Keeping our respiratory and immune system strong during this covid-19 coronavirus global pandemic is a top priority. But how do we strengthen our lungs and protect ourselves?

Physician Tan Shiau Tse, a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) physician at Heritage TCM Clinic in Singapore, with extensive experience in pain management, women’s health and fertility management, shares some simple tips.

In TCM, Tan explains that the lungs are seen as a boundary between the world inside and outside of our body. Our inner body needs to be protected against external pathogens like bacteria and viruses and a healthy lung with abundant ‘qi’ helps to defend the body against such pathogens.

‘Qi’ is the vital energy that circulates through a person’s body and taking breath is the first source of ‘qi’ which is why the health of lungs are so important.

Recommended Chinese Herbs

According to Tan, we can strengthen our lungs with something as simple as herbal tea with commonly available ingredients. Some teas that she recommends include:

American Ginseng Tea

This is a recommended choice for those who get ‘heaty’ easily. ‘Heatiness’ refer to a state of too much ‘heat’ within the body and symptoms include mouth ulcers, sore throat, cough with sticky phlegm, ache, excessive thirst, redness and chapped lips.

And American Ginseng, which is cooling in nature, helps to nourish and moisten the lungs and can be consumed by adding boiling water to about 2 to 5 dried slices in a cup. Add a small teaspoon of Goji Berries for an added immunity boost.

Astragalus Tea

A Chinese herb used to strengthen the immune system and warding off infections, this can help those who succumb easily to cold and flu or who tend to sweat either too much or not enough, according to Tan. Astragalus tea helps to balance ‘qi’ and boost immunity.

Add boiling water to 6g of astragalus cut into small pieces, 2 to 3 pieces of dried red dates and 1 teaspoon of Goji Berries, in order to make a cup of Astragalus Tea.

Chrysanthemum Tea

Well-known for its heat and inflammation relieving properties according to Tan, Chrysanthemum tea is easy to make; simple add hot water to some dried Chrysanthemum flowers placed in a tea bag, and allow it to steep for a few minutes till the water turns golden yellow.

Luo Han Guo Tea

Also known as Monk’s Fruit tea, this is a naturally sweet drink with cough and sore throat relieving properties, anti-inflammatory benefits and zero calories, according to Tan.

To make a cup of Luo Han Guo Tea, rinse a Monk’s Fruit thoroughly and then crack the shell with your hands. Tear the contents into smaller chunks and steep in a pot of 1 – 1.5 litres of boiling water for 15 – 30 minutes, until the water turns dark brown.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a well-known herb used to strengthen weak lungs and its ability to resist bacteria and viruses, according to Tan. 

As well, it is highly nutritious, helps to boost immunity and is recommended for those with cough due to deficiency or shortness of breath. Consume this by adding them to soup or congee and boiling. As well, it is also available in capsule form.

Conclusion

Besides taking herbs, Tan also recommends getting fresh air for good lung health through deep breathing methods such as taichi, qigong, yoga or stretching, as well as cardio exercises such as swimming or walking.

These activities, according to Tan, help expand the physical capacity of the lungs, increases the volume of ‘qi’ within the body and improves overall blood circulation. This, in turn, achieves a more neutral balance constitution for better immunity and health. 

However she also points out that a basic principle of TCM is that everyone’s body constitution is different and depends on a variety of factors such as lifestyle and genetics. And to obtain optimal respiratory health, we need to make better choices about food and lifestyle to find the best balance to suits our body’s needs.

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