Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine emphasize the importance of lung health, especially during the autumn season. While TCM advises protecting the lungs in autumn, Western medicine focuses on preventing respiratory illnesses. Despite being distinct medical systems, both recognize the lungs as a crucial organ. They facilitate breathing and manage essential life functions such as fluid regulation, blood circulation, and even brain and emotional health.
Breathing and energy
In TCM, “the lungs govern qi and respiration.” Qi represents the body’s vital energy, and oxygen is a primary source of this energy. The lungs are responsible for breathing, inhaling oxygen, and expelling carbon dioxide, maintaining the body’s blood-oxygen balance.
From a modern scientific perspective, the lungs play a critical role in oxygen exchange, delivering oxygen to the bloodstream and subsequently to the brain and other organs. Oxygen deficiency can lead to brain fog, cognitive decline, and fatigue, which corresponds to the TCM concept of qi deficiency causing weakness.
Regulating vascular function
TCM states that the lungs “regulate the water pathways,” meaning they oversee the body’s fluid movement, preventing water retention and ensuring smooth fluid metabolism. They expel water vapor through breathing and regulate fluid balance. Modern research has discovered that they play a significant role in the renin-angiotensin system, directly affecting blood pressure regulation.
Additionally, the lungs produce a substance called adrenomedullin, which helps lower blood pressure, protect blood vessels, and regulate emotions. Studies have shown that adrenomedullin secretion increases under hypoxic conditions, reducing lung vascular damage caused by oxygen deficiency.
TCM also has a saying: “The lungs are the master of all vessels,” referring to the blood and energy flow pathways. They manage the body’s qi and blood circulation, influencing the entire body through vascular regulation, which is crucial for brain blood and oxygen supply.
Immune function
In TCM, there’s a theory that “the lungs govern the skin and hair,” meaning they are responsible for skin and hair health and manage the body’s defense functions through the skin. The skin is seen as the first line of defense against external pathogens. Modern immunology indicates that the lungs secrete surfactant proteins SPA and SPD, which protect them from infection and significantly impact the body’s overall immune activity.
Lung-brain axis
The connection between the lungs and the brain is known as the lung-brain axis. Lung health is related to neuroinflammation and multiple sclerosis and is closely linked to brain immune function. Research has found that severe acute pneumonia often leads to neurological disorders related to bacteria transferring from the lungs to the brain. Modern medicine confirms the connection between lung and brain health. Studies show that declining lung function often accompanies cognitive decline. Conversely, patients with acute brain injuries frequently experience acute lung injury.
Emotional health
In TCM, “the lungs store the po,” referring to the spirit in each organ. The po in the lungs governs the body’s form and spirit, representing our intuitive and emotional responses. The po is related to breathing and managing our connection with the body. When lung qi is abundant, emotions are balanced; when lung qi is weak, emotions can become unstable, manifesting as sadness, grief, and anxiety.
Modern science has also demonstrated the close relationship between lung function and emotional health. Studies show that among 55 severe asthma patients, 49 and 31 percent had anxiety and depression, respectively. These emotional issues may result from reduced oxygen supply to the brain, affecting its ability to regulate emotions.
Breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing can directly influence the brain and help alleviate anxiety. This aligns with TCM’s emphasis on nurturing the lungs to improve physical and emotional well-being. TCM provides a comprehensive perspective on lung health, extending beyond respiration to include fluid balance, immune response, emotional health, and brain health. Modern science continues to validate these ancient concepts, highlighting the close relationship between lung health and overall well-being.
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