by Dr. Amber Hincks LAcBefore all the weirdness of the past week (writing this after school closures were just announced due to Covid-19), I was planning to share some of my favorite local hikes and outdoor destinations as Spring fast approaches. Then it seemed everyone’s focus seemed to shift. At Vitalize, wellness of the body and spirit is still our number one priority. And when I reflect on staying well, getting outside in nature is still one of the best ways we can preserve both our physical and mental health. Healthy lungs are those that experience exertion, deep breaths helping to circulate body fluids and nutrients along with the breath itself. The mind is left to wander and expand, to enter a state of openness and observation as the beauty of the natural world unfolds before us. Even better, the woods, the mountain tops, the river shores, generally offer the social isolation that this moment in time calls for.
Fire lookout towers. These are my ultimate destinations. Remote locations. Expansive views. More amenities than a tent. An opportunity to really isolate and reflect for a few days. Book an overnight through recreation.gov, or simply hike to one to check it out. Some, like Devil’s Peak Lookout in Rhododendron, are first come first serve.
Hager Mountain Lookout
River walks. Oregon has some of the most beautiful rivers, with gorgeous crystal blue waters. And when my knees are not feeling up to the elevation of something like Dog Mountain, or I have my son along with me, these make for mellower hikes. Old Salmon River Trail, Opal Creek, and Siouxon Creek (WA) are a couple of my favorites.
Siouxon Creek in Washington
May we all find comfort in nature and in each other. The Spring flowers are still budding and the Summer sun will be shining soon.
by Dr. Amber Hincks LAcEach acupuncture point has a unique application. Pericardium 6 is one of our most valuable points and it is also a useful pressure point for nausea, motion sickness and anxiety.
The acupuncture point PC 6, or Pericardium 6, lies on the forearm, about 2 finger-widths from the palmar wrist crease. It lies between two flexor tendons at the center of the arm, over the median nerve. What do you observe when you press on this point?
Inner path or Inner gate is the name of this point. It helps us tune in to our body and calms the central nervous system. It reduces the heart rate and increases vagal nerve activity which promotes digestive function. The pericardium channel connects to the chest, affecting both the heart and stomach. Pc-6 can treat chest pain and tightness as well as discomfort in the stomach area, perhaps with nausea, reflux or poor appetite. It is also a local point for wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.
You may have seen wrist-bands that have a pressure point stimulator that can be placed on this area for nausea, especially associated with motion sickness, morning sickness or anxiety. We all have moments when PC 6 could help us out. When my partner is car sick, I press on this point and it calms down his symptoms within a couple of minutes. Some of my students are nervous about needling this point because it lies over the median nerve. Sometimes we can feel a tingle for a split second. The sensation travels to the middle finger along the channel line and the nerve pathway. Quickly the sensation dissipates and the patient resumes their flight to Aculand.
by Dr. Amber Hincks LAcBefore I went to school to become a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, one of my coworkers at the Women’s Health Clinic in Vermont told me they were taking astragalus for immune support. This was the first time someone I knew told me about taking Chinese herbs. I had no idea then how important this herb would be to me and my future patients. 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
The National Institute of health reports “Pharmacological research indicates that the extract component of Astragalus membranaceus can increase telomerase activity, and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, expectorant, and diuretic effects.” Those are some pretty compelling benefits.
Astragalus is the epitome of a preventative herb, with its immune-enhancing, anti-aging effects. Patients report things like better work-out performance and muscle recovery. It is a key component of the classic Chinese herbal formula for the prevention of allergies, and it is for this use that I prescribe it most often. One key note about astragalus, though, is that it is best used preventatively, particularly for immunity. Once there is an infection or the respiratory tract is inflamed from allergies, a different strategy is often warranted. Keep astragalus in mind for next year! I love practicing a medicine that is so adept at enhancing wellness, not just the treatment of disease.
In health,
Amber Hincks, LAc FABORM
by Dr. Amber Hincks LAc
In my practice, I 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.
