The Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College (AIMC) is proud to announce its continued leadership in licensure examination performance. According to data published by the California Acupuncture Board, AIMC ranks fourth nationally  among accredited institutions for first-time pass rates on the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE)  between 2020 and 2024, with a first-time pass rate of 81.1% . This strong five-year performance reflects AIMC’s commitment to rigorous academic standards, clinically integrated training, and evidence-informed pedagogy. These results are more than statistics—they represent the depth of preparation our students receive to enter practice with competence and confidence. CALE Overview: 2020–2024 The CALE is a state-required licensure exam for acupuncture practice in California. This data reflects the performance of first-time examinees between January 2020 and December 2024. Statewide average pass rate:  77.7% (1,132 out of 1,457 first-time examinees) AIMC pass rate:  81.1% (60 out of 74 first-time examinees) Institution Pass Rate Alhambra Medical University (Los Angeles) 85.4%  (88/103) Emperor’s College (Santa Monica, closed) 84.0%  (121/144) ACTCM at CIIS (San Francisco, closed) 82.6%  (57/69) AIMC (Berkeley) 81.1%  (60/74) Importantly, AIMC remains one of the highest-performing active  programs in California following the closures of Emperor’s and ACTCM. Year-by-Year Pass Rate Summary Year First-Time Pass Rate 2020 100% (both exam cycles) 2021 100% (both exam cycles) 2022 75% (first half), 91% (second half) 2023 80% (first half), 71% (second half) 2024 86% (second half only) Each year demonstrates a commitment to instructional quality, student support, and ongoing curriculum refinement. National Exam Performance (NCCAOM) In addition to CALE success, AIMC students consistently perform well on the national board exams administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) —which are required for licensure in most U.S. states outside of California. Module First-Time Pass Rate Acupuncture with Point Location 92.2% Foundations of Oriental Medicine 100% Biomedicine 75.6% Chinese Herbology 78.5% These outcomes highlight AIMC’s strength across all domains of the national licensure framework. Why Licensure Exam Success Matters A high first-time pass rate: Reduces financial and emotional burden on students Accelerates professional entry into clinical practice Reflects high-quality instruction, assessment, and mentoring At AIMC, student licensure success is directly tied to the strength of our academic and clinical programs. It is a key measure of our institutional effectiveness and a reflection of our students’ preparedness to serve their communities. Preparing the Next Generation of Integrative Medicine Leaders While licensure success is a critical benchmark, AIMC’s mission extends further. We prepare future leaders in East Asian Medicine through a curriculum that honors classical foundations, emphasizes cultural humility, and integrates modern healthcare perspectives. Our graduates are not only qualified practitioners—they are innovators and changemakers advancing the field of integrative medicine. 📚 Learn more about our programs 💬 Reach out to Admissions at start@aimc.edu Explore AIMC and discover how we’re shaping the next generation of integrative healthcare practitioners.

Excitement is building at Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College (AIMC) as Fall 2025 enrollment continues!  Whether you are continuing your studies or beginning your journey into East Asian medicine, now is the time to secure your courses for the upcoming term. Classes begin on September 2, 2025 , and include a full range of classroom and clinical experiences designed to prepare you for a meaningful career in integrative medicine. With online enrollment open through July 10 at 11:59 PM , students are strongly encouraged to register early. Doing so helps ensure access to your preferred courses and clinic shifts before they reach capacity. Important Deadlines To stay organized and prepared, all students must be aware of the key deadlines for the registration process. The online enrollment portal on Populi closes on July 10, so make sure to finalize your course selections before then. Post-deadline, students may encounter limited availability for classes, which could lead to needed adjustments in schedules and potential delays in educational progress. Enrollment Closes:  Thursday, July 10 at 11:59 PM Tuition Due:  Thursday, July 31 at 4:00 PM (local time) Add/Drop Deadline:  Thursday, September 11 at 4:00 PM Another crucial date is linked to financial obligations, which are vital for a smooth enrollment experience. Students should pay close attention to tuition payment dates to avoid any financial setbacks. Step-by-Step Enrollment Instructions AIMC provides straightforward instructions for enrollment. Here’s a clear guide to help prospective students register for classes easily: Log into the Populi Portal: Go to the Populi website and enter your student credentials to access your account. Go to the Registration Tab:  From your My Profile  page, click on the Registration  tab. Select