The Story of Nelhuayo







Why Nelhuayo? 
The evolution of unlikely beginnings...
This is the next spiral up from the initial dream I had as a child - always curious to know they "why", the motivation behind our actions, the connections between all of creation - has lead to this re-dreaming of what was Natural Elements Medicine into Nelhuayo (Nelle-wah-yoh). 

Nelhuayo is a nahuatl term that means "roots" or that which takes root. It can be used as a noun or a verb.  
Roots are the anchor that stabilizes not only the plant, but the soil and other plants that make up the totality of their ECOS (home in greek), allowing for greater resilience in a world of great change... 

Roots provide nutrients, information and protection from one plant to another much in the same way our spiritual beliefs,  community, loved ones and family CONNECT us to a source of strength, support and resilience. Ultimately, the connection to our divine nature. 

Nelhuayo, then, illustrates the very nature of my work with my patients each and every day - in many respects:
- In the most simple and obvious way - we  strive to find the root cause of your array of symptoms to enhance and unencumber the healing process. 
- We find your center, or place of equilibrium (root/anchor)  from which I believe all healing and transformation takes place. 
- It is a reminder for myself that all of creation is connected in myriad ways that we continue to find on a regular basis, and most importantly, that we are connected through time and space to those who have come before us, and those who will come after us. 

It is important to know the root of our beliefs, our expectations, our motivations, that opens up the possibility of not only healing, but transformation of our lived reality.  It is equally as important to see the journey we take from those roots to grow into the most complete and best version of ourselves and see the seeds we sow, to re-imagine a new cycle of our lives. 

Now more than ever we search to find  our own center - our nelhuayo - the core of our soul - that directs, evolves, colors and shapes our lived experience. 

For the last 15 years I've had the opportunity to explore the realm of mainly the physical causality of dis-ease - and now I'm jumping into the "meta" physical aspects more so than before with the goal of helping folks step into the next part of their wheel in this life. 
My experience and interactions with the thousands of patients I have had the opportunity to serve since then, has been a blessing that has allowed me to also grow and evolve as a human being.  I am continually inspired  to deepen and broaden my skills, understanding and practice of this way of healing.

On that note this practice is now completely out of network with ALL insurance plans for one basic purpose - and that is to allow me to explore deeper work with my patients with modalities that as of the current moment are not covered by any insurance companies. 

 In other words, Nelhuayo is a reflection of the growth and evolution of both myself and those who choose this journey with me. 

Many thanks to all of the beautiful souls that have supported and trusted me over the years, from my heart to yours. 

--- Dr. Zia 





transforming healthcare.

Solving the most complex health challenges in a very down-to-earth way.


challenge accepted.

I learned this phrase from my sweetheart - we are here to accept our present to change our future. 


our mission.

"our mission" refers to YOU and I as we take steps to regain the dynamic harmony of our lived experience through understanding our day-to-day choices and habits and their impact on our well-being.


guiding principles.

Heart Centered

First and foremost I believe that healing happens when we come to each situation with an open heart, in vulnerability in order to be able to see each person not as a “diagnosis”, but as a complex and complete being.

Tolle Totum /Tolle Causam (Treat the Cause/whole person) 

These are traditional naturopathic philosophies that is about finding/ identifying obstacles and being able to see the ripples of those obstacles in the entirety of a person’s experience. Without this perspective, any treatment becomes a “bandaid” treatment. 

Docere (To Teach)

This is a cornerstone of success in this practice. Teaching - or rather, sharing information to help you understand how you  got here  today, and how to transform it, is crucial for deep, transformative healing. This medicine is not based on faith, but rather understanding and clarity. This principle puts us on “the same page” - which breaks the traditional role of the “doctor” as “the one who knows” to “the one who shares”.

Vis-Medicatrix Naturae (Healing Power of Nature)

Last and First of our principles- is the understanding that our body is connected to our environment, to other beings, to our mind, and to our soul. When these are aligned, healing is unavoidable.



About the Doc





Dr. Zia Robles Hernandez 

N.D., 2008 National College of Natural Medicine
I started out my practice in 2009 in New Mexico after receiving my naturopathic medicine degree from National College of Natural Medicine in Portland Oregon. There, I had the opportunity to teach at Northern New Mexico College and began giving public talks about health and wellness.

In 2011, I moved back to Oregon – this time to Albany – and opened Natural Elements Medicine, where I've been warned "never to retire". 
 I haven't retired, but as my skills grow and the landscape changes, I have re-imagined Natural Elements Medicine into Nelhuayo. 

Healing is one of my greatest passions in life - one that stems from exploring the connections (nano and cosmic) between body-mind-heart-spirit/soul of ALL creation. Underlying all of the skills and modalities I practice is the basic foundation of respect and love for all of life. 

Outside of private practice, I serve as a provider at La Clinica de Guadalupe in Salem,  as a DEI committee member for the OANP (Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians)  and board member for OBNM (Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine). 

The rest of the time, I finagle time out in the world to dance, create and to commune with loved ones in other words, living JOY!