Taiyin Lung
- Functions
The Lungs govern Qi
and respiration. They also are closely related to the skin,
therefore they are the organ that connects the human to the
environment. Lung Qi also helps the circulation of blood by the
Heart by controlling the blood vessels and controlling the movement
of body fluids or water passages.
The functions of
the Lungs are:
Govern Qi and respiration
Lungs extract clean
Qi from the air which combines with Gu (food) Qi from the Spleen.
This constant source of fresh clean Qi from the air ensures proper
functioning of all the body’s physiological processes.
The Qi extracted
from food by the Spleen is directed to the Lungs where it combines
with the air to form Zong Qi. This is why the chest is called the
sea of Qi. The Lungs then disperse Qi all over the body with the
help of the Liver. If this process is strong, the voice will be
powerful, circulation will be good, energy will be high, and there
will be strength in the limbs. The Lungs are the most external of
the Yin organs, this is why the Lungs are attacked during external
pathogenic invasions. The Lungs are also referred to as the most
delicate organ in the body.
Control
meridians and the 100 blood vessels
The Lungs govern Qi,
and Qi is essential for the Heart to circulate blood. Both the
Lungs and Heart control the circulation of blood in the blood
vessels. The Lungs however, also control the circulation of Qi
(Ying) within the meridians. Therefore the Lungs control the
circulation of Qi in the blood vessels and meridians. If Lung Qi is
strong the circulation will be good and the limbs will be warm, if
not the hands will be cold.
Control dispersing and
descending
- Dispersing
The lungs disperse the defensive (Wei) Qi and body fluids all
over the body between the skin and muscles. If Lung Qi is weak
this function will not be preformed optimally and susceptibility
to external invasion is greater.
The Lungs also spread body fluids to the skin to moisten and
regulate the opening and closing of the pores and sweating.
Generally if the Lungs are being attacked by excessive
pathogenic factors the pores will clog and there will be no
sweat (Wind/Cold), if it is a case of Lung deficiency the pores
will over relax and there will be spontaneous sweating. If this
particular function is impaired there may be accumulation of
fluids under the skin and may result in facial edema.
- Descending
As the uppermost organ, the Lungs are often referred to as the
lid or roof. This is why their Qi must descend. Lung Qi must
descend to communicate with the Kidneys so as to hold or grasp
the Qi. The descending term also refers to the Lungs sending
fluids down to the Kidneys and Bladder. If Lung Qi does not
descend there will be accumulation in the chest resulting in
cough, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the chest. If the
Large Intestine (the Lungs paired organ) does not receive enough
Qi from the Lungs it may not have enough energy to defecate or
move properly. The retention of urine can sometimes be
attributed to the malfunction of the Lungs.
- D & D ensures the entering
and exiting of Qi, regulate breathing and the exchange of Qi
between the body and the environment
- D & D ensures that every
organ gets its nourishment from Qi, blood and body fluids.
It also keeps fluids from stagnating in the body
- D & D prevents the
scattering and exhaustion of Lung Qi
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Regulate water passages
As discussed above,
the regulation of water passages relates to the fluid dispersed
under the skin, the pore regulation, and the fluids flowing down to
the Kidneys and Bladder. The Kidneys vaporize the fluids to send
the pure parts back up to the Lungs and the impure parts to the
Bladder for excrement. Therefore, the Lungs play a major role in
the excretion of body fluids through urine and sweat.
Control skin and hair
As discussed above,
the Lungs take care of the skin all over the body with nourishment
and moisture. Therefore, if the Lungs functioning is healthy the
skin will be healthy. When the Lungs are referred to as controlling
the hair it is referring to the body hair. It is nourished through
the same process as the skin. The controlling of the pores is also
a Lungs function of controlling the skin.
Open into the nose
The nose is the
opening of the Lungs, respiration occurs through it. If Lung Qi is
strong, breathing will be clear and the sense of smell will be
sharp. This is why when the Lungs are invaded by external pathogens
the nose clogs, there can be sneezing, and smell is inhibited. If
there is heat in the Lungs there may be bleeding, and the sense of
smell may be lost. It should be noted that the Spleen also effects
the sense of smell.
Houses the Corporeal Soul
(Po)
The Lungs house the
Corporeal soul. This is the Yin (material, physical) part of the
human soul or spirit. The Corporeal soul allows for sharp movement
and keen sensations. Sadness or grief obstructs the movement of the
Corporeal soul, it is known that these emotions consume the Lung Qi
and effect breathing. This is why treatment of the Lungs is so
important when treating sadness or depressive states.
Maciocia recommends
the use of LU 7 (lieque) and BL 42 (pohu) to treat the corporeal
soul.
Effects dreams
“When the Lungs are I excess, one
dreams of weeping.”
“If the Lungs are deficient, one will dream of white objects ar
about bloody killings. If the dream takes place in the autumn, one
will dream of battles and war.” Neijing Suwen.
“When the Lungs are in excess, one will have dreams of worry and
fear, or crying and flying…if the Lungs are deficient, one will
dream of flying and seeing strange objects made of gold or iron.”
Neijing Lingshu.
Links -
Lung:
Metal Energy Yin Organ
(Bioenergetics)
