November is Lung Awareness Month, so let’s talk about the one organ most people only think about when they get sick.
In TCM, the Lungs are known as the master of Qi. They govern Qi and respiration, ensuring smooth breathing and supporting overall vitality. But their role goes far beyond respiration.
Lungs extract clear Qi from the air we breathe. This clear Qi combines with food essences to form Zong Qi and Defensive Qi, which circulate through the body to nourish organs and tissues.
Another important function of the Lungs is fluid regulation. They help remove excess fluids through sweat and send part of the fluids down to the Kidneys, where they are transformed into urine.
From a TCM perspective, the Lungs are also connected to our emotions, especially grief and sadness. When you are going through a difficult time, your Lungs feel it too, that's why some people experience shortness of breath or even chest tightness after crying or grieving. Our body, mind and spirit are interconnected, and each affects the others. This is why TCM treatment doesn’t focus only on symptoms, but also balances the physical and emotional aspects of health.
Lungs and Skin
The Lungs are closely related to the skin and hair. In TCM, the Lungs act like a gentle “mist,” dispersing Qi and body fluids to the skin and hair to keep them nourished and moisturised.
When Lung function is weak, you may notice:
- dry or rough skin
- dry, withered hair
- pale complexion
- easy fatigue
This is why strengthening Lung function is important when your goal is healthy, glowing skin.
A common condition linking the Lungs and the skin is eczema. In TCM, eczema is often associated with Lung deficiency. In Western medicine, this connection is seen through the relationship between eczema and asthma where both involving the Lungs.
Lungs and Bowel Movement
In TCM, the Lung and Large Intestine are paired organs. The Lungs are Yin, and the Large Intestine is their Yang partner. Because of this pairing, anything that affects one organ can influence the other.
When Lung Qi is weak, you may feel the urge to have a bowel movement but struggle to pass stools. This is because the body lacks sufficient Lung Qi to propel the stools downward, leading to constipation. You may also notice dry or hard stools, as weak Lung function affects the movement of body fluids and causes dryness in the intestines.
On the other hand, excess heat in the Large Intestine can rise and affect the Lungs, causing cough and bad breath.
Lungs and Immunity
The Lungs act as a protective shield against common exposures like colds, coughs, bacteria, viruses and the six external pathogens (wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness and summerheat).
Lungs circulate Wei Qi (defensive Qi) beneath the skin. This forms a protective layer that guards us against illness. When Lung Qi is weak, immunity also weakens, making you more prone to falling sick. Frequent colds or recurring cough can be a sign of weak Lung function.
The Lungs also control the opening and closing of pores. When they cannot regulate this properly, the pores fail to open and close smoothly, affecting your body’s ability to sweat properly and weakening immunity further.
TCM Tips to Support Lung Health
1. Prioritise deep sleep between 3–5 AM
This is the Lung meridian time. Sleeping soundly during this period allows the Lungs to restore and refresh themselves.
2. White-coloured foods benefit the Lungs
White is the colour associated with the Lungs. Foods such as snow fungus, white mushrooms, pear, apples, sea coconut, radish, almonds and cauliflower help nourish Lung Qi.
3. Acupuncture and acupressure points
Needling or massaging specific points can improve Lung function, regulate immunity and support respiratory health.
4. Chinese herbs for Lung health
Herbs commonly used to nourish the Lungs and strengthen Qi include:
ginseng root, astragalus, Chinese yam, cordyceps flower, lion’s mane mushroom and lily bulb.
Our Lung Nourishing Tea
If you’re looking for a natural way to strengthen your Lungs while nourishing the skin, try our Lung Nourishing Tea, which contains six traditional Chinese herbs:
- Dried pear – rich in antioxidants; nourishes the Lungs and skin
- Pang Da Hai (sterculia seed) – nourishes the Lungs; helps with bloating and constipation
- Monkfruit – clears heat, moistens the Lungs, resolves phlegm; diabetic-friendly as it does not raise blood sugar
- Ginseng root – strengthens Qi, clears heat and generates body fluids
- Liquorice root – benefits the Lungs and throat; strengthens Qi and resolves phlegm
- Tangerine peel – enters the Lung meridian; clears dampness and phlegm
Our lungs do far more than just handle breathing. They influence our skin, immunity, digestion and emotional balance. Taking simple daily steps like resting well, eating the right foods and supporting the lungs with TCM methods can go a long way in keeping the body healthy and resilient.