With over 2 million people taking to the skies again this summer, it feels as though this component of our lives is back to normal.  And while masks are now optional onboard, the wear and tear on one's body (and by extension, our "Qi") when we hit the road will once again be an issue to our overall immune health.

Social distancing?  Consider the close contact while standing in lines at check-in and security, against a backdrop of rapidly increasing numbers.    

Chinese herbal medicine has been used for centuries to support general health and wellness, including during times of increased health concerns. Traditional Chinese Medicine views certain herbal formulas as supporting the body’s natural defenses, which may be helpful for maintaining overall well-being, especially during travel.

Is there a Chinese herbal formula that I wouldn't let any friend or family member travel without?  Undoubtedly, and it's one that I promoted equally aggressively over the last two years - Yu Ping Feng San (the inspiration to our Immunity Support formula).  Our reviews on this formula tell the full story, but here's the context ahead of your summer travel.

There's Nothing New About Your Immunity & Air Travel

According to a 2018 article in the Wall Street Journal*, "medical studies have shown that air travelers face higher rates of infection [than non-travelers].  This startling statistic might have you questioning whether the typical Vitamin-C powder packs the appropriate immunity punch to keep you healthy in the air.

This traditional Chinese herbal formula has been used for centuries to support the body’s resilience during travel and seasonal changes. For nearly 750 years, it has been valued for its potential to help maintain wellness, creating a protective effect around the body. These herbs are regarded as highly valuable, much like 'precious jade,' and are thought to help support the body’s natural ability to respond to external elements.

Masks or no masks, Immunity Support was part of my daily wellness routine before any flight before the world changed - and just about daily over the last year.

Yes, airplanes are cleaner, but they are still airplanes.

This is a fact - there are no cleaning requirements for U.S. domestic airlines. The FAA doesn’t mandate how and when planes should be cleaned, and the FDA only inspects food and water safety on commercial planes. Airlines set their own standard for the frequency and depth of cleaning each aircraft. To be sure, planes are much (much) cleaner today than they were over a year ago, but there's still the issue of airports, Ubers, and the environmental changes that accompany travel of any kind. 

Consider All the Hotspots Over the Course of Your Journey: Airports, Airplanes, Ubers, and Rental Cars

Given the potential proximity to people who should be in bed as opposed to on a plane, to say nothing of a tray table that could be doubling as a petri dish, it’s no wonder people drink powdered vitamins before takeoff.  But if there's one thing the last year has taught us, that's that people found Chinese herbal medicine incredibly helpful, becoming a fixture of their safety and wellness routines.  I’ve written extensively about Immunity Support since our launch, and for good reason. This herbal formula has a wide range of practical applications, and I’ve shared my appreciation for the herbs in each packet. From supporting my own wellness over the past year, even with two young kids back in school, to highlighting how it has historically been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this formula has gained recognition. Many customers have also shared positive feedback about their experiences with it.

“Ask any acupuncturist who is familiar with this three-herb combination, and they’ll tell you that when it comes to boosting immunity when airborne pathogens are at their height, there’s nothing quite like it.”

The herbal combination remains one of the most popular immunity boosting formulas in all of Chinese herbal medicine, and is widely consumed across Asia still to this day (remarkable for an over 500-year-old formula).

Ask any acupuncturist who’s familiar with this combination, and they’ll tell you it’s a trusted formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine for supporting the body's natural defenses during seasonal or environmental transitions. I gave a brief talk at the Minnesota Acupuncture Association’s monthly gathering and met an MD who was in attendance (with Chinese medicine training, which is incredibly cool): he shared that this formula is part of his personal wellness regimen, especially during busy seasons in his healthcare practice. Imagine what it could do on a two-hour flight.

No Need to Change Your Routine

Immunity Support works just like any other Vitamin-C powder blend – simply add to water prior to hitting the road, and pack a handful of others to drink as you continue with your travels. As I noted above, it’s never failed me in over 300,000 miles in the air.

*“The Trouble with Keeping Commercial Flights Clean,” The Wall Street Journal. September 17, 2017.

Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.  That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options.  If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.