Spring and summer months mean cultivating the Yang energy, while in the fall and winter, we must protect the Yin energy.

In the summer, your heart, mind, and spirit should be top priority since they are ruled by the fire element. When the fire element is balanced, the heart is in harmony and the mind has clarity. “The spirit needs the Yin and blood for stability, otherwise it ‘escapes’ from the heart, causing incessant wandering of the mind" (Pitchford). Excess Yang qualities, like heat, qi energy, and spirit, will flood upward into the head. Anchor the Yang by improving Yin of the heart; this will help protect the spirit. Our spirit likes to feel calm, centered, and grounded.

Our spirit, or Shen in Mandarin, lives in our heart. Shen also translates as heart-mind, The Self, I, or our presence. When we are children we begin having awareness of ourselves as a separate being other than just our physical self. Shen is responsible for our thinking, cognition, emotional life, and the spiritual consciousness of our being. “It is our spiritual radiance when it's at its strongest and can help cultivate a non discriminatory, non judgmental awareness needed to become wise, resilient, and powerful” (Ford).

If the heart does not have enough blood or energy or if it becomes disturbed by emotional imbalances, it cannot house the Shen. In TCM, the pericardium, a membrane that surrounds your heart, is called the “heart protector”. Its job is to help express joy, to stop invaders like trauma, and to regulate the blood circulation in and out of the heart.

In more extreme cases, unstable Shen could look like irregular or racing heartbeat, palpitations, depression, mania (excess joy), coldness, agitation, nervousness, stuttering, slurred speech, irritability, poor memory, panic, lethargy, insomnia, or excessive dreaming — these symptoms are often associated with Qi stagnation and disharmony in the liver and/or heart.

Strengthening your memory, thought processes, emotional well-being, and consciousness can help balance and calm the Shen. Anchoring the Shen can come in many forms — typically anything that gets us out of our heads and gets us working on our spirits, hearts, and desires:

Meditation, breath-work, + other mindful speech patterns:

Meditation can help clear your head, lower your heart rate, and reduce anxiety or negative emotions. Try setting aside just a few minutes a day for stillness and to focus on deep breathing to bring intention to the mind. Other traditional spirit-focusing practices like prayer, devotional singing, mantras, affirmations, and silent contemplation can help strengthen the heart and organize the scattered mind.

Qigong:

Qigong is a more active form of meditation, or an energy art. The practice uses controlled and coordinated breathing, slow-flowing movements, visualizations, and meditation to reduce stagnant qi (energy). Qigong reduces stress, encourages deep sleep, improves flexibility, and enhances overall health and spirituality. It is described as an internal process that has external movements.

T’ai Chi:

Similar to Qigong in that it is a mind-body practice, T ‘ai Chi’s guiding principle is to follow the spirit. T’ai Chi includes the concepts, theories, and usually movements from Qigong, but a Qigong practice might not necessarily include T’ai Chi.

Acupuncture + acupressure:

Shenmen (HT-7) means “Spirit Gate”, and it is one of the main points on the heart meridian. This point helps open the gate and relieves blocked energy in our spirit and mind. Relieves stress, anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, and palpitations by calming the inner fire.

Benshen Spirit Root (GB-13) — the “root” of the mind is the spirit. This point quiets and clears the mind and benefits those who constantly worry or do not sleep well.

Bubbling Spring (KI-1) restores consciousness from an unsettled mind. Helps treat fullness below the heart and clears heat. Supports better sleep.

Receiving Spirit (GB-18) — this point relaxes the rational mind and allows one to reconnect to the unconscious mind. Unifies the mind and body, by reconnecting one to a sense of destiny and purpose.

Yintang —the location of this point is thought to be home of the Shen, or the third eye — our higher consciousness. Helps quiet and clear the mind.

Connect with nature:

Sink your feet into the earth, feel the wind on your face, listen to nature… drop in to your outdoor surroundings whatever way fills your soul the most. Nature is full of reminders to let go of stagnation.

Other ways to ground and nourish the Shen: writing, painting, drawing, dancing, or restorative yoga…

References:

Fitzgerald, Patricia. “Calming The Shen: A Chinese Medicine Approach To A Good Night's Sleep”. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/calming-the-shen-a-chines_b_439771.

Ford, Kerry. “Cultivating Shen: Spirit & Beauty.” Retrieved from https://www.sunpotion.com/blogs/journal/cultivatingshen.

