Chinese Medicine has many recommendations for staying healthy and well for all seasons. In the fall, when the weather is beginning to get chilly and the days get shorter, our lungs and our respiratory system become more vulnerable to illness. People with asthma may begin to have more frequent attacks. One is more likely to catch a cold or come down with the flu.
In Chinese Medicine, the lungs are ruled by the element of metal. The element of metal is related to the fall. In the fall, the metal element and therefore the lungs are compromised, particularly in people who are susceptible to respiratory conditions anyhow.
The Chinese believe that the Lungs (which in Chinese medicine include the entire respiratory and immune system, not just the anatomical organ of the lungs) control the opening and closing of pores on the skin. When the Lungs are weak, the pores on the skin remain open, making the body more vulnerable to external pathogens. These external pathogens are related to Wind, probably because the Chinese noticed a correlation between windy days and cold drafts with people's tendency to come down with colds, flus, allergies, and asthma. They also noticed that people begin to shiver more before they come down with certain conditions, and correlated this with Wind also.
They also believed that the neck and back were most vulnerable to attacks from Wind, probably because people often get stiff and achy in that area of the body before they come down with a cold or the flu. I have personally noticed that when I first start feeling as if I am coming down with a cold or the flu, I notice that I get sensitized to any slight breeze or draft in my environment. If at this point I start keeping my neck thoroughly covered with a scarf and keep the back of my body protected, I can usually avoid coming down with a cold or the flu. Even if you are skeptical about this theory, it would certainly do no harm to try this out for yourself.
Astragalus is often used to boost immunity and increase resistance to illness in order to prepare for fall. The Chinese believe that astragalus aids the Lungs by closing the pores of the body, preventing pathogens from gaining a foothold in the body. Modern research has also verified the immune enhancing effects of astragalus. Research has shown that it increases phagocytosis and increases white blood cell count. Chinese research has shown it to have a protective effect against the common cold when taken consistently for two to eight weeks. Astragalus is an herb that works best as a long-term preventive measure. It is best to take it as a tea through the cold and flu season to enhance immunity and prevent illness. There is an excellent formula called Jade Windscreen Formula, or Yu Ping Feng San, which includes astragalus, that can often be found in health food stores and Asian markets. It is useful to take throughout the season to boost the body's resistance to colds, the flu, allergies, and asthma.
