COVID-19 has brought many changes to our lives, not only in terms of how we live, but also how we approach our health. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of taking care of our immunity and overall health. While COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, studies have shown that it can also weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to other illnesses. As a result, it is crucial to take steps to build up our immunity again.
In addition to general tips like exercising regularly, minimising stress, having a good sleep cycle, eating a healthy diet, and taking necessary vitamins and supplements, there are also tips and methods from the TCM’s point of view that could be incorporated to further improve immunity. Read on to learn more about how TCM can aid in improving immunity and maintaining good health.
1) Teas
Ingredients:
Astragali radix, 黄芪 5g
Atractylodes rhizome, 白术 5g
Radix saposhnikoviae, 防风 3g
Radix ophiopogonis, 麦冬 3g
Mix the herbs and steep in boiling water for 5-10 minutes before drinking. It is recommended to drink this 2-3 times a week to help boost immunity and prevent recurring flu. This tea is suitable for those that get sick easily after COVID. Add in some honey or rock sugar to taste if necessary.
Ingredients:
Astragali radix, 黄芪 8g
Honeysuckle flower, 金银花 5g
Patchouli, 藿香 3g
Mix the herbs and steep in boiling water for 5-10 minutes before drinking. It is recommended to drink this 2-3 times a week to help boost immunity and reduce heatiness in the body. This tea is suitable for those who want to improve immunity but still have some underlying post-COVID symptoms. Add in some honey or rock sugar to taste if necessary.
2) Food remedies
Porridge
Ingredients:
Radix codonopsis, 党参 10g
Chinese yam, 山药 15g
Dried tangerine peel, 陈皮 5g
Rice, 大米 100g
Wash and cut the ingredients accordingly. Pour about 8 cups of water and cook all the ingredients together to make a porridge. This porridge can be eaten 2-3 times a week to improve immunity and invigorate appetite. This is suitable for those who experience loss in appetite after COVID.
Chicken soup
Ingredients:
Astragali radix, 黄芪 10g
Angelica sinensis, 当归 10g
Glehnia root, 沙参 5g
Chicken meat, 鸡肉
Rinse all the ingredients. In a pot, boil all the ingredients together with around 2 litres of water and simmer till the chicken is tender. Add some salt to taste before consumption. This soup can be eaten 1-2 times a week to improve immunity and to boost energy. This is suitable for those that feel weakened and tired after COVID.
3) Acupressure
4) Foot soak
Soaking feet in a basin of hot water helps to improve circulation of Qi and Blood which helps to improve immunity. Not only that, soaking feet using different TCM herbs brings about different beneficial effects.
For example, using mugwort (艾叶) can help to dispel coldness in the body. This is suitable for those that have flu symptoms and get cold easily. Using Chinese cinnamon (肉桂) can help to reduce body swelling. Using safflower (红花) can help to promote blood circulation and can improve sleep quality.
Do note that this method is not suitable for those that suffer from varicose veins, late stage diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans.
Building up immunity is not easy and it takes time. Do find out which tips work best for you and follow along for a period of time. If the tips still do not work even after a period of trying, do arrange for a consultation with our physician for targeted treatments.
