Lung
(Zang/Yin) - Internal TCM Organs
Functions
of the Lungs
The
Lungs are called the "Lid of the Yin Organs"
Rule
Qi and Respiration
Control
the Channels and Blood Vessels (with the Heart)
Control
dispersing and descending
Regulate
and move the Water Passages
Control
skin, sweat glands and body hair (the "Exterior")
Open
into the nose
House
the Po (corporeal soul)
Govern
the voice
Governs
Qi and Respiration
1st step - take air (Pure/Impure Qi)
► 1. exchange or formation of Qi,
► 2. combine with food qi from SP
The
first way that the Lungs govern Qi is by taking in air or Pure Qi and
exhaling used, impure, or Dirty Qi.
This constant exchange in the
cycles of breathing maintain the correct function of all body's
physiological processes that need Qi.
The
Lungs are also responsible for the actual formation of Qi.
Food Qi
(Gu Qi) is taken by the Spleen and directed to the Lungs
where it
combines with inhaled air (with help from Yuan Qi of Kidneys) to form
Zong Qi,
which is also called Qi of the Chest or Gathering Qi.
The
Zong Qi regulates involuntary movement of Heart and Lungs in turn is
nourished by the Qi of the Heart and Lung.
The Lungs then spread this
Qi all over the body
Simultaneously
formed: "Upright" or "normal" Qi (Zhen Qi) which
is divided into Ying and Wei parts.
Lungs
open to the Exterior, hence are called the "Tender Organ"
because they are vulnerable to attack by exogenous pathogens.
Controls
Channels and Blood Vessels
Because
govern Qi, which is essential to Heart to aid in Blood circulation.
The Lungs and Heart are very closely linked (via Zong Qi).
Lungs
control circulation of Qi not only in Blood Vessels but in the
channels.
Weak Lung Qi results in Qi being unable to push the Blood
to nourish various areas.
Hence, e.g. cold limbs, especially cold
hands.
Controls
Dispersing and Descending
Dispersing
Function
Lung
spreads Wei Qi (defensive Qi) and Body Fluids all over body to area
between skin and muscles (The Lungs are related to skin).
This
ensures that Wei Qi equally distributed under skin to warm skin and
muscles and protect body
from exogenous pathogens (Symptoms of a
"cold" = impairment of dispersing function:
exterior Wind
Cold obstructs skin, blocks pores and Qi circulation: Qi cannot be
dispersed.
Lung
spreads Body Fluids (Jin Ye) to skin in form of "mist" to
moisten skin
and regulate opening and closing of pores and sweating.
In health, normal pore function and normal amount of sweating.
Descending
Function
Lungs
are uppermost Organ ("Lid of the Yin Organs").
Therefore
their Qi descends to communicate with Kidney (which "holds down"
the Qi).
Lungs
also direct Body Fluids downward to Kidneys/Bladder.
Impairment of
descending function: Qi accumulates in chest (cough, asthma, stuffy
chest, or accumulation of fluids; upper body edema).
Regulates
Water Passages
1.
Lungs
receive refined fluids from Spleen, reduce them to fine mist and
"spray" them throughout Exterior under the skin (part of
dispersing function). Fluids should be evenly spread and pores
should be regulated: otherwise, fluids may accumulate: edema.
2.
Lungs
are "upper origin of Water".
Direct fluids down to Kidney
and Bladder.
Kidneys receive fluids and vaporize them, then send
back up to Lung.
Controls
Skin and Hair
See
above: Lung nourishes skin and hair by spreading Fluids to skin.
Impaired Lung function can result in malnourished body hair and skin.
Lungs influence Wei Qi, which circulates in skin.
Opens
into the Nose
Nose
is the opening of the Lungs.
Lungs govern sense of smell.
Houses
the Po (Corporeal Soul)
Corporeal
soul attached to body.
Closely linked to breathing.
Directly affected
by sadness/grief which constrain its movement and affect breathing.
Lungs
Govern Voice
Strength,
tone and clarity of voice depend on Lung Qi (in health: like a bell).
Weak Lung Qi = low voice.
reference from Sacred Lotus Chinese Medicine site