Born from Tradition - Healing for Generations
Seven years ago, on a quiet clinic porch in Redfern Village, Mark Brinson, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, found himself boiling the first batch of what would become a life-changing product. At the time, he had no idea that this simple act of crafting his own liniment, Zheng Xie Gu Shui, known as Evil Bone Water (EBW), would spark a global phenomenon. What began as a personal endeavor to create the most powerful healing liniment for his patients quickly turned into something far greater than he ever could have anticipated.
It all started with a video on Facebook. Dr. Brinson, with his typical generosity, uploaded a small clip to share the intricate process of making EBW with anyone interested. It had taken six months to develop a process that saves months of herb-soaking time. It was a humble gesture—just a step-by-step guide. But within days, to his surprise the responses began pouring in. People weren’t just curious about how to make it; they wanted to buy it. Not one bottle, not two, but cases.
Dr. Brinson’s first instinct was to brush it off with a casual, “Sure, you can buy some, but only cases of 24.” And that’s exactly what Acupuncture Physicians did. The orders grew quickly: three cases one week, five the next, then eight. By the fourth week, Dr. Brinson realized a lot more herbs would be needed, so he found an agent in China. The once-small batch was now becoming a product that people truly needed.
Modern-Day Revival
Fast forward seven years, and what was once a simple clay pot brewing process has turned into Saint Apothecary, a thriving business that ships 100 cases a week to over 2,600 clinics and 4,000 customers in every state and dozens of countries. Remarkably, this growth occurred organically, with every single dollar coming from presales. There were no loans, no flashy marketing campaigns, nor viral trends. It was all industry and clinic word of mouth—because EBW worked. And it worked incredibly well.
At the heart of this success is quality. Dr. Brinson was relentless in sourcing the finest herbs: Imperial Grade. This is the best available grade on the market, and a level of quality so rare it hardly ever reaches American soil. Most American wholesalers can only source “B” or “C” grade. Dr. Brinson’s commitment to using only the best ingredients, coupled with the purest potable alcohol—Everclear 190, locally sourced from Hamby's Package by Air, created a product free of additives and contaminants. The result was unexpected. People began reporting that they were using it for everything! A powerful liniment that did more than heal bones and bruises as designed. It became an essential tool for wound healing, infections, burns, skin conditions, and so much more. People began turning to EBW as a first aid necessity in their households, and its reputation spread like wildfire.
Dr. Brinson had never set out to become a manufacturer, let alone a global supplier. For 30 years, his background was in acupuncture, herbs, and manual therapy, with his island clinic seeing a brisk 50-100 patients a week, a calling he loves. But there was a calming magic about St. Simons Island that provided him the peace and focus he needed to create EBW. It wasn’t just the tranquil surroundings—it was the deep sense of purpose that kept him grounded. He wasn’t driven by profit, but by a genuine desire to help people on a much larger scale. And that, more than anything, is what drives him to expand EBW. Every year it grows at an astonishing 35%.
In 2023, Mark made the decision to sell his clinic to Dr. Sara Thomas. But his patient care didn’t end there. Every third week, he still returns to the island to treat patients there, knowing that his work is far from over. As he puts it, “St. Simons Island is the only place I will treat patients. I love it here. I’m much more of a country doc, not a city doc. You do good work and people find you.”
Cultural Legacy
Looking ahead, Dr. Brinson has big plans for the future of Saint Apothecary. His goal for the year is to achieve GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) certification, which will allow EBW to be dispensed in VA pharmacies. This is a deeply personal mission for him, as he reflects on his time in the Army Infantry. “I would have loved to have had something like this in my battle kit,” he says. “Now, I want to make sure it’s available to those who need it most, especially our veterans who get out and need it for their back, knees, and all the things.”
Gratitude in Every Drop and Treatment
Mark Brinson’s story is not just about success; it’s about purpose, dedication, and a relentless commitment to quality. From a small porch on St. Simons Island to reaching over 350,000 homes across the world, EBW’s journey is a testament to the power of one person’s determination to make a real difference. And for Dr. Brinson, that’s what truly matters: helping as many people as possible in this life, one bottle at a time. For more information about Evil Bone Water, retail locations or wholesale orders, visit evilbonewater.com. To purchase locally, visit Saint Acupuncture and Wellness at 282 Redfern Village.
