Help Your Lungs Take a Deep Breath of Fresh Air with Traditional Chinese Medicine
As you might guess, the Lungs assume a greater role in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) beyond their anatomical and physiological functions known by Western biological and medical sciences. True that without the Lungs we would not be able to expel toxic gases nor inhale helpful ones, but what else does TCM have to say?
The Lung represent the Metal Element in 5-Element theory, which is one of the ways to look at the Lungs through the eyes of an acupuncturist. Following the circle clockwise in what’s known as the Creation cycle or Mother-Child relationship, we can see that Metal is the child of Earth and mother of Water. The star in the center represents what’s known as the Control cycle or Grandparent-Grandchild relationship. Here, the Lungs are the Grandparent of Wood and the Grandchild of Fire.
In 5-Element theory we would say that excesses or deficiencies in the Mother will lead to the same in its Child, whereas the opposite is true of the Grandparent-Grandchild relationship. Let’s start by looking at the Creation cycle as it relates to the Lungs…
A weak or deficient Earth (responsible largely for the transformation of food and drink into Qi and Blood) will leave the Lungs improperly nourished (Blood) and low in energy (Qi). As Lung tissue is very sensitive and delicate, poor nourishment leads to irritation and dryness injuring the Lungs and leading to asthma and a spasmodic cough among others. Excesses in Earth from poor quality diet lead to the accumulation of a turbid dampness that is held in the Lungs.
“The Lungs are the container of Phlegm”
This dampness congeals to form phlegm that obstructs airways and leads to shortness of breath, productive cough and sinus congestion. These imbalances in the Metal may then be transmitted to its children the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder that make up the Water element.
“The Lungs regulate the waterways”
The inhalation marks a downbearing of Qi towards the Kidneys and Bladder. When downbearing is affected, water may accumulate causing edema (associated with the Kidneys) and urinary system disorders like difficulty voiding the bladder and scant urine. Exhalation marks the diffusion of Qi helping to moisten the whole body, right out to the skin.
“The Lungs rule the skin”
Without proper moistening the skin becomes dry and easily irritated, much like the Lungs themselves. In addition ‘ruling the skin’ speaks of managing sweat through the pores. A lack-of-sweat, as well as abnormal sweating are respectively signs of Lung deficiency and excess.
“The Lungs open to the throat and nose”
Each of the organ systems ‘opens’ to a specific orifice meaning that it’s health is very much dependent on the internal organ and will often show signs of distress when not well. A soft and weak voice for example is a sign of constitutional Lung Qi deficiency, whereas an acute sore throat is a sign of a pathogenic factor entering the Lungs.
“The Lungs govern the defensive (Wei) Qi of the body”
As the Lungs open to the nose and throat, and regulate the opening/closing of the pores they are the 1st line of defense against external pathogens (viral/bacterial), as well as the first immune response when the bad guys do make it inside. Thus symptoms such as sore throat, sweat (associated with a fever), sinus congestion, and cough prevail in common cold and influenza. Keeping your Lung Qi strong helps prevent getting sick and assures a quick recovery when you do.
And that’s only part of the story. Now we can examine the Control cycle…
A weak grandparent (it was the grandparents who stayed home and were often responsible for raising the children while the parents worked) can fail to give the child proper direction leading to unruly behaviors and signs of excess. Alternatively, an over-bearing grandparent can stifle a child’s development.
“Axe chops down wood”
We speak of the ‘Po’ or corporeal soul that dwells in the Lungs as suppressing the ‘Hun’ or ethereal soul dwelling in the Liver, thus limiting its outward expression and expansive energy necessary for the individual to find their way and fulfill it. Seasonal and skin allergies are an example of weak Lungs relative to excessive Liver energy.
“Fire melts metal”
On the other side, the Heart tends toward overheating leading to dryness that injures the Lungs, mucus membranes and skin. Whereas a weakness in the Heart (not enough Fire) can cause fluids to accumulate and congest the Lungs in what’s known as Congestive Heart Failure.
Here a four things that you can do to keep your Lungs healthy:
- Avoid damp producing food and drink like simple carbs, fried/greasy foods and for many people dairy too.
- Watch for damaging heat from foods including allergens like soy and corn; coffee, alcohol, and
hot/spicy foods; as well as damage from smoke inhalation among others. - Nourish and protect delicate tissue by drinking plenty of water and keeping body ‘well-lubed’ with essential fatty acids and oils eaten and externally applied to skin.
- Meditate on your breath every day allowing for inhalation deep into your belly and complete exhalations.
About the Author:
Adam Shapiro is a Certified Professional Coach with a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Combining his passion for the Internal Arts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with a love of people, deep sense of purpose, and skillful prose, Adam’s parallel interests come together in what he calls, “Occupational Tai Chi” where the aim is to, “turn adversity in advantage”. Adam works 1-1 with individuals on their health, relationships, businesses and careers via phone, skype and in-person meetings. To learn more please visit: www.AdamColeShapiro.com
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