Healing from a viral illness
The language of Classical Chinese medicine (CCM) is holistic and all encompassing - seamlessly integrating all the different aspects of our psyche and soma. Instead of an artificial split between what is above and below, or what is within and without, we discover a deeper reality of profound interconnection - with everything that has gone before and everything that's occurring around us right now.
Because it is derived from a different worldview, the language of CCM can appear challenging or even somewhat obscure at first. But the guiding principles of CCM contain millenia of careful observation and encode deep, rich and highly-nuanced meanings.
These were passed along by successive generations of scholar-sage-physicians - carefully and meticulously. And they have stood the test of time - penetrating into the daily self-care practices of every Far Eastern household.
In contrast to Western medicine, which is more interested in the disease process, once the nature of a disease-causing agent (pathogen) is known, CCM is less concerned with the minutiae of what the pathogen is.
Instead, Chinese medicine is much more interested in the interaction between the pathogen and the body - and the healing process by which the body can naturally recover.
Let’s take a detailed look at the fascinating relationship between viruses and our body - and explore the unique lens that CCM provides in this context.
Wind and Cold
Chinese medicine classifies viruses as ‘Wind and Cold’ in nature. This is because their onset is swift - as in coming from nowhere (Wind) - and feels like a chill (Cold) on first contact with the body.
The body’s innate sneeze response is an intelligent attempt to push out the Wind, while a fever and sweat can be understood as an attempt to drive out the Cold.
This topic was studied extensively during the initial development of Chinese medicine. Detailed herbal formulae and self-care practices hailing from the Han dynasty (2nd century BCE) can be shown to assist our body in dealing with the immediate and longer term effects of contracting Wind-Cold invasion (viral illness).
Modern studies have also demonstrated that contemporary adaptations of these formulae were effective in controlling symptoms and shortening the disease process during the first SARs outbreak in the Far East (2002-2004).
When the body’s innate capacity to heal itself is overwhelmed, of course appropriate Western medical intervention is required. But there is much that we can do to take care of ourselves and to enable our innate self-healing ability.
Chinese medicine is simple, intuitive and effective. And it’s precisely these qualities that make CCM so immediately applicable in our lives. The self-care practices focus on the relationship between the pathogen and the body - and the body’s capacity for innate health and healing.
Supporting your body
Here are my suggestions for supporting your body’s recovery from any Wind-Cold (viral) invasion. Please adapt this to your particular situation - and remember it is not intended to contradict the advice of your doctors or therapist. Our goal here is simply to enhance the innate healing capacity of the body and to support the healing process.
Firstly, whenever you are sick - try to fully accept and welcome the situation as it is, without wishing it to be otherwise. Listen to the innate wisdom of your body - if it needs to rest, listen to this.
Welcoming the situation frees up valuable mental and emotional bandwidth, and also frees up vital resources for the body’s recovery. Any resistance will only add an unnecessary burden to your mind/body and take up precious energy and resources required for the healing process.
How well the body can repair depends upon the state of two different types of Qi: Wei qi and Ying qi.
Wei (defensive) qi circulates through the entire body. It governs immunity, digestive functions, smooth functioning of the heart, bladder and bowels, as well as the circadian cycles of the body. It is warm in nature and moves swiftly.
Ying (nutritive) qi governs the state of resources, primarily fluids, blood, and hormones. It provides the resources (fuel) for the dynamic functioning of Wei qi. When Ying qi is deficient then Wei Qi is deficient.
There are 4 main pillars involved in the production and circulation of Wei qi and thus immunity:
Kidney Yang
Stomach fluids
Liver Blood
Lung diffusion
When the body meets with a Wind-Cold pathogen (virus), Kidney yang (the adrenal glands and the hormone it secretes, adrenaline) is activated, readying the body to meet the challenge.
But this pillar is often in a compromised state already - due to overactivation through chronic stress, worry, anxiety or fear.
The adrenal glands secrete adrenaline into the bloodstream, and it is adrenaline that enables us to adapt to our environment and deal effectively with crises or life-threatening situations. In the short term adrenaline is necessary for healthy functioning. But in the long term, stress and fear over tax the adrenal system and lead to chronic inflammation - and eventually to burnout.
These days, most of us are in a chronic adrenalized state - meaning we exist in a state of mentally induced low-level stress all the time.
Prolonged, low level stress or fear stagnates the circulation of qi and also depletes Kidney Yang. This depletion of Kidney Yang, or adrenal exhaustion, thus comprises one of the main pillars of immunity.
The advice here is to rest, remove stressors and reduce mental stress. Cut out all news and temporarily excuse yourself from over-emotional friends or relatives. Surround yourself only with those who are truly there for you, and who can put aside their own stories and reactions to care for you appropriately.
This will dramatically reduce the triggers for your fear and create the condition for being in a state of calm. This ensures that your body can focus all its qi (capacity and resources) on healing.
The Liver Blood (responsible for the smooth circulation of Wei qi through the channel system), is in charge of circulating Wei qi around the body, and adequate rest and harmony are key to its functioning. Any agitation or pent-up emotions disrupt this function, so as well as resting, you may also like to try and let go of pent-up emotional energy through the practice of loving-kindness.
Stomach fluids are very important for the production of Wei Qi, and for this reason it is vital to drink warm water with a pinch of sea salt or use rehydration packets every 2 hours. Wei Qi circulates around the various channels of the body every 2 hours and without water it cannot function effectively.
Lung diffusion (needs to dispel pathogens) is important for the release of Wind-Cold, so whilst lying down, take deep gentle, long, and slow breaths if possible. The lungs are linked emotionally to the experience of ‘welcoming’ life without judgment - and also assists in letting go of emotions that no longer serve us. This is particularly the case with sadness and grief.
Resting the body and allowing the mind to calm are crucial for freeing up the energy and resources the body needs to overcome this acute challenge.
Turning to Ying qi, adequate blood and fluids (resources) are crucial during an acute viral illness and the convalescent phase of a Wind-Cold invasion. So ensure you provide your body with nutrients and enhance hydration through broths, squash soup, and rice or millet porridges. These do not overtax the digestive function and deliver vital sugars and nutrients.
Finally, wherever possible keep your mind-heart open and peaceful and rest your heart in the feeling of gratitude.
May you be filled with loving kindness,
May you feel safe and protected,
May you be healed and become strong,
May you live with ease and serenity at your heart.