It is hard to understand the truth of what is happening whether in politics or health from regular news sources owned by a few corporations. Whatever the truth is of the current health crisis, strengthening the lungs keeps your immune system strong.
 
The connection between your lungs and the immune system is made in ancient Chinese medicine. This medical system developed a different way of understanding the body independent of western biology and medicine. It has been an effective system for promoting health and healing for thousands of years.
 
Wuhan province in China has terrible air pollution which contributed to their recent health issues by causing weakened immunity. Modern Chinese leaders have forgotten their culture's own wisdom about the link between health and our lungs while pursuing methods of development that bring people out of poverty while at the same time causing serious health issues. Italy is said to be the most polluted country in Europe. This is another place where people have recently had high levels of sickness and deaths attributed to the coronavirus.
 
Ancient Chinese medicine is based on energetics. The lungs are related to overall vitality through the function of extracting the finest energy from the air. This energy combines with the essential energy derived from food fueling all functions of the body including the immune system, known as wei chi, the most aggressive and strong energy of the body.
 
When the energy of the body is abundant from optimal lung function, easy to digest and nourishing food, good sleep, rest, and the right amount of activity; the immune system is vital and strong and can protect us from viruses, bacteria and toxins.
 
There are many things that you can do to strengthen your lungs. Too start, I will offer simple suggestions. Creating what is called a damp condition promotes weakness and congestion in the lungs. The suggestions below help avoid this.

• Eat moderate amounts of good quality fats from saturated and monounsaturated fats such as butter from grass fed animals, coconut oil and olive oil. Avoid fried and rancid fats in regular commercially prepared foods as these congest and weaken the lungs. Saturated fats strengthen the lungs.

 

• If you eat dairy products choose grass fed products in moderation. Commercial dairy products from cattle in confinement congest the lungs.

 

• Limit white flour products as they can congest the lungs.

 

• Eat foods that in China are said to have a metal energy (based on the 5 element theory) which strengthen the lungs. This includes moderate portions of grass fed meat or wild salmon, brown rice, sea salt, miso and root vegetables.

 

• Eat regular but moderate amounts of foods with preformed vitamin A such as sardines, liver from naturally raised animals, butter from grass fed animals and eggs from pastured chickens. Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene from plants does not convert well to vitamin A.

 

• Limit sugars, fruit juice, raw salad, alcohol, excessive water consumption and fruits. Avoid commercial pastries with poor quality ingredients and limit natural pastries.

 

• Prepare Astragalus tea or take high quality Astragalus supplements. Astragalus is the premier immune, lung and energy tonic of Chinese tonic herbalism. Studies have shown it to be beneficial for cancer, anti- bacterial and anti-viral. Choose high quality Astragalus supplements prepared from a concentrate. You can also rinse a ½ ounce of the root. Add the slices with 4 cups of spring water to an enamel covered cast iron or ceramic pot. Bring to a boil uncovered and simmer until the liquid reduces by 1/3 or ½. Remove the Astragalus. Save the tea. Add 2 cups of fresh spring water with the slices. Bring to a boil and simmer until 1 cup of the tea remains. Discard the slices. Separate into 2 doses.  Drink 2 times per day between meals. Refrigerate the leftover tea. Heat up before drinking. You may prepare extra for up to 2-3 days.

 
Air pollution in Wuhan Province: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50688880/polluted-air-could-be-an-important-cause-of-wuhan-pneumonia
 
Air pollution in Italy: https://www.lifegate.com/people/news/luxembourg-bans-glyphosate
 
Four Seasons Herbs: https://shop.fourseasonsherbs.com/astragalus-huang-qi-high-grade-1/4-lb.htm

“We wish you a happy and healthy new year with the help of the Three Treasures.”

New Year’s is a time of resolutions for the year ahead. Instead of resolutions, one might consider actions to take based on learning what supports your overall well-being.

In ancient China they developed an understanding that, upon careful inspection, might be called a universal insight. It is known as the three treasures. The three treasures of the human system are jing or essence, qi/chi or energy/motivating force and shen or spirit/consciousness.

These three treasures are the keys to overall health and emotional, physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Jing is the concentrated energy of the substance of our organs, tissues and cells. Qi is the energy that animates us, activating all functions of the body and mind. Shen is our consciousness, emotions and mental functioning.
For health, these three treasures are one unit, the jingqishen field.  Each area affects and benefits the others when we balance one of the three. A different take on resolutions is to self-reflect on where there might be holes in any of these three areas and fill them.

Through teaching and counseling I help people address where they might be holes or leaks in each of these fields. If our diet is poor or missing nutrients or too rich in certain ways; this will affect the jing/essence or substance of the body. I write about basic healthy guidelines here: https://www.macrobiotic.com/blog/the-4-foundations-of-health-1-eating

Jing or inner strength is depleted by over activity of any type and stress. Rest and relaxation are important for rebuilding jing: https://www.macrobiotic.com/blog/4-foundations-of-health-3-rest-and-relaxation
One of the best ways to build internal energy is by practicing high quality Qigong exercises. https://www.macrobiotic.com/energy-healing.html

Chi is derived from breath and food.  It is used up by doing activities. Breathing exercises in Qigong, eating well and having a balanced lifestyle is important to restore and preserve our energy.

The shen is depleted by being over emotional, called excessive emotionality, and using the mind excessively. There are several ways to restore shen. The best ways is through a regular mediation practice that slows down the thinking process and through certain tonic herbs such as Reishi.
To learn more read here:  https://www.macrobiotic.com/blog/4th-foundation-of-health-mental-attitude
and listen here: https://www.macrobiotic.com/audio-longevity-approach-to-herbs.html

Self-reflection is the key to moving forward in our lives. Reflecting on our jingqishen field is a powerful way to change our health and our lives.  We wish you a happy and healthy new year with the help of the three treasures.

Thousands of years ago channels were discovered in the body that are different from the blood vessels of modern science. These channels were erroneously translated as meridians when described in European languages. The real meaning in the Chinese healing arts is that these are channels; accessory channels of blood and energy. Opening them by touch from you or a practitioner and through Qigong exercises has incredibly beneficial effects on health.

Each channel corresponds to the functions of an organ or an overall body function. On each channel are points that can stimulate to have specific beneficial effects on the body and mind.

The Hundred Meeting Place is a point on the Governing Vessel channel. The English translation of the Chinese name for this pressure point, Baihui, refers to the place at the top of your head where 100 channels of blood and energy meet. It is numbered Governing Vessel 20.

It is known as the gathering place for yang qi (chi) of the body. The yang qi of the body is the outgoing and motivating active energy in the body that generates and maintains warmth. It can be equated with hyper-metabolic qualities which affect all organic processes including warmth, libido, appetite digestion and assimilation. Its normal manifestation is comparable to our concept of zest for life. Stimulating this point aids these life functions.

Governing Vessel 20 is located on the top of the head directly in the center between your ears. It can be pressed lightly for several minutes daily with 3 fingers to help to activate the yang outgoing and motivating force in the body and the mind. The location is slightly depressed.

This point has many uses in Chinese and Asian medicines. It helps to raise energy  into the head creating mental calmness, clarity and composure. Some of the common medical applications are for depression, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, anus, headaches, stiff shoulders and insomnia.

I utilize Hundred Meeting Place and other pressure points in my Somatic Bodywork sessions and Somatic Qigong private lessons/sessions. This and other pressure points can help bring relief from uncomfortable symptoms people experience.

https://www.macrobiotic.com/energy-healing.html