We are well past fall equinox, and thus begins our METAL season
METAL includes both the LUNG + LARGE INTESTINE organ systems
The season of METAL
* autumn
* favored time of day: sunset
* color correspondence is: white
* emotions that might arise: sadness, feeling unsettled, anguish
* virtues of METAL: justice + rectitude
LUNG /\ METAL
The physiological functions of the LUNGS are:
* govern Qi + respiration
* controls the channels + blood vessels
* controls the diffusing + descending of Qi + body fluids
* regulate all physiological activities
* regulate water passages
* controls the waking + space between skin + muscle
The LUNG organ system has a very important relationship with the HEART, KIDNEY, and BLADDER organ systems
LUNG + HEART
* the Heart is the Emperor, in charge of the spirit (Shen); the Lung is the Prime Minister, assuring the Emperor
* the Heart governs the Blood, the Lung governs the Qi
* the Qi is the commander of Blood, the Blood is the mother of Qi
They work together to propel the Blood and Qi through the vessels + channels to our whole body (organs, tissue, limbs, etc)
The LUNG organ system has a unique function of regulating the water passages
The LUNG receives fluids from the SPLEEN (remember the function of transforming + transporting) where it diffuses it to the surface of the skin
The LUNG now can regulate the opening + closing of the pores (sweating, defensive Qi)
Some of the other water it receives from the SPLEEN is descended towards the KIDNEY + BLADDER
The KIDNEY aids in keeping the LUNG moist, and supports the deep breathing function of the LUNG
The remaining water is sent to the BLADDER to be excreted
We take these relationships into account when we treat:
* asthma
* urinary system issues
* immune deficiency
* abnormal sweating
The LUNG houses our Corporeal Soul, which is said to be the somatic manifestation of the soul + a direct manifestation of the breath of life
Sadness, worry + grief constrict the Corporeal Soul, dissolves Lung Qi, + suspends our breathing
* worry will knot our Qi (tight shoulders, heavy chest)
* grief + sadness deplete our Qi (weak pulse, whitish complexion, weak voice)
If these emotions are becoming more pronounced during autumn, treatments + lifestyle recommendations from your Doctor of Acupuncture + Chinese Medicine are to be sought
Unresolved emotional states can lead to organ system dysfunctions
GENTIAN + MUSTARD
flower essences for the Lungs
The function of the Lungs to diffuse + descend can be interrupted by our emotions, namely sadness or grief
Grief will diminish energy (despondency, crying, unmotivated) + sadness will dissolve energy (shallow breathing, weakness, crying, depression)
Combining GENTIAN + MUSTARD flower essences has the ability to regulate descending of Lung Qi
MUSTARD: brings back joy + cheerfulness when gloom descend for no obvious reason
GENTIAN: inspires a positive attitude when you feel discouraged or despondent due to setbacks
This is a great combination for anyone experiencing a rough transition from summer into fall
Simply add 2 drops into your water, or pick up a spray at the office
Because the Lung meridian passes over the throat, we have some very effective throat soothing points on our thumb
Number 10 on the Lung meridian is one of my go-to points for acute or chronic sore throat
This point is also amazing at treating emotions such as: fear, restlessness, anger, or mania
Acupressure with your finger, gua sha stone, acu-pen, or any other soft surface can be applied to alleviate a sore throat
The LUNG meridian originates in our trunk, where it moves downwards to the Large Intestines. It continues to move upwards to the stomach, passing the diaphragm, entering the lungs, moving up the throat, and emerges at the front of the shoulder.
From the shoulder, we can find its’ 11 points; all along the inside of our arm to the tip of our thumb
Points on the Lung meridian will affect the chest + throat, treat cough + asthma, support immunity
The textbook in this image is from my Uncle. He was the first Doctor to introduce me to acupuncture, and inspired my curiosity to learn about how the body works + how we can fix it. I loved learning from him. It’s fun learning this medicine in my native language.
