COVID-19 clearly presents challenges to our entire ecosystems in ways that we have never seen before. Information and recommendations are changing hourly, and vary vastly.
In light of all this, we can focus on age-old practical Chinese Medicine steps to maintain health, prevent illness, and even potentially, speed up recovery from any illness.
Straight Bamboo’s Top Three COVID-19 Tips:
1. Regular Daily Rhythm: Regular life rhythm is the first and most important key to health and longevity in Chinese Medicine. Based on long-term observation and the belief that we are a small part of a much larger natural order, the Daoist’s assumed natural laws must be the same for humans.
Regular rhythms in sync with the heavenly rhythms maximize bodily functions, and in doing so maximize health and longevity. There are times to be active and times to rest. There are times to work and there are times to socialize. If you are working from home you need to set these rhythms yourself!
Get up at first light; get into the body (no screens) first with exercise and bathroom; Hot-breakfast and then your most important & productive work time 8am-11am (no excuses please); Stop for lunch at midday; Rest after lunch (lunch-rest break minimum 1-hour); Work more in sorting and planning work activities; 5pm stop mental work and socialize (online is fine); Cooked-dinner and bedtime 9-10pm.
The idea is that the universe has a rhythm like a pendulum and when we swing in rhythm with this pendulum, the universe can run through us!
For a more comprehensive understanding of regular daily rhythm see What’s So Special About Rhythm
2. Preventative Chinese Herbs: Now, prevention and health have much more to do with lifestyle than herbs or acupuncture. Nevertheless, herbs & acupuncture can be very helpful and Chinese herbs were shown to be effective in treating SARS and other similar viral pathogens. In these times, it would be wise to boost the immune system and my recommendation for this particular COVID-19 pathogen is:
Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) 75% +
Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf & Chrysanthemum Decoction) or Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle & Forsythia Powder) 25%.
Dosage depends on formulation but if you were my client in the clinic, I would recommend 9g of granules/day (3g, 3/day). Note: This suggestion is based on average sized adult.
3. Treatment Chinese Herbs: Ok, so this is where it gets a little more complicated. Chinese Medicine excels when we use differential diagnosis and with this COVID-19 pathogen there seem to be a wide variation in the severity of signs and symptoms. So, best see your local Chinese medicine practitioner for advise as a customized herbal combination will be most effective.
However, what we do know is that it is a nasty upper respiratory viral pathogen that can be extremely detrimental to the Lungs. In Chinese Medicine we would generally treat this as a strong Wind-Heat pattern with toxic-heat affecting the Lung. A good general suggestion and base formula for this would be:
Yin Qiao San (50%) +
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (50%).
Again, dosage depends on formulation but if you were my client in the clinic, I would recommend 12-15g of granules/day (4-5g, 3/day) considering the aggressive nature of the pathogen. Note: This suggestion is based on average sized adult. Note: I would also add Chuan Xin Lian (Herba Andrographitis) for the aggressive viral component. That is a tough herb to drink in powder so I use capsules for this.
Alex uses the highest quality Taiwanese SUNTEN Chinese Herbal Granules. Pills and Capsules also available.
Remember, don’t focus on the problems, focus on the solutions and let the problems fall away on their own!
Wishing you all good health and upright Qi!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Tan L.AC. is a licensed Acupuncturist. After completing his degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Alex lived and practiced Chinese Medicine for 10-years in Beijing, China. A native-born Australian, the son of his Australian mother and Chinese father, Alex’s bi-cultural heritage helps him skillfully bridge Eastern and Western health perspectives. He believes the true power of Chinese medicine lies in a balanced approach towards prevention and treatment. Rooted in Chinese Medicine observation based theory & methodology over millenniums, Alex’s talent lies in delivering these Eastern healing modalities to his modern Western clients. For more about Alex click here
Alex runs a clinic in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona. Alex welcomes comments and questions to his articles. To schedule an appointment in person or telco-appointment click here
