Immunity is like a wall that protects the body from external invasions. In past treatments, it has been observed that individuals with strong immunity have better defenses against viruses, and their bodily responses after viral infections are generally milder. The “Huangdi Neijing” states: “When the righteous qi is preserved within, evil cannot invade.” In simpler terms, when the body’s righteous qi is sufficient, it is less likely to get sick, meaning that immunity is enhanced, making it difficult for pathogens to invade. Righteous qi is primarily based on essential substances such as qi, blood, essence, and fluids. When essence, qi, and blood are abundant, the functions of the organs and meridians are normal, and the body has a strong ability to resist diseases and recover.
Low Immunity is mainly seen in children, the elderly, those bedridden for long periods, individuals with congenital hereditary conditions, and during recovery from major surgeries. Low immunity can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, susceptibility to colds, and allergies.
In the current context of recurring pandemics, how can we enhance personal immunity, build a strong defense wall, and resist viral invasions?
Suggestions from the Preventive Medicine Department of Guangzhou Medical University Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital:
1. Adjust Diet
Adequate nutrition is the material basis for the immune system’s self-repair and the proliferation of immune cells. As the pandemic is not yet fully over, we should pay more attention to nutritional intake and reasonable dietary combinations to enhance immunity. We recommend dietary therapy based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dietary therapy in TCM is guided by TCM theories, scientifically utilizing food to achieve health maintenance, disease prevention, and treatment purposes. It can meet the physiological needs of the body while improving its functions, aiming to prevent diseases, treat illnesses, and prolong life. The following recipes are for reference:
Lu Gen Cha (Reed Root Tea) (from “Zhou Pu”)
Ingredients: 10g Lu Gen (Reed Root), 5g Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum).
Preparation: Chop Lu Gen and boil it with Ju Hua in water to make a decoction, then strain and drink as tea.
Dosage: Drink warm frequently, 1 dose per day.
Effects: Dispels wind, clears heat, promotes urination, and detoxifies.
Fo Shou Gan Zhou (Buddha’s Hand Citrus Porridge)
Ingredients: 15g Fo Shou Gan (Buddha’s Hand Citrus), 100g rice, appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Preparation: Chop Fo Shou Gan, boil it in water, strain; then add washed glutinous rice and cook into porridge, adding rock sugar towards the end of cooking.
Dosage: Consume on an empty stomach, 2 times a day.
Effects: Soothe the liver, strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm.
Bai He Ji Zi Huang Tang (Lily and Egg Yolk Soup)
Ingredients: 20g Bai He (Lily), 1 egg yolk.
Preparation: Soak Bai He overnight, rinse, place in a pot with appropriate water, boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about half an hour. Add the egg yolk, stir, and bring to a boil again.
Dosage: Consume warm, 2 times a day.
Effects: Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, calms the heart, and soothes the spirit.
Hai Di Ye Mu Guo Bai He Dun Shou Rou Tang (Sea Coconut, Papaya, and Lily Stewed Lean Meat Soup)
Ingredients: 20g Hai Di Ye (Sea Coconut), 15g Bai He (Lily), 50g Mu Guo (Papaya), 50g lean meat.
Effects: Clears heat, nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and stops cough.
Suitable for: Individuals with insufficient yin fluids, prone to irritability, depression, insomnia with vivid dreams, dry throat, shortness of breath, cough with phlegm, and even coughing blood. Suitable for chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease and hyperlipidemia, and sub-healthy individuals under stress, often staying up late, and experiencing insomnia.
Jian Pi Yi Qi Zhou (Spleen Strengthening and Qi Boosting Porridge)
Ingredients: 10g Sheng Huang Qi (Astragalus), 10g Dang Shen (Codonopsis), 6g Fu Ling (Poria), 6g Chao Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), 10g Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears), 200g rice, 20g Da Zao (Jujube).
