If we think of qi as the difference between life and ordinary matter, we can then begin to think about how qi can be subcategorized into different types according to what role they play in maintaining that life. Movement, growth, transformation, defense: these are aspects of living creatures that the Chinese have come to identify as different elements of qi.
In fact, every of your organ has its own qi. But when we look at the body and the immune system, the most important qi are:
- Wei Qi
- Yang Qi and
- Yuan Qi
What is Wei Qi?
In terms of the body’s defense qi, the Chinese call this Wei Qi (pronounced “way chee”), and it can be understood in terms of body armor, an outer protective blanket, or as it’s referred to in Western, more common terms, immunity.
Each of our bodies contains some amount of this Wei Qi, and it’s what protects us from outside pathogens that can attack our internal systems.
In Chinese medicine, the Wei qi is known to be primarily located in what’s called the Cou Li space. This is the space between the skin and the muscles, which is where the Fascia is located, that still enigmatic element of the human body that we know plays a major role in physiology.
Here, the Wei Qi resides, waiting, like an army to fight foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. But, the size of this “army” is not a fixed thing, nor something that is guaranteed. We all, at different times, have different levels of Wei Qi. Its strength is sometimes low, or high depending on several factors both within or outside the body.
Think about what happens when you’re working a lot, dealing with a lot of stress, or not getting enough sleep. Do you find yourself getting sick more often? Having more aches and pains?
This is happening because we are failing to nourish the primal qi (Yuan Qi) that helps to create and feed our Wei qi. The result is that our body armor, our army is depleted, and those outside invaders—viruses or bacteria for example—are able to break the barriers of the Cou Li space to access our internal organs and negatively affect our health.
However, it’s not just our daily lifestyle that can deplete it. Having a chronic disease—hypertension, diabetes, or cancer—can also deplete this resource, because the Wei Qi is distracted by its immediate role of trying to combat the negative effects of those conditions, that enough of it is not available to attend to its daily job of being our protector. The overall result is that we become sick more often and are physically run down.
How The Wei Qi Can Be Depleted
Apart from some of the factors we mentioned above, that can damage the Wei qi, others include:
- Emotional Stress including anger, worry, fear, guilt, blame
- Contact with negative people or a negative home environment
- Depression
- Distraction and lack of focus
- Low self-esteem
- Alcohol, drugs, and smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Poor diet
Wei Qi Boosters: Strengthening Your Immune System
Tending to our Wei qi is a primary element of maintaining optimal health. There are several ways we can do this, thereby strengthening our immune system to ward off viruses and bacteria.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can help our bodies organize our Wei qi to work more effectively, helping to push out and cleanse our bodies of unwanted illnesses. Getting regular acupuncture treatments can help the brain produce more T-cells in the body. T-cells destroy and prevent bacteria and viruses from invading the body.
Wei Qi Herbs
There are herbal formulas that will provide us with nutrients to build resources to nourish our Wei qi. These herbs work on different levels to strengthen the immune system. They lead to more production of T-cells, activation of B-cells, and suppression of viral cells.
One effective and commonly used herbal formula to boost the Wei Qi is the “Yu Ping Feng San” which in English means “Jade Windscreen”. It is used to treat colds and flu and is effective in preventing viral and bacterial infections.
Another herb worthy of mention is the Astragulus, referred to in Chinese as Huang Yi. This is a commonly used herb to strengthen the Wei Qi, fortify the lungs, and withstand viral and bacterial infections.
Cordyceps is another Wei qi boosting herb. It helps to strengthen the immune system by increasing the production of T-cells, as well as inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells.
A qualified herbalist should prescribe the right kind of herbal formulas to use in boosting your Wei qi.
Improving Daily Lifestyle
Diet
Simply adjusting our lifestyle can help protect, restore and boost our Wei qi. The first is eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet. This will strengthen the body’s Wei qi because nourishing food gives our internal bodies more tools to bolster the strength of the Wei qi and help it protect our body from those foreign invaders. We should avoid eating GMO’s, refined foods, sugar, or addictive foods.
Sleep
Giving our body the right amount and quality of sleep. During sleep, our body reorganizes and replenishes its own resources. Not giving your body enough sleep and weaken your Wei qi. Studies show that people, not getting quality sleep are likely to fall sick after being exposed to a virus. Sleep is, therefore, necessary for boosting your Wei qi and fighting infectious diseases.
Exercise
Regular exercise is so important because it strengthens your Wei qi. Even though engaging in it depletes some qi, it ultimately helps what remains work more effectively. Exercises as simple as walking in a cool evening helps to open up your lungs and feeds them with oxygen, which in turn helps with proper blood flow and circulation.
Breath Meditation
Practice deep breathing meditation to de-stress. Letting your body give in to stress and all the negative emotions it brings is one way you can deplete your Wei qi. But by practicing breathing meditation (focusing your attention on your breath), you are unwinding and removing from your body every form of stress.
Stay Positive
Happy people have a strong Wei qi. Surround yourself with positive people, and build your confidence to keep your self-worth and esteem at the highest level/
Start Strengthening Your Wei Qi Today
To maintain high levels of Wei qi, you must proactively focus on doing things that can boost your Wei qi, just like the practices we have talked about above. Doing this keeps you healthy, and keeps your body free from unwanted bacteria and viral causing infections that would otherwise take over and make you sick.
If you want have questions or want to learn more about acupuncture can improve your overall wellbeing, contact us right away.
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