How does Traditional Chinese Medicine support the immune system?

According to TCM, the immune system is a function of Wei Qi, or “defensive qi,” which acts as the body’s shield, protecting it from external pathogens.

The fundamental aspects of how Traditional Chinese Medicine supports the Immune System:

• The six evil influences - these are external pathogenic factors that invade the body when wei qi is weak, these are: wind, damp, cold, fire, summer heat and phlegm.

• The seven emotions - when joy, anger, fear, sadness, grief, worry, fright are in excess they affect specific organs & disrupt the flow of qi.

• Work / life balance - long periods of excessive physical/mental exertion depletes essence while inadequate or inconsistent sleep depletes yin & qi.

• Poor diet / nutrition - processed foods, sugar, excess of raw, cold, & greasy foods weaken the spleen, which inhibits it's ability to transform and transplant nutrients to produce qi & bood.

Now let's look at how specific herbs can help...

党参  - Dang Shen / Codonopsis Pilosula

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dang Shen is associated with the Lungs and Spleen Meridians. 

This herb has a sweet flavour profile and is neutral in nature.

Dang Shen is often used for:

• Tonnifying qi and the middle jiao - for chronic illness due to spleen qi deficiency with fatigue, tired limbs, digestive issues & vomiting.

• Nourishing blood and promoting the production of body fluids - for deficiency of qi, blood and body fluids particularly due to chronic illness.

• Expelling pathogenic influences - for boosting the immune system, beat cold & flu and improve vitality.

• Tonnifying and improving lung function - for chronic cough, and shortness of breath due to spleen qi deficiency.

Dang Shen is frequently paired with Fu Ling, Huang Qi, Qian Hu and Zhi Ban Xia.

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Dang Shen (Codonopsis pilosula) roots displayed on a light blue background, known for their immune-boosting properties.

黄芪 - Huang Qi / Radix Astragali

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huang Qi is associated with the Lungs and Spleen Meridians.

This herb has a sweet flavour profile and is slightly warm in nature.

Huang Qi is often used for:

• Tonnifing qi and blood - postpartum fever due to qi and blood deficiency & recovery from severe blood loss, including blood clots and stroke. 

• Tonnifing wei qi, stabilising the exterior and aiding the circulation of moisture downward from the head - dampness in the head and qi, yang & yin deficiencies including dizziness, sallow or pale face, vertigo & inability to speak. 

• Strengthening the spleen & raising yang qi - lung and spleen qi deficiency, qi failing to contain blood, cough, people that easily bruise or bleed, severe blood loss, hematemesis, hematochezia & uterine bleeding.

• Generating blood and bodily fluids and expelling pus and regenerates tissues - aiding with numbness of the limbs, paralysis and pain due to deficiency of qi and blood.

Huang Qi is frequently partnered with herbs such as Sheng Ma, Chai Hu and Fang Feng.

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Dried Radix Astragali (Huang Qi): A Traditional Chinese Herbal Remedy, Known for Its Immune-Boosting and Anti-inflammatory Properties.