Preparation: Place Sheng Huang Qi and Chao Bai Zhu in a cloth bag, soak in 3000mL water for 40 minutes; steam Dang Shen and Fu Ling until soft, then chop; soak Yi Yi Ren until soft, then boil for 30 minutes. Add rice and Da Zao to the pot with the herb bag and boiled Yi Yi Ren, bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours. Remove the herb bag and add Dang Shen and Fu Ling.
Dosage: Consume with meals in the morning and evening, can be taken for an extended period.
Effects: Tonifies qi, strengthens the spleen, promotes urination, and reduces swelling.
Precautions: Not suitable for those with symptoms of red face, coarse breathing, phlegm obstruction, abdominal pain with tenderness, dry stools, and short, red urine due to excess evil; not suitable for diabetic patients.
Yu Zhu Sha Shen Men Lao Ya Tang (Polygonatum and Adenophora Stewed Old Duck Soup)
Ingredients: 50g Yu Zhu (Polygonatum), 50g Sha Shen (Adenophora), 1 old duck, appropriate amounts of scallions, ginger, and cooking wine.
Preparation: Clean the old duck after slaughtering, remove feathers and entrails, wash, and place in a clay pot with Yu Zhu and Sha Shen, add appropriate water, and simmer on low heat until the duck meat is tender. Add seasonings before serving.
Dosage: Serve with meals, eat duck and drink soup.
Effects: Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, benefits the stomach, and generates fluids.
Indications: Dry cough with little phlegm due to lung and stomach yin deficiency, dry throat, thirst, and lack of appetite.
Precautions: Not suitable for those with cold cough.
Wu Zhi Yin (Five Juice Drink)
Ingredients: 1000g pear, 500g fresh lotus root, 100g fresh Lu Gen (Reed Root), 500g fresh Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), 500g water chestnut.
Preparation: Clean the fresh Lu Gen, pear (peeled and cored), water chestnut (peeled), fresh lotus root (cut into sections), and fresh Mai Dong, chop or shred, and extract juice using clean gauze.
Dosage: No specific amount, can be consumed cold or warm, several times a day.
Effects: Nourishes yin, moistens dryness, clears the lungs, and stops cough.
Indications: Dry throat and thirst due to external dryness or lung dryness.
Precautions: Use with caution in those with spleen and stomach deficiency and loose stools.
2. Regular Lifestyle
1
Get Enough Sleep
During sleep, the immune system undergoes self-repair, and the levels of some immune cells and factors peak during sleep. It is especially recommended to maintain a regular sleep schedule, going to bed by 11 PM and sleeping before midnight; waking up between 6-7 AM; and taking a nap after noon. The timing of nighttime and midday sleep should be relatively fixed, and irregular naps are not recommended.
2
Engage in Regular Exercise
TCM emphasizes the combination of movement and stillness, with physical activity promoting health. Moderate exercise is an important means of maintaining health, such as Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, and Yi Jin Jing. Exercising for 30-45 minutes daily, 5 times a week, for 12 weeks can increase the number of immune cells and enhance resistance.
3
Maintain a Calm Mind
A calm heart leads to a peaceful spirit, and a peaceful spirit allows the true qi within the body to flow smoothly, making it less likely to fall ill. By nurturing the spirit and adjusting the mind, one can cultivate positive and optimistic emotions, reducing the secretion of hormones that suppress the immune system, thereby increasing the number of immune cells and antibodies, thus enhancing immunity.
3. Tonic Formulas
Tonic formulas are characterized by syndrome differentiation, holistic adjustment, supporting the righteous qi, and being convenient and palatable. Based on different body constitutions, syndrome differentiation and treatment are performed, achieving nourishment, prevention, and treatment, thereby enhancing the body’s immunity. Commonly used in winter are Ba Zhen Gao (Eight Treasure Paste), Wen Yang Gao (Warm Yang Paste), and Run Fei Yi Shen Gao (Moisten Lung and Benefit Kidney Paste).
Source: Health Guangdong
Copyright Statement: The content and images of this article are collected from the internet, and the copyright belongs to the original author and source. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us promptly, and we will improve or delete the relevant content. This public account reserves the final interpretation rights of this statement.
✦ +
+
Follow Us