Fortify From Within! Chinese Medicine and Immune Health
The body’s immune function is closely tied to its overall vitality and energy, specifically the concept of Wei Qi, often referred to as the body’s defensive Qi. This protective layer of energy circulates just under the skin and in the muscles, acting as a barrier against external pathogens like cold, wind, and dampness. While modern science often discusses the immune system in terms of white blood cells and antibodies, TCM provides a holistic view of how we can strengthen our internal defenses, from diet to lifestyle and acupuncture.
Wei Qi: Your Body’s First Line of Defense
Wei Qi is the acupuncture lingo and energetic equivalent of what we might call our immune system. It is said to be produced by the Lungs, which in Chinese medicine not only govern respiration but also control the skin and the body’s ability to defend against external invasions (such as viruses, bacteria, etc). When Wei Qi is strong, the body is resilient; when it is weak, we become more vulnerable to illness.
A recent meta-analysis published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine (2020) examined several studies on the effects of acupuncture on immune function. The research found that acupuncture significantly increases levels of immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, which play a vital role in responding to viruses and infections (specifically viral infections or stress signals from damaged cells). This finding supports TCM’s long-standing claim that practices like acupuncture can strengthen Wei Qi and improve overall health (yay!).
Tonifying the Lungs and Spleen: The Key to Immunity
Immune health begins with strengthening the Lungs and Spleen. The Spleen is responsible for transforming the food we eat, in turn nourishing the body and supporting immune function. So some things that a weakened Spleen may lead to are poor digestion, fatigue, and a compromised immune system.
One clinical trial published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2018) explored the effect of traditional herbal formulas, like one of my all time favorites: Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Wind Screen Powder) on immune health. The trial revealed that this herbal combination—consisting of Huang Qi (Astragalus), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes)—boosted immune response by increasing white blood cell activity and reducing susceptibility to respiratory infections (the only caveat to this gorgeous formula is that, much like echinacea, you need to take Yu Ping Feng San for at least a month before you begin to see these benefits; luckily its one of the more palatable formulas in our Materia Medica).
Not a fan of herbal medicine? Okay, fine, how about dietary therapy? We want to find ways to nourish and strengthen the Lungs and Spleen, and foods like warm soups, congee, ginger, garlic, and mushrooms (particularly shiitake and reishi) are known to support Qi production and build immunity. Modern research corroborates this; studies have shown that mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which help modulate immune responses and activate immune cells .
Acupuncture for Immune Function
Acupuncture has long been used to fortify the body’s defenses, and recent research is beginning to uncover why. A study in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2016) found that regular acupuncture treatments can modulate the activity of cytokines, proteins involved in immune responses, thus enhancing the body’s ability to fight off infections . Points commonly used for boosting immunity include Stomach 36 (Zusanli) and Lung 7 (Lieque), both of which stimulate the body’s Qi and strengthen its ability to ward off illness.
Another study published in Neuroimmunomodulation (2015) showed that acupuncture treatment increased the proliferation of T-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the adaptive immune system, helping to target and destroy pathogens .
Stress and Immunity: The Role of Shen
One of my favorite topics in this field of work is mental health, and I don’t know about you, but whenever I am overworked, under-rested and over stimulated, I tend to get a cold. Maybe it’s my body’s way of forcing me to slow down. One thing I believe in fully is that mental and emotional health is inseparable from physical health, and we can apply the roles of stress to the principles of immune health. Stress, anxiety, and overwork can weaken the immune system by disturbing the Heart’s Shen (spirit). Chronic stress is known to suppress immune responses, in both Eastern and Western medicines, leaving us more vulnerable to illness. Modern research echoes this connection, with studies showing that stress negatively impacts the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to produce infection-fighting cells.