the Fall 2025 Term:  Use the term drop-down menu to choose Fall 2025 . Add Your Courses:  Browse the list of available courses and add your desired classes to your schedule. Click Save:  After selecting your courses, click Save  to submit your registration. Sign the Term Enrollment Agreement:  A digital agreement will appear after saving. You must sign this within 24 hours, or your registration will expire and you will need to re-register. Confirm Your Schedule:  Review your course list to ensure everything is accurate and complete. Following these steps will place students on the right path toward securing a position in the exciting courses available this fall. Understanding Financial Commitments Timely tuition payment is essential. Students are encouraged to review their financial responsibilities early to avoid any administrative or academic interruptions. Paying on time not only avoids additional fees but also ensures a smooth transition into the term. Policy Reminders Before completing your Fall 2025 registration, all students are required to review and comply with AIMC’s academic and clinical policies. A core requirement is signing the Term Enrollment Agreement , which outlines student responsibilities and expectations throughout the term. This agreement must be signed digitally during the registration process and is essential for confirming your enrollment. In addition, students are encouraged to review key institutional policies related to attendance , grading , and clinical participation . Familiarity with these guidelines supports a smooth academic experience and helps you stay aligned with program requirements as you progress through your studies. Resources for Assistance If you experience any issues during enrollment: Berkeley students : Contact Suriani Abdul Rani  at assocdean@aimc.edu Austin students : Contact Reagan Taylor  at austindirectorclined@aimc.edu Staff are available to support you with course planning, Populi access, and technical concerns. Get Ready for Fall 2025 The opening of Fall 2025 enrollment at AIMC presents an exciting opportunity for current and prospective students to further their education in integrative medicine. With a structured term beginning September 2, 2025, and abundant resources to guide academic choices, now is the perfect time to register for classes. As the enrollment period unfolds, staying informed about deadlines, financial commitments, and policies will allow students to have a fulfilling educational experience. Take proactive steps toward your future in East Asian medicine, knowing that the AIMC community is here to support you every step of the way. The path to becoming a healer is waiting for you—embrace the opportunity this Fall!

Considering a career in Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine? Join us for AIMC’s upcoming Virtual Open House  to learn more about our Master’s and Dual Degree  programs. We’ll cover everything you need to know—curriculum, schedules, financial aid, clinical training, our herbal pharmacy, and more. Event Detail 🗓️ Dates: • Monday, July 28, 2025  at 6:00 PM (PT)• Wednesday, July 30, 2025  at 6:00 PM (PT) 📍 Location:  Online via Zoom🔗 Register now:   Eventbrite Registration 🎓 Planning to apply for Fall 2025 ? Attend one of these sessions and your $100 application fee will be waived . 📲 Be sure to follow us on Eventbrite for future event updates. We look forward to meeting you!

The Charlotte Maxwell Clinic (CMC) is a vital lifeline for low-income women battling cancer. They provide integrative healthcare services at no cost, alleviating a significant burden for those in need. As a trusted partner of AIMC, CMC is seeking acupuncturists to join their compassionate volunteer team. With over 60% of their clients expressing interest in acupuncture, this service can profoundly impact the lives of these women, both physically and emotionally. The next volunteer training session is scheduled for September 21 . This is a unique chance for practitioners to give back to the community while gaining practical clinical experience. Volunteers will work alongside a dedicated team of integrative care providers, making a real difference in the lives of women facing health challenges. What Volunteers Can Expect During the training session on September 21, acupuncturists will receive hands-on guidance in a supportive environment. Participants will learn how to address the specific needs of CMC's clientele and tailor their treatment plans accordingly. Here’s what to expect from the training: Hands-on Experience : You will practice techniques in a safe setting, ensuring you feel confident in your skills. Collaborative Learning : Working with other integrative care providers will offer unique insights into holistic healthcare practices. Conversations with seasoned professionals provide invaluable knowledge about patient care and empathy. How to Get Involved If you are interested in joining this experience, please reach out to Lupita Medrano-Hernández , the Volunteer Services Manager. For more details, please contact: 📞 (510) 601-7660 📧 lmedrano@charlottemaxwell.org You can also fill out the application form here to kickstart your fulfilling journey.

