The Immune System in TCM
The beauty of TCM and other branches of Chinese Medicine is that it does not focus on specific diseases; it focuses on patient-specific symptoms in relation to a pattern of disharmony. This allows us to treat the symptoms, as well as the root cause. This is why it works so well for acute symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, or cough. As soon as symptoms hit, acupuncture and herbs can work right away to target the pathogen and help the body fight it off, while also helping to solve the root cause that allowed the pathogen to invade in the first place. Symptoms are resolved in a day or two (instead of a week) and reoccurrence is unlikely!
What people don't know realize is that TCM is actually a "preventative" medicine, meaning that its main goal is to prevent illness. It can absolutely be used to treat illness after it has struck, but it shines in its ability to bring your body into a balanced state and your optimal health. When you are healthy, body and mind, you can handle stressors easily and your own body can fight off pathogens on its own.
What Is Wei Qi?
To start the conversation on the immune system from the lens of TCM, we have to talk a little bit about what interior and exterior means in the context of TCM. They have the basic meaning of outside and inside of the body, yes, but more importantly it is a designation for the depth of penetration of a pathogen. The deeper a pathogen invades into the body, the stronger the pathogen gets and the worse the symptoms become. In general, the exterior is made up of hair, skin, muscles, tendons, joints, and orifices (mouth, nose, etc.). These are all external body tissues that physically interact with outside world and so they are more susceptible to “external pathogens”. These external pathogens are wind, cold, heat, damp, or more likely a combination like wind-cold or wind-heat. Everyone’s encountered the saying “get out of the rain or you will catch a cold!” and they would be telling the truth. We interact with these pathogens all the time through being in different weather patterns and the food & drinks we consume.
Pathogens invading the body from the external environment is called a Wind Invasion. To help keep ourselves healthy, we have a special type of Qi called Wei Qi, or Defensive Qi, that acts as a physical shield around the body keeping pathogens out. When Wei Qi is strong, the shield is strong and the pathogens we encounter can’t penetrate into the body and cause harm. When Wei Qi is weak, the shield becomes weak and holes appear which allows pathogens to easily invade. Sometimes even if Wei Qi is strong a pathogen can be stronger and overpower the shield.
Wei Qi is a very active Qi and like our bodies is ruled by cycle of the day. Wei Qi is most active during the day where it moves around the skin and muscles, warming and nourishing the tissues. The circulation of Wei Qi is controlled by the Lungs and the Lungs also control the pores and sweating. When Lung Qi and Wei Qi are strong and healthy, the pores open and close as needed, sweating is controlled, and body temperature is regulated. When these are weak the pores cannot open or close properly and external pathogens have an easy pathway into the body. During the night, Wei Qi recedes deeper in to the body to rest and help the body reset & recover.
When treating a Wind Invasion, the main treatment principles are to Expel the Wind or Release the Exterior (same action, different terms), Stabilize the Exterior, and tonify or nourish the Wei Qi. When we mention “Expel Wind or Release the Exterior”, we are talking about pushing the invasion out of the body via the skin, aka sweating. To “Stabilize the Exterior” is to strengthen the tissues of the exterior and regulate the pores to prevent the expelled pathogen or a new pathogen from re-entering in the body. The last and most important principle is to nourish and strengthen the Wei Qi to prevent future invasion of the pathogens.
Common Signs of Weak Wei Qi
Recurrent cold, flus, or other infections
Chronic rhinitis or sinus issues
Chronic cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath
Chronic low grade fever
Frequent body-aches
Spontaneous sweating
Non-healing sores
Edema
Fatigue, pale complexion, and low appetite
How to Strengthen Wei Qi
There are a few easy ways to strengthen and support Wei Qi.
Acupuncture & Moxibustion are great for helping the body strengthen and build Wei Qi through promoting healthy digestion (the building block of healthy Qi) and helping to improve the circulation Wei Qi and blood throughout the body. Also, acupuncture needles help to activate the immune system by triggering a local immune response that then triggers a systemic response.
Chinese Herbal Therapy is another great way to regulate the immune system and Wei Qi. There are many herbs and formulas that can help to nourish Wei Qi, nourish the Lung to promote healthy circulation of Wei Qi, and expel wind and/or pathogens that may be “stuck” in the exterior. While there are many formulas that can help, a common formula for nourishing Wei Qi and Stabilizing the Exterior is Yu Ping Feng San or Jade Windscreen. Herbs are a great way to personalize a treatment just for you and your unique needs.
Cupping & Gua Sha can help to promote healthy movement of Wei Qi and blood at the level of the exterior. It can even help reduce the severity and longevity of a cold or other acute illness when given within the first few days of the pathogen invading.
Nutrition is a very important and easy way to boost Wei Qi. A healthy diet and therefore digestion is the key to nourishing healthy and strong Wei Qi. The Lung may circulate Wei Qi, but the Spleen and Stomach transform food into healthy Qi which then becomes Wei Qi and blood. Eating a balanced diet of lean meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables is key to happy digestion. Refined or processed foods, too much salty or sugary foods, excessive alcohol, overeating, or late night eating all impact digestion negatively and thus will weaken Wei Qi.
Lifestyle can also affect Wei Qi. Like diet, balance in your life helps to support Wei Qi. Moderate regular exercise helps to circulate blood, naturally boost Qi, and regulate the pores. In the Western realm, exercise has been found to increase the production of white blood cells, raises the core temperature to fight off pathogens, and increases quality of sleep (the body's recovery period). Too much exercise can deplete the body of Qi and thus weaken Wei Qi, while too little exercise leads to poor circulation of blood and Wei Qi. The same can be said for mental overwork and stress, as they lead to poor function of the Spleen and Stomach — poor digestion and nutrient absorption.
Interested in learning how Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine can help you take control of your health? Schedule your appointment today!