Lung Qi Deficiency Boosting Tips

As many of us know, colds and flu viruses thrive in the cold weather and as winter approaches, boosting your immune system and Lung Qi is vital to prevent you from falling ill this winter. Lung Qi deficiency is one of the most commonly-diagnosed conditions within the UK due to the cold weather.  

Lung Qi manages the immune defence and a frequent tendency to catch colds and coughs is a sign of Lung Qi deficiency. In Chinese medicine, Lung Qi controls and manages the defensive energy so if a patient suffers from Lung Qi deficiency their whole defensive energy will be weak. Patients will become more susceptible to exterior pathogenic factors such as wind and cold.  

Symptoms of Lung Qi Deficiency:  

  • Mild cough, aggravated by exertion and cold  
  • Shortness of breath  
  • Voice lacking strength and vibrancy  
  • Fever/sweating  
  • Runny nose 
  • Exhaustion/fatigue  
  • Empty pulse and pale tongue  

There are several changes you can recommend to boost Lung Qi. These changes include improving diet, changing lifestyle, and taking Chinese medicine. By making these small changes to boost Lung Qi, patients will not only have a healthier lifestyle but will also be less likely to suffer from colds, flu and cough due to a strengthened immune system.  

Beneficial Foods:  

  • Rice (including sweet rice) 
  • Carrots, sweet potato, cabbage, and liquorice 
  • Honey, barley malt and molasses – used sparingly 
  • Small amounts of cooked spicy/pungent foods: onions, garlic, leek, spring onion, horseradish, and fresh ginger  
  • Pork in small amounts  
  • Mushrooms (especially shiitake and reishi), honey, royal jelly and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables  
  • Reduced intake of dairy, sugar, and sweeteners 
  • Drinks and sweet things: green tea, honey, manuka honey, molasses, and dark chocolate  
  • Herbs and spices: cinnamon, cloves, coriander, garlic, fresh ginger, mint, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and turmeric.  

Lifestyle Tips: 

  • Keep warm and wrapped up – especially chest, head, and neck  
  • Regular exercise is essential, especially exercise that expands and opens the chest. Breathing exercises such as yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong are also beneficial 
  • Avoid junk food including sweets and sugar that give quick bursts of energy 
  • Avoid damp and cold conditions  
  • Take the appropriate amount of time off to recover from cold, coughs or infections  

Herbal Supplements: 

As well as making lifestyle changes, Chinese herbs may also be extremely beneficial for boosting the immune system. 

Formulas that may help to boost immune defence include:  

  • Bi Yan Tang 
  • Gui Zhi Tang
  • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
  • Xiao Chai Hu Tang
  • Yu Ping Feng San

 

Disclaimer: This information is provided for the use of practitioners and other licensed health care professionals only. This information is intended for practitioners to use as a basis for determining whether or not to recommend these products to their patients. This information is not for use by consumers. The dietary supplement products offered by designs for health are not intended for use by consumers as a means to cure, treat, prevent, diagnose, or mitigate any disease or other medical condition.  

If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact info@phoenixmd.co.uk  

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *