter your provider’s email to send them results.
  2. Review the personalized insights generated by Klaros.
  3. Feel free to explore suggested remedies or products— forward me the results so we can discuss!

Why Choose Klaros for Your Chinese Medicine Diagnosis?

Klaros offers an accessible way to understand your health through traditional diagnostics combined with AI technology. It’s perfect for those seeking natural health insights without visiting a clinic.

Get the answers you need through Klaros!

General Understanding

In TCM, the tongue reflects the state of your internal organs, fluids, and circulation. Changes in color, coating, or shape can reveal patterns like dampness, heat, or deficiency before blood tests or scans show anything.

Tongue diagnosis comes from thousands of years of clinical observation. Modern research has begun to correlate tongue features with measurable conditions like digestion, circulation, and metabolic health. Klaros uses AI to bring consistency and objectivity to these observations.

Some changes happen within hours (e.g., after eating spicy food), while others reflect chronic patterns and take weeks or months to shift. Checking regularly gives the clearest picture.

Practical Use

Yes. Coffee, tea, candy, or colored foods may temporarily stain the coating. It’s best to take photos first thing in the morning, before brushing your teeth or eating.

Minor variations are normal, especially depending on diet, sleep, or stress. Klaros looks for recurring patterns rather than one-time changes.

Klaros provides explanations in plain language, but results are most useful when combined with professional guidance from a TCM practitioner

Limitations

No. Tongue diagnosis is a complementary tool that highlights imbalances and guides holistic treatment. It should be used alongside, not instead of, medical evaluation.

Klaros uses an extensive database of tongue images to reduce human error and bias. Still, lighting, angle, and image quality can affect results. That’s why following the photo instructions is important.

Absolutely. TCM doesn’t just label the disease it looks at the underlying pattern. Two people with migraines, for example, might have completely different tongue presentations, leading to other treatments. 

Klaros Reviews

Ready to Explore TCM in the 21st Century?

Start your health journey today with Klaros. Just click the link to get started:

AO YI Acupoint Patch

Posted on February 16, 2025 by - Healing

A New Type of Patch

Industry Changing AO YI Patches Are Here!

Acupoint Size

Unique size perfect for both channel-based and localized applications

Learn More

Opens & Moves

Unique Blood and Qi moving herbs not found in other patches. 

Learn More

Long Lasting

Real herbs allow for treatment to last up to 2 days per patch

Learn More

This formula was created through collaboration with scientists and Gui Zhou Miao minority medicine experts.

Formula
Learn About Miao Medicine

These patches are inspired by Gui Zhou Miao Minority Medicine, is a tradition known for its powerful blood-moving, and circulation-boosting herbal formulations.

“After surgery, swallowing was unbearable. Morphine barely helped. But two patches on my feet at (Kd1) did more for my pain than any drug. By Day 2, I used these exclusively.”

quote-light.png

If you've tried pain patches before and felt underwhelmed, it's time to check this out

Buy Now
Watch The Video

Real superpower is their ability to cut through excess, penetrate deeply, and warm the Yin meridians

Chronic illness and stubborn pain often stem from deep-seated stagnation, cold, and excess accumulation in the body—disrupting the natural flow of Qi and blood. Many treatments only address surface-level symptoms, offering temporary relief without reaching the root cause. Aoyi Patches’ real superpower is their ability to cut through excess, penetrate deeply, and warm the Yin meridians, where cold and stagnation tend to linger. By activating circulation and dispersing obstruction, they restore movement and warmth to areas that have remained stuck for too long. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before—a game-changer for chronic pain, fatigue, and deep-rooted imbalances.

ACU Point-Size

10 patches per bag (8cm x 8cm each)

Use Them Like Acupuncture Needles

Patients can take them home to maintain the effects of treatment.

  •  These work exceptionally well on distal points where Tung-style acupuncture and classical channel theory come into play.

 Perfect for Telemedicine

Ship them to patients and guide them on placement

  • Teach acupoint massage and patch use online while selling these patches to patients.

Powerful For Distal Point Applications

They open the whole meridians and spread warmth through the collaterals.

gynecological blood stasis

lower back pain

shoulder pain

Because You Are Putting Herbs Directly On Your Skin, You Get Three Stages of Absorption.

The Formula

Stage One

Pain Relief & Opening Exterior

  • Initially, you’ll feel cooling and warming sensations
  • The herbs activate and unblock stagnation.
  • Menthol –  (Bo He Nao)
  • Camphor – (Zhang Nao)
  • Borneolum Syntheticum – (Bing Pian) 
  • Ginger Rhizoma – (Gan Jiang) 

Essential Oils & Aromatic Compounds (Terpenes & Phenols)

These compounds act as penetration enhancers, helping other herbal ingredients absorb more efficiently while also providing immediate cooling, numbing, and circulation-stimulating effects.

Stage Two

Move Blood & Clear Inflammation

  • 30–45 minutes, heat begins to move down the meridians and laterally along the collaterals.
  • The herbs strongly move blood and spreads Qi

 

  • Carthami Flos – (Hong Hua) Safflower
  • Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix – (Niu Xi)  Ox Knee Root
  • Spatholobi Caulis –  (Ji Xue Teng)  Spatholobus Vine
  • Draconis Sanguis –  (Xue Jie) Dragon’s Blood (tree resin)
  • Lycopodii Herba –  (Lu Lu Tong)  Clubmoss

 

  • Cynanchi Paniculati Radix et Rhizoma – (Bai Wei) Swallowwort Root
  • Sargentodoxa Cuneata – (Hong Teng)  Sargentodoxa Vine
  • Phryma Leptostachya –  (Xia Ku Cao) Chinese Prunella
  • Tinospora Sinensis –  (Jin Guo Lan)  Chinese Tinospora

Moderately polar and Medium-Sized Molecules (Alkaloids & Saponins)

These compounds have a delayed but sustained impact, promoting blood circulation, tissue repair, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Stage Three

Tonifying & Dampness Removal

  • At 3-hour mark, they shift into a more nourishing phase
  • The Herbs nourish Yang and remove dampness.
  • Notoginseng – (San Qi)  
  • Dipsaci Radix – (Xu Duan)
  • Eucommiae Cortex – (Du Zhong)
  • Cibotii Rhizoma –  (Gou Ji) 
  • Poria Mushroom –  (Fu Ling) 
  • Angelicae Pubescentis Radix –  (Du Huo) 
  • Acanthopanacis Cortex – (Wu Jia Pi) 
  • Bauhinia Championii – (Long Xu Teng)

Larger Hydrophilic molecules that take longer to penetrate (Polysaccharides & Triterpenoids)

These herbs provide long-term nourishment, reduce chronic inflammation, and help with deep-seated pain and stiffness.

Unmatched Quality

Quality

At Botanical Biohacking, we don’t cut corners—we set the standard. Trusted by practitioners and herbalists alike, we bring top-tier Chinese herbs to the United States with an obsessive commitment to quality, purity, and effectiveness.

You can smell the difference the moment you open an Aoyi Patch—the rich, earthy aroma of premium herbs blended with potent volatile oils is proof of their power. This isn’t just another pain patch; it’s a meticulously crafted formula backed by centuries of herbal wisdom and cutting-edge science.

Buy Now

Typical pain patches that rely on essential oils and extracts, AO YI Patches are true herbal poultices

Long Lasting

Unlike typical pain patches that rely on essential oils and extracts, Aoyi Patches are true herbal poultices, delivering whole, high-quality herbs directly to your skin. This isn’t just surface-level relief—it’s deep, layered healing. The complete herb allows for staged release, working in phases: first cooling and opening the channels, then spreading warmth and circulation, and finally nourishing and restoring balance.

Delivering whole, high-quality herbs directly to your skin

Absorption Speeds of Herbal Compounds

Absorption Speed Compound Type Example Herbs Effects
Fast (Minutes–1 Hour) Volatile Oils & Terpenes Menthol, Camphor, Borneol Immediate cooling, pain relief, penetration enhancement
Moderate (1–3 Hours) Alkaloids & Saponins Notoginseng, Eucommia, Achyranthes Circulation, inflammation reduction, tissue repair
Slow (3+ Hours, Long-Lasting) Polysaccharides & Triterpenoids Poria, Cibotium, Spatholobus Deep nourishment, chronic pain relief, dampness removal
quote-light.png

 With every application, you’re experiencing real, full-spectrum herbal medicine

Product Details

What You Get

Contains: 10 patches per bag (8cm x 8cm each)

MSRP: $39 /bag why is this?

Ship in 3-7 business days

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed Questions

Aoyi Patches are acupoint-sized herbal patches designed to relieve pain, activate acupuncture channels, and open collaterals. They combine Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles with Gui Zhou Miao Minority medicine, providing deep, systemic relief that works in three stages:

  1. Pain Relief & Channel Opening – Improves circulation and unblocks stagnation.
  2. Warming & Collateral Expansion – Spreads Qi, increasing warmth and mobility.
  3. Tonifying & Dampness Removal – Nourishes Yang and removes dampness for long-term healing.

These patches go beyond basic pain relief, offering long-lasting, whole-body benefits.

Aoyi Patches are more like herbal poultice than a standard patch using essentail oils. 

  1. Use real herbs, not just menthol and capsaicin
  2. Work in three stages, ensuring both immediate and long-lasting effects
  3. Are acupoint-sized, allowing for precise placement

These patches work like strong acupuncture without the needles—stimulating meridians, opening collaterals, and cutting through stagnation.

The patches contain:

Menthol (Bo He Nao) and Camphor (Zhang Nao – Provides immediate cooling and mild pain relief.

But the real power are in the “inactive ingredients” the other powerful Chinese herbs, each selected for opening channesl and increasing circulation.

  1. Clean & dry the skin before applying. The adhesive is gentle and a lot of oil on the skin wil cause it not to stick well. We like to apply an alcohol topical like Evil Bone Water before hand which will help open the skin protective barrier and allow the patch to work better. 

  2. Peel off the white back. One edge of the white back is made to come off. If you are having difficulty just try another side.

  3. Peel off the inner sticker covering the herbs. . This step is critical—without it, the herbs won’t work!

  4. Apply the patch directly to the affected area or an acupuncture point farther down.
  5. Leave on for up to 4 hours (can be used for longer as long as your skin is no sensitive, So check inwith your skin every 4 hours)

Each patch is effective for 2 days. The Problem is more about how your skin is handling the herbs. We recommend checking on your skin every 4 hours.  If it is uncomfortable or if you have a history on reactions, please take the patch off after 4 hours let your skin rest and then reapply. 

Other Questions

AOYI Patches act more like a herbal polutice then a patch. The whole herb allow for absorption to happen in stages. 

  1. Fast-absorbing (within minutes) – Menthol, Camphor, Borneol (cooling, warming, pain relief)
  2. Moderate absorption (1-3 hours) – Notoginseng, Eucommia, Achyranthes Root (circulation, anti-inflammatory)
  3. Slow-absorbing (3+ hours) – Poria, Spatholobus Vine, Cibotium Root (deep nourishment, chronic pain relief)

This layered absorption ensures immediate, sustained, and long-lasting relief!

Most people tolerate Aoyi Patches well.  The adhesive and materal is very gentle an breathable however the herbs are very strong.  If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test first. Stop use if irritation occurs.

Yes

Do NOT use with:
❌ Tight non breathable bandaging over the patch

yes, especially when used on distal acupuncture points like K1 (Kidney 1) for systemic relief.

Possible mild reactions:

  • Skin irritation or redness (rare)
  • Heat sensation (normal—indicates activation)
  • Cooling sensation (first-stage effect)

Stop use and consult a doctor if:

  • Rash, itching, or excessive irritation occurs.
  • Symptoms worsen or persist beyond 7 days.

Botanical Beauty Combo

Posted on February 10, 2025 by - Healing

Blue Sky Bliss Mist and Flowering Dragon Oil

Botanical Beauty Combo

fight signs of Ageing

If you’re looking for a natural way to hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin, combining Blue Sky Bliss Mist and Flowering Dragon Oil is a powerful solution. These two products complement each other, enhancing their individual benefits.

Try Today
Hydration & Absorption

The Power of Water

Water-based product, Blue Sky Bliss Mist, deliver hydration deep into the skin. They are packed with humectants and botanical extracts that help:

✔️ Hydrate the skin by replenishing moisture
 ✔️ Tone and balance the skin’s natural pH
 ✔️ Deliver water-soluble nutrients that support skin health

Blue Sky Bliss Mist is formulated with witch hazel, frankincense hydrosol, and rose geranium hydrosol, which work together to tighten pores, soothe redness, and refresh the skin without causing dryness.

Moisture & Skin Protection

The Power of Oil

Oil-based product,  Flowering Dragon Oil, do not hydrate the skin directly but are excellent for sealing in moisture. The key benefits of oils include:

✔️ Locking in hydration by preventing water loss
 ✔️ Providing fatty acids to nourish and repair the skin barrier
 ✔️ Delivering antioxidants to combat environmental stress and premature aging

Flowering Dragon Oil contains sunflower oil, kukui nut oil, jojoba oil, and powerful botanicals like dragon well green tea and astragalus to deeply nourish, protect, and support skin renewal.

How they work in harmony

Together is Better

Using Blue Sky Bliss Mist and Flowering Dragon Oil together allows you to take advantage of both hydration (from water-based ingredients) and moisture retention (from oil-based ingredients).

1️⃣ Blue Sky Bliss Mist hydrates the skin, delivering essential nutrients while refreshing and toning.

2️⃣ Flowering Dragon Oil seals in that hydration, preventing moisture loss while nourishing and protecting the skin barrier.

How to Combine Them in Your Skincare Routine

Step by Step Guide

Start with Clean Skin

Gently cleanse your face to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. This ensures that your skin is ready to absorb the hydrating mist and nourishing oil.

Apply Blue Sky Bliss Mist

Spritz a generous amount of Blue Sky Bliss Mist onto your skin.

  • Provides an immediate hydration boost
  • Prepares the skin for better absorption of the oil
  • Soothes inflammation and balances pH levels

Tip: Apply the mist to damp skin to maximize hydration.

Seal in Hydration with Flowering Dragon Oil

While your skin is still slightly damp from the mist, apply a few drops of Flowering Dragon Oil to your fingertips. Gently massage it into your skin.

  • Locks in moisture for long-lasting hydration
  • Supports the skin barrier with essential fatty acids
  • Helps smooth and soften the skin

Tip: If you’re using additional serums, always go from lightest (water-based) to heaviest (oil-based)

The Perfect Duo for Radiant Skin

Unlock the full potential of your skincare routine with the Botanical Beauty Combo

 

Buy Now

Flowering Dragon Skin Oil

Posted on February 6, 2025 by - Healing

Soft Skin,
Flowering Dragon

This deeply nourishing oil is designed to absorb quickly into the skin, delivering powerful hydration and anti aging benefits with no greasy residue. Infused with a natural blend of herbal oils and botanicals, Flowering Dragon Skin Oil supports a radiant, healthy skin.

Try it Today!

Why You'll Love Flowering Dragon Oil

Experience the power of Flowering Dragon Skin Oil, a deeply nourishing blend of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and herbal infusions designed to hydrate, soothe, and rejuvenate your skin.

  • Deeply Hydrating - Essential fatty acids moisturize and repair the skin barrier
  • Fast-Absorbing – Penetrates quickly without clogging pores or feeling greasy
  • Soothes-Herbal infusions reduce inflammation and redness
  • Anti-Aging – Antioxidants boost collagen production and fight free radicals

The Power of Fatty Acids

  1. Oleic Acid –Acts as a skin penetration enhancer, increasing permeability of the skin (stratum corneum)
  2. Linoleic Acid – Essential fatty acid, a key component of phospholipid cell membranes and ceramides in the skin.
    Regulates lipid barrier homeostasis, to maintain skin integrity to prevent waterloss.
  3. γ-Linolenic Acid – Works alongside linoleic acid in skin repair and anti-inflammatory processes.
    These fatty acids and compounds play crucial roles in maintaining skin health, offering hydration, barrier protection, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Learn More

The Power of Flowing Dragon Oils

Sunflower Oil

Why It’s Amazing?

✔️ Hydrates & Protects – Rich in linoleic acid (Omega-6) to strengthen the lipid barrier
✔️ Prevents Water Loss –Oleic Acid (Omega-9) Helps lock in moisture, keeping skin soft and supple
✔️ Defends Against Environmental Damage – Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) (Omega-3) – A lesser-known component in some sunflower oil varieties, has anti-aging properties and supports skin healing.

Learn More

Kukui Nut Oil

Why It's Amazing?

✔️ Fast-Absorbing – Delivers deep hydration without clogging pores
 ✔️ Non-Greasy Finish – Leaves skin feeling silky smooth, never oily
 ✔️ Soothes & Repairs – Helps reduce redness, irritation, and supports skin renewal

Kukui nut oil, from the Hawaiian kukui tree (Aleurites moluccana), has been used for centuries to protect and nourish skin. Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, it deeply hydrates chapped, rough, or dry skin, leaving it smooth and soft. It may also help prevent scarring when applied to abrasions.

Learn More

Jojoba Oil

Why It's Amazing?


 ✔️ Mimics skin’s natural sebum, making it perfect for balancing oil production

✔️ Rich in γ-Tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, v which helps fight free radicals and support skin elasticity
 ✔️  Both a Humectant and Emollient.

  • Humectants attract and retain moisture from the air or deeper skin layers to hydrate the skin’s surface. They help plump and smooth the skin
  • Emollients soften and smooth the skin by filling gaps between skin cells with lipids or oils. They create a protective barrier to lock in moisture
Learn More

Herbal & Botanical Protection

Dragon Well Green Tea

1

Rich in Antioxidants

Green tea's powerful polyphenols and catechins make it a potent natural ingredient to prevent oxidative stress.

2

Balances Oil Production

Powerful antibacterial and sebum-regulating properties, making it effective for oily and acne-prone skin.

Buy Now

Astragalus

3

UV Protection

Extracts from Astragalus can absorb UV radiation and reduce inflammation

4

Anti-Aging

Astragaloside, a derivative, has shown potential in reducing aging markers and protecting against DNA damage from UVA exposure

How to Use Flowering Dragon Oil

✔️Daily Cleansing

Spritz your face with a hydrosol or toner, then apply a few drops of the oil while your skin is still slightly damp.

✔️ As a Daily Moisturizer

Perfect for sealing in hydration and nourishing the skin all day long.

✔️ Daily Sun Defense

Apply a few drops of the oil after your moisturizer to help fortify the skin barrier and provide antioxidant protection against sun and environmental stressors.

Your skin deserves the best

Try it today!

Skin Hydrosols Blue Sky Bliss Mist

Posted on February 4, 2025 by - Healing

Blute Sky Bliss Mist outside

Radiant Skin,
Blue Sky Bliss Mist

This beautiful blend of witch hazel, frankincense hydrosol, and rose geranium hydrosol with an amazingly transformative essential oil blend to soothe, hydrate,and heal our sweet outer skin layer.

Try it Today!

Spritz anytime for a hydrating glow!

Infused with witch hazel, frankincense hydrosol, and rose geranium hydrosol, this mist provides a natural, gentle skincare boost.

  • Tones – Witch hazel refines pores and balances oil production
  • Rejuvenates – Frankincense resortes and reduces inflammation.
  • Hydrates– Rose geranium calms and restores moisture

What Are Hydrosols?

Hydrosols, or floral waters or distillates, are the aromatic waters produced during the steam distillation of plants and essential oils.

Unlike highly concentrated essential oils, hydrosols contain the water-soluble components of the plant, making them much gentler on the skin while offering incredible therapeutic benefits.

Naturally pH-balanced, hydrosols are a versatile and nourishing addition to any skincare routine.

The Power of Blue Sky Bliss Mist’s Ingredients

Witch Hazel

Why It’s Amazing?
  • Naturally astringent, helping to tighten pores and reduce excess oil
  • Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation (great for acne-prone or sensitive skin)
  • Rich in antioxidants, which help combat environmental stressors
  • Helps to balance oily and combination skin without over-drying

Witch hazel has long been used as a natural remedy for soothing breakouts, reducing puffiness, and refreshing the skin. It gently tones and refines the skin’s texture.

Frankincense Hydrosol

Why It's Amazing?
  • Known for its anti-aging properties, helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles
  • It supports cell regeneration, making it ideal for scar healing and skin renewal
  • It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, soothing irritated skin
  • It helps to calm the mind and enhance relaxation with its grounding aroma

Frankincense hydrosol is a luxurious botanical water that has been revered for centuries for its ability to promote skin elasticity, reduce inflammation, and enhance overall skin tone. 

Rose Geranium Hydrosol

Why It's Amazing?

  • Naturally balances oil production, making it great for both dry and oily skin types
  • Reduces redness and irritation, soothing sensitive or reactive skin
  • Helps to tighten and tone the skin, promoting a firm, healthy complexion
  • Uplifting floral aroma that supports emotional well-being and reduces stress

Rose geranium hydrosol is a skin harmonizer, meaning it brings balance to the skin—whether it’s too dry, too oily, or dealing with hormonal fluctuations. It’s particularly beneficial for those prone to rosacea, acne, or inflammation.

Why You’ll Love Blue Sky Bliss Mist

1

100% natural and plant-based

No harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, or alcohol

2

Hydrates soothes and balances

Great for all skin types, including sensitive skin

Buy Now
3

Packed with skin-loving

Ingredients that promote a healthy, radiant glow

4

Gentle and effective

it is perfect for daily use

How to Use Blue Sky Bliss Mist

✔️ As a facial tone

Spray onto clean skin before applying serums or moisturizers to prep and hydrate the skin.

✔️As a after shave

helps calm irritation, hydrate the skin, and reduce redness. Perfect for a smooth, refreshed finish after shaving

✔️ As a mid-day refresh

Mist over your face anytime your skin feels dry, irritated, or in need of a pick-me-up.

Your skin deserves the best

Try it today!

What Is Wind Tea?

Posted on January 29, 2025 by - Healing, Staff

Wind Tea with Glass and Tea Bag

What is Wind Tea?

Wind Tea is a Botanical Biohacking remix of San Ren Tang, formulated by Dr. Jin Zhao, DTCM, and fine-tuned by pharmacology professor Dr. Zhong Shi Hong. The formula combines Xiao Chai Hu Tang + San Ren Tang. It was designed to clear out dampness, which is often the problem with stubborn chronic diseases.

quality you can taste

Buy Now
Wind Tea Close up with tea Bag and glass of tea

Watch Video

Now is the perfect time to experience the exceptional quality of Wind Tea for yourself. Each bag is packed with premium sourced herbs—no fillers, no preservatives, Don’t settle for lesser blends order Wind Tea today and feel the difference real quality makes.

Quick Links to the Sections Below

What does Wind Tea help with?

Modern diets, dampness, and mucus are tremendous obstacles in treating chronic illness. Rather than seeing them as barriers, you can see them as your way forward.

Wind Tea is designed to harmonize the body, clear dampness, and support overall wellness.

It addresses modern health challenges like chronic fatigue, digestive imbalance, and respiratory issues.

Wind Tea provides a gentle yet effective solution to restore balance and vitality. 

Wind Tea Ingredients

Herbs From Xiao Chai Hu Tang

  • Bupleurum chinense Radix (Chái Hú)
  • Radix Panax Ginseng (Rén Shēn)
  • Scutellaria baicalensis Radix (Huáng Qín)
  • Rhizome Pinelliae Preparata (Zhì Bàn Xià)
  • Glycyrrhiza uralensis Radix (Gān Cǎo)
  • Zingiber officinale Rhizome (Gān Jiāng)

Herbs From San Ren Tang

  • Semen Armeniacae Dulcis (Xìng Rén)
  • Hua Shi (Huá Shí)
  • Semen Coicis (Yì Yǐ Rén)
  • Herba Lophatheri Gracilis (Dàn Zhú Yè)
  • Fructus Amomi Kravanh (Shā Rén)
  • Medulla Tetrapanacis (Tōng Cǎo)
  • Magnoliae Cortex (Hòu Pò)

Xiao Chai Hu Tang + San Ren Tang

Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Up and Out)

Xiao Chai Hu tang is one of Asia’s safest and most commonly used herbal formulas for acute & chronic upper respiratory infections or reactivating viral syndromes.

This classic Chinese herbal formula is often used to harmonize and resolve early stages of cold/flu “Shaoyang disorders” (alternating chills and fever) and digestive problems Liver and Gallbladder (, bitter taste in the mouth, chest, and hypochondriac discomfort, etc.)

Cold/flu

  • Amongst the most used and
    researched formulas on the planet
  • Immunomodulatory (increases NK cell
    activity)
  • Antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal
  • Anti-allergic

Digestive

  • Improves temperature regulation
  • Hepatoprotective
  • Increases bile secretion
  • Anti-hyperlipidemic
  • Reduces stomach acid
  • Increases peristalsis
  • Protects the stomach lining
Learn More

San Ren Tang (Down and In)

San Ren Tang treats damp-heat conditions with symptoms such as heavy sensations, poor appetite, and fatigue. It focuses on promoting urination, resolving dampness, and clearing heat.

This formula is a gentle addition, which gives wind tea greater ability to access the Lymphatic system where chronic pathogens accumulate and facilitates the reduction of biofilm (a mucus-like substance that harbors chronic infections

Clearing the body of Damp

  • Gently removes dampness; drains it via urination, and the bowels (2-3 days of loose stools is
    normal)
  • Opens the lungs and reestablishes communication between the lungs and kidneys
    (dampness blocking the kidneys)
  • Increases lymphatic flow
  • Reduces water retention

Clearing the Body of Heat

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Analgesic
Learn More

Spinning the Wheel Together

Together, they are the foundation for clearing the body of dampness. Almost everyone will find some benefit in drinking wind tea.

Both formulas are very gentle (chronically ill patients sometimes don’t have a lot of energy;
Giving strong wind-clearing formulas may deplete them.

Both formulas have good track records of safety and essentially a lack of herb-drug
interactions (one exception is Interferon)

Combining Xiao Chai Hu helps things flow up and out. Pushing out illness and moving the Liver and Gallbladder and San Ren, which moisten and drains heat from the lungs, things down and out you gently promote urination and bowel movements.

You create a spinning-the-wheel effect. By grabbing its horizontal axes (xiao chai hu = wood up; san ren = metal down), we will see that complex patterns become clearer. With Wind teas, complex patterns emerge from the milieu everyone with a chronic condition presents. They will also feel better.

A Deeper Look at Wind Tea

Wind Tea is a Botanical Biohacking remix of San Ren Tang, formulated by Dr. Jin Zhao, DTCM, and fine-tuned by pharmacology professor Dr. Zhong Shi Hong. The formula is designed to clear out molecular mimicry, which often clouds diagnosis.
If we examine the (Warm Disease Differentiation) published in 1813 by Wu Zhu Tong, we can gain insights into how it was used historically.

Wu begins by listing examples of signs and symptoms of damp-heat:

“Headache, aversion to cold, heavy body sensation and pain, pale tongue body, while lacking thirst, wiry, thin and soggy pulse, light yellow complexion, chest tightness, lack of appetite, afternoon fever.”

When the appearance of yin deficiency accompanies these symptoms and is difficult to cure quickly, this condition is referred to as damp-heat. Sweating therapies can make the patient dizzy and deaf, sometimes causing them to space out and stare ahead blankly. In severe cases, they may even be unable to speak.

A Closer Look at San Ren Tang

The dizziness described relates to a blockage in the spirit hun. This is an important reminder of the effects of damp-loving pathogens on the central nervous system. In severe cases, spacing out or staring ahead listlessly may occur. It’s essential not to automatically assume such symptoms are due to “depression” or “stress” caused by liver qi stagnation. While this is often the case, external pathogens can also trigger these effects.

San Ren Tang works by addressing fluid management within the body

  1. Hidden Dryness: Beneath the damp exterior lies hidden dryness. When fluids leak out of cells, they flood the extracellular space, leaving the cells parched.
  2. Sweating Risks: Aromatically inducing sweating can injure yin in these parched areas. However, nourishing yin to save these regions creates more dampness, allowing pathogens to penetrate deeper.
  3. Draining Downward: Since excessive warmth cannot lift the Qi without harm, the logical solution is to drain downward.

Quickly inducing bowel movements with stronger formulas may remove dampness but at the expense of other nourishing fluids in the body. This can lead to further dampness due to deficiency and exacerbate dryness in the parched areas, creating mucus—a frustrating catch-22. 

How We Adapted the Formula with Xiao Chai Hu for extended use

Although highly effective, San Ren Tang is not a universal solution. It is unsuitable for long-term use as it may eventually deplete the body. 

How We Adapted the Formula for extended us is by adding Xiao Chai Hu.

Dr. Jin enhanced the formula’s versatility by incorporating Xiao Chai Hu Tang, a Shang Han Lun classic, to help the Shaoyang govern the body. To strengthen the formula and prevent depletion, Dr. Zhong of the pharmacology team added super-grade white ginseng to Wind Tea. This addition further enhances the formula’s function while preserving energy.

Highlights of our Wind Tea

1. Unlike most of the Xiao Chai Hu Tang on the market using Dang Shen to reduce the costs, we follow the original formulation and use high-quality Ren Shen (ginseng).

2. Chai Hu is sustainably wildcrafted from the Tibetan plateau.

3. This product is additive and preservative-free. It’s important to store it in a cool and dry place. If the vacuum seal is broken, do not use it. Keep refrigerated after opening.

Close up of wind tea with grass background

Freqently Ask Questions

Even though San Ren Tang is a pretty balanced formula, it's not recommended for pregnancy. Yi Yi Ren is cold and may cause uterus contract in very high doses in mice (though no report showing it affecting humans). If it's needed, don't take for long-term or high dose.

A high dose of Ginseng in Xiao Chai Chu Tang might reduce milk production.

.

Wind tea is one of the better-tasting Chinese herbal formulas, you can really taste the quality of herbs used. With that said, it still taste like Chinese herbs, so if you don’t like herbal tea, try this tip.

Protip: if you brew a bag of Wind tea with a bag of Apple-Cinnamon tea, it doesn't taste like Win tea at all 😂😂😂

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuTo understand fluid metabolism, you need to look at the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital microbiomes. (The upper, middle, and lower jiao.) Life in these three mini worlds depends on aquaporins. Aquaporins (AQP) are integral membrane proteins that serve as channels in the transfer of water and in some cases, small solutes across the membrane.AQP3 is present in the kidney collecting ducts, epidermis, urinary, respiratory, and digestive tracts. When the body is damp, there is increased aquaporins found in urine because they are being damaged. Wind Tea made from xiao chai hu tang and san ren tang regulates aquaporins and reduces the content in urine. 

Most herbal may be taken by individuals who are also using prescription drugs without problems. However, it is recommended that herbal be taken on an empty stomach at least two hours apart from the prescription drugs.
The most common interaction is that herbal medicine increases the effectiveness of prescription medication or duplicates the action.

Most common interaction is with, Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants, antihyperlipidemic

How Do I Make Wind Tea?

Unfortunately, the directions on the bag a not the best way to brew the tea. We have found It is best to brew wind tea all at once, not in individual cups like the instructions say. 

Wind teas has seeds in it. For the teas with seeds, we recommend simmering on the stove for 20 to 30 minutes, to get a complete extraction of the active ingredients

  1. Take the teabag out of the package. For each teabag, you want to use about one to two pints of water.
  2. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes
    After teas have been simmering for about 20-30 minutes
  3. It is ready to drink.

Fancier Option
We have found that cutting open the bags works better for some people. It allows some of the larger plant particles to go into solution. So, you are consuming more of the herbs.

Brew for 20-30 minutes. I will usually have people doing 3-4 teabags per day and consume at least 40 ounces of decocted liquid.

Experience the Power of Wind Tea

Don’t let dampness, sluggish digestion, or lingering fatigue hold you back. Wind Tea is expertly crafted to restore balance, clear heat, and support overall wellness
Order Today!

About the Author

Author Willard Sheppy Exporing the Coast

Willard Sheppy is a writer and healthcare practitioner who seamlessly melds scientific knowledge with practical applications in engaging and authoritative articles. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Oregon State University and a Master’s in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the distinguished Oregon College of Oriental Medicine.

In his work, Willard skillfully combines his extensive educational background in scientific research with his practical experience as a healthcare practitioner. Willard balances his life with martial arts and cherished family adventures. As a father of three, he often leads his family on camping and hiking trips along the breathtaking Oregon coast.

Connect with Willard on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/valleyhealthclinic or learn more about his services at valleyhealthclinic.com. Embark on this journey towards holistic health with Willard!