Recently a friend, who is studying to be a physician assistant at OHSU, reached out to me for help putting together a list of herbs that are safe in pregnancy. That would be a really lengthy list. There is so much natural medicine available to assist with pregnancy ailments. In many cases the research on the effect of herbs in pregnancy is limited, but there is a significant amount of the herbal pharmacopoeia that is safe and well-studied. Indeed there are many herbal formulas developed specifically for use in pregnancy. These specific pregnancy-designed formulas are often the ones that I stick to because they are consistently beneficial and safe.
There can be some misinformation out there, particularly when considering how dose and method of administration can influence an herb’s potency. This is the case with Dang Gui (Dong Quai). This herb is very supportive for many gynecological conditions including pregnancy, and can be found in many pregnancy formulas. But you will find that it is listed as contraindicated in many western herbal texts because in very high doses it was used by western herbalists to induce labor or abortion. Similarly, licorice is used in small quantities in many herbal formulas to reduce toxicity of herbs and harmonize their functions, but large doses of licorice can increase blood pressure in some populations.
If you are considering using herbs on your own, Aviva Jill Romm is a great resource. Her Natural Pregnancy Book was very helpful to me during my pregnancy. But I encourage you to discuss your options with your practitioner. Herbs like Red Raspberry Leaf, Lemon Balm, Nettle, Dang Gui (or Dong Quai), Ginger, Peppermint, Perilla Leaf, Rose Hips, Atractylodes, Astragalus - these can be super helpful during pregnancy. Let us know if you want to know more!
by Dr. Amber Hincks LAcThe autumn equinox has passed and Fall is upon us. In Chinese Medicine, this means the arrival of the season of the Metal element. It is not surprising that the organ associated with this season is the Lung, with the increased frequency of colds in the Fall. But there is much more to the Metal element than that. The Lung channel is the first of the primary acupuncture channels. It is our direct connection to the outside, and often the first channel affected by illness. But it is also the channel that allows us to bring in fresh energy from the environment - air, oxygen, Qi!
I find it interesting that there are correlations with the Metal element in Chinese Medicine and the Air element in Western cosmology, particularly in certain qualities ascribed to Libra. The need for balance, self-care, fairness and justice, and an appreciation of beauty are themes that come up with both the Metal element and Libra.
But back to the Lung. The Lung brings in Qi, which in this case can be translated as oxygen, one of the many types of Qi. The Lungs also govern the skin, the throat, the nose and the voice and issues with these systems might come up more. The Lungs are a delicate organ and they struggle with extreme climates, especially with dryness and wind, so hit the steam room if you can! Also, make sure that you are still getting outside, getting that regular dose of Vitamin D from the sunshine. Exposing your face and forearms to its rays may not really raise your Vitamin D levels that much this time of year, but many people report a difference in their moods with regular time outside, so do it anyway :).
Help out your Lungs by slowing down and taking deep breaths. The paired organ of the Lungs, which also belongs to the Metal element is the Large Intestine. Taking a deep breath not only expands your chest, it draws the diaphragm down and helps circulation in the intestines. The Metal element involves taking in what is clear, but it also means letting go of that which is old and no longer serves us - our shit, the literal and metaphorical stuff that it is time to be done with. Release it. None of us is perfect. We all have shit. Acknowledge it and do the work of letting go. Cleanse if necessary. No need for a dramatic detox, just eat clean, sweat, and keep your intestines moving. Acupuncture can help with that, and so can some abdominal self massage - clockwise circles on your abdomen for 5 minutes after you wake in the morning.
The emotion associated with the Lung is sadness and grief. Letting go is not easy, and certain things we will carry with us always in one way or another, but make room for what is meant for you. Welcome Autumn!
by Dr. Amber Hincks LAc
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.
Circulation of blood is what nourishes and hydrates all of our tissues, helping them heal and removing wastes and the remnants of injury. Fresh blood flow keeps the skin supple and elastic, muscles relaxed and bones strong. It is what keeps us healthy and beautiful and can heal us when we are ill. There are other factors, but without good blood circulation, we cannot reap the full benefits of other interventions. Improving blood circulation is a big part of acupuncture treatment, and often an important part of herbal therapy. As practitioners, we are trained to recognize the signs of significant blood stagnation. I was listening to a podcast by one of my teachers recently that elucidates many of these signs and reminded me of how important it is to recognize this pathology. Do you recognize some or many of these signs in yourself?
