How to protect yourself from the Coronavirus with KANPO（漢方）

KANPO is a Japanese traditional medicine and method which have been developed since it first came to Japan from China in the fifth to sixth century. Japanese people have been fighting many kinds of diseases with KANPO before western medicine and methods became popular in Japan in late 19th century.

Is there anything else we can do to protect ourselves from the new Coronavirus in addition to gargling, hand washing and face mask?

YES. In KANPO theory, there are more and very simple things you can do.

In KANPO, we consider an infectious disease as an attack of GAIJA（外邪） to a living body from the outside. The frontline of defense of our body would be exterior organs which is the Skin and the Respiratory Tract. Kakkonto is one of the popular KANPO medicine for cold. It is very effective if you take it at the very beginning stage of the cold and has the function of perspiration. GAIJA, in this case, cold, can be discharged from the body with sweat. That is what happens when you feel fine by getting sweaty at the early stage of a cold.

We need to set up this defense line of the body to prevent GAIJA including viruses from entering. In order to do that, Qi（気） must flow properly inside the body. You can consider Qi as something like energy or stamina that flows around the body in an intricate network of channels, such as the blood does through the blood vessels. To keep a good defense line and to prepare for the Coronavirus, we need to have enough Qi circulating smoothly inside the body.

There are two different kinds of Qi. One is what you already have in JIN（腎） since you were born. The amount of Qi in JIN decreases as you get older. Aging starts on the day you were born!! The other Qi is what you can get by eating and breathing. The food has to be digested and absorbed properly. So, by eating and enjoying a good meal, you can increase Qi inside of your body which gives your defense line (immune system) more power and better function.

Now we know how to get Qi inside. We just need to make sure that Qi circulates smoothly. If Qi gets stuck anywhere, we cannot bring out the best power of our immune system. Stress can easily affect the circulation of Qi. If Qi gets stuck at the head, you might have a headache or feel depression. If Qi gets stuck around the throat, you might feel your throat blocked. If Qi gets stuck around your chest, you might get palpitations and so on. It is important to relax and get enough rest. You will be released from stress and be able to keep good circulation of Qi inside your body.

In conclusion

To make your immune system stronger, KANPO way is to fill your body with enough Qi and make sure Qi circulates smoothly around where it is supposed to.

I try to explain the KANPO theory as simple as possible. So, lead a regular life, eat good meals, relax and get plenty of rest. Let’s get over this Coronavirus situation together.

If you are wondering “is drinking alcohol ok?”, I would say “YES”. Moderate amount of alcohol makes you relax. Relaxation is good for the circulation of Qi. In addition, it makes your blood circulate well also. (I omit the KANPO theory about blood circulation this time) You will get synergy effect.

Takao Hosono M.D.