The Lung in TCM

The Lung governs qi and respiration, managing the descent and dispersion of qi throughout the body while controlling the skin and body hair. As the delicate organ, the Lung opens to the nose and houses the corporeal soul (po), making it vulnerable to external pathogenic factors. Paired with the Large Intestine, the Lung regulates water passages and maintains the defensive qi circulation at the wei level. The Lung's dispersing function distributes fluids to the skin while its descending action sends qi and fluids downward to the Kidney and Bladder.

Common Patterns

Lung Qi Deficiency

Chronic weak cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weak voice, pale tongue

Lung Yin Deficiency

Dry cough, night sweats, malar flush, dry throat, red tongue with little coating

Wind-Cold Attacking Lung

Acute cough with white phlegm, chills, nasal congestion, white tongue coating

Wind-Heat Attacking Lung

Cough with yellow phlegm, fever, sore throat, red tongue tip and edges

Phlegm-Heat in Lung

Productive cough with thick yellow sputum, chest oppression, rapid slippery pulse

Phlegm-Damp Obstructing Lung

Cough with copious white sputum, chest fullness, greasy white tongue coating

Lung and Kidney Yang Deficiency

Chronic asthma worse on exertion, cold limbs, edema, deep weak pulse

Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency

Chronic dry cough, low back soreness, tinnitus, red tongue with scanty coating

Key Points

  • Lung pathology often manifests first in the upper jiao with cough, but chronic patterns frequently involve Kidney dysfunction due to the Lung-Kidney axis
  • The Lung's dispersing function governs sweating; impaired dispersion leads to anhidrosis while deficient qi causes spontaneous sweating
  • Emotional stress affects Lung qi circulation, with grief and worry directly damaging Lung qi and causing chest tightness
  • Morning symptoms typically indicate Lung qi deficiency, while evening symptoms suggest Kidney involvement in chronic Lung patterns
  • The pulse at the cun position reflects Lung function; changes here often precede other diagnostic signs in respiratory conditions

Formulas Targeting the Lung

454 formulas in our catalog

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Other Systems

LiverKidneySpleenHeartStomachIntestinesBladderGallbladderUterus

Frequently Asked Questions

Lung qi deficiency presents with weak, intermittent cough, clear or white sputum, and fatigue, while Lung yin deficiency shows persistent dry cough, scanty sticky sputum, and heat signs like night sweats and malar flush. The pulse is weak in qi deficiency versus rapid and thin in yin deficiency.
Treat Kidney when Lung symptoms worsen with exertion, occur predominantly in morning or evening, accompany lower back pain or knee weakness, or when breathing difficulty includes failure to grasp qi. Chronic asthma, COPD, and recurrent respiratory infections typically require Kidney support.
LU-1 and LU-9 restore both functions by regulating upper jiao qi circulation. Add BL-13 for dispersing dysfunction with anhidrosis, and ST-40 plus LU-5 when descending failure creates phlegm accumulation. LI-4 enhances dispersing action for exterior patterns.

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