Lung

Question 1

Slight shortness of breath

Answer 1

Lung Qi Xu

Lungs govern Qi and respiration therefore deficiency of Qi leads to shortness of breath.

Question 2

Easily catches colds

Answer 2

Lung Qi Xu

Catching colds is due to Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) being weak and not protecting body from external pathogens.

Question 3

Dislikes cold

Answer 3

Lung Qi Xu

Feeling cold is due to deficient Qi not warming the body.

Question 4

Slight cough

Answer 4

Lung Qi Xu

Lungs function of descending Qi is compromised if Qi is weak leading to a slight cough

Question 5

Watery sputum

Answer 5

Lung Qi Xu

Lung Qi deficiency leads to a weakened ability of the Lungs to disperse and regulate fluids.

Question 6

Dislike of speaking

Answer 6

Lung Qi Xu/ Lung Yin Xu

Strength of voice is a reflection of Gathering Qi (Zong Qi), which depends on Lung Qi. Therefore, if weak, it may lead to weak voice and dislike of speaking.

Question 7

Pale white complexion

Answer 7

Lung Qi Xu
Lung Yang deficiency

General sign of Qi Xu—Heart Qi is responsible for moving Blood, and when it is weak, Blood does not reach the face effectively.

Question 8

Inappropriate grief.

Answer 8

Lung Qi Xu

The ability to process emotions like grief can be impaired.
A person might feel stuck in their grief because the Lung’s dispersing function is not functioning properly to release and regulate emotions, especially sadness or sorrow.
A weak Lung Qi system means there’s less ability to release grief, which can result in emotional stagnation.

Question 9

Dry cough or cough with scanty sputum

Answer 9

Lung Yin Xu

Dry cough, throat and mouth are due to deficient Body Fluids not moistening the mouth and throat.

Question 10

Weak and hoarse voice

Answer 10

Lung Yin Xu

Weak voice and dislike of speaking are due to Gathering (Zong) Qi being weak as a result of Lung Qi deficiency.

Question 11

Tickly throat

Answer 11

Lung Yin Xu

Dry cough, throat and mouth are due to deficient Body Fluids not moistening the mouth and throat.
Due to Empty Heat from long-term Yin deficiency.

Question 12

Dry cough

Answer 12

Lung Dryness

Symptoms are due to dryness of Lungs. Body Fluids are deficient but the Yin is not yet deficient.
Lungs function of descending Qi is compromised if Qi is weak leading to a slight cough.

Question 13

Hoarse voice
Thirst
sore throat

Answer 13

Lung Dryness

Symptoms are due to dryness of Lungs. Body Fluids are deficient but the Yin is not yet deficient.

Lung Yin Xu

Heat dries up Body Fluids resulting in thirst and sore throat.

Question 14

Aversