Wei Qi Immunity for the Win!
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bare roots : 2.5 minutes (558 words)
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Most people have an idea of the quality of their own immune system, it is what determines the state of overall health. Some people get sick all the time, while others seem to never get sick. Why is that?
The protective immunity is called Wei Qi. It is said that "grain and water" is the precursor to Wei Qi (卫气), which is the refined processed of digestion from the stomach and spleen mixed with the air we breathe. This means that to tonify Wei Qi (卫气) it is necessary to support the process and results of digestion as well as healthy lung qi.
Weak Wei Qi (卫气) often means increased susceptibility to illness.
Wei Qi (卫气) circulates at the surface of the body in the layers of skin and muscles, and it controls the body surface by regulating the opening and closing of pores.
This first line of defense is under the influence of the lung system, which is why the lungs are the first to be affected by an external pathogenic influence. When Wei Qi (卫气) is strong, the immune system is strong and you are less likely to experience a strong attack from external pathogens.
Have you ever experienced an illness following an extreme period of stress? Or perhaps you get a cold sore during every exam week? You might be interested to read this study.
Factors that impact the quality of Wei Qi (卫气) not only include the food we eat and the air we breathe. Stress levels and our state of emotional well-being profoundly influence the strength and performance of Wei Qi (卫气) and the immune system.
Chinese Medicine excels at strengthening the immune system.
There are many tools to do this, including herbal medicine, nutrition, acupuncture (with or without electrical stimulation), cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, tuina, and nei gong. These work by stimulating immune-mediated cells to address not only the branch symptoms but also the root cause, establishing conditions for health in the future.
There is much research to support Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine as an effective treatment to enhance Wei Qi (卫气) and immunity. Studies have shown that regular treatments can actually increase the T-cell count, increase overall blood cell count (red and white), and also enhance humoral and cellular immunity in patients with immune-related illnesses. To add, a body in a state of relaxation is more likely to heal than one in constant stress or with persistent unregulated inflammatory responses.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4540978/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878331709600061
Some tips for tip-top Wei Qi (卫气)
Your immune system is made from what you take in from the world. Be mindful of what you are consuming physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
Support your spleen and stomach with nutrient dense, whole foods. Steamed warm vegetables, soups and stews, congee and porridge are all easy to digest and simple for the body to transform and transport.
Get outside and breathe. Focused breath allows for the body to restore a state of relaxation, creating space for the body to heal. Houseplants are excellent companions but not quite enough to purify the air on their own. Mindful, focused breathing is nourishing for the entire body. Especially with fresh, outdoor air.
Abdominal massage, especially above and below the umbilicus. This can support healthy movement throughout the digestive tract and soften the underlying organs.
Reduce stress levels.
Get enough quality sleep.
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