Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment and Support Against the Coronavirus (COVID 19)

What Else we can do, continued…

 Foods and beverages best to avoid: Dehydrating drinks like alcohol (some say caffeine and carbonated beverages), phlegm-producing and inflammatory foods (like sugar and gluten, dairy products) are be avoided. Eating between meals is discouraged in order to give the digestive system a rest and “strong qi,”
 Vitamin D, zinc, NAC (mucus thinner¹⁸) and vitamin C¹⁹: Talk to your doctor about optimizing these nutrients that are particularly important supplementation for optimal immune function.
 Progressive relaxation for 20 minutes daily. An outbreak is scary, but most people will experience COVID-19 as a mild illness. Prolonged, toxic stress inhibits immune function. Here’s a free relaxation audio: https://www.darcynat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Body_Scan_Stress_Relief.mp3
 Exercise, acupuncture, nutritional and herbal supplements recommended by your healthcare practitioner, qigong/tai chi, yoga, meditation, or whatever your “go-to” to unwind must take priority now. These are not luxuries! Take care of yourself.
 Humidifiers. Studies have shown that homes kept at 40-60% relative humidity—the optimal range—are likely to have fewer flu viruses lingering in the air and on surfaces.¹⁹

Is the Coronavirus (COVID 19) Seasonal, Cold-Damp Air Related?

It’s still unknown, but a recent study suggests it might be. The “virus is highly sensitive to high temperature,” which could prevent it from spreading in warmer countries, while the opposite appeared to be true in colder climes,” the study said. With luck, this sensitivity to warmth may make it disappear when the cold damp leaves and the warm weather arrives.²⁰

The lessons from TCM teach this virus was born into a very cold, damp Wuhan winter; the climate is damp, and it easily mixed with the internal dampness attacking the lung’s defenses, particularly in patients who have weak digestion and lung energy wore down by a pre-existing conditions or smoking.

In TCM the coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered a “Damp Evil” pathogen. The China Daily reports Zhang Boli, a TCM Doctor with experience of treating SARS, said “’This time, we are here to replicate the experience of Tianjin (SARS) and give full play to the role of Chinese medicine in fighting the epidemic,’ he said. ‘My inner clothing was completely soaked in sweat after I carried out checks at the hospital, but I felt very happy, as it meant the indoor temperature was more than 25°C (75°F), which is highly beneficial for patients ‘recovery,’ he added.”²¹

This would connect the TCM experience to recent research showing that seasonal heat breaks down the virus on surfaces when warmer weather arrives, and also connects to recent research into humidifiers, that keeping rooms at 40-60% relative humidity leads to fewer flu viruses lingering
in the air and on surfaces. Many buildings may become very dry during winter.¹⁹

Another connection is when we breathe in cold air, the blood vessels in our nose may constrict to stop us losing heat. This may prevent white blood cells (the warriors that fight germs) from reaching our mucus membranes and killing any viruses that we inhale, allowing them to slip past our defenses unnoticed.²⁰

CDC Prevention Advice
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
 We recommend that all households also have a working thermometer.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
 Stay home when you are sick.
 Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
 Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
 If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

References

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Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment and Support Against the Coronavirus (COVID 19)

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