Whether you’re trying to fight the flu or build up your immunity, these commonly used ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine will help keep you feeling at your best
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been making its way back into the mainstream with the popularisation of more natural methods of achieving health and wellness. In Chinese medicine, Qi is the vital energy that helps regulate the body and keep it functioning normally. Any disruptions in the Qi are primarily seen as the source of physical and mental health issues including common ailments like the flu, fever, cough, depression and anxiety.
We spoke to two Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners - Gianna Buonocore from Integrated Medicine Institute and Cecilia Cheung from Health Wise - for advice on which herbs to add to your diet to help boost your immune system and improve your wellbeing.
Astragalus Root
The most commonly suggested ingredient by the two experts to add to your routine to boost your immunity is the Astragalus Root - or Huang Qi - as known in Chinese. The root is a principle herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for increasing an individual’s vitality and promotes immune boosting compounds. Astragalus Root is typically combined with Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) and Ledebouriella Root (Feng Feng) to create a soup. According to Cecilia Cheung, this soup is like “building a ‘defensive wall’ to protect your body” from cold and flu and is “generally good for everyone” at all stages of life.
See also: Nutrition Month 2020: 5 Diet Changes You Can Make For Healthier Living
Fresh Ginger
Fresh ginger is often prescribed to boost the energy levels in individuals. According to Gianna Buonocore, it “not only soothes an upset stomach but helps fire up your immune system” and “helps clear the pathogen by inducing sweat”. Ginger has been used to treat many initial flu and heat symptoms like dry and sore throat, constipation and fatigue. It can also assist with promoting blood circulation and aids in relieving constipation, vomiting symptoms and morning sickness.