Autumn Qi for the Lungs

Autumn Qi for the Lungs

Autumn is a mellowing and contracting time of year that is governed by the metal element and the lungs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Here are my suggestions for strengthening your lungs as the weather turns cooler. Explore my article Autumn Qi for the Lungs below.

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The Lung Meridian

This meridian runs from the centre of the body, up to the throat, down through the underside of the armpit and along the inner arm, inner elbow, inner wrist to the tip of the thumb. With another branch running from the outer wrist to the tip of the index finger.  There is a lung meridian on each arm with 22 acupuncture points.

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Lungs and Large Intestines in TCM

The lung is known as a yin organ, paired with the large intestines, a yang organ.

• Yin metal is seen as structured and storing.
• Yang metal is seen as hollow and transmitting.

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Emotions

The lungs in Traditional Chinese Medicine are a yin organ and are associated with the following emotions:

• Positive: Courage, righteousness, bravery
• Negative: Grief, sadness, depression, loneliness, sorrow, detachment

Rather than the emotions relating to a psychological brain state, in Traditional Chinese Medicine the lungs govern a specific pairing of emotions. To bring these emotions back into balance, the lungs are treated, by strengthening and supporting with the five element theory.

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Autumn Qi for the Lungs - TCM Functions

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs are responsible for a variety of functions in the body:

• Controls the immune system
• Known as the lid of the five organs.
• Governs the throat, producing the voice.
• Governs qi in the meridians.
• Governs the blood vessels.
• Governs respiration.
• Regulates water metabolism.
• Governs the skin, and the moisturisation of the skin.
• Governs the hair and sweat glands.
• Governs the nose.

Potential symptoms stemming from a lung deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• Coughing
• Puffy face
• Blemishes on the face
• Shortness of breath
• Shallow breath
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Loss of smell
• Cold nose
• Colds and flu
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Headache
• Itching skin
• Dry skin
• Aversion to cold temperatures
• Sweating
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Loss of voice
• Passive unassertive voice

There are many types of lung deficiency within Traditional Chinese medicine, all relating to the five element theory and the meridian channels.

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The 5 Element Cycles and Relationships

The lungs are the metal element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the five element theory, the other four elements interact with the metal element. The concept of the five elements is to bring everything back into balance, each coexisting without dominance.  The following graphic looks at  the relationship and cycles between wood, fire, earth and water with the metal element.

A Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine would determine which of the five elements could be utilised to help strengthen, weaken, control or regulate the metal element. An example would be if the metal element was deficient, then the earth element would be used to support and the metal element would be used to strengthen. If the metal element was too strong, then the water element would be used to drain, or the fire element would be used to regulate.

Autumn Qi for the Lungs - The Inner Smile Meditation

Hand Position:

• Hold the palms over the rib cage on either side with the palms facing the body.

Action:

• Draw an inner smile down to the lungs.
• Fill the lungs with the colour white, inhaling a white mist into the lungs as they begin to expand.
• Breathe in the positive emotions of courage, righteousness, bravery.
• Fill the lungs with light and thank them for the work they do.
• Breathe out the negative emotions of grief, sadness, depression, loneliness, sorrow, detachment.
• Dispersing these emotions into the clouds for recycling.

Autumn Qi for the Lungs - The Healing Sounds

Hand Position:

• Start with hands resting on top of thighs, palms facing upwards.
• Bring the hands up to the lungs.
• Inhale and raise the hands above head, fingers open, palms facing up as you make the sound and keep looking up.
• Then bring the hands back to the tops of the thighs and smile down to the lungs.

Sound:

• Tongue behind your top teeth, exhale with ‘sssssssss’ like a snake.

Autumn Qi for the Lungs - Food

As autumn days progress, it is natural to eat foods that are warm and comforting. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs pair with foods both that are spicy and white, or are white at the centre.

Lung strengthening foods

• Cauliflower, leeks, potatoes, parsnip, turnip, white cabbage, horseradish, radish, onions
• Almonds, almond butter, almond milk
• Rice, oats
• Ginger, garlic, white pepper, chilli, turmeric, cardamom, curry, any warming spice
• Apple, pear
• Soups, stews, spicy herbal teas

Avoid

• White flour, white sugar, cold raw salads, cold raw fruit, cold drinks

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