I first heard about the Huberman Lab from my partner, Allen. He had previously been listening to a doctor who claims vegetables are toxic, so I don’t always take his recommendations. However, I was intrigued by some of the research he was citing and Andrew Huberman, PhD has some solid credentials as a Stanford-tenured neuroscientist.
Astragalus, or Huang Qi, is a tonic herb that is useful for a variety of conditions characterized by Qi deficiency and sinking Qi:
Fatigue, foggy thinking
Allergies, including skin conditions and food sensitivities
Frequent infections, lowered immunity
Diarrhea, loose stools
Heavy menses, or depleted blood
Poor appetite, weak digestion
At Vitalize, we love working with pregnant mamas. The conditions that arise during pregnancy are unique and the treatment options can sometimes feel limited. There is always the extra step of asking how this will impact the growing babe. It is best to assume that anything you ingest will pass to the baby, and this includes herbs and supplements. This certainly does not mean that you have to stop all your herbs and supplements when you get the BFP (big fat positive!). And it also doesn’t mean we can’t treat your nausea, fatigue, sinus congestion, swelling, heartburn, insomnia, etc. with herbs. Our practitioners are informed about herbal safety and can guide you.
Acupuncture can help redirect blood flow to reduce these patterns of vascular instability. Acupuncture can also help balance hormones, reduce stress and the inflammation that is an underlying cause. Then, perhaps with the help of other interventions such as herbs, identification of triggers, and some lifestyle adjustments, migraines can be a thing of the past, or at least greatly reduced.
Add Ins:
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about cold & flu prevention, but lets face it, sometimes we get sick. If you are like me and have a child in preschool, maybe it happens more often then you want to admit. Here are some tips for bouncing back fast and fortified.
· Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant found in many foods, especially brightly colored fruits and vegetables. It can greatly speed recovery from colds or flus. In terms of supplementation, avoid synthetic ascorbic acid if possible in favor of mixed flavonoids or acerola powder. (Vitamins are consistently better in their complex packages, rather than as an isolate.)
Yesterday a patient asked me if I thought she might have adrenal fatigue. Her friend had mentioned it when they were discussing their health and she wondered what type of symptoms are caused by adrenal fatigue.
This is such a common question and, in our culture, a very common state of being. Lets rewind and explore the historical aspect of adrenal fatigue; our lifestyle has evolved faster than our bodies. We no longer have to spend our days hunting or gathering for our next meal, putting ourselves between tiger and snake in order to find food, this is the type of stress that our 'fight our flight' response was designed for.
Lets start by clarifying one thing - the body does not have an immune system, the body is an immune system, many parts working together for continued health. There are a lot of variables to consider – the lymphatic system, which is rich with white blood cells, the skin and mucous membranes, the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature. So, like with most things, Chinese medicine uses a “whole systems” approach to treatment. You can use this approach yourself, by first thinking about what you can do for the health of your whole system:
In an effort to create a sense of community in what is often a very singular society, we have created a space, opened that space to creatives and thinkers alike, so that they can share their talents and gifts. With a pole of our general patient base, we determined that weekends are most requested, we have set a calendar of monthly events open for any and all interested. Our events center around health and healing, with a focus on the mind body connection. We have purposefully chosen our events to hold space for a diverse area of topics. These events are free and we hope that members of our community will bring their friends and loved ones to join in.
Many acupuncturists treat fertility, but sometimes you need a pro and you want to know that you are in good hands. Amber has been working in women's health for over 10 years, primarily with fertility. This spring, she completed her dream of certification through the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM). This specialty board has certified over 300 members around the globe who have demonstrated competence and advanced knowledge in the field of both Western and Eastern Reproductive Medicine.
