How Can TCM Boost Your Immunity?

In these uncertain times, boosting your immunity and protecting yourself from external pathogens is more important than ever. While no one is completely immune to disease and illness, proper health practices can drastically reduce your chances of falling ill or experiencing other ailments like headaches, nausea and colds.

TCM offers various ways to strengthen your immune system, including but not limited to herbs, supplements and acupuncture. These treatments can complement efforts to naturally boost your immunity through healthy living habits. In this article, we will explore the TCM view of immunity, how it can help to improve your body’s defences against illness and disease and what you can do to maximize the benefits of TCM.

Causes of Weak Immune System

A weak immune system can be caused by many different factors, such as poor nutrition, pre-existing conditions that cause immunodeficiency and lack of exposure to common pathogens. All these cause the body’s defences against harmful external pathogens such as bacteria and viruses to weaken, making it less able to fight off the invaders. This causes the immune system to be overwhelmed by the external pathogens, leading to disease and illness.

Immunity in TCM Philosophy

In TCM philosophy, your immunity is influenced by your qi, or overall vitality. Specifically, immunity depends on a form of qi known as “zheng qi”, which means “upright” qi in Chinese. Zheng qi is a manifestation of your immune system in TCM and protects you from external invaders such as harmful bacteria and viruses, similar to its definition in Western medicine.

Hence, according to TCM, maintaining the strength of your zheng qi is the key to boosting your immunity. Illness occurs when external factors such as wind, cold, damp and heat overpower your zheng qi and destroy the internal equilibrium in your body. Restoring this balance will therefore also restore your health and immune system.

TCM Treatments for Boosting Immunity

If you currently suffer from a weak immune system, TCM offers many different treatments to help you strengthen it. Although the methods may differ, the end result is usually the same: restoring the balance of zheng qi to allow the patient to regain immunity. Which treatment will work best for you depends on the advice of your trusted TCM practitioner.

Some of these treatments include:

Herbs and supplements

This is one of the simplest ways to strengthen your immunity using TCM, as the herbs can be consumed in a variety of forms. For example, you can brew them together in a tasty soup, take them orally in pill form or use them to make tea. Either way, you can enjoy the full health benefits of the herbs. A variety of herbs also exist as Chinese medicine for flu.

Some herbs that are widely said to be beneficial for boosting immunity in TCM are astragalus root, lingzhi and ginseng. However, like everything else, they should also be taken in moderation. Because these herbs stimulate the immune system, they should not be consumed by those who are immunocompromised.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest therapies included in TCM, and is backed by thousands of years of Chinese medical theory and practice. In acupuncture, needles are inserted at specific points along the meridian system (the distribution network that allows qi to flow throughout the body). This stimulates the flow of qi if it has been disrupted and allows the patient to regain the internal equilibrium in their body, boosting their overall immunity.

How to Complement TCM Treatments to Boost Immunity

To maximize the benefits of TCM, there are a few things you can do to increase the effectiveness of the treatments. They include:

Getting sufficient rest

Sleeping at least 8 hours a night can do wonders for your health, and it can indirectly boost your immunity by allowing your body to regularly recuperate and recharge. It can also help to lower stress levels and reduce pressure on the immune system. Although getting the full 8 hours can be difficult since there are only so many hours in a day, you should always strive to get as much sleep as possible.

Exercising regularly

Both Western medical doctors and TCM practitioners agree that exercise is a hugely important part of strengthening your immune system. In TCM, exercise can ensure healthy blood circulation in your body, which helps to improve your immunity. Similar to getting enough sleep, it can also help to relieve stress and increase your overall physical well-being. Chinese qigong is a form of medical exercise that is regularly recommended by TCM practitioners.

Following a healthy diet

Besides consuming TCM herbs and supplements, you should also ensure that you are eating healthy food during your regular meals. This means putting more fruits, vegetable and proteins on your plate. However, you should also be careful of the method of preparation. In TCM, eating excessive raw vegetable and fruits can cause your body to fall out of its equilibrium state, so you should only eat them in moderation.

Maintaining good personal hygiene

Last but not least, maintaining good personal hygiene can help to reduce your risk of coming into contact with harmful external pathogens. Wash your hands thoroughly and avoid touching random surfaces, and do not constantly touch your face. You should also wear a mask to protect yourself around people who are sick. This will help you avoid catching diseases or contracting illnesses that can take a long time to recover from.

Trust Tong Jum Chew for All Your TCM Needs

Tong Jum Chew was founded in 1965 as a medical hall. Since then, it has grown into a manufacturer and distributor of traditional Chinese medicine and health supplements. We boast a modern manufacturing facility in Singapore that includes a clean room environment. All products are produced using modern machinery and undergo stringent checks to ensure that they are safe for consumption or usage.

Under our proprietary brand, Nature’s Green, we supply various supplements for the treatment of all types of health problems. Regardless of the nature of your problem, you can be sure that we have just the thing for you. Explore our range of immunity-boosting supplements today!