Strengthening Immunity is the Key to Prevent Viral Infection

 We are facing a different routine in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the world, including Korea. It is the immunity that we must focus on in relation to the infections arising from exposure to the virus. Immunity is the force that protects our body.  

What is immunity?

What do we mean by immunity? Immunity is the phenomenon in which the internal environment of a living matter resists external factors. One’s immunity is enhanced by simply following appropriately the basic living routines—such as sleeping, washing hands and drinking water—and various Korean medicine treatments can strengthen immunity by preventing diseases and nurturing bodily elements.. As COVID-19 has raised interest in health and immunity, here presents what immunity means in Korean Medicine and explains how to increase resistance to diseases and strengthen one’s immunity. 

Immunity in Korean Medicine 

Preventive medicine is a key concept that underlies Korean Medicine. It emphasizes to treat a disease prior to its symptom/disease manifests. As a principle explaining immunity in Korean Medicine, there is a concept called Bujeonggeosa (扶正祛邪). Bujeonggeosa means supporting healthy qi (righteous energy) in our body and expelling pathogenic qi (evil energy) in treating diseases. The healthy qi and the pathogenic qi are in a relationship in which if one side goes up, the other side comes down—like a seesaw. Therefore, which of these two controls our body holds the key to our health. The definitions of healthy qi and pathogenic qi in Korean Medicine are interpreted in the same meaning with the basic concept of modern immunology. There are four Korean medicine treatments to boost one’s immunity and prevent diseases by raising the healthy qi in our body:

Four Korean Medicine Treatments in Boosting Immunity  

1. Healthy, balanced diet: 5 colors, 5 tastes 

Just like the saying “You are what you eat,” balanced diet is very important in improving one’s immunity. Korean Medicine emphasizes treatment by balanced diet. Balanced diet in Korean Medicine refers to eating foods with diverse colors and tastes. Korean Medicine explains five different colors, namely: green, red, yellow, white and black. For example, if you dine with side dishes such as spinach (green), pepper (red), carrot (yellow), onion (white), and beans (black), it is referred to as a balanced diet in Korean Medicine.

 

 In addition to colors, diverse tastes are also important. It is because five basic tastes in Korean Medicine—sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty—have their own respective effects. You will certainly have a healthy and balanced diet when you eat foods with diverse colors and tastes as suggested in Korean Medicine. 

2. Meridian and collateral, and acupoints massages

In Korean Medicine, meridian and collateral, and acupoints massage help accelerating recovery and strengthening immunity by regaining the smooth flow of qi and blood. Meridian and collateral refers to paths in our body through which qi and blood flow, five organs and six bowels connect, and bodily exterior–interior and up–down interlink and transfer. In other words, they are the circulatory passages of qi and blood which link the entire body. The meridian channels are usually referred to as the stems of the body while the collaterals as the branches.  

 Acupoints are specific points on meridian channels and collaterals where acupuncture, moxa, and cupping therapy are applied. Qi and blood, which are the important substances of the body, flow in the meridian channels and collaterals, and the specific points where qi and blood collect and move in and out are called acupoints. Especially, hands and feet are considered microcosm of our body that connect with meridian channels. The massage in the extremities deliver qi and blood to internal organs. You can accelerate your recovery and strengthen immunity by regaining the smooth flow of qi and blood by massaging the meridian channels and collaterals and acupoints. 

3. Keep your head cool and feet warm: foot bath

4. Drinking herbal tea with immune boost property 

Finally, drinking herbal tea made with medicinal herbs also helps strengthen your immunity. Herbal tea protects your body energy, boosts your immunity, and clears your mind. Ssanghwacha, in particular, is effective in energy recovery and improving immunity. Ingredients such as licorice, angelicae gigantis radix, rehmanniae radix preparata, and jujube help to increase your stamina and boost immunity by detoxifying the liver, relieving fatigue and improving blood circulation. Red ginseng tea also helps invigorate your body, increase your stamina and improve your immunity as well. The efficacy of red ginseng has been scientifically proved in various clinical trials and research papers both at home and abroad. In addition, the schisandrae fructus and liriopis tuber tea and the glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma and balloon flower tea are known to be effective in boosting immunity and preventing infections in respiratory organs.  

 Korean Medicine has been focusing on personal attributes and individual physical constitutions for thousands of years on top of treating diseases. A person with a strong immune system has the capacity to effectively fight viral diseases. However, if one’s immunity deteriorates, physical strength weakens and he or she will be exposed to various viruses. So special attention is needed in maintaining one’s immunity. We hope the above-mentioned Korean medicine treatments will be widely used when appropriate, to prevent diseases and reinvigorate your body with measures that suit your physical condition and strengthen your immunity.

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