Interview with a Practitioner: Dr. Zhenbi Li, LAc

1. What brought you to Portland?

The Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, one of the best TCM colleges, the beautiful surroundings, and friendly people in Oregon brought me here.

2. Why did you decide to become an LAc?

I like the wisdom of Oriental medicine. It works very well and helps people a lot .

3. Tell me about your practice

I practice at the Healing Sage Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic, in Camas, Washington and also at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine Acupuncture and Herbal Clinic in South East Portland. I treat many different diseases in my clinic, but my specialties are Gynecology and Oncology.

4. Where does your passion for the medicine come from?

My passion for Chinese medicine comes from the successful treatments I have done for my patients. I am very happy when I solve the problems, which stimulate my thirst of the knowledge of Chinese medicine. I often do both contemporary and classic research for the complicated cases. I gain knowledge and experience from doing that. 5. Any advice for patients? If you want to get the best effect from acupuncture and Chinese herbs, you must be patient as a patient. This means you need get several treatments and give us time to exert our healing skills and talent.

6. What is your favorite Portland restaurant and why? Wang's King is my favorite because it serves real Chinese food, not a modified version. It's just like me in my work as a doctor- I offer pure traditional Chinese medicine, not a modified version.

*Dr. Li and her husband Dr. Yufang Xue have also published several research articles within the USA. You can research those articles at pubmed.com.

Interview with a Practitioner: Dr. Yufang Xue, LAc

1. What brought you to Portland?

The people, the climate and beauty of the West coast brought my family to Portland.

2. Why did you decide to become an acupuncturist?

Kindness and compassion made me a professional of Chinese medicine. Its great treasure and real practice keep me moving forward.

3. Tell me about your practice.

Our office is the Healing Sage Acupuncture clinic in Camas, Washington. I have a wide range of types of patients in my clinic, but my specialty is Geriatrics. I also focus on emotion management, pain management and GI disorders.

4. Where does your passion for the medicine come from?

The patients' need for help with disease and illness, and the appreciation of my patients are the sources of my passion for TCM.

5. Do you have any advice for patients? To truly trust in themselves. It is within their own being where they will have the strongest power to cure their diseases and keep themselves healthy. The role of the medical professional is to assist the patient in healing.

6. What is your favorite Portland restaurant and why?

I am a good cook, and in that way, I can keep my family's diet healthy and balanced when we eat at home. But I also enjoy a variety of foods in different restaurants. I do prefer Chinese dishes, especially those cooked with fresh ingredients. If I have to pick up one favorite restaurant in Portland, I would have to say Wong King's.

Dr. Xue has an office with his wife, Dr. Zhenbi Li, LAc, in Camas, Washington. You can check out their website at Healing Sage Acupuncture.com.

What Can Acupuncture Treat? Allergies and Hayfever

Cherry blossoms in Ulsan May 2005 Photo by leojmelsrub

The mix of snow, rain, sun and hail all in one day (in the middle of March) can make you wonder what is going on here in the Northwest. If you've lived in Portland long enough, you know that it usually means spring is almost here. With it comes the beautiful cherry blossoms, tulips, and (unfortunately), allergies.

As I have mentioned before, I have a lot of experience in this field of health issues, and I will be the first to say that acupuncture has helped me the most with the misery of a runny nose, wheeze, and red, itchy eyes and skin. However, you must start treating it before the symptoms arrive.

So start now, while it's still raining! Check out your local acupuncturist for a series of visits- twice a week will work wonders for it. If you are here in Portland and twice a week seems like a lot of money, check out the CAN website for group acupuncture at a great price.

In the mean time, I recommend, Bi Yan Pian or Cang Er Zi Wan (Upper Chamber) to help open the nose and clear excess phlegm before the congestion takes over. You can find these from your practitioner or Wing Mings on 82nd Street.