Nourishing the Lungs: Healing with Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs are associated with the element of metal and the season of autumn. Further, they are the ruler of the emotion of grief, where you can feel it weighing in the chest.

The lung meridian begins in our bellies, moving through our digestive organs and then transcend up towards our diaphragm, lungs and throat. This pathway allows the lungs and the large intestines to have an inter-connected relationship.

The metal element rules the intestinal, respiratory, skin and immune systems, so it is important to nourish these systems during the transitioning season of autumn.

————————————————

The best ways we can support our lungs and immune systems with Traditional Chinese Medicine is with:

• Chinese Herbs

  • Chinese herbs are a great way to help people stay healthy and prevent the onset of illness. The consumption of herbs overtime creates a powerful, transformative effect on the body. There are an abundance of formulas that have articulately been created by experts that have successfully been used throughout history.

    • Yu Ping Feng San:

      • supports the immune and respiratory system which helps prevent colds and flus as well as reduces chronic sinus issues and asthma symptoms.

    • Bai He Gu Jin Pian:

      • nourishes the lung yin energy and moistens the lungs.

      • this is used to manage lung discomforts such as dry cough and dry throat

    • Magnolia Clear Sinus (Evergreen Herbs)

      • supports healthy nasal and sinus functions as it encourages natural clearing of clear or white mucous in the nose and sinus.

      • disperses wind and cold, and opens nasal orifices

• Acupuncture

  • Acupuncture is a great way to engage with your nervous system to elicit optimal blood flow and healing to further promote balance. Most importantly, acupuncture helps regulate breathing. Acupuncture helps conditions such as, difficulty breathing, COPD, Asthma, chest pain, sinus congestion, seasonal allergies, sore/scratchy throat, cold/flu/COVID-19 symptoms, etc.

  • The lung meridian is one of 12 energetic pathways in the human body that is responsible not only for the lung organ itself, but for the immune system. Acupuncture can help strengthen the lung meridian which increases blood flow and qi circulation throughout the body, thereby increasing immune cell activities that are important for optimal immune function.

  • Specific acupuncture points are used to regulate breathing by opening the chest and expanding the lung cavity to deliver oxygen all over the body.

  • Acupuncture points that are popularly used in practice to support the lungs and the immune system include:

    • LU7:

      • releases the exterior and expels wind

      • promotes the descending function of the lung

      • eliminates wind and phlegm

    • LU9

      • tonifies the lung and transforms phlegm

      • tonifies qi

      • promotes the descending function of the lung

    • LI4

      • regulates defensive qi and adjusts sweating

      • expels wind and releases the exterior

      • regulates the face, nose, eyes, mouth and ears

      • restores energy

    • ST36

      • tonifies qi and nourishes blood and yin

      • fortifies the spleen and resolves dampness

      • tonifies and supports the immune system

    • DU20

      • pacifies wind and subdues yang

      • benefits the head

      • calms the spirit

    • BiTong

      • Benefits the nose

      • Clears nasal passage

• Nutrition / Food Medicine

  • The color associated with the metal element is the color white. The taste associated with the metal element is pungent. These are two descriptions to integrate into intuitive eating during this season. With wind and dryness dominating the autumn season, try to eat foods that generate fluid and moisten the lungs. It is important to avoid dairy and cold foods that can create damp and phlegm that could be disruptive to people with allergies, asthma, cold/flu, or skin issues. Pungent foods can help disperse mucous, damp and phlegm.

  • These are great foods to integrate into your diet to nourish the lungs:

    • daikon radishes

    • cauliflower, potatoes

    • lotus seed

    • mushrooms, squash

    • onion, garlic, horseradish

    • apples, pears

    • rice, oats

    • warm soups

    • fermented foods to optimize gut flora

      • kim chi, kombucha, sauerkraut

    • Herbal teas

      • green tea, peppermint tea, chamomile tea, etc.

    • drink warm, room temperature water

  • These are foods to avoid during the metal season:

    • iced drinks

    • dairy

    • smoothies

    • raw vegetables

    • salads

    • ice cream

• Breathing exercises / Meditation

  • The lungs facilitate the ability to take in breath, receive connection and distribute qi through the body, which is recognized as the ‘vital force of life.’ The large intestine represents the ability to let go, giving us the ability to release what no longer serves us and to filter through the waste to have clarity.

  • Breathing exercises through the nose are essential for lung nourishment during this time due to the nose being the opening to the lungs.

    • It is important to find a comfortable, erect position, and minimal distractions for optimal relaxation and exchange of breath. Allow your breath to regulate and breathe slowly into your belly for 4 seconds and release slowly for 4 seconds. Continue this pattern for 5 rounds while integrating positive affirmations or mantras that involve letting go, ie., “I release all shame and behaviors that no longer serve me.” Repeat as long as you feel necessary. To close out this exercise, take 4 big inhales through the nose and 1 large, audible exhale through the mouth. Bring consciousness to your surroundings and give gratitude to your practice.

———————————————

Other Lifestyle tips for the fall:

Strengthen the lungs by exercising, stretching and moving your body. Practice meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, qi gong and tai chi to generate qi throughout the body. Because grief and sadness are such prominent emotions that come up during this time, it is important to stay active and engage with your emotions. Acknowledging, accepting and releasing these emotions are a great way to subside any physical ailments in the body as well. Further, this will elicit growth, balance and strength throughout the other season to come. Storing emotions effects our immune system in a negative way making us more susceptible to illness. Staying warm and wearing layers is an important role in protecting lung energy as well. Wear scarves to cover the nap of your neck. This is a crucial practice to protect your immune system and meridians. The warmth of a scarf can also optimize blood flow to your throat that will elicit optimal healing for your lung meridian. As the seasons grow cooler and less sunny, it is important to make sure you’re consuming appropriate supplements as well. Vitamin D, Zinc, and Triguard are great ways to support your immune system!