传统中医免疫的概念和认识

The Concept and Understanding of Immunity in Traditional Chinese Medicine

中医认为疾病的发生、发展和传变都是由于人体在与致病因素的正邪斗争中正不敌邪,导致机体的阴阳失调。《内经》所谓"正气存内,邪不可干"和"邪之所凑,其气必虚"的古训就是说正气旺盛时(免疫功能正常)能驱除内外病邪,维护人体的健康状态;当人体的正气不足时(免疫功能有缺陷或低下的情况),则不能胜任保卫身体健康的职责,而发生各种疾病。中医的正气论能归纳为现代免疫医学的三个功能表现:防御疾病,自稳功能,监视功能。由于经络—神经内分泌免疫网络体系是针灸对免疫机制产生作用的重要体系和具体途径,所以针灸治疗学在调节免疫和促进机体康复的过程中具有十分重要的关键作用。

Chinese medicine believes the etiology and pathogenesis of any given disease are the consequence of the struggle between the Righteous Qi and the pathogenic factors,where the weakened state of Righteous Qi cannot resist the attack of pathogenic factors,leading to the imbalance of yin and yang and the development of disease.The Yellow Emperor＇s Canon of Medicine teaches,＂When the Righteous Qi is within,external pathogenic factors would not dare invade＂ and ＂if pathogenic factors invade the body,Qi in the body must be deficient＂.In other words,a strong state of righteous qi （a healthy immune system） can protect against internal and external pathogenic factors,maintaining the healthy state of the body;however,when the righteous qi is in a weakened state （weakened or deficient immune system）,the ability of the immune system to protect and maintain a healthy state is compromised,thus leading to disease.The functions of Righteous Qi in Chinese medicine can be summarized within the three main functions of the immune system：defense,homeostasis and surveillance.As acupuncture acts on the immune system via the intricate meridian-neuroendocrine immune network,it exerts important regulating effects on the immune system that leads towards the restoration of good health.