- Skin that is dry, cracking, possibly scaly, especially on the lower legs
- A dull or lusterless complexion, possibly with a purple hue to the lips
- Age spots
- A purple tongue; a choppy or irregular pulse
- Distended blood vessels
- Pain of all kinds, especially that which is worse at night
- Dark and clotted menstrual flow
- Headaches that are sharp and stabbing
- Numbness and tingling or cold extremities
- Masses, nodules
None of the above? Great! Keep up the good work and get some acupuncture to maintain that vitality and resilience. But if you are noticing any of these, let’s talk about it at your next appointment. Your health is worth it. Also, consider checking out the podcast Everyday Acupuncture or Qiological if you want to learn more about Chinese Medicine and your body.
by Dr. Amber Hincks LAcFood 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.
Spicy (or Acrid): Metal Element, Lung and Large Intestine
The spicy flavor generally indicates that a substance contains more essential oils. These substances are aromatic and dispersing in nature. Essential oils tend to dilate surface blood vessels, causing sweating and changes to circulation in the skin and joints. Spicy substances also stimulate mucous secretion, so while a moderate amount is good for the Lungs and Large Intestine, too much spicy can contribute to pathology in these organs.
Examples: cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, mint
Uses: stimulate circulation to treat pain, promote sweating to fight cold virus
Sweet: Earth Element, Spleen and Stomach
In nature, the sweet flavor comes primarily from carbohydrate constituents (sugars, starches, pectins) and proteins. The sweet taste is pleasing. These are nutrients we need for survival, and so it makes sense for us to desire the sweet flavor. But historically the sweet flavor was often more subtle, as with root vegetables. In Chinese medicine, sweet is generally considered to have a tonic quality, building Qi and Blood. Sweet is also calming, soothing (reduces irritation), and generates fluids.
Examples: sweet potato, astragalus, goji berries, walnuts, dates
Uses: Boost Qi and blood, build tissues, calming
Bitter: Fire Element, Heart and Small Intestine
The bitter flavor drains heat and cleanses in Chinese Medicine, this means it is used for treating inflammation. We don’t want to ingest too much bitter food for long period of time because it can leave us depleted. But the judicious use of bitter substances is important medicine. There are several golden yellow herbs in both Eastern and Western herbalism that contain the alkaloid Berberine, known for its bitterness - goldenseal, coptis, oregon grape, phellodendron to name a few. The bitter taste is associated with the heart in Chinese Medicine. The alkaloids and glycosides commonly found in bitter plants help explain this relationship, as the Chinese heart system corresponds mainly to the nervous system and circulatory system, the two systems mainly impacted by these constituents. Bitter herbs are also often antimicrobial so they are good for fighting infections and reducing mucus secretion.
Examples: dandelion, echinacea, nettle
Uses: detox, infection, inflammation, agitation
Sour: Wood Element, Liver and Gall Bladder
Sour is a flavor found primarily in fruits, though some minerals and roots, such as Peony root, are considered sour. Wine and vinegar both also have some sour property. Sour herbs are moistening and soothing, helping to relax contracted muscles and tendons. They may also have an astringent effect, preventing leakage of sweat or other body fluids. Overly flexible people may find that sour foods make the condition worse.
Examples: schisandra, hawthorn, rose, quince
Uses: relax muscles, stop spasm, stop sweating and discharge
Salty: Water Element, Kidney and Bladder
In herbal medicine any animal products are considered salty. Often these substances are deeply nourishing, such as horns, or bones, which are cooked down. Shells, seaweeds and some minerals are salty as well. Here the salty flavor helps soften areas of hardness, such as masses and swellings. In these cases, the salty flavor does not come from adding sodium chloride to foods. Indeed we know that too much of this salt can damage the kidneys and elevate blood pressure. But small amounts of salt are good for the kidneys.
Examples: kelp, oyster shell, deer antler
Uses: masses, tonics, not as often used therapeutically
Consider your body’s needs and whether you might need a bit more of a particular flavor. What flavors do you crave and what does that tell you?
