In recent days, influenza has made its seasonal appearance. This acute respiratory infection caused by the flu virus has overwhelmed pediatric and emergency clinics across major cities. A glance at the waiting areas reveals anxious parents comforting their tired or crying children as they endure long waits, underscoring the need for proactive care through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches to boost immunity and prevent illness.
Parents stroke their child’s cheeks repeatedly, wishing they could take the illness upon themselves. They pace back and forth at the clinic doors, hoping this would somehow bring their child’s turn faster.
When one child falls ill, the entire family is drawn into caregiving. Instead of spending so much time, energy, and money on treating illnesses, why not invest a little more effort into prevention?
Think of the body as a fortress and the flu virus as an invading enemy. Once the fortress is breached, fever emerges as the main symptom, often accompanied by chills, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat, nasal congestion, and a runny nose.
As noted in The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon (Huangdi Neijing):
“When vital energy (正气, zhèng qì) is preserved within, no external pathogen (邪气, xié qì) can invade.” To protect your fortress from being breached, it’s essential to strengthen your body and boost its natural defenses. This helps fend off external threats and lowers the risk of falling ill.
To prevent children from catching the flu, besides the usual methods like vaccinations, maintaining good hygiene, ventilating indoor spaces, and frequent handwashing, here are 4 practical and effective tips based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
Children’s spleen and stomach functions (pi wei yun hua, 脾胃运化) are delicate, making a balanced diet crucial. Serve light, easily digestible meals in smaller portions throughout the day. Minimize deep-fried, sugary foods, and sugary drinks that many kids adore. Greasy foods hinder digestion, and sugary snacks generate internal dampness and heat (shi re, 湿热), burdening the digestive system.
As Jing Yue Quan Shu states:
“The spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal health. A strong spleen and stomach lead to a strong body, while their weakness invites illnesses.”
When the spleen (pi, 脾)—associated with the earth element—becomes weak, it diminishes the body’s vital energy (zheng qi), leaving it susceptible to pathogenic invasions (xie qi). Prioritizing spleen health not only supports digestion but also builds immunity.
In TCM, improper clothing can disturb the balance of yin and yang (阴阳失调), leading to illness. Dressing too lightly invites cold pathogens (han xie, 寒邪), while dressing too warmly can cause sweating, which opens the pores and allows pathogens to invade.
A good guideline is to keep the back warm and feet comfortable, as TCM views the back as a pathway for yang energy (yang qi, 阳气) and the feet as the foundation of health.
Tip: Avoid judging by cold hands or feet alone. Instead, focus on whether your child’s back and abdomen feel warm.
Movement generates yang energy (dong neng sheng yang, 动能生阳). Moderate outdoor activities enhance qi and blood circulation (qi xue yun xing, 气血运行), fortifying the body’s defenses. On sunny days, let children enjoy fresh air and sunlight, which boosts their wei qi (卫气)—the defensive energy responsible for warding off external pathogens.
Caution: Avoid overly crowded places where viruses may spread, and ensure that children change damp clothes promptly after physical activity to prevent the invasion of cold and damp pathogens (han shi xie, 寒湿邪).
By integrating these TCM principles into daily routines, you can help fortify your child’s defenses against influenza. After all, a healthy family begins with prevention. Stay vigilant, stay proactive, and keep your loved ones safe!
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