Fall iInto Wellness: Boosting Immunity With Moxibustion and Seasonal Herbs

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches that as the seasons change, so do your body’s needs. Fall is the time to focus on building your immune system to maintain peak health during winter’s colder months.

At Elemental Acupuncture, licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist Bethany Leddy, DACM, MSOM, specializes in helping patients feel their best year-round. Dr. Leddy offers a range of effective, natural treatments for boosting immunity, including moxibustion and herbal medicine.

Autumn in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In TCM, we associate each season with different organs. Autumn is linked to the lungs and the large intestine. The lungs regulate the flow of Wei Qi, also called defensive Qi, the protective energy that circulates through your body to defend against illness and imbalance.

Because they connect to the outside of the body via the nose and mouth, the lungs are particularly vulnerable to the cooler, drier air and pathogens that arrive this time of year. 

These external factors disrupt the flow of Wei Qi, leaving you susceptible to seasonal health problems like colds and flu and skin conditions like eczema. Fall TCM strategies focus on strengthening this protective energy and boosting your immune system before the deep cold of winter hits. 

How moxibustion strengthens your immunity

Moxibustion is a time-honored practice that involves burning cones of dried mugwort (moxa) on or near acupoints — areas of the body through which all Qi, or energy, moves. As it burns, the moxa produces a gentle, penetrating heat that promotes blood circulation and a balanced flow of energy.

When applied to specific acupoints, moxibustion helps fortify your body’s natural defenses. Research proves this technique works to increase white blood cell count and improve immune function, making it an ideal way to support your body as cold and flu season approaches.

Seasonal support for year-round resilience: the role of herbal medicine

Herbal medicine is an essential part of TCM, often used in conjunction with treatments like moxibustion and acupuncture. Unlike conventional medications that target individual symptoms, Chinese herbal medicine aims to bring your whole body into balance to achieve long-term wellness.

After identifying the primary imbalances affecting you, Dr. Leddy selects a personalized blend of herbs to address them. While the specific combination she chooses depends upon your needs, immune-boosting fall formulas may include:

• Astragalus root 
• Ginseng
• White peony root
• Licorice root
• Echinacea
• Warming herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric

During your consultation, Dr. Leddy may also make diet and lifestyle recommendations to help you get the most out of your treatment. For autumn, she might suggest adding more warming foods, such as onion, garlic, and pepper, to your diet and bundling up when outdoors to guard against cold, dry air.

Don’t wait for cold and flu season to hit. Call or message one of Elemental Acupuncture’s offices — in Bryant Park, New York City, or Tuckahoe, New York — to learn how you can fortify your defenses for fall.