When the Body’s Peacemakers Falter: How Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Support Immune Regulation

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine recognised discoveries that explain how our immune system prevents “friendly fire.” These findings highlight the role of regulatory T cells in maintaining immune tolerance — a concept that mirrors how Traditional Chinese Medicine views health as a state of internal regulation rather than constant defence.

In practice, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may support this regulation by improving circulation, digestion, and stress physiology, helping the body restore its own control over inflammation.

For clinicians and integrative practitioners, this shared language between immunology and TCM opens valuable opportunities for collaboration. When acupuncture and herbal medicine are used alongside medical treatment, clients with autoimmune conditions often experience better recovery, improved quality of life, and greater resilience.