The Principle: Wind

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Ways to Increase Immune Function and Protect Oneself During Flu Season

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Fall, Season of Spring, Season of Winter, The Principle: Wind, Topics in Colds Flus Allergies | No comments

huangqi
There many things we can do to help support our body’s natural immune function. Certainly getting enough rest, fluids, and quality fresh food is essential. Acupuncture is also a good option, since one of the proven effects of this therapy is increased immunity, even when this isn’t the focus of treatment. Regular acupuncture helps bring our bodies back into balance, and a body in balance has the ability to fight foreign contaminants such as bacteria and viruses. In Chinese Medicine terms “expel uninvited guests” such as wind cold, wind heat, wind damp, etc.


Aside from acupuncture, many Chinese herbs, including mushrooms, have been proven to increase immune function in several ways. There are herbs that are simply antibacterial and antiviral, helping our bodies to stave off infection when we come in contact with these agents. There are also herbs which increase the number of Killer T and Natural Killer white blood cells which attack microbes preventing us from getting sick, and helping us to recover from illness.

One of the key immune enhancing herbs in Chinese Medicine is Huang Qi, or Astragalus. The root of this plant tonifies the qi and blood of the entire body, especially the Spleen and increases the Wei, or Protective Qi. There are several classic herbal formulas that contain Huang Qi which can be used to prevent illness. There are also formulas, which when taken at the early stages of illness help the body recover quickly and decrease the severity of an illness. These formulas are important to have on hand in order to provide a quick means of protection. That way if you find yourself around people sick people, or if you will be traveling on airplanes, or simply have a tendency towards decreased immune function, you can give your body as much support as possible to keep from getting sick.

Protect Your Windgate

July 16, 2009 in Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Fall, Season of Spring, Season of Winter, The Principle: Wind, Topics in Colds Flus Allergies | No comments

windgate

While the name “wind gate” refers specifically to a point on the Bladder channel of the upper back, we often use this term to talk about the entire back of the neck and upper back. This area is particularly vulnerable to invasion by wind leading to symptoms of colds and flus such as chills, body aches, nasal congestion, and cough. In the Springtime when the weather starts to turn warm we can be too quick to pull off the winter layers. Exposing the back of the neck and upper back to the elements, particularly the wind, we increase the likelihood of falling ill. Protect your “wind gate” by wearing a scarf, a high collar, or a turtle neck, and you will increase your chances of making it through the spring in good health.

Wind as a Cause of Infection

July 15, 2009 in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Chinese Medicine Theory, Season of Fall, Season of Winter, The Principle: Wind, Topics in Colds Flus Allergies | No comments

Winter is upon us. The weather is turning colder and damper and with that an increase in colds and flus. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs can help keep us from catching everything that comes our way, and can help us get relief from symptoms when we need it.

In Chinese Medicine one of the six external causes of disease is Wind. This can be taken literally to mean that wind enters the body and causes illness. The area at the back of the neck is referred to as the “Wind Gate” and it is thought that this is the area most vulnerable to invasion by Wind.

It is a good idea to keep the back of the neck covered when out in the windy weather to prevent an invasion of wind.

Wind as a cause of disease can also be taken as a metaphor for the characteristics of external disease that come on quickly, cause chills, an aversion to cold and wind, achy sensations in the muscles and cough.

Regardless of whether we believe wind is the literal cause of disease, the windy, damp and cold winter months in Seattle are those in which we are at greatest risk for contagious disease. The techniques for preventing and expelling these infections in Chinese Medicine involve working with the concept of wind. Prevention of winter colds and flus involves boosting the Wei Qi of the body.

Wei Qi is the qi that circulates in the skin and puts up a barrier so that wind cannot enter the body.

Acupuncture can increase the quantity and quality of circulating Wei Qi to increase the protection that an individual’s own immune system provides. It is in this way that acupuncture increases immunity.

For those who are especially prone to external invasion, herbal preventative care is also helpful. There are several popular Chinese Herbal Formulas which, when taken regularly just before and during cold and flu season, can also keep that protective immunity functioning optimally.

Huang Qi, or Astragalus, is a Chinese herb included in many formulas which increase immune function.

When external wind, or infection, does manage to get through the Wei Qi and we feel those early signs of headache, slight aversion to wind, body aches, scratchy or sore throat, and nasal congestion, quick action should be taken.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs taken at first signs of illness can help the body to fight off the attack quickly, leading to shorter colds, and less severe symptoms.