Gao, Sally. “Traditional Chinese Medicine Tricks to Help Reduce Anxiety.” Retrieved from https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/traditional-chinese-medicine-tricks-to-help-reduce-anxiety/.

Pitchford, Paul. “Healing with Whole Foods”.

Tallarico, Eden. “What is Shen (or Spirit) in Chinese Medicine?” Retrieved from https://telmd.com/wellness/what-is-shen-or-spirit-in-chinese-medicine/.

Amanda Gawrysz, L.Ac., MSOM

When we talk about the immune system in Chinese medicine, our focus is on the energy of the lungs. The lungs in Chinese Medicine, however, are more than just a respiratory system. It is our defensive energy known as Wei Qi or “protective” qi. This layer of qi or energy is the most exterior level of our bodies which is mobilized to help fight off exterior pathogens. Think of it as an invisible bubble or force field encircling your body protecting you from the outside world. The strength of our Wei qi determines whether or not we fully succumb to getting sick.

What determines the strength of our Wei Qi? The lungs are deeply related to the large intestines in Chinese Medicine. Think yin and yang of each other. The body’s defensive energy is directly dependent on the strength of the lung and colon. This protective energy force is therefore determined by the strength of our digestive system. By enhancing our digestive system we strengthen our immunity. Think about it. Generally, outside pathogens most easily enter through the respiratory and digestive systems.

Grief, sadness, and worry are the emotions associated with the lung and digestion. Spending time in meditation or journaling is beneficial in bringing awareness to these emotions and allowing them to flow out. When we hold onto unprocessed and negative emotions we are allowing them to build up within us which eventually will manifest in physical form as a disease or condition.

There are a number of ways that we can help nourish the lungs and colon.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is known to boost the immune system’s production of natural killer cells for up to 3 days after each treatment. This very relaxing treatment also improves the circulation of the blood and lymph which are both very important in keeping toxins flushing out of the body. Inflammation, especially chronic systemic inflammation, is another concern when it comes to immunity. Acupuncture helps reduce inflammation.

Acupressure. Acupressure is a great way to boost your immune system on your own and can be done anywhere. Apply firm pressure on the points shown below in the videos for 30 seconds and release, repeating this process 3 to 5 times. You can perform this as needed throughout the day. Both sides can be done at the same time or one side at a time. The points include ST36, KD27, and LU7.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES8YOKWp2uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYqgaqiVSjE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdLcBp_zjYo

Sleep. Sleep is always important, but especially when we need to keep our immunity strong. Allowing yourself to get at least 7 to 8 hours is the single most impactful action you can take to boost immunity. Additionally, it is best to get to sleep before 11pm for most benefits.

Nutrition. The health of our digestive system determines the health of our immune system. Keeping away from inflammatory foods such as gluten, corn, soy, cow dairy, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine will prevent gut irritation and allow for better nutrient absorption.

Chinese medicine and years of research show that cold and raw foods and drinks are damaging to the digestive system. Our guts need warmth to do its job well. Introducing colder foods into our body’s is forcing it to work even harder in the breaking down and absorption processes. Eating at consistent meal times gives additional support to your digestive system. Being mindful while we eat and focusing on chewing and the meal in front of us prevents sluggish digestion.

Foods to focus on that benefit both the lung and colon include leafy greens, sprouted seeds and grains. White foods like cauliflower, turnips, parsnips, daikon radish, almonds, apples, pears, rice, oats, onion, garlic, sesame seeds. Yellow foods like squash, pumpkins, yams, ginger, turmeric, and apricot. Also, ginseng, garlic, onion, guava, black dates, walnuts, oats, chicken, and lamb.

Always keeping in mind to prepare meals that are warm and nourishing by sauteing, baking, slow cooking, or steaming.

Herbs. The lungs are closely related to breath and the first sign of energy/life at the time of birth. Energy strengthening herbs are also for strengthening the lungs. Ginseng root, astragalus, cordyceps mushroom, and schisandra all help nourish the energy of the lungs.

Supplements. Vitamin D3, zinc, curcumin or turmeric, echinacea, elderberry, fire cider, ginseng, cats claw, japanese knotwood, astragalus, andrographis, omega-3’s, medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake, reishi, maitake, and cordyceps, Vitamin C, and probiotics have all been shown to strengthen immunity in different capacities.

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 Immune Boost

Qi Gong to Boost Immunity and Lower Stress

Medical Qi Gong and Tapping for Immune System

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