10 Things Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Your Lungs

As it is with many of the body's organs, the Lungs have unique characteristics that mainstream or traditional medicine does not recognize. However, a brief introduction is necessary.

The organs of Chinese Medicine go hand-in-hand with most of the organs of western medicine. There are some physical differences. There are, also, functional differences.

A major concept of Chinese medicine is the idea of Yin and Yang. One way to classify the organs is by its Yin or Yang nature. Generally speaking, Yin and Yang represent various bi-polar relationships macro-cosmically and micro-cosmically. These relationships represent various physical, emotional and spiritual states and involve the fields of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, statics and dynamics, to name a few.

Another key theory governing the organs of Chinese medicine and the human life form involves their energy state. Just like the elements of the periodic table, which each have their own unique energy state and physical characteristics, all substances, both organic and inorganic, have their own unique energy state. The human body must conform to this law, as well. Since the human body is an organic (living) body, it is characterized by an energy system that drives it. The ancient Chinese called this energy system Qi (chee). Inorganic substances also have an energy system. However, the Qi of living organisms vibrates at much higher frequencies than those of inorganic substances.

When the unique organ functions of Chinese medicine are inhibited in some way, their ability to support the body is affected and the disease process is initiated. In some people the disease may be as simple as neck tension or a headache. In others, it may be something more severe, such as cirrhosis, migraines or cancer.

In this article, lets consider the Lungs. There are 10 things your doctor doesn't know about your lungs, as they relate to the characteristics or attributes of Chinese medicine.

1. Regulates the Energy state or Qi of the body. Regulating Qi is considered to be more of a functional aspect of the body, The Lungs are classified as a Yin organ and are one of just two organs that produce energy or Qi in the body. All the other organs consume energy. Yin organs are normally considered to be more nutritive, than functional. So this is a unique aspect of the Lungs. The Lungs produce energy by absorption of oxygen directly into the blood stream via the gas exchange through cells in the lungs called pulmonary alveolus.

2. Governs Respiration. Yep, I know, those ancient Chinese were, absolutely, brilliant! Your Doc probably does know this one!

3. Regulates the body's Water Passages. Water metabolism is, typically, thought to involve, only, the kidneys and urinary bladder. However, within the Chinese medical model, the Lungs are known as the Upper Source of Water (in the form of water vapor from the environmental air we breathe). Because of the Lungs relationship with Qi, and its function of reaching downward to activate the organs in the lower abdominal and pelvic cavities, the Lungs are considered a major aspect of fluid metabolism.

4. Controls the Skin and Body Hair. Each of the primary tissues of the body are related to specific organs. The Lungs have a direct connection to the external environmental air. The skin and the body hair also has an external relationship with the environment. They play a role in warding off or protecting the body from external environmental factors: cold, wind, heat, dampness, etc. Therefore, in an external holographic manner, the Lungs control the Skin and Body Hair. Some skin problems are due to a pathological condition of the Lungs, but other skin problems are due to other organ disease patterns.

5. Rules the Exterior of the Body. The Lungs are the most exterior of all the organs and in like manner play a major role in controlling the exterior of the body. In other words, the exterior of the body is considered the first line of defense when environmental or climatic pathogenic factors attempt to invade the body. Robust, healthy lungs strengthen the exterior and the immune system.

6. Regulates Perspiration. Located in the skin are the pores. Sweating or perspiration is the result of the pores opening. Since the Lungs control the skin, they also control the pores. In the case of excessive sweating or no sweating, the Lungs are considered a key player in the pathological disease pattern. There are other organs and disease patterns that can affect perspiration, but the Lungs are considered the regulator.

7. Grief and Sadness damage the Lungs. Each of the organs of Chinese medicine is injured by an emotional state. For the Lungs this emotion is sadness or grief. As with many aspects of Chinese medicine, this is a two-way street. Chronic Lung disease patterns can manifest sadness or grief and chronic sadness and grief can manifest a Lung disorder. The same can be said for all the organs in relation to their particular emotion.

8. Controls the Descending and Dissemination of Qi. The Lungs bring in "Air Qi" to be descended and disseminated throughout the other organs. This is an important aspect of many of the metabolic processes of the body. Without sufficient Air Qi many of these processes are inhibited, thus degrading the body's ability to ward off pathogenic disease patterns and maintain optimal health.

9. Controls the Voice. The Lungs drive air through the larynx or voice box and therefore is responsible for healthy vibrant speech.

10. Opens to the Nose. Technically, the Lungs are directly connected to the environmental air through the nose. The human body was designed to breathe through the nose, so the Lungs are said to open to the nose. As a result of this function, the Lungs influences the nose to allow discernment of odors and fragrances.

11. Aids the Heart in Blood circulation. When the Lungs are healthy they supply Air Qi to the other organs. Due to the Lungs proximity with the Heart, they play a vital role in promoting blood circulation by infusing the Heart with vital energy. Otherwise, blood circulation is diminished and is unable to nourish the other organs, tissues and cells.

Okay, I listed eleven things, but #2 was assumed to be a given.

Now that you know some of the major characteristics of the Lungs, within the scope of Chinese medicine, it isn't difficult to see why:

- Smoking and other air pollutants cause damage to the skin and can lead to skin disorders (psoriasis, eczema, etc.).

- Strong, vibrant lungs leads to a strong vibrant immune system. Weak, feeble lungs leads to a compromised immune system characterized by constant respiratory disorders (common cold, influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.).

- Healthy lungs help to activate and regulate fluid metabolism preventing such disorders as swellings, edema, weight gain, obesity, muscle pain (fibromyalgia).

-  Many vascular and circulatory disorders are not just a heart problem but can be due to the lungs inability to provide the vital energy needed to supplement the hearts own energy.

- Voice and speech problems (weak voice, loss of voice, etc.) can be due to a lung disorder. However, lung problems aren't the only disease patterns that can contribute to voice problems.

The ancient Chinese physicians considered the Lungs so important that in most Chinese medical texts the discussion of the organs and their corresponding meridians begin with the Lungs. In many respects, the Lungs are the catalyst for most of the body's metabolic processes. Activities, such as tai chi, Qi Gong, yoga, along with most aerobic exercises benefit the body by super-charging the body with oxygen. Since oxygen is a key component in the meridian system, it is imperative to keep the meridians strong by maintaining high oxygen levels through physical activities that promote thorough respiration.

Meridian Harmonics