The Lung (肺 Fèi) in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the sovereign organ of Qi, respiration and voice. It governs respiration, produces Zong Qi, distributes Qi and fluids throughout the body, and controls the skin and hair.
Lung
肺
- Governs respiration and Qi production
- Controls diffusion of Qi and fluids throughout the body
- Governs skin, hair and sweating
- Opens into the nose and controls smell
- Houses the corporeal soul Po and sadness
- Coordinates with the Large Intestine
The Lung is the Prime Minister of organs, responsible for respiration, voice, skin and surface immunity. A strong Lung ensures deep breathing, a clear voice, healthy skin and resistance to respiratory infections.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine
In TCM theory, the Lung is the most important organ for respiration and Qi production. It receives Qi from Heaven (inhaled air) and mixes it with Earth Qi (food Qi from the Spleen) to form Zong Qi (Chest Qi). This Zong Qi supports respiration, animates the Heart and Blood circulation, and diffuses Qi throughout the body.
The Lung governs:
- Respiration: inhalation, exhalation, depth and regularity of breath
- Diffusion (宣发 Xuān Fā): sending Qi, Blood and fluids upwards and outwards (skin, muscles, head)
- Descent (肃降 Sù Jiàng): sending Qi and fluids downwards (Large Intestine, Bladder, Kidney)
- Skin and hair: skin quality, hair, sweat, skin temperature
- Nose: nasal breathing, smell, protection against external factors
- Corporeal soul Po: physical sensation, reflexes, instinctive fear, grief
- Fluids: distribution of fluids throughout the body
The Lung is particularly vulnerable to Cold, Wind, Heat, Dryness and Dampness, which penetrate through the nose and skin. It is also sensitive to grief, sadness and sorrow, emotions that weaken Lung Qi.
Practical Applications
In Chinese dietary therapy, the Lung is tonified by cool or neutral nature foods, of sweet or slightly pungent flavour, rich in fluids and nutrients that nourish Lung Yin or tonify Lung Qi. Foods that support the Lung include pears, apples, citrus, honey, ginger, liquorice, almonds, sesame seeds, mushrooms, seaweed, tofu, carrots, radishes and chrysanthemum infusions.
Lifestyle directly influences Lung quality: deep breathing in fresh air, protection against cold, wind and pollution, management of grief and sadness, moderate physical activity that develops respiratory endurance, and sufficient sleep strengthen the Lung. Smoking, polluted environments, shallow breathing, chronic sorrow and repeated respiratory infections weaken the Lung.
Concrete Examples
A patient presenting with Lung Qi deficiency after chronic bronchitis may experience shortness of breath even at rest, a weak and extinguished voice, spontaneous sweating on the chest and back, a tendency to repeated colds, fatigue after the slightest effort, a dry and weak cough, a pale tongue with a thin white coating, and a weak superficial pulse. The dietary protocol will include foods that tonify Lung Qi such as whole rice porridge with dates and almonds, chicken stewed with leeks and ginger, pears cooked with honey, grated carrots in a light salad and liquorice and jujube infusions.
A patient presenting with Lung Yin deficiency with Dryness may experience a dry and irritating cough, a dry and sore throat, thirst, dry skin, brittle hair, a hoarse voice, scanty sticky expectorations, a red tongue with a thin dry coating, and a fine rapid pulse. The dietary protocol will include foods that nourish Lung Yin and moisten Dryness such as steamed pears with honey, stewed apples, tofu stir-fried with mushrooms and spinach, chrysanthemum and pear juice infusions, dry-roasted sesame seeds as snacks and clear vegetable soups with seaweed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TCM Lung and anatomical lung?
The Lung in TCM is a functional and energetic concept that encompasses the anatomical lung (respiratory organ) but also other functions: the production and diffusion of Qi, the management of skin and hair, the control of sweating, smell, grief, physical reflexes and coordination with the Large Intestine. The TCM Lung corresponds partially to the respiratory system, surface immune system and integumentary system in Western medicine.
How to recognise a Lung disorder?
Classic signs of a Lung disorder include respiratory disorders (cough, shortness of breath, weak voice, shallow breathing), vulnerability to colds and flu, spontaneous sweating (daytime or nocturnal), dry skin, brittle hair, smell disorders, blocked or runny nose, chronic sadness or unresolved grief, pale tongue with white coating (Qi deficiency) or red tongue with thin dry coating (Yin deficiency), and superficial weak pulse (Qi deficiency) or fine rapid pulse (Yin deficiency).
Which foods tonify the Lung?
Lung-tonifying foods are generally of cool or neutral nature, of sweet or slightly pungent flavour, rich in fluids and nutrients. We cite pears, apples, citrus, honey, ginger, liquorice, almonds, sesame seeds, mushrooms, seaweed, tofu, carrots, radishes, chrysanthemums, chrysanthemum infusions, lotus seeds and clear chicken broths with vegetables. Foods to avoid are very hot and drying foods (grilled foods, fried foods, very hot spices), cold and damp foods that obstruct the bronchi, and smoking.
Conclusion
The Lung constitutes the fundamental organ of Qi, respiration and voice in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Understanding its functions, pathologies and dietary tonification and clarification approaches enables a clearer grasp of the therapeutic reasoning and support protocols offered within the Yin Shi universe.
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