Immunity

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a healthy immune system is considered to be one of the most important factors in maintaining harmony in the body. Conditions such as the common cold, infections, asthma, food allergies, rheumatoid arthritis and even cancer are considered to be related to immune system dysfunction.

Immuno-deficiency is a condition where the immune system is suppressed by certain factors, making the patient vulnerable to disease and infection. By using TCM treatments such as natural herbs, dietary therapy, acupuncture and Tai Chi, the patient can strengthen their immune system and stimulate the body’s natural defence mechanisms. Patients can be treated effectively in this way for a variety of ailments, including influenza and pneumonia, amongst others.

Prevention

Whereas Western medicine aims to deal with conditions as they arise with the use of antibiotics and other chemical medicines, Chinese medicine takes a different approach. In TCM, it is considered more important to prevent disease and maintaining wellness before diseases have the chance to manifest. This is evident in Chinese culture, where you will often see ordinary, seemingly healthy people drinking ginseng herbal tea, astragalus chicken soup and using Chinese dietary and herbal remedies in their everyday life. Many Chinese people also receive regular acupuncture treatments for the sole purpose of enhancing their immune systems.

Diet and Nutrition

TCM practitioners recommend Shiitake mushrooms as one of the best foods for enhancing immunity, since it contains lentinan, an anti-viral substance which has strong immuno-stimulating activity. These versatile mushrooms can be used with meat or other vegetables to make a delicious stir-fry or even to accompany a soup.

Other immunity boosting foods include garlic, sesame seeds, yoghurt and certain fruit and vegetables. These foods contain the micro-nutrients beta carotene, zinc and vitamins A, E and C, which are all key elements in strengthening the immune system. Therefore, a diet which is rich in these foods and low in fat is very effective in strengthening the patient’s immunity.

Chinese Herbs and Herbal Formulas

A powerful and well-known herb with immunity-enhancing effects is astragalus, a sweet tasting root that is often sliced and simmered in chicken or vegetable broth. This herb has a very powerful ‘non-specific’ immune system stimulating capacity, which works by increasing the numbers and activity of white blood cells. A study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Centre in Houston showed that astragalus extracts were able to completely restore the function of immune cells in cancer patients.

However, Chinese herbal formulas achieve a much stronger effect than using astragalus alone and can cover a larger range of symptoms. Chi Spleen Tonic (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang) is a formula that has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, of which astragalus is the chief herb. Below are the ingredients used in Chi Spleen Tonic:

Chi Spleen Tonic (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang)

-         astragalus (Huang Qi)

-         liquorice (Gan Cao)

-         angelica (Dang Gui)

-         ginseng (Ren Shen)

-         tangerine peel (Chen Pi)

-         cimicifuga (Sheng Ma)

-         buplerum (Chai Hu)

-         atractylodes (Bai Zhu)

One of the key ingredients in the above formula is ginseng, which is probably the most well known and most popular Chinese herb in the Western market. There are different types of ginseng available (Chinese, Korean, American and Siberian), each with a different property, so it is best to consult with a practitioner to determine which type is best for you.

Studies into ginseng have shown that it has the following effects:

-         protects the liver

-         stimulates the immune system

-         prevents radiation damage to the nerve tissue

-         has antioxidant effects

-         prevents cancer

A traditional formula containing ginseng, Immunenergy (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang), has been used for over a thousand years to treat immune deficiency and fatigue. Recently, it has been prescribed to post-cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as a supplement to boost their immunity.

Immunenergy (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang)

-         angelica (Dang Gui)

-         cnidium (Chuan Qiong)

-         peony (Bai Shao)

-         rehmannia (Shu Di Huang)

-         ginseng (Ren Shen)

-         atractylodes (Bai Zhu)

-         poria (Fu Ling)

-         liquorice (Gan Cao)

-         astragalus (Huang Qi)

-         cinnamon (Ruo Gui)

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used in China as a traditional aid to help maintain health. Research shows that acupuncture treatments can increase the body’s white blood cell count and mobility by 168% within three hours after treatment, in particular increasing the body’s T-cell count, as well as the number of cells that ingest and destroy bateria, protozoa and cell debris.

Acupuncture is being used more and more to relieve the symptoms o asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, colds and infections. In addition, acupuncture can regulate immune function and treat the fundamental cause of disease.