The Zusanli acupoint is located on the anterolateral aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun below the Dubi point and one transverse finger-width (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen is responsible for governing the muscles and controlling the blood, serving as the foundation of postnatal vitality. Daily acupressure on the Zusanli point for 5 to 10 minutes can enhance the spleen and stomach’s transformative and transport functions, facilitating the conversion of bodily dampness into nutritive essence from food and drink. This practice helps to regulate the spleen and stomach, tonify the middle jiao and replenish qi, and unblock the meridians while transforming dampness, thereby providing significant health benefits.

Moxibustion at the Zusanli acupoint is particularly effective for disease prevention and health maintenance. As a popular folk saying goes, “Moxibustion at Zusanli is better than eating an old hen.” Under the guidance of a physician and with safety assured, moxibustion can be used to regulate the body and enhance immune function, thereby playing a positive role in preventing epidemic pathogens. Other suitable acupoints include Zhongwan, Qihai, and Guanyuan.

In addition to moxibustion at acupoints, moxa sticks can also be used for fumigation.

Specific method: Close doors and windows, light an moxa stick, and allow the smoke to fumigate for half an hour; then open the doors and windows to ventilate the room. Alternate between different rooms in the home, repeating this process two to three times a week, which can to some extent inhibit the survival of viruses.

As the ancients said, “To preserve even a single drop of bodily fluid is to preserve a measure of vital energy.” The bodily fluid in the oral cavity—commonly known as saliva or “tongue water,” and also referred to as “golden nectar” or “jade liquid”—is central to health preservation. The养生 method advocated by the Medicine King Sun Simiao—“press the tongue against the palate and swallow the saliva”—has long been cherished by practitioners of health cultivation across the ages. As a popular saying goes: “Swallow your saliva three hundred times, and you’ll live to be ninety-nine.”

The “swallowing saliva” method generally consists of three steps: tongue stirring, saliva rinsing, and saliva swallowing. Each morning, press the tongue against the palate or let it gently glide along the upper and lower dental arches, gums, and tooth surfaces, moving back and forth until saliva in the mouth increases. Then perform a rinsing motion to swish the saliva around, and finally swallow the saliva slowly in small portions.

During the practice of swallowing one’s saliva, it can strengthen the spleen and stomach, nourish the five zang organs and the skin, tonify the kidneys and replenish vital essence, and also fortify the brain and marrow. Over the long term, this practice can promote health and longevity.

Nourishing the Spleen and Lung to Consolidate Defensive Qi

Older adults often have weakened spleen and stomach function; when defensive qi is deficient, they are more susceptible to external pathogenic factors. Since the lungs govern the skin and hair, external pathogenic factors first invade the lungs, thereby easily leading to respiratory diseases. For those with weak lung and spleen functions, it is beneficial to regularly cook and consume porridge made with Chinese yam and coix seed.

Both Chinese yam and coix seed are foods that also serve as medicinal ingredients. Chinese yam tonifies the spleen and stomach while generating body fluids and nourishing the lungs, whereas coix seed strengthens the spleen and eliminates dampness. When these two ingredients are simmered together in a pot until they form a rice porridge, they not only enhance gastrointestinal absorption but also boost physical strength and help ward off pathogenic factors. The gastrointestinal tract is one of the body’s largest immune systems; a well-balanced diet can foster a healthy gut microbiota, thereby promoting overall health.

Friendly reminder: To prevent infectious diseases, in addition to frequent handwashing, wearing masks, and avoiding large gatherings, it is also important to maintain a balanced diet, manage your emotions, and get sufficient sleep—all of which help boost your immune system. Only by warding off external pathogens while strengthening your internal vital energy can we ensure that our anti-epidemic efforts leave no blind spots.