Build Your Immune Support Tool Kit

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, every season is associated with an organ system where that organ system’s characteristics may become more noticeable and when its weaknesses may make themselves known.

The fall season is associated with the lung energy system which serves several functions including:

  • Building energy

  • Regulating respiration

  • Supporting the immune system with the circulation of Wei Qi

  • Controlling the skin

  • Controlling the nose and nasal mucus

  • Controlling the opening and closing of pores

  • Moistening the skin and body hair

  • Regulating grief and sadness

Given these functions, if our lung system is out of balance, we may experience an overall lack of energy, coughing or wheezing, tightness in the chest, a weak voice, frequent colds or sinus infections, mucus in the nose or lungs, dry skin or frequent sweating.

Because the lungs control our immune system, the fall is always a time when I restock my “immune system tool kit” with any immune boosting supplements that I may be low on but start to use on the regular to stay healthy and keep my immune system strong.

Besides regular acupuncture treatments which can strengthen your lungs and immune system, I always recommend certain supplements to keep on hand for support and recovery this time of year. Because ultimately, your ability to ward off the latest virus going around is more about the strength of you body and immune system versus the strength or prevalence of the virus.

Of course, you cannot outsupplement inadequate sleep, dehydration, poor eating, and stress but if you continually work on these basics and supplement with a few key immune boosters, then you’re giving your immune system the best shot of pulling through cold and flu season with flying colors.

*Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My Immune Boosting Recommendations:

If you looked at my kitchen counter, you would find the following supplements that I begin taking at the beginning of September and begin giving my kids as they return to school to boost our immune systems.

I have included links to these products on Amazon but be aware of the supplier you choose. You can also find these immune-boosting supplements in Fullscript, my preferred supplier of supplements that guarantee quality. Plus, I’m able to extend my patients a 15% discount. Price shop around or check out Fullscript.

Vitamin D3 & K2

Our important immune cells (dendritic cells, macrophages, and T and B cells) all express Vitamin D receptors. Having adequate Vitamin D levels is important to keep our immune cells strong and functioning. A low Vitamin D level has been shown to increase incidence of infectious diseases and inflammatory autoimmune diseases which is why I always begin supplementing with Vitamin D after the summer months have passed.*

I recommend getting your Vitamin D levels checked every year for a baseline. A level of 30 is considered “acceptable” but I would aim closer to the 50 mark.

Depending on your levels, I would supplement with 2,000-5,000 IU/day with a Vitamin D3 supplement that includes K2 which helps absorption.

Quercetin & Vitamin C

Quercetin is a flavonoid that has shown to have antibacterial and antiviral properties as well as anti-inflammatory effects that support our immune system and respiratory tracts. Quercetin has also shown to prevent immune cells from releasing histamines which makes it an important supplement for those with allergies.

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and has shown to increase quercetin’s anti-inflammatory properties when taken together.

Zinc

Zinc is essential for the function of the immune system as zinc ions are involved in regulating intracellular signaling pathways in innate and adaptive immune cells.* A zinc deficiency therefore negatively affects immune cells, resulting in altered host defense and increased risk of inflammation.*

I recommend taking 30mg of zinc a day to keep your immune system strong. I take this Pure Encapsulations zinc supplement and give my kids a zinc chewable (available in Fullscript).

Elderberry

The polyphenols and lectins give elderberries the ability to inhibit coronaviruses, and have shown to be antiviral, antibacterial and antidiabetic properties, and possibly reduce the length of colds and flus.

I used to give my kids the Sambucol elderberry syrup, but this year we are trying the Mary Ruth elderberry tincture since it is sugar-free.

Xlear Nasal Spray

The lung system in traditional Chinese medicine opens to and controls the nose. Our nose is an important first responder in our immune system because it can “catch” invading pathogens before they have a chance to fully invade and make us sick.

When you breathe through your nose, the hairs, mucus and cilia lining your nasal passages catch and remove infectious bacteria and viruses as well as debris, pollen and dust when we breathe through our nose.

Xlear is a non-steroidal nose spray made with water, saline, xylitol and grapefruit seed extract. My family and I use it to keep our nasal passages clean and clear and I always use it before and after airplane rides or when I’m in big groups of people this time of year.

Here is the link to their research studies on Xlear’s effectiveness on the “recent” virus to plague us.

Neilmed Sinus Rinse (with Xylitol)

At the first stage of any nasal congestion, we also use the Neilmed nasal rinse to help clear out congestion. I feel like this helps prevent sinus infections and recover faster but that is just our experience.

I recently started using their new sinus rinse packets with xylitol for the added cleansing and antimicrobial properties.

ColdCalm

At the first sign of a cold, we start a course of the homeopathic remedy, Coldcalm. ColdCalm temporarily relieves common cold symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and minor sore throat.

Oscillococcinum

At the hint of a flu-like illness, we start a course of Oscillococcinum which reduces the duration of body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue. In their studies, this medicine has shown to work rapidly, with 63 percent of patients showing “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” at 48 hours.*

V Clear

If you’re prone to colds/flus that settle into your chest and leave a lingering cough, keep a bottle of V Clear in your toolkit. At the first sign of a cold going to the lungs we start a course of V Clear. Studies have shown Vlear to shorten the duration and reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract irritations

For more information on the lung energy system and how to support it, visit these articles:

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