Lungs (Fei)


Relationships of the Lungs

Lungs-Heart:

The Heart governs the Blood and the Lungs govern the Qi. The Blood of the Heart nourishes the Lungs. The Qi of the Lungs warms the Heart and supports it in the production and circulation of the Blood. The relationship between Heart and Lungs corresponds to the relationship between Qi and Blood. A disturbance of the Heart can result in a disturbance of the Lungs and vice versa.

Lungs-Liver:

The Lungs govern the Qi and the Liver is responsible for the harmonic flow of the Qi. If the Qi of the Liver stagnates, it affects the downbearing function of the Qi Lungs. The Lung Qi can accumulate in the thorax and cause stagnation as well. The Liver requires the Lung Qi to regulate the Blood.

Lungs-Large Intestine:

The Lungs stands in interior-exterior relationship with the Large Intestine. The downbearing function of the Lungs is needed by the Large Intestine in order to convey and transform waste. Disorders of the Large Intestine can be caused by Lung Deficiency. However, functionally, it seems that the Large Intestine has a closer relation to the digestive tract and its organs, Spleen, Stomach, and Small Intestine.

Lungs-Spleen:

The Spleen transforms the ingested food into Food Qi. The Food Qi is sent to the Lungs. Gathering Qi is produced in the Lungs by transforming Food Qi and the inhaled air. True Qi is produced in the Lungs by the transformation of Gathering Qi and under the influence of the Original-Yuan Qi. The quality of True Qi depends therefore, on the Food Qi and the Spleen function. If the Spleen function is impaired, Dampness is produced. The Dampness is sent to the Lungs, where it accumulates. The Spleen is referred to as the producer of Dampness, and the Lungs as the storage for Dampness. The Spleen depends on the Lung Qi to fulfill its functions of transformation and transportation.

Lung-Kidney:

The Lungs govern Qi; the Kidneys are the root of Qi. The Lungs regulate the waterways and aid the Kidneys to govern water. The Kidneys ensure the absorption of Qi through the Lungs. If the Kidney Yang is deficient, the ability to absorb Qi is impaired and Qi stagnates in the Lungs. If the Lungs are too weak, to fulfill the function of downbearing the Qi, the Kidneys are affected. Kidney Yang supports the Lungs in the Qi production.