Ingredients: 1 bar gui ban jiao, or 2 sheets of gelatin, or 1 teaspoon agar agar powder* Handfuls of: Almonds Walnuts (Hu Tao Ren)-- Tonify Yang Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)-- Tonify Blood & Yin Chinese Dates (Da Zao)-- Tonify Qi Dried rose petals (Mei Gui Hua)-- Regulate Qi Black sesame seed (Hei Zhi Ma)-- Tonify Yin Recipe If using Gui Ban, soak Gui Ban Jiao in yellow wine for 72 hours. Gently simmer gui ban in yellow wine until it has a jelly-like consistency, add sugar or honey to preference. As that's coming to a simmer, line your mold/pan with rose petals & lightly toast nuts and seeds to release their nourishing oils. Mix the nuts & seeds into the pot with Gui Ban & remove from heat. Pour the mixture into the pan lined with roses and top with more rose petals. Let cool, then cut & serve! About the Medicine: These Jing-nourishing superfood bars make such a great treat because they tonify and strengthen many vital substances in our bodies, and are great for folks who present as deficient. Snacking on these bars while recovering from an illness (not while actively sick), or even post-partum, will help to strengthen your body! Learn more about some of the signs of deficiency these bars can support: Qi: Some signs of qi deficiency include fatigue, shortness of breath, poor appetite, spontaneous sweating. The Da Zao tonify qi, our vital life source or energy, and the addition of Mei Gui Hua can also move any stagnated qi, causing us to feel stuck. Blood: Some signs of blood deficiency include pale complexion, trouble sleeping, anxiety, heart palpitations. Gou Qi Zi are excellent for blood tonification - think of their red color being a sign they are good for blood! Yin: Some signs of yin deficiency include dryness, thirst with desire to sip, red complexion, insomnia, feeling hot (especially in the afternoon). Gou Qi Zi and Hei Zhi Ma both tonify yin, clearing some of the heat and bringing more moisture and fluid back into the body. Yang: Some signs of yang deficiency include feeling cold, desire to sleep all day, low back ache or pain, low energy and motivation. Hu Tao Ren are rich and fatty, making it perfect for tonifying yang and restoring some energy and warmth. A note: Because of their tonifying and building properties, these bars are not recommended for excess patterns of qi, blood, yin, or yang. Ask your Acupuncturist if they might be a good fit for you at your next appointment! *The original recipe calls for 1 bar of Gui Ban Jiao, which is an ingredient in the Chinese Medicine pharmacopeia made into gelatin bars from Tortoise shell. Gui Ban serves as a strong Liver & Kidney yin tonic and can be used in deeply deficient cases with deficient heat and signs that heat is rising. As an animal product and one that is may be hard to source ethically, we have listed suitable substitutes to make strongly nourishing bars without Gui Ban. Gelatin is a non-vegetarian option, and agar-agar is a vegan-friendly option for these bars. About the Creator My name is Molly Rodrigues (she/her) and I'm term 6 here at AIMC. I work as a flexologist at StretchLab and as a restorative yoga teacher. I am passionate about individualized and accessible healthcare, and trauma alchemization. When I'm not studying or working you can find me soaking up the sunshine, moving my body, reading, or pondering philosophies. I'm a big fan of all things coffee, music, and nature.

This term I am doing my Herb Room internship under the capable direction of the Herb Pharmacy Manager, Le Jiang. Spending time with the raw herbs and  granules, mixing formulas has proven enriching to say the least. Le is a  wealth of knowledge, and a terrific resource and an even better study mentor- especially where formulas are  concerned. Imagine my surprise and enthusiasm when she asked me if I'd like to go on a field trip to Oakland's Chinatown! With no hesitation, we were off. The Mission Our mission was to secure more Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang for the school pharmacy. It's proven an effective treatment for the symptoms of Covid-19, and having it in stock to support our community has been an important measure. After parking and walking a short distance, we happened upon HOAN CAU COMPANY, our destination. Le spoke with the store clerks while I marveled at the jars of medicine displayed like candy on the counters. They offered us bits of bites and giggled at our reactions. Le got a bit too much dried ginger that was deceivingly spicy! They took the time to answer questions about names and prices and let me browse, my curiosity leading the way. Le's alternate goal for the trip was to orient me to the neighborhood and also help me feel at ease with visiting a traditionally Chinese speaking institution, all which she did with a casual ease. I appreciated seeing a working Chinese herbal pharmacy in Oakland's Chinatown. It was amazing to peruse the plethora of trademarked medicines along side fresh, treated and packaged goods. I was pleased to buy dried buddhas's hand, or Fo Shou, packaged in small bites for my daughter as well as some beautiful jasmine flowers for tea. I also purchased some Pu-erh tea for my Mom and a bag of Dao Zao for my home. Lest we not forget what we came her for! Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang. We'll take 13 boxes please! All in all what a pleasure it was to accompany Le on this errand for the AIMC pharmacy. When we got back to school, we were able to fill an immediate order for someone in the community who needed it. All in a days work of a student intern of the herb room. Visit Oakland's Chinatown Le was also kind enough to point out other landmarks and places in the neighborhood. Please find a little map and key organized by business type in the following pages! The following illustrations were done by Sam Lai for our last AIMC zine that came out last winter. (Thanks Sam for permission to use again!) About the Author: Leslee Kurihara lives on Ohlone land in San Francisco, CA. She is a student of Classical 5 Element Acupuncture with the Lingshu Institute, as well as a student of TCM at AIMC in Berkeley. She received her Undergraduate degree at the University of CA at Davis in Environmental Science and Design. Leslee believes in the tenets of healing as guided by the laws of nature and in honoring an individual's unique constitution as integral to the diagnostic and treatment process. About the Artist: Sam Lai (she/her) is a queer, mixed-race student of acupuncture and East Asian Medicine at AIMC Berkeley. Sam moved to the West Coast from her birthplace of Guam to study art, photography, and design strategy. She worked with startups and arts education organizations prior to becoming an acupuncture student. These days, you can find her treating patients at the AIMC Student Clinic; at UC Berkeley treating Cal student-athletes; or at Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, a free clinic serving low-income, underserved, and immigrant women with cancer. Sam is also a backyard beekeeper in the East Bay where she resides with her partner and little red dog Benji.

