Have you taken advantage of any of the few days of sunshine we’ve had so far this summer? Many have been hesitant to take their usual hike because of the increased number of ticks in our woods this season. If you have ventured into Vermont’s incredible greenery, I wonder if you’ve found any ticks on you, on your children, or on your four legged hiking companion.
The incidence of Lyme disease is climbing and we are each on the lookout more than ever for ticks. Unfortunately, some of us have already headed to urgent care this summer with all or part of a tick in a Ziploc bag and ended up with a course of antibiotics in hopes of preventing any long-term effects. I don’t plan to write much more about Lyme disease here but will share a basic perspective of Chinese Medicine, which is inherently a preventive approach to health care.
Early View of Immunity
The earliest text in Chinese Medicine, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, is known to have been written around 2600 BC. It’s a continuous conversation between the emperor of China and his chief advisor and physician. Dealing with environmental pathogens and influences was discussed thoroughly way back then. A main point that is made explains the immune system long before we understood it on a cellular level as we do today. Part of the conversation is describing our body’s ability to defend against any threatening influences. The general focus is on keeping ourselves strong in order to defeat any invaders and regulate against anything that disrupts the body’s normal functioning.
When the storm came through our area a few days ago, the weak spots on our houses or trees became more evident. I saw large tree limbs down, now displaying the interior rot that wasn’t as noticeable the day before. The preventive approach is to pay close attention to be aware of the weak points in the tree or under the roof or in the body. Chinese Medicine uses its diagnostic tools to determine which areas of the body are lacking strength before there may be symptoms of disease. In the example of a virus or the bacteria that causes Lyme, the goal is to keep our immune system functioning ideally so that if we are exposed, we can handle it most effectively. Antibiotics may be necessary with certain bacterial infections, but we have a much better overall result when the body is already working optimally.
Immune activity is happening in the blood and lymphatic system. Acupuncture is used to ensure that the circulation and nourishment of these body fluids is happening effectively, which then supports healthy immunity. Some of the points known to impact the immune system are also used to support healthy digestion, mental function, breathing, and blood circulation. Chinese herbs are used with similar intention, typically in groups of herbs rather than individually. Three main herbs commonly used for immune support that you may be familiar with are Astragalus Root, Asian Ginseng, and American Ginseng. These are frequently seen in formulas for increasing energy levels and strengthening our immune systems.
Rather than simply taking these specific herbs, it would be wise to seek the support of an experienced practitioner. There would be an evaluation to identify those weak areas in the body in order to choose the most effective points to stimulate or herbs to take. The goal, of course, is to keep you prepared for whatever weather may come.