Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine in Oregon - Doc Hay & Kam Wah Chung

Chinese Medicine in Oregon - Doc Hay & Kam Wah Chung

Although acupuncture is becoming more popular and accepted in our Western framework, it is and will always be rooted in Ancient Chinese theoretical and medical concepts. Our herbs, grown under specific conditions in particular climates and regions, still come from China. Acupuncture practiced apart from this history and worldview (as is sometimes advocated in Western medical fields), is not only less-effective, but also culturally insensitive.

Hikes! Stay Healthy, Stay Sane.

Hikes!  Stay Healthy, Stay Sane.

Healthy lungs are those that experience exertion, deep breaths helping to circulate body fluids and nutrients along with the breath itself.

Astragalus: Get to Know this Plant Ally!

Astragalus: Get to Know this Plant Ally!

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

Safety of Herbs in Pregnancy

Safety of Herbs in Pregnancy

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.

Do you have Blood Stagnation? What to look for.

Do you have Blood Stagnation?  What to look for.

According to Chinese Medicine, many chronic conditions have stagnant circulation of blood as part of their root cause. This certainly goes for pain, but also in many cases of auto-immune conditions, digestive disorders, gynecological issues, and even mental health concerns. 

Functions Of The 5 Flavors

Functions Of The 5 Flavors

Food should taste good, right? So why are so many medicines bitter? There are bitter flavor receptors throughout the whole body, and just like the other flavors, the bitter flavor has specific biochemical actions that we can benefit from. The 5 flavors are one of the most important concepts of Chinese Herbalism and food therapy. Here is a rundown of how each of the 5 flavors - spicy, sweet, bitter, sour, and salty - functions in your body.

Happy to meet you, happy to be here!

Happy to meet you, happy to be here!

As a recent addition to the Vitalize team, I wanted to take a moment to say a warm hello and introduce myself to the community that I am so happy to be a part of. 

I come to Vitalize from my own practice, Eng Acupuncture Center, in Silverton, OR, where I have practiced since 2014. While I continue

Common Fertility Supplements: A guide to the Natural Fertility Medicine Cabinet

Common Fertility Supplements: A guide to the Natural Fertility Medicine Cabinet

Fertility treatments are commonly centered around the use of acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.  Even so, nutrition and lifestyle counseling is also a core part of a holistic treatment plan.  Often times this includes the use of supplements.  I may suggest a supplement, people may come to me having been given supplements by another healthcare provider or they may simply be going off of a recommendation from a friend, book, or website.  It can be difficult to sort through the information about many of these supplements and very few have reliable research to back up their claims. 

What is NAET & how does it work?

What is NAET & how does it work?

NAET stands for Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques.  Similar to the common allergy treatment of micro-dosing with certain allergens such as peanuts, NAET involves exposure to the substance while you rest with acupuncture needles in your body.

Spring and the liver

Spring and the liver

n Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with the element of Wood. The liver and gallbladder are the wood organs and benefit from detoxification especially during this time of year.  The emotion of the liver is irritability, anger and frustration.  The emotion of the gallbladder is decisiviness, or, when out of balance, indecision.  There are many ways you can support a healthy cleanse of your liver. Acupuncture and supplements are a big way that Vitalize can help you have a healthful Spring. On your own, in your daily health regimen include more dark leafy greens.  Nettles, dandelion greens and burdock root are three really great options that are at their peak during the Spring season.  
 

Year of the FIRE ROOSTER

Year of the FIRE ROOSTER

I remember the first time I learned about the Chinese zodiac and the 12 animals that represent a 12 year cycle.  I had gone to a small Chinese restaurant, sat down with my parents and noticed a bit of information about each of the 12 animals on my paper placemat.  This stuck in my head and returned to me when I began learning more about them once I entered acupuncture school.

For the record, we didn't really learn much about these 12 animals as we studied acupuncture and Chinese medicine.  However, we did learn a lot about '5 element theory', which is the basis for much of the knowledge and prediction made through the Chinese zodiac.  

Winter Chai Smoothie Recipe

Winter Chai Smoothie Recipe
  • 1 large banana
  • 1.5 cups milk - I like to use a coconut/hemp milk blend
  • 1-2 raw egg yolks (you can use the separated whites in a scramble)
  • 1 Tbs heaping nut butter - sunbutter, cashew or almond butter
  • 1 tsp chai spice blend:  30% cinnamon, 30% ginger, 15% nutmeg, 15% cardamom, 10% clove  (if you want to make it yourself, or just add a pinch of each.)

Add Ins:

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 Tbs hydrolyzed collagen - collagen is great for joint health and reproductive health, high in amino acids that are difficult to find in other food sources.  Your hair, nails, skin, muscles and ligaments will thank you.
  • Cod Liver Oil - good source of vitamins A, D and K, as well as omega-3 fatty acids
  • 1 tsp ashwagandha powder - adaptogen herb that supports a healthy immune system
  • 1 Tbs pumpkin butter or puree, just because it's tasty
  • 1 tsp cacao nibs

Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal Fatigue

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.

Preparing the Immune System for Fall

Preparing the Immune System for Fall

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:

Free and Easy Wanderer

Free and Easy Wanderer

Xiao Yao San is a classical Chinese Herbal formula commonly used for a variety of issues cause by stagnation in the body, particularly in the liver.  When the liver stagnates we might experience irritability or a short temper, tension in our neck and shoulders, digestive upset which could include constipation or diarrhea, depressed mood, and an overall feeling of being 'stuck'.  We might feel stuck in life, with a partner, in our career, etc.  Its an overall lack of motivation to move forward, even if we already made the decision of what to do, though indecisiveness can also occur when the liver is stagnant.