-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
Chinese physiology
Lung (Fei)
diagnoses

definition

The Chinese organ Fei is translated as the Lung(s)
It is classified as a Zang organ, which is to say Yin in nature
Its channel is named Hand Tai Yin or Greater Yin

» The Major Functions of the Lung include:
• Regulates the Qi:
» regulates formation of the body's Zhen Qi (True Qi)
» controls the descent and diffusion of Qi
» cleanses the Qi (depurative function)
• Governs respiration.
• Regulates passage of water in the body; is the "Upper Source" of Water in the body (in the form of water vapor)
• Controls skin and hair
• Rules the Exterior of the body
• Regulates perspiration.
• Controls Wei (Protective) Qi.
• Aids the Heart in blood circulation.
• Opens to the nose; influences the nose to allow discernment of the five odors
• Controls the voice.
• Grief damages the Lung.
• If the body were an empire the Heart would be the Complementary Official.

» Relationships of the Lung:
• The channel is coupled with the Foot Tai Yin Spleen channel
• High tide in the channel occurs between the hours 3 to 5 am
• Its "clock" partner is the Urinary Bladder (12 hours away)
• Its elemental pair is the Large Intestine - in the Metal phase
• Their color is white
• Its season is autumn
• The direction from which its influence comes is the West
• Its climate is Dry
• Its power is that of decline
• Its flavor is pungent, spicy, acrid
• Its odor is rotting or decaying

» Expressions of the Lung:
• The Lung confers the sense of smell through its sense organ, the nose
• The body part or tissue it controls the integumentary system (including the skin, body hair and mucosa)
• Health of the Lung expresses itself in the body hair (cheeks and nose)
• The body fluid it secretes is mucus
• When the Lung is out of balance, pain, discomfort or abnormal sensations are frequently experienced in the chest and airway; sensitivity and/or tension can often be palpated in the thoracic region (including the scapular and shoulder areas)
• This organ produces feelings of grief, esp. sense of loss and letting go
• The characteristic sound of the voice is weeping, crying, sobbing


» Roles of the Liver:
• Its "Official" role is that of the Prime Minister (who organizes & executes), Dept of Energy (who activates and implements), and/or Sage/Diviner/Sorcerer (who explores mysteries)
• It houses the spirit known as the "Po", i.e., the Yin soul; Animal or Corporeal spirit; the Po (Corporeal Soul) is in charge of the instinctual level and physique
• It disseminates Qi downward from its position in the Upper Warmer; it diffuses and disperses Qi throughout the body, esp. to the surface where it controls the skin and the opening and closing of the pores

» Roles of the Liver:
• This organ is injured by the climatic factor Dryness or Cold
• is "strained" by too much lying down (inactivity)
• is "drained" by the spicy flavor
• is "overcome" by too much sorrow and over-attachment

» Foods that are said to benefit the Metal organs, i.e., Lung, are:
• grain: rice
• meat: horse
• fruit: chestnut
• vegetable: onions

» Major symptoms of Lung disharmony include:
• Respiratory problems: difficult breathing, dyspnea, shortness of breath, wheezing, labored breathing, etc.
• Coughing
• Chest discomfort
• Nose and sinus problems
• Abnormal sweating, esp. spontaneous sweating
• Voice pathologies, esp. changes in the voice (sudden or progressive)

» Shi (Excess) patterns:
• Lung Insulted by Liver Fire
• Lung Invaded by Wind-Cold
• Lung Invaded by Wind-Heat
• Lung Invaded by Wind-Water
• Lung Obstructed by Damp-Phlegm
• Lung Obstructed by Phlegm-Heat

» general symptoms of Shi (Excess): pain the upper back, shoulder and chest; colds with stuffed nose; hoarseness; wheezing respiration; frequent urination with small amounts; heavy chest; reduced lung capacity; coughing; nasal discharge

» Xu (Deficiency) patterns:
• Lung Dryness
• Lung Qi Xu (Deficiency)
• Lung Yin Xu (Deficiency)

» general symptoms of Xu (Deficiency): pain and coldness in the upper back and shoulder; shortness of breath; changes in urine color; rumbling in the bowels with loose bowel movements; pallor; malar flush; chills; sniffles; sneezing; light cough; sensitivity to cold

» combined patterns:
• Lung and Spleen Qi Xu (Deficiency)
• Liver Insulting Lung


footnotes