Wei Qi – Chinese Medicine and Immunity
The spread of the Coronavirus is definitely concerning, but there are things you can do to protect yourself from illness beyond washing your hands regularly. First, whatever you do, DO NOT drink Corona beer.
In all seriousness, I always tell my patients that their “Wei Qi” is their body’s protective layer and first line of defense against external factors that cause illness. “Wei” in Mandarin means to defend or protect, and “Qi” is your vital energy. When you are tired or run down, not eating well, NOT GETTING ACUPUNCTURE REGURALLY, drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs your Wei Qi is weakened and you are more prone to getting sick.
Imagine you’re Superman (Christopher Reeve Superman not Dean Cain Superman) and you’re invincible to pain, sickness or any other health problems. But then good old kryptonite comes along and all of a sudden you’re in the fetal position in a green jail cell. If your Wei Qi is strong it can fight off illness and prevent you from getting sick, but if it is weak bacteria, viruses and Lex Luthor will take you down.
The lungs are in control of dispersing Qi throughout the body. If your lung Qi, or lung strength, is deficient, your Wei Qi will be too weak to fight off foreign pathogens, such as wind, cold, hot, damp and dry. In Chinese medicine we call these the “Five Evils”. These Five Evils are always trying to invade your system. When your Wei Qi is weak, these “evils” can get into your body and make you sick.
Chinese Medicine and The Three Treasures
In Chinese medicine there are three energies that are essential to sustaining human life: Jing, Qi, and Shen. They are called the “Three Treasures,” and each one contributes to the overall health and wellbeing of the body. If you get acupuncture and take Chinese herbs regularly your Three Treasures will stay balanced and your Wei Qi will be strong.
Jing, or your essential essence is most closely associated with the physical body. To keep your Jing strong you need to eat a healthy, well balanced diet and get enough restful sleep so your body has time to build up energy to get you through the day.
Shen is your spirit and is responsible for your emotional life. Chinese medicine sees the Shen as an essential part of the human body. If your Shen is out of whack it can cause illness in the body and vice versa. To keep your Shen in balance, try to stay calm and decrease stress in your life as much as possible. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Qi is the vital energy of the body. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies help to strengthen your Qi. Yu Ping Feng San is an herbal formula that enhances the body’s natural defenses. The name actually means “Jade Screen,” as it increases your body’s ability to fight illness and prevent pathogens from entering the mouth, nose and skin. Acupuncture points such as Gallbladder 20/21, which strengthens your Wei Chi, and Stomach 36, which increases your overall energy, help to strengthen your system and fight off external pathogens.
If your Three Treasures are balanced, then go ahead and drink that Corona (but maybe inside a full body condom).
If you want to learn more about how acupuncture and herbal therapy can help you stay healthy, reach out to me at gabriel@gabrielsher.com.