Defensive Qi /\ “immunity”
* flows on the outer layers of the body
* functions to protect the body from exterior pathogenic attacks (wind, cold, heat, damp)
* derived from food + water
* has a root in the Kidneys, is nourished by the Stomach + Spleen, and spreads to the Lungs
* controlled by the Lungs
* it warms the muscles, moistens the skin, and controls the opening + closing of pores
A deficiency of Defensive Qi will lead to weakened “immunity”, and we catch colds easily + feel always slightly cold
The defensive Qi is our first line of defense when it comes to being sick. We want to catch symptoms at this stage, so that the pathogen does not penetrate deeper into the layers of our “immunity”
“Immune” layers
When we get attacked by pathogens (wind, cold, heat, damp), they are considered EXTERIOR
If they are not expelled, they completely change in nature + become INTERIOR patterns where they can affect the organ systems
Pathogens will pass through these stages:
* skin
* superficial connecting channels
* connecting channels
* main channels
* organs
As Doctors of Acupuncture + Chinese medicine, we are highly trained to identify the pathogen + stage of disease, followed by the right treatment (herbs + acupuncture, diet, lifestyle, exercise) to expel the pathogen
We don’t treat a “virus” or “bacteria”, we treat the presenting symptoms by expelling pathogens + strengthening defensive Qi
Nature of EXTERNAL PATHOGENS
WIND: symptoms arise suddenly, change rapidly
COLD: contracts, pain, watery discharge (eyes, nose)
DAMP: invades gradually, thick + sticky discharge (eyes, nose)
HEAT: sensations of heat, thirst, mental restlessness
These pathogens can reach the interior, creating organ system disorders
Since we treat the pathomechanisms of diseases, no treatment is ever the same. We have herbs for a variety of disease presentations, and stages of where the pathogen is lingering
There is no one-size fits all in in Chinese Medicine, and therefore treatments + herbal prescriptions should always be administered by a highly trained + licensed Doctor of Acupuncture + Chinese Medicine
HONEY in TCM
sweet + neutral, entering the Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, + Spleen channels is often added to formulas to make them palatable, but we also use it to enhance or slightly alter the function of individual herbs (honey fried licorice being one of those)
Honey is known to kill bacteria + airborne yeast, and when you choose Manuka Honey you get added medical benefits
In TCM, honey will tonight the Spleen + Stomach, restores Qi, + prevents dryness
METAL season fruit :: ASIAN PEARS
Another great food, with many benefits for our health
I’m TCM, pears are:
* sweet + slightly sour
* cool in nature
* enters the lung + stomach meridians
* clears pathogenic heat
* resolves phlegm
* supports body fluids
* relieves thirst
As practitioners, we like pears as they support Lung dryness (dry cough, dry throat, dry mouth, dry skin, hoarse voice, thirsty)
We often encourage patients to make steamed pears (with honey, ginger, cinnamon, and other herbs) as they support your health during METAL season
My favorite food during METAL season :: PERSIMMONS
According to TCM, foods + herbs have properties + temperatures that influence our meridians + organ systems
We use food as medicine
PERSIMMONS are:
* sweet, astringent
* cold in nature
* enters the heart, lung, and large intestine meridians
* expels pathogenic heat
* moistens the Lungs
* promotes saliva secretion
* relieves thirst
They are YIN in nature, loaded with antioxidants, vitamin A + C, manganese, and phosphorus
The calyx (leaves) are used in teas to address hypertension
As always, eat in moderation, since this is a cold fruit, it is not advised to eat when you have loose stool due to SPLEEN QI deficiency (consult your Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for diagnosis)
Each acupuncture point has a very specific location, nature, actions + indications
They can affect so many areas of our body, depending on the location, nature, actions + indications
The 7th point on the Lung channel is just an example how vast it’s actions can be:
* promotes the descending + diffusing of Lung Qi
* release the exterior + expels exterior wind
* opens the directing vessel (major player of gynecological health)
* benefits the bladder + opens the water passages (urinary retention, UTI, respiratory congestion)
* benefits the head + neck (headaches, toothache, deviation of eyes + mouth)
* treats the effects of worry, sadness, grief
* regulates ascending + descending Qi to the head (poor memory, frequent yawning, inappropriate laughter)
* opens the nose (sneezing, allergic rhinitis)
* communicates with the Large Intestine channel (constipation in elderly)
We chose our points based on your tongue + pulse, and presenting symptoms
No treatment is ever the same
One formula, which I keep on hand at all times, is a very simple yet incredibly effective formula when it comes to “fight off” a pathogen
This formula HARMONIZES THE NUTRITIVE + DEFENSIVE QI (previous post)
This beautiful + tasty formula is often a foundation formula, and has as many as 20 variations to treat an expanding array of indications
This formula dates back to 220 CE, and is found in the first chapter of the Shanghan Lun: a textbook discussing six stages of disease, with 398 sections of 113 herbal prescriptions
This formula works AMAZINGLY and when I prescribe this to patients, they cannot believe how effective it is
Chinese herbs are not intended to be used as supplements. They do not come in 30-120 day supply, as we intend their use to be corrective, not supplemental
Herbal prescriptions require a correct diagnosis, as they are PATTERN SPECIFIC, not symptom specific
This is my go-to ancient formula, for the first sign of dis-ease
As previously discussed, the Lungs are responsible for our Defensive Qi, and regulate the opening + closing of our pores
We also have Nutritive Qi, or the Nourishing Qi, which is closely linked to the Blood, flows in the channels + blood vessel, nourished the internal organs
This is the Qi we activate with our needle insertion into acupuncture points
Both the Nutritive Qi + Defensive Qi act together to influence our health:
* Nutritive Qi is in the interior + nourishes
* Defensive Qi is on the exterior + protects
“The protective Qi guards the exterior + prevents leakage of nutritive Qi to the outside” Bensky