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Lung (Chinese Medicine)
Lung (Chinese Medicine)
The lungs (Chinese: 肺; pinyin: fèi) is one of the zang organs described in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a functionally-
defined entity and not equivalent to the anatomical organ of the same name.
Contents
In the context of the zang-fu organs
Lung functions
Dominating qi and controlling respiration
Dominating descending and regulating the water passages
Notes
Bibliography
Lung functions
The Lung has five principle functions:
governing qi and controlling respiration. They take in clear and expel turbid Natural Air Qi (Kong Qi)
controlling disseminating and descending
regulating the water passages
controlling the skin and body hair
opening into the nose
housing the Po
Regulating the water passages means to regulate the pathways for the circulation and excretion of water. Circulation of body
fluids is a function of many organs working together as a team, including the lungs. The role of the lung in promoting and
maintaining water metabolism depends on the descending function of lung qi. Under normal circumstances, the lungs are capable
of sending fluids downwards to the kidneys, which pass the fluids to the bladder for excretion. Dysfunction may result in dysuria,
oliguria, and oedema.[3]
Notes
1. Cheng (1987) p. 36
2. Lu, Henry (1994) p. 18
3. Cheng, X (1987) p. 43
Bibliography
Cheng, X.-n., Deng, L., & Cheng, Y. (Eds.). (1987). Chinese Acupuncture And Moxibustion. Beijing: Foreign
Languages Press.
Lu, Henry C. (1994). “Chinese Natural Cures” New York, NY: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishing
Maciocia, G. (2005). The Foundations Of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text For Acupuncturists And
Herbalists. Philadelphia, MA: Elseverier Churchill Livingstone.
Zhiya, Z., Yanchi, L., Ruifu, Z. & Dong, L. (1995). Advanced Textbook On Traditional Chinese Medicine And
Pharmacology (Vol. I) . Beijing: New World Press.
Yin, H.-h., & Shuai, H.-c. (1992). Fundamentals Of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Beijing, China: Foreign
Languages Press.
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