The Immune System - Protecting Ourselves from Cold and Flu from the Perspective of Chinese Medicine

"100 Diseases originate from Wind, Cold, Summer Heat, Dampness, Dryness and Fire" Su Wen chapter 74

We moved from a balmy late summer a few weeks ago into a temperature dropping chilly autumn. This is a time when we are at risk, susceptible to lingering pathogens, that prey on the weak, depleted and energetically imbalanced.  In Chinese Medicine one major cause of disease is an extreme change in weather, known to us, as an External Cause of Disease. Such extremes in the external world can affect homeostasis, especially if there is a relative imbalance between your Qi(energy) and the external world.

Climatic factors

These are known to us, as Wind, Cold, Damp, Summer Heat, Dryness and Fire, we can observe them also as Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Wind-Damp.  In the UK we might suffer from the latter as our island is affected mainly by the wind, rain and cold, especially in the seasons of Autumn, Winter and Spring, a time when we can be infected by the common cold and flu.

The Lungs

The main energetic organ under attack from the External Causes of Disease are the Lungs, or our respiratory system as it's known in the West. We've all experienced a bout of sneezing, a runny nose, sore throat, chesty cough, shortness of breath and fatigue. These symptoms are collectively known as the common cold. Varying viruses and weakened immunity might see us suffer more intensively with the flu and also what is now known as Covid-19 too. 

Immune system

From a Chinese Medicine perspective our immune system can be described as an energetic forcefield called Defensive Qi,  this circulates between the skin and the muscles, keeping us warm and protecting us from external pathogens.  A variety of organs help create this robust Defensive Qi, however it is the energy of the Lungs which spreads this protective shield throughout our being. If the energy of our Lungs are weakened so is our protection.

Top Tips to Support Our Qi

As you can see, it is vital we keep our Lung energy healthy and strong to defend us from climatic imbalances at this time of year. Below are some top tips which can support our Lungs and our immunity from a Chinese Medicine perspective.

These top tips are supplementary to our current guidelines with Covid-19. Compliance still stands with hand washing, wearing masks in public spaces, social distancing, rule of six and restrictions under your Tiered System in your local area.

Appropriate Clothing

Vulnerability - dramatic changes in temperature. 

This is when we are most at risk. Whether that is seasonally, travelling to very hot or cold countries or stepping in and out of overly hot buildings during a cold snap. These are extreme variations in temperature and taking these dramatic changes into consideration is essential to appropriately clothe ourselves.

Protect Your Neck and Chest - from Wind, Cold and Rain  

Using a variety of layers from roll neck jumpers to scarves and snoods, any clothing which can be used to build a physical defense around the neck and chest which encase the Lungs. Appropriate clothing to mitigate the outside climate is incredibly important.  There is a saying that sums this up, "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing." It's also important to not leave ourselves vulnerable from indoor droughts too, which we might experience from an open window or air conditioning. Wrapping up inside might be necessary to support our Defensive Qi.  

Food

Vegetables are King - Sorry they really are! 

All fruit and vegetables make a positive impact on the body's immune system, strengthening our bodies energetics. However green leafy vegetables are top trumps. Greens such as Kale, Spinach, Lettuce and Swiss Chard, as well as Broccoli, Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts. These can be added to soups and stews, cooked as a delicious side dish, replace meat in a meal such as vegetarian lasagna, they can be stir fried, boiled, roasted or whizzed up raw to drink as a cleansing juice.  There are many creative ways to consume your five a day, and support your energetic shield of immunity.

Depletion of Qi

Overworking - know your limits.  

We only have an allotted amount of Qi for each of us, daily, monthly and over our lifetime. How much we have varies from person to person.  When we overwork, we drain our vital Qi, this can make us feel, exhausted, fatigued or overly wired and restless.  Continued overworking can lead to energetic depletion, here we become more susceptible as our defensive Qi will be weakened.

Rest - With even the slightest sniffle, tickle throat or fatigue. Stop! 

Your body is telling you to REST.  Take time off, sleep, nap, catch up with yourself before resuming your routine. Prevention is the most effective way to stay well, catching it before it begins.  Sleep too, is so incredibly powerful as a healing superpower but is so overlooked in our society.  As we enter Autumn and Winter, we need to pay attention to getting enough rest and sleep. It's our time of year to hibernate, not to burn the candles at both ends.

Stay Away from Stress - A rise in adrenaline can deplete your Qi.  

If you are stressed it's worth exploring tools that help rebalance the calm. Treatments such as Acupuncture quickly reset and bolsters Qi.  Massage or reflexology, can also help relax the mind and body. Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi are popular ways to create calm as well as other nourishing activities such as a walk in nature, having a bath, reading a good book, speaking with loved ones. The main point is to stay at ease, to stop dis-ease.

Emotional Stress - if you are feeling at all emotionally fragile be aware your immunity may be compromised. 

The impact of our emotions can make us vulnerable to attack. Shock, deep upset, tiredness and in particular grief and sadness, as they have a direct link to our Lung Qi.  Therapy or coaching can be really helpful in assisting in exploring such difficult emotions, Acupuncture too can ease blocked emotional upset and support depleted Qi to strengthen and support your immunity.

Detest the Cold, Hate the winter? 

You might naturally be affected by the cold, perhaps you've always suffered with cold hands and feet and adverse to leaving the house when it’s particularly chilly. Constitutionally you maybe more at risk, be aware of seasonal changes to protect yourself as well as you can, with the above tips and suggestions. Elderly people tend to suffer from the cold, as aging weakens our energetic essence. So checking in with loved ones, making sure they are resting, wearing appropriate clothing, eating lots of veggies and are not overly stressed can be a way of helping to strengthen an elderly loved ones immunity.