Amanda Gawrysz, L.Ac., MSOM
Concern has grown and interest has peaked over recent months about the health of our immune systems and the health of our lungs in particular. Some of us are experiencing loved ones who may be suffering or in the midst of recovery.
Chinese Medicine takes a different approach in comparison to Western medicine. Chinese medicine does not analyze the exact type of pathogen which has entered the body. The pathogen itself, whether it is a virus or bacteria that caused the condition is not that important in Chinese Medicine. What is important is analyzing what effect the pathogen has on the body and then treating that problem. In Chinese Medicine, respiratory diseases are named based on what effect the pathogen has inflicted on the body, and pays little attention to the attacker itself. This highlights the underlying uniqueness of Chinese Medicine. It continually analyzes the patient’s responses to the environment and tries to bring the patient back to balance.
Chinese medicine looks at the organs from the perspective of yin and yang. Some organs are considered to have more yang aspects to them and others are more yin in nature. Chinese medicine terms the lungs as the “delicate Zang.” Zang refers to the lungs being a yin organ. They govern or are responsible for dispersion, depuration, and descension. Through our orifices, the lungs have direct exposure to our external environment and are the most susceptible organ to attacks from pathogens along with its yang counterpart, the large intestine or colon.
Not only do the lungs dominate the qi of respiration, but also the qi of the entire body. Since the main job of the lungs is to descend qi, when illness occurs, a dysfunction of this process also occurs. Dysfunction of the lung in descending may lead to upward perversion of lung qi with symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
So what can we do to help those with weak lung constitutions or in recovery from illness? Stress management, light physical movement, and boosting immunity should be considered in helping us maintain optimal health and speeding up the recovery process.
It is important to take the health of our bodies and minds into our own hands. Below you will find ways to help in the healing process from the comfort of your own home. Right now is the perfect time for self reflection and putting your focus on self love and self care.
The most important, but also the most overlooked area to balance and manage is our stress levels. How we are allowing ourselves to respond to all the chaos and mainstream media can trigger our organs into a state of peace or into a state of conflict. Stress puts our adrenal glands into overdrive by producing more cortisol. Stress turns on our sympathetic nervous system and puts our body into a state of fight or flight. If we were actually fleeing from a predator or having to fight, this is an important innate ability we have evolved to have; however, in today’s modern society we deal with more psychological stress that still turns on this response. This in turn causes our immune systems to shut down. We are not sleeping as well or digesting optimally.
The issue does not lie in stopping this innate response, but more in how we can turn it off. Our minds and bodies are so incredibly powerful and intelligent. With our thoughts and through breathwork, we can change the state of our nervous system and organ responses.
How can stress be managed and as a result immunity improved?
BREATHWORK. Deep breathing stimulates the vagus nerve. By stimulating this nerve, we are able to switch over or turn on our parasympathetic nervous system also known as rest and digest. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve that travels through our chest and into our abdominal organs so make sure to focus on breathing with your belly. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, and exhale slowly for 4 seconds. Repeat this at least 5 times. You should very quickly begin to feel a sense of calmness rush through the body. Whenever you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed check in on your breathing. Does it seem shallow and quick? Are your inhales shorter than your exhales or vice versa?
MEDITATION. Meditation does not require sitting for hours like a Buddhist Zen monk. Meditation can be 5 minutes of silence and just being with yourself. Whatever thoughts come into your mind, just allow them to flow out. Do not give meaning to your thoughts, but instead bring awareness in releasing them.
Beginning with guided meditations on YouTube or downloading apps such as Headspace can ease you into the process if you feel hesitant. Replace the Instagram scrolling and Netflix binge watching with meditation. 5 to 10 minutes everyday is all you need.
QI GONG. Qi Gong is a form of Chinese meditative exercise that has been practiced for thousands of years. The practice focuses on cultivating energy in both the body and the surrounding environment through breathing, focused intention, postural techniques and other movements. Recent studies have evaluated the long-held belief that qi gong improves immune system functioning – a characteristic that can be measured and quantified. One study showed that qi gong practice increased the quantities of monocyte and lymphocytes – two white blood cell types that make up the majority of the lymphatic immune system.
YouTube is a great resource for qi gong practices. Here are a few you can begin with.
Qi Gong For Respiratory Health
Qi Gong To Strengthen The Lung
STRETCHING. Bob Flaws, practitioner of Chinese Medicine and author of numerous books in the field expresses:
“The Nei Jing states, ‘Prolonged sitting damages the flesh’ and ‘Prolonged lying damages the qi.’ For not less than 2,000 years Chinese doctors have believed that lack of adequate physical exercise leads to disease. As a modern Chinese acupuncture text says, ‘Lack of physical exercise can impair the circulation of qi and blood, weaken the function of the spleen and stomach, and sap body resistance.’ When we exercise, the rhythmic contraction and release of our muscles, the increased pumping of our heart, and the expansion and contraction of our lungs all promote the flow and circulation of qi, blood, and body fluids. This increased circulation of qi results in the upbearing of the clear and downbearing of the turbid. In Chinese medical terms, this implies that digestion is improved. When digestion is improved, qi and blood production also improves. And abundant qi and blood result in increased immunity to disease.”
Check out these simple exercises from a Chinese medicine perspective. Stretching for the Lung Meridian
If you are new to stretching and would like to create a home routine for yourself, here is a great basic guide with images on how to stretch. Basic Stretches.
SOUND HEALING. Sound is such an amazing and powerful healing tool. Music is made up of frequencies and frequency is energy. Certain vibrations can hurt or they can heal us. The frequency of 432 Hz has been studied for centuries and is known for its healing benefits throughout history due to its relationship with Mother Nature. 432 Hz music will make us feel more calm and balanced because it is within our DNA. We are part of Earth after all.
There are other beneficial frequencies you can listen to:
174 Hz - removes pain
285 Hz - influences energy field
528 Hz - repairs DNA
YouTube is a great resource to find healing frequency music. Try some of these links below to start.
Sound and Qi Gong can also be combined to help detox our organs. Check out this video!
Healing Sounds Qi Gong For Health Lungs
HERBS. Adaptogenic herbs like ashwaghanda, rodiola rosea, licorice root, tyrosine, magnesium, holy basil leaf, ginseng, maca root, and eleuthero are some herbs and supplements that help support the adrenal glands and manage how we respond to stress. They bring our bodies back into a state of homeostasis or balance.
Immune support herbs like echinacea, vitamin C, zinc, omega 3’s, elderberry, cat’s claw, probiotics, japanese knotweed, curcumin, and medicinal mushrooms contain properties that help with boosting white blood cell counts, decreasing inflammation, or eliminating pathogens.
We are all in this together. Communities are growing stronger and closer the longer we are in this state of isolation. The MKE Mindbody Wellness team is here for you offering telehealth, distant reiki, and supplement consultations. Reach out to us with questions or to schedule at 414-367-7023 or at mindbody@mkewellness.com.