Click the above “Public Account” to subscribe! Source｜China Traditional Chinese Medicine NewsText丨 Zhao Jianyong, Center for Chinese Studies and Intercultural Research, Tianjin Academy of Social SciencesAs our country enters a new model of epidemic prevention, everyone should take responsibility for their own health and be the direct beneficiaries. Winter is the peak season for respiratory infectious diseases, especially during cold weather, fluctuating temperatures, or abnormal weather, which can easily lead to co-infections of COVID-19 and influenza. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has deeply participated in the entire process of treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving significant results not only in rapidly improving symptoms and reducing severe cases but also playing an increasingly important role in prevention and rehabilitation. TCM emphasizes a systematic approach, integrating various medical methods into daily epidemic prevention, creating a comprehensive prevention and treatment system of “preventing disease before it occurs, preventing changes after disease onset, and preventing recurrence after recovery,” thus building a solid wall to protect the health of the people.
Strengthening the Body’s Vital Energy:Protecting Zheng Qi and Avoiding Xie Qi
The essence of TCM epidemic prevention lies in strengthening the body’s vital energy (扶正) and expelling pathogenic factors (祛邪). The “Su Wen: On Acupuncture Techniques” states, “If one is not contaminated, Zheng Qi remains within, and Xie cannot invade, avoiding its toxic qi,” which establishes the basic principles for the prevention and treatment of epidemics. Strengthening Zheng Qi means supporting and consolidating the body’s vital energy, improving constitution, and enhancing immunity, making it difficult for external pathogens to invade. Expelling Xie involves using various methods to drive out pathogenic toxins from the body. The “Su Wen: On Heat Diseases” states, “Wherever Xie gathers, its qi must be deficient,” which indirectly proves that if one is attacked by external pathogens, it is due to insufficient Zheng Qi. Thus, whether a disease occurs depends on the outcome of the struggle between Zheng and Xie. If Zheng can overcome Xie, there will be no illness; if Zheng cannot overcome Xie, illness will occur. External factors act through internal factors, and the strength of Zheng Qi is the key determinant of whether a disease occurs.
From a TCM perspective, the COVID-19 virus primarily attacks the Taiyin Lung Meridian (手太阴肺经) and the Taiyin Spleen Meridian (足太阴脾经). Individuals with a weak constitution and insufficient Zheng Qi are more susceptible. As long as Zheng Qi is sufficient, infection is unlikely. Even if infected, symptoms are mild, recovery is easy, and there may be no adverse reactions. Therefore, it is essential to grasp the principles of strengthening Zheng Qi and expelling Xie Qi, integrating them comprehensively, so that everything can be effectively utilized to combat COVID-19.
Enhancing one’s Zheng Qi and improving the body’s immune defense capabilities is the fundamental approach to effective epidemic prevention. TCM offers many positive measures to boost Zheng Qi, which can be broadly categorized into internal and external methods: for internal strengthening of Zheng Qi, there are emotional therapy, guided breathing exercises, and health cultivation; for external support of Zheng Qi, there are Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, tui na (Chinese therapeutic massage), and aromatherapy. The role of TCM in epidemic prevention is twofold: first, it strengthens Zheng Qi and assists Yang Qi, overall regulating and purifying the body’s internal environment to enhance resistance; second, it uses Chinese herbs to alter the living environment in which viruses thrive. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water (藿香正气水) is a typical TCM formula that strengthens Zheng Qi and expels Xie, with effects of releasing the exterior, transforming dampness, and regulating Qi, proving effective against colds and fevers caused by external wind-cold and internal damp stagnation.
TCM emphasizes that “when the body is weak, the evil wind should be avoided at times; tranquility and emptiness lead to true Qi, and the spirit should be kept within; how can illness arise?” (“Su Wen: On Ancient Heavenly Truth”), meaning that all unwholesome qi, sources of infection, and other pathogenic factors should be avoided in a timely manner. Living a tranquil and simple life, free from worries, allows true Qi to harmonize and flow smoothly, thus preventing illness. This involves understanding the principles of disease occurrence and daily life dos and don’ts, which are of great significance for epidemic prevention: on one hand, maintain abundant Zheng Qi to resist external pathogens; on the other hand, avoid contact with pathogens, refrain from consuming inappropriate foods, adjust clothing according to climate changes, and avoid wind and cold.
The “Nan Jing” states, “Cold and dampness harm the lungs,” indicating that cold and damp pathogens primarily attack the lung defense. Exposure to cold and drinking cold beverages can deplete Yang Qi and damage lung function, so special attention should be paid to the following two points.
First, avoid getting cold and catching wind.Wind is the leader of all diseases; wearing masks, hats, and scarves is a way to protect the head from wind and is a basic measure for epidemic prevention when going out. During rest and changing clothes, be mindful of drafts and “thief winds,” ensuring warmth at all times, wearing more clothes, getting plenty of sunlight, and avoiding damp and cold places. Lower body temperature makes one more susceptible to viral attacks, so closely monitor the temperature of all body parts. If hands and feet feel cold or if any part of the body is relatively cool, heat therapy such as moxibustion or hot compresses can be used to dispel cold.
Second, choose warm foods and drinks over cold ones.In the five elements, the spleen and stomach belong to earth, while the lungs belong to metal; earth is the mother of metal. Consuming cold and cool foods can harm the stomach, leading to damage to both the stomach and lungs, resulting in symptoms such as fever, cough, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Therefore, avoid seafood, cool fruits, and iced beverages, and opt for warm ginger soup and hot porridge, which are easy to digest and not greasy, to nourish the earth, generate metal, and strengthen lung defense, aiding in quick recovery.
