Understanding Lung Season and How to Stay Healthy with TCM and Acupuncture
Winter in Boulder often brings more than just cold weather — it brings a wave of viruses that seem to sweep through every workplace, household, and friend circle. This year in particular, the illnesses going around have been especially strong. In the past month alone, over half my plans have been canceled — either because I came down with something or the person I was meeting did. That’s unusual for me, because my immune system is typically very solid. When I get hit twice in a row, I know the seasonal viruses are on a different level.
If you’ve been sick more often than usual, taking longer to recover, or feeling like every little bug is catching you, you’re definitely not alone. This is a tough season for immunity — and it makes perfect sense from both a Chinese medicine and a Western perspective.
Why Winter Is Lung Season
In Chinese medicine, winter — and especially the late fall into early winter window — is considered the season of the Lungs. For people who aren’t familiar with TCM, this doesn’t mean your lungs literally get weaker during this time. It’s more that the environmental patterns of the season put extra pressure on the Lung system.
Think about what winter brings in Boulder:
- Dry air
- Sudden temperature drops
- Sharp wind
- Indoor heating that sucks moisture out of the environment
- More time spent indoors with other people
All of these factors stress the parts of the body that protect us from external pathogens. In Chinese medicine, we call this protective field Wei Qi — essentially, your immunity. There are many types of qi, but Wei Qi is the one that guards the body’s exterior and helps us fend off viruses, bacteria, and sudden environmental changes.
This description sounds almost exactly like what the immune system does in Western terms. So when we say Lung season, what we really mean is:
This is the time of year when your immune defenses need extra support.
Dryness + Wind = Weaker Boundaries
Boulder is already an extremely dry climate, and winter amplifies that dramatically. Dry air dries out the mucous membranes in your nose, throat, and sinuses — which are the very tissues that form your first layer of immune defense. When those tissues are dry and irritated, it becomes much easier for viruses to enter the body.
Wind is another culprit. In TCM, we say that “wind is the spearhead of a thousand diseases.” That sounds poetic, but it’s describing something very practical: wind can push pathogens deeper into the body when your defenses are down. This is why a cold gust or a sudden shift in temperature can make people feel “off” or like they’re coming down with something.
What I’ve Been Taking and What Worked for Me
Because so many people have been sick lately, I’ve been putting a lot of effort into supporting my immune system. Here’s a list of things that genuinely help with immunity — portable, accessible, and easy to integrate into daily life.
Vitamin D
It’s essential for healthy immune function, and almost everyone is low during winter.
Zinc
Helps shorten the duration of colds and supports the body during early viral exposure.
Vitamin C
Supports white blood cells and boosts antioxidant activity.
Yu Ping Feng San / Jade Windscreen
A Chinese herbal formula traditionally used to strengthen Wei Qi. It’s great for people who “catch everything.”
Elderberry
Antiviral and helpful for both prevention and recovery.
Medicinal Mushrooms
Reishi, shiitake, maitake, and turkey tail help the immune system stay resilient and balanced.
Quercetin
Supports antiviral pathways and helps calm inflammation.
Astragalus
A deeply nourishing herb that supports long-term immune strength.
I also started taking a supplement that combines many of these ingredients. I paired it with a Chinese herbal formula for boosting Wei Qi, and honestly — it worked. Instead of getting knocked out by a second full-blown cold after being sick for two weeks, I only had two days of swollen lymph nodes. No cough, no fever, no congestion. Just a tiny bump instead of a crash.
I offer discounted supplements through my Fullscript account as well. You get the maximum discount being my patient as well!
Sleep, Digestion, and Nervous System = Immunity
Winter is a time when your body naturally wants to slow down. Getting enough sleep isn’t just self-care — it’s part of how your immune system resets every night. Earlier bedtimes help the body recover more efficiently and make the Lungs less vulnerable.
Digestion matters too. Warm foods, soups, stews, and broths help your system function better. Cold foods are harder to process in winter and can leave you feeling depleted.
And we can’t ignore stress. When your nervous system is constantly on edge, your immunity drops. Calming the system — through warm baths, breathing exercises, slower evenings, or acupuncture — makes a huge difference.
How Acupuncture Supports Immunity in Winter
Acupuncture is an incredible tool for supporting immunity, especially during cold and flu season. It helps keep the body strong and balanced in a few ways:
- Strengthens your immune response
- Helps regulate sleep
- Reduces stress and anxiety (which directly weaken immunity)
- Improves circulation
- Supports digestion
- Helps the body recover more quickly after illness
Acupuncture also helps with the “leftovers” — lingering coughs, congestion, sinus pressure, and fatigue that tend to hang on after a cold.
If You Need Support This Winter
If you’ve been sick multiple times already, if recovery feels slow, or if you want extra support staying healthy, acupuncture can help strengthen your system for the rest of the season.
You can book a session here or give me a call if you have any questions.
Stay warm, stay hydrated, and take care of your lungs this winter. A little support now goes a long way in keeping you healthy through the coldest months.