If there was ever a time to prepare your Defensive Qi to stay healthy, it's now!  

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, when 100 people are put in a room and exposed to the same virus in the same way, it's their Defensive Qi that determines who gets sick and who stays healthy.  In western medicine, it's called "terrain".  How do you protect yourself so that you're one of the healthy ones?

Here are four ways you can use Traditional Chinese Medicine theory to boost your immunity:

1) Soups

For starters (pun intended), soups and broths are a great way to boost immunity.  They are easy to digest, which allows your body to focus on fighting the virus, and you can easily incorporate immune-boosting ingredients like ginger and garlic.  We love this bone broth recipe that Co-Founder and Chief Culinary Officer Travis Metzger created specifically to boost the immune system.  

2) Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbs can be used in a variety of ways to help boost immunity.  Some formulas are commonly used specifically to boost the immune system like our Immunity Support, while others help tangentially, like Mental Tranquility or Physical Tranquility for better sleep and less stress.  Digestive Harmony can boost gut health, which in turn helps improve the immune system. 

3) "Get Cupped"

If you're just starting to feel the symptoms associated with the cold or flu, consider seeing your Chinese medicine practitioner for a cupping session.  Cupping acts as a reverse massage - instead of pressing down on the muscles, the cups help to suction the muscles up, pulling up and releasing the toxins.

4) Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps the body heal by stimulating certain pressure points with the use of needles. This encourages the flow of blood to important areas like the neck, head, and chest. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to boost immunity, and many acupuncturists have a wide range of tools in their arsenal to help keep you healthy, from immunity boosting points to Gua Sha treatments.

If you need help locating an acupuncturist near you or understanding herbs that will help your specific symptoms, feel free to send us an e-mail at hello@mydaolabs.com and we will do our best to help connect you with someone in your area who can help!

Dr. Eric Karchmer is a practicing Chinese medical doctor, medical anthropologist, and co-founder and Chief Doctor of Chinese Medicine for DAO Labs. From 1995-2000, Eric studied at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and today is both a licensed acupuncturist and professor at Appalachian State University. Eric can be reached at drkarchmer@mydaolabs.com.