Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eric Baumgartner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Eric, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I tell this story often because people always ask me how I ended up becoming an acupuncturist and practicing Chinese medicine. I’m a white guy who grew up living a pretty normal life, so people are often curious how I found my way into this path.

When I was a pre-med student, I hit a point where I wasn’t sure if my heart was in it anymore. I was good at the coursework, but I found the whole experience—particularly the science classes designed to weed people out—uninspiring. I remember taking exams where everyone scored so low that a 30% became an A after curving. That didn’t feel like learning to me. It felt hollow.

At that point, I reached out to my dad, expecting the usual “just push through it” speech. But instead, he said, “If your heart’s not in it, you shouldn’t do it.” That really stuck with me. He also gave me some honest insight into the medical industry—how many doctors get into it to help people but later find themselves restricted by insurance systems, liability, and bureaucracy. That conversation opened a door for me. It gave me permission to explore, to travel, to study philosophy and languages, and ultimately to find my way back to medicine in a very different form.

Later, when I entered Chinese medicine school, I’d been teaching languages for a few years—my mom was a teacher, so it felt natural. One of my first teachers in Chinese medicine school said, “The doctor is the teacher. The doctor teaches the patient how to be healthy.” That brought my two worlds together. And she added something even more profound: “The teacher is always the student.” That really lit something up inside me. It was the perspective I had been looking for—a view of medicine that is not hierarchical but relational and reciprocal.

Eric, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Dr. Eric Baumgartner. I’ve spent nearly three decades dedicated to exploring and practicing medicine traditions from around the world. Growing up in a family of physicians—both my father and grandfather were doctors—I naturally thought I’d follow a conventional medical path. However, over time I realized my true passion lay in Eastern and natural medicine, which offers a whole-person approach to healing that views the body, mind, and spirit as interconnected rather than separate parts.
I hold a Master’s degree in Traditional Eastern Medicine from Emperor’s College and a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine with a Family Medicine specialization from Pacific College of Health and Science. My clinical focus includes subspecialties such as Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Mental Health, Neurology, and Orthopedics. At Alquimia Wellness in Ojai, I provide acupuncture, functional medicine, herbalism, and nutritional guidance, helping clients identify and address root causes of illness rather than just treating symptoms. Additionally, I’m the chief formulator for Essential Medicina, where I create herbal products that honor the wisdom of the plant kingdom. What sets my work apart is this integration of ancient traditions with modern evidence-based medicine, combined with a deeply personal, intuitive approach to each person’s healing journey.
I’m most proud of the meaningful relationships I’ve built with my patients, colleagues, and the plant allies that inspire much of what I do. I want people to know that my approach is rooted in respect, curiosity, and a commitment to healing the whole person. Meaning, I start by understanding someone’s lived experience. My goal is to provide tools and treatments that support the body’s natural ability to heal. I believe in medicine as a lifelong journey of learning and transformation, and I’m honored to walk that path alongside those I serve.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Yes, I would. But I would probably have done things a little differently if I had known more at the time.

After I left the Western medicine track, I didn’t even realize natural medicine was a path. It wasn’t until I lived abroad for a few years that I stumbled upon it. I remember finding this A-to-Z acupressure book—it became my health insurance while I traveled without coverage. And it worked. That experience convinced me there was something real here.

Looking back, I wish I had done a concurrent degree in naturopathy and acupuncture. That combination would have given me a broader scope and a stronger foundation. But I don’t regret the path I took. I ended up at a school with teachers who had studied under a Taoist master. That deeply influenced my perspective. I see acupuncture not just as a clinical practice but as a path of personal and spiritual development. It continues to push me to grow and heal myself in order to better serve others.

I’ve often told people who ask for advice on schooling: if you can, do both—study Eastern and Western natural medicine. But be mindful of the financial burden. Unlike conventional medical doctors who graduate into high-paying jobs, natural medicine practitioners often come out with massive debt and no clear path to repay it. I have friends with $250,000 or even $500,000 in loans who are still struggling years later.

And one thing I really wish I had understood earlier: when you go into practice, especially in Eastern medicine, you’re basically becoming a solo entrepreneur. You need to know how to run a business. I wish I’d had some concurrent business training—accounting, financials, marketing—anything to help me build a viable practice. Even now, almost 20 years into practice, I still feel like I’m learning that side the hard way.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think the core of it is authenticity and presence. In both medicine and the natural products industry, there’s often a lot of hype and big promises. But people are tired of that. They’re craving to be seen, to be heard, and to be treated as whole individuals—not just as a set of symptoms.

In our wellness center and herbal product business, our mission has always been to truly see people and create a space that feels safe and supportive. We also try to infuse our products with that same integrity and reverence—recognizing that herbs have their own intelligence. They’re not just chemical compounds acting on the body; they’re beings with natural wisdom that interact with us on levels we don’t fully understand.

That reverence for nature extends to how we treat our clients. I see the intelligence in people, an inner wisdom greater than anything I could know about them. My job is to help them reconnect to that. I think people can feel that—even if they don’t quite have words for it. They remember how they felt in our presence, not just what we said. And I believe that’s what has helped build the reputation we have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alquimia.life
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alquimialife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alquimiawellnessojai/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/alquimia-wellness-ojai