By following natural laws and developing good hygiene habits and healthy lifestyles, one can fundamentally maintain Zheng Qi. Adjusting the pace of life, eating in moderation, maintaining regular routines, balancing work and rest, and practicing moderation can help regulate body and mind, keeping one’s mood pleasant, leading to a calm spirit and clear lung Qi.
Calm the Mind and Regulate Qi:Harmonizing Emotions and Spirit
In the face of the pandemic and other emergencies, many people are filled with anxiety and tension about the uncertainties of the future. How to relieve psychological pressure and maintain mental health has garnered much attention. The “Huang Di Nei Jing” begins by imparting wisdom on how to treat both body and mind to prevent illness, emphasizing that one must first have mental health to achieve physical health. A person’s mental state directly affects the occurrence and development of diseases; excessive emotions can lead to illness. TCM believes that “grief harms the lungs,” and emotions such as sorrow and sadness can easily injure the lungs. In addition to using guided health practices to regulate abnormal emotions, one can also adopt the method of “joy overcoming sorrow”, where joy can treat diseases caused by negative emotions such as depression and sorrow. For example, watching comedies and laughing heartily can accelerate blood circulation and increase lung capacity. Actively training oneself to smile and maintain a cheerful demeanor can promote harmony between body and mind.
When a person is in a negative emotional state, the functions of the organs become imbalanced. Therefore, in the face of the pandemic, it is essential to focus on protection while also paying attention to relaxing the mind. A calm heart leads to harmonious Qi, allowing the body’s Qi mechanism to flow smoothly. Keeping the mind at ease is the best remedy for health, as stated in the “Su Wen: On Ancient Heavenly Truth,” “When the heart is at peace, there is no fear.” Maintaining an optimistic mindset and filling the heart with sunshine is preferable to being anxious and mentally exhausted; it is better to remain calm and adapt to circumstances. This requires stillness to nourish the spirit and movement to nourish the body, maintaining the integrity of body and spirit, achieving unity.
Healthy individuals possess abundant Zheng Qi, and one effective method to nurture Zheng Qi is to “nurture my vast righteous qi” (《孟子》). Long-term service to others and contributing to society, accumulating virtue, and cultivating morality naturally protect the body with Zheng Qi, thus “virtue is complete and not endangered” (《Su Wen: On Ancient Heavenly Truth》). If one can achieve this, it will naturally help to strengthen Zheng Qi, enhance resistance to diseases, making it difficult for pathogens to harm the body.
Guided Breathing Exercises:Strengthening the Body and Nourishing the Spirit
Appropriate exercise helps to promote the flow of Qi and blood, defending against diseases. Traditional guided health practices such as Ba Duan Jin (八段锦), Tai Chi (太极拳), Wu Qin Xi (五禽戏), Yi Jin Jing (易筋经), and Liu Zi Jue (六字诀) can all be performed indoors. Through the movement of limbs, muscles, and joints, these practices guide the internal Qi mechanism towards harmony, allowing one to achieve “straight bones and flexible muscles, with smooth Qi and blood flow.” Guided exercises have been passed down for thousands of years, are simple to learn, safe, and effective, helping to strengthen the body’s Zheng Qi, prevent and regulate sub-health conditions, and address issues such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fatigue. For example, the widely practiced Ba Duan Jin consists of eight movements, moderate in intensity, gentle and slow, combining movement and stillness, and is suitable for all groups without space limitations. Regular practice can open the chest and regulate lung function, enhance physical fitness, and harmonize emotions, providing benefits for mental well-being and disease prevention.
Combining guided exercises with breathing techniques yields even better results. Breath regulation can also be practiced specifically for about fifteen minutes each day, helping to calm the mind and clear distractions, preventing diseases before they arise. During practice, one should follow their natural rhythm, relax, and breathe deeply, connecting body and mind. In each inhalation and exhalation, release anxiety, unease, and fear. This not only strengthens the body but also stabilizes emotions, making it less likely for external pathogens to invade the body. For example, the abdominal breathing technique can be practiced as follows: 1. Calm the mind and set aside all emotions, choosing any posture such as standing, sitting, or lying down; 2. Focus attention on the abdomen, sinking Qi to the Dantian; 3. Breathe through the nose with the mouth closed, expanding the abdomen while inhaling and contracting it while exhaling; 4. Each breath should be deep, slow, and even; 5. Hold the breath briefly at the peak of inhalation and exhalation.
Self-acupressure in guided health practices can promote Qi flow, invigorate blood circulation, unblock meridians, and adjust the body’s functional state, playing a role in prevention and rehabilitation. For example, lightly tapping the Dan Zhong (膻中) point can invigorate the heart and chest. The Dan Zhong point is the Mu point of the Pericardium Meridian (心包经), located at the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples, and has effects of regulating the organs, invigorating Qi and blood, and is indicated for symptoms such as chest tightness, palpitations, cough, and shortness of breath. If experiencing chest tightness, one can lightly tap or massage the Dan Zhong point while making the sound “he” six times as one cycle, repeating for 3 to 6 cycles based on physical condition, which can invigorate the heart and lung Yang and promote the flow of Qi in the chest.
Related Links:Practical丨Guidelines for Home-Based TCM Qigong Intervention for COVID-19 Patients (Recommended by the Chinese Medicine Qigong Association)
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