With the recent shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, we honor those whose lives have been lost, and are holding in our hearts all those who are grieving among the AAPI community. This time of year is supposed to be a time of celebration. While this year’s celebrations are clouded with trauma and grief, we can look to the Water Rabbit for hope. Rabbits in the Chinese Zodiac Each year, according to the Chinese zodiac calendar cycle, a heavenly stem, one of the five elements, is paired with an earthly branch, one of the 12 zodiac animals. This year is the Gui Mao, or Water Rabbit year. Gui represents water, while Mao represents rabbit. Both of these hold significance, and can offer insights into the year ahead. While there are many variations of this story, according to ancient legend, the Jade Emperor invited all the animals to participate in a race for his birthday. Twelve animals lined up at the start of the race: a pig, dog, monkey, sheep, horse, rooster, dragon, tiger, rabbit, ox, rat, and a snake. As a prize, a year would be named after each animal, but their finish would determine the order! Each animal had a different experience and adventure crossing a river to complete the Emperor’s race. The rabbit arrived in fourth place, but how? The rabbit was quick, and hopped from stone to stone across the river. Partway through, the rabbit slipped and fell into the river, but was able to climb onto a log floating in the water. The dragon, who was right behind the rabbit, saw the rabbit floating on the log, and gave a supportive breath to blow the rabbit to shore. (Want to learn more about the other finishers? Read more about the race here.) The Yin Water Rabbit According to Five Element Theory, the rabbit represents wood. When we think about the relationship between water and wood, water generates or nourishes wood. Think about the way that watering our plants help them to grow. This can indicate that this is a year can be a year of prosperity, hope, and flourishing. Additionally, both water and wood are associated with Yin. Yin is slower, darker, quieter, while Yang is faster, brighter, louder. If we’re in a Yin year, we can interpret that this might be a good year for rest, reflection, slowing down. While water is associated with fear, it also is associated with calm. The rabbit is viewed as a symbol of intellect, longevity, peace. Rabbits also have qualities of kindness, empathy, and patience. Some believe 2023, the Gui Mao Water Rabbit Year, will be a year of hope. To learn more about the Yin Water Rabbit and the upcoming year, check out these helpful (and fascinating!) links: Want to learn more about the Water Rabbit? Read more here! Curious about what 2023 has in store for your Chinese Zodiac? Check out Astrologer Susan Levitt’s predictions here! Learn about the year ahead: For an extensive forecast for the upcoming year, including insights into what the Water Rabbit might bring to your health, relationships, work, lifestyle, and many other aspects, check out this in-depth review! Celebrating Lunar New Year Lunar New Year celebrations last for fifteen days. Lunar New Year kicks off the Spring Festival, where each day has specific significance and traditions and customs. Spring Festival culminates with the Lantern Festival, always landing on the first full moon of the new lunar year, and this year, landing on February 5th.The Lantern Festival is the celebration of looking to the future, and also releasing the past. Here are some tips for celebrating, and some great local events to check out! Check out San Francisco's Parade! Attend the parade and other festivities in San Francisco. Lunar New Year x Black History Month Celebration in Oakland: Oakland Asian Cultural Center is hosting a Lunar New Year and Black History Month celebration that you won't want to miss! Support local restaurants: Check out this list of places to eat and celebrate around the Bay Area. Cook at home: Tang Yuan is the "go-to" Lunar New Year dessert, because it brings us harmony and good fortune for the year ahead. Try making your own with this recipe! This Water Rabbit year we look ahead with hope for prosperity, growth, kindness, community, and peace. We wish you all a prosperous Water Rabbit New Year! About the Author Molly Pilloton Lam is a first-year Master's student at AIMC with a background in working with BIPOC communities in education, educational leadership, public health, and trauma-informed youth mental health program settings. She is interested in expanding education and equitable access to acupuncture and EAM in BIPOC and communities, particularly to support people with the impacts of trauma. She is excited to be a student at AIMC for her pathway to acupuncture, and looks forward to uplifting its traditional practices and other BIPOC practitioners' voices.

What is pain? Pain is an indicator that something is hurt or injured in the body. It is a way of telling you that something might be wrong and needs attention. When your body is injured (say you trip and fall on your knee), inflammation of tissues and nerves occurs in the area that has been hurt. Some key signs of inflammation include swelling, pain, redness, feeling warm to the touch, some loss of normal or typical function. These are all a part of a normal healing response in the body. Sometimes we experience pain for other reasons - we don’t have to trip and fall to feel pain! Sometimes we wake up with a sore back, or the cold makes your hands feel tight and crampy. How can acupuncture treat pain? Acupuncture has long been used as an effective tool to alleviate and treat pain. From a Western perspective and understanding, acupuncture releases neurotransmitters, endorphins and enkephalins, reducing the sensation of pain. It can help build white blood cells, which help to protect your body from injury and illness 5 . It also helps your body to release oxytocin, the hormone that gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings of love, trust, and relationship. From an East Asian perspective and understanding, acupuncture treats the pain by restoring balance to the Qi within the body through activation of various points and channels. Healthy Qi will flow with no issue, cycling through the body without getting stuck or too depleted. Qi or blood can stagnate within the body, or we can be susceptible to external pathogens that can cause pain. If we regulate the flow of Qi, we improve our health (and in this case, reduce or eliminate our pain)! Acupuncture also treats our organs by tonifying or harmonizing them, so our body functions properly. Lastly, it also treats our spirit, or Shen, which is our presence, vitality, consciousness. When we care for our Shen, we live in harmony and health. “...every needling’s method first must be rooted in Shen”. This sentence is usually translated as: “All treatment must be based on the Spirit”. (Ling Shu Chapter 8, Nei Jing) Arthritis & East Asian Medicine Arthritis causes inflammation, pain, and swelling of the joints, and is the leading cause of disability. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which typically affects the hands, hips, and knees. The cartilage in these joints begin to break down, and can change the bone. This is why it is often called “wear and tear” arthritis. Another common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease where your immune system begins to attack your healthy cells by mistake. This typically affects the joints, as well. From an East Asian perspective, arthritic pain often presents as a result of a Bi syndrome. Bi syndrome is a category of disease that is caused by an invasion of a pathogen (wind, cold, dampness, heat) on the meridians involving muscles and sinews. The different types of Bi syndromes present with different qualities of pain 4 . Typically, they present in the following ways: Cold Bi: localized pain, cramping, constricting, tight, better with warmth Damp Bi: joint swelling, heavy, achy pain Wind Bi: moving or radiating pain Heat Bi: burning pain, better with cold Arthritis pain can also involve other patterns, involving our Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids. These all are important to ensuring healthy, normal flow throughout the body, and any disruption may present as pain or other symptoms. Qi/ Blood/ Body Fluid deficiency: This results in dull, lingering pain that is worse with movement. Qi stagnation: This results in distending pain that is better with movement. Blood stagnation: This results in sharp, stabbing, localized pain. Lastly, some of our organs and specific channels can support when we feel pain, particularly related to our bones or muscles. Liver Deficiency: The Liver is responsible for proper flow of Qi, and regulates sinews and muscles. Kidney Deficiency: The Kidney responsible for bones. Sinew/ muscle channels: These channels are good for acute or chronic injuries because you treat the Jing Well points and Ah Shi points along the channel. Ah Shi points are found by reactivity or sensation (it doesn’t have to feel like pain necessarily, but could feel tight or sunken too!) Jing Well points are located on the tips of the extremities and can open up stuck Qi in a whole muscle chain 6 . Acupuncture Points for Arthritis East Asian Medicine treatments can include acupuncture points and herbal formulas specializing in combating and expelling these exterior pathogens, and in turn, reducing or eliminating the pain. There are some common points where you can apply acupressure or massage that can provide some pain relief, but it is always best to speak with an acupuncturist to determine the best course of action for your specific type of pain! Some acupressure body points for various types of pain (see the images below for the specific locations in order to find them!): For general pain , try Large Intestine 4, or He Gu, in the webbing between your index finger and thumb. For neck pain and shoulder pain , try Small Intestine 3, or Hou Xi, on the lateral side of your hand below the joint where your fingers meet the palm of your hand. For wrist & arm pain , try San Jiao 4, or Yang Chi, at the wrist joint. For knee & hip pain , try Gallbladder 34 or Yang Ling Quan, just below the knee joint. For low back, back of the knee, or foot pain , try Urinary Bladder 63, or Jin Men, on the lateral side of the foot. For ankle pain , try Stomach 41, Jie Xi, on the top of the foot near the ankle joint. About the Author Molly Pilloton Lam is a first-year Master's student at AIMC with a background in working with BIPOC communities in education, educational leadership, public health, and trauma-informed youth mental health program settings. She is interested in expanding education and equitable access to acupuncture and EAM in BIPOC and communities, particularly to support people with the impacts of trauma. She is excited to be a student at AIMC for her pathway to acupuncture, and looks forward to uplifting its traditional practices and other BIPOC practitioners' voices. References: Chou PC, Chu HY. Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018 Apr 12;2018:8596918. doi: 10.1155/2018/8596918. PMID: 29849731; PMCID: PMC5925010. Selfe TK, Taylor AG. Acupuncture and osteoarthritis of the knee: a review of randomized, controlled trials. Fam Community Health. 2008 Jul-Sep;31(3):247-54. doi: 10.1097/01.FCH.0000324482.78577.0f. PMID: 18552606; PMCID: PMC2810544. Yang L, Adams J. The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Arthritis Management: Why We Need Public Health and Health Services Research. Front Public Health. 2020 Dec 17;8:597917. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.597917. PMID: 33392135; PMCID: PMC7773773. How Do You Treat Osteoarthritis in Your Practice? Med Acupunct. 2017 Jun 1;29(3):166-172. doi: 10.1089/acu.2017.29053.cpl. PMID: 28736594; PMCID: PMC5512319. Evidence Based Acupuncture: Acupuncture for Pain. Available at: https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/pain/. . Acupuncture Today: The Sinew Channels. Available at: https://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=32443. .

In honor of Earth Day, we had the pleasure of speaking with one of AIMC’s long-time community members and professors, Dr. Nishanga Bliss, DAIM, DSc, LAc, about her work to educate practicing and aspiring acupuncture and East Asian Medicine practitioners, her call to action to support a healthy environment, and her hopes for the future. Nishanga has been with AIMC since 2008, and has been practicing Chinese medicine since 1999. She has always been interested in the public health aspect of Chinese medicine and health, but felt more drawn to it, especially living in the times that we're living in today. Becoming an Environmental Activist Nishanga watched her father, an environmentalist, work with the East Bay chapter of the Sierra Club in a time of environmental awareness in the seventies. During the eighties and nineties, Nishanga witnessed a “retraction” in our society and culture with regards to the environment. With this foundation of environmental activism, Nishanga was drawn to holistic medicine because of its nature-based approach, which led her to study Western Herbalism. With the roots of Western Herbalism being based in energetics, and studying eclecticism, it was an easy and natural step into studying Chinese medicine. Because of the power of food and plant-based medicine, Nishanga pursued a doctorate in Nutrition to better understand where her food comes from, and how it can support overall health. “We have to look at climate and how it's affecting plants. I mean, we know in agriculture that climate's already affecting the nutritional value of agricultural products. …there's so many ways that we can connect our medicine to the climate crisis, but herbalism is very easy in that way.” TCM & the Environmental Perspective Nishanga described climate change in terms of a TCM perspective, describing the balance (or imbalance) of Yin and Yang. “Human beings are too Yang. So we're heating the planet and… Yin and Yang are beginning to separate, and so we're getting Yin deficiency… More water is mobilized in the sky, and then it's coming down more forcefully.” Let’s break this down a little bit more! When we think about energetics, Yin is slower, quieter, more peaceful, restful, and restorative. Yang energy is very active with lots of movement; it’s faster, consumes more energy. If human beings are too Yang, that means we are using lots of energy, like when we are driving cars, flying in airplanes, movement around the state, country, and planet. Even when we look at political discourse and the social issues we are facing. We are very Yang; we are moving, talking loudly, engaging with others intensely. This creates more energy in the form of heat, which in turn, heats the planet. With this imbalance, we see a lot of Yang energy, with very little Yin energy, causing a deficiency. This leads to an overall degradation of the planet and being, which is how we see these environmental effects, like the 12 atmospheric rivers this winter, compared to three last year! Additionally, she described how fossil fuels, and continuing to extract them, is depleting the Earth’s Jing, or life force. “Oil is like the jing, the deepest reserves of the planet, the most precious. Like in your body, the Jing is the most precious substance that determines your lifespan, and we're like depleting it from the earth.” Actions You Can Take While this may seem discouraging, Nishanga offered many ways people can positively impact the environment and combat climate change. One of her recommendations is actively advocating for political change, especially working to influence the Farm Bill Reauthorization. She uses the Climate Action Now app, which is an easy and quick way to send letters to your local legislators, connect with other community members, and gain points that accumulate toward a tree being planted on your behalf. Also, “The Farm Bill connects to our whole food system in the . It connects to how food is grown, how food is processed. It connects to food in the public schools. It connects to legislation around, so if we bring a climate lens to that and a regenerative agriculture lens to that, it can be really transformative…people need to learn, learn what's going on with it and where specific times to write their legislators.” All of this starts with conversation. Community, education, and continual conversation around these issues will effect change. Climate impacts every aspect of our life, so it is important to talk about it with everyone and at every opportunity. Even in moments of waning motivation, Nishanga reminds us that we can’t ignore the emotion involved in this movement, and drawing inspiration from Chinese medicine as a way to process and re-energize. “It's not just turn your anger into action. But you also sometimes have to just feel the negative feelings and let them work through you… Ideally you feel it, you channel it, you allow it to move you.” Thank you for sharing your beautiful insights and wisdom with us, Nishanga! About the Author Molly Pilloton Lam is a first-year Master's student at AIMC with a background in working with BIPOC communities in education, educational leadership, public health, and trauma-informed youth mental health program settings. She is interested in expanding education and equitable access to acupuncture and EAM in BIPOC and communities, particularly to support people with the impacts of trauma. She is excited to be a student at AIMC for her pathway to acupuncture, and looks forward to uplifting its traditional practices and other BIPOC practitioners' voices.

Treating Winter illness, or 冬病夏治 (dōng bìng xià zhì), during the Summer, or by using 三伏贴(sān fú tiē) What is 冬病夏治 (dōng bìng xià zhì)? 冬 病 (dōng bìng) means illnesses that happen more often or get severe in the winter. For example, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, and Spleen & Stomach deficiency and coldness in Chinese Medicine perspective, etc. 夏治 (xià zhì) means the condition of the illness improves while the yang is rising in the summer. With the differential diagnosis, taking Chinese Medicine internally and externally can prevent the severity of the illness in the winter. What is 三伏贴(sān fú tiē)? 三伏(sān fú) usually appears between Xiao Shu and Chu Shu when there is a combination of high temperature and humid in nature. There are 30 or 40 days in San Fu, depending on the year. San Fu can be divided into Beginning Fu ( 10 days), Middle Fu (10-20 days), and Ending Fu (10 days). San Fu dates in 2023 Beginning Fu: 7.11-7.20 (10 days) Middle Fu: 7.21 - 8.9 (20 days) Ending Fu: 8.10 - 8.19 (10 days) 三伏贴(sān fú tiē) is a type of paste that includes Traditional Chinese herbs. (For example, mugwort, dry ginger, pepper, mustard seeds, and Chinese wild ginger. ) The pastes need to be applied in every Fu (+ 1 if the middle Fu is 20 days). Read more about 三伏贴(sān fú tiē) as a treatment, including recommended point locations, applications, and cautions, below!

Dr. Tolbert Small is a hero of service and healing, as lead physician for the Black Panther Party and one of the first doctors outside of the Asian American community to practice acupuncture in the United States, and is still a practicing physician in the Bay Area. It might be possible you don’t know all of his incredible contributions to his community and the nation when you meet him at his doctor’s office. But in honor of Juneteenth, we want to take a moment to celebrate the activist, the healer, and “the People’s Doctor”, Dr. Tolbert Small. Dr. Tolbert Small was an activist before he was a healer, and began fighting for civil rights in college at University of Detroit in Detroit, Michigan. On campus he co-founded a student chapter of the NAACP, and decided to study medicine. He graduated from Wayne State School of Medicine, and moved for residency at Highland Hospital, here in Oakland, California. Inspired by the activism and connection he found while in Oakland, Dr. Small boldly approached the Black Panther Party. He offered to work pro bono, and became their primary physician in 1970. Dr. Small cared deeply about offering health care to the Black community due to the inequities he saw. He acted as Medical Director at the George Jackson Free Medical Center in Berkeley, and opened The People’s Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, both creating access to health care, support, and education for many Black Americans. With the Black Panther Party, he was invited to join their trip to China. On this trip, Dr. Small and other leaders observed the “barefoot doctors’ movement”, where people trained in basic healthcare, including acupuncture, offer treatments to underserved populations. Dr. Small returned home energized, and taught himself how to treat with acupuncture, becoming one of the first physicians in the United States to practice it. He then went on to practice medicine and acupuncture in a variety of settings in Northern California, including caring for patients in San Quentin and Folsom Prison, and later opening the Harriet Tubman Medical Office in Oakland with his wife, Anola. He stayed at the Harriet Tubman Medical Office from 1980 until 2016 when it sadly closed. Dr. Tolbert Small Today Today, Dr. Tolbert Small continues to offer healing through internal medicine and acupuncture to his patients in the Bay Area. He also continues his activism through poetry and writing, and has published a book, Resistencia, Love, Healing that is available for purchase. Here is one of our favorite poems, that is especially appropriate for aspiring and practicing acupuncturists and healers: To the Healers (and Their Patients Who Have the Right to be Healed) We healers. We toiled for years to learn the mystery of the human body. We nourish spirits from birth to the grave. We mend the bones. We sew the cuts. We kill the pain. We cool the fevers. We soothe the spirits. We are healers. We bring new life. We close old life. We pick the herbs. We needle away the pain. We cut out the cancer. We poison the germs. We calm the troubled minds. We are healers. We treat the whole body as one universe. We treat each part of this universe. We keep the hearts pumping. We keep the lungs breathing. We know, as long as life exists, We will be healers. References: Meng, E. (2020, February 2). "Dr. Tolbert Small." Of Part and Parcel. https://www.ofpartandparcel.com/blog-2/dr-tolbert-small Dr. Tolbert Small: The People's Doctor. (2020, July 27). https://the-peoples-doctor.com/

Summer sunshine, warmth, and longer days are finally here! In East Asian Medicine (EAM), summer is associated with the fire element, which makes sense given the warmer temperatures, longer time that the sun is out, and our overall warmer feelings in our body. Summer is also the most Yang time of the year, meaning it is the time that is most bright, active, warm (compared to winter, which is the most Yin time of year, meaning it is dark, slower, cooler). With all of this in mind, it is especially important to be taking care of our bodies in a way that keeps the fire in balance, not too much, or not too little. According to EAM, there are many ways you can care for your body during summer by balancing and supporting the fire element. This looks like managing heat to stay cool, staying hydrated, and moving the excess heat out of your body. Here are some food recommendations (with a yummy summer-inspired recipe!) and forms of simple movement that can help you keep your cool this summer! Foods that are good for you during summer The flavor associated with summer or the Fire element is bitter. The bitter flavor is good at clearing heat, especially in the organs associated with the Fire element (the Heart and the Small Intestine!). With this in mind, bitter foods, such as kale, bitter greens, radishes, cabbage, and even coffee or chocolate (without sugar), support a healthy balance during summer. Foods that also have high water content, such as watermelon, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, peaches, and other fruits and vegetables can help with cooling your body down during summer. Try out this yummy summer salad, that you can easily find all the ingredients to during summer, and better yet, at your local farmers market! Tomato Watermelon Cucumber Radishes Lettuce Olive Oil Lemon Mint, dill, or any other fresh herbs Salt and pepper Movement to help clear heat In Qi Gong, there is an exercise called "Pulling Down Heavens" that may appear simple, but has profound balancing, cleansing, and descending effects on the body. Depending on your intention there are minor variations on the exercise, but generally this practice gathers earth and heavenly Qi, and then washes over and down the body. This exercise is a great way to start the day by gathering Qi for the day, or even close the day, bringing energy down and let go. Pulling Down Heavens can be a great part of any daily routine, but could help to descend and clear heat or excess energy during summer. Here's a video tutorial on how to do Pulling Down Heavens, and describes three variations you can try! A Note on Global Heat You may have seen the headlines that this week the world experienced the 4 hottest days ever on record. While it's important to know how to say in good health during hot days and beat the heat, the issue of rising temperatures is not an individualized one; the world is poised to see an increase in epidemics and climate refugees in the coming decades. We encourage everyone to do what they can to take action against climate change. For inspiration about how you can help and to read a Chinese-medicine inspired take on climate change, check out this article about Environmental Activist & AIMC Berkeley professor Dr. Nishanga Bliss, DSc, DAIM, LAc. About the Author Molly Pilloton Lam is a first-year Master's student at AIMC with a background in working with BIPOC communities in education, educational leadership, public health, and trauma-informed youth mental health program settings. She is interested in expanding education and equitable access to acupuncture and EAM in BIPOC and communities, particularly to support people with the impacts of trauma. She is excited to be a student at AIMC for her pathway to acupuncture, and looks forward to uplifting its traditional practices and other BIPOC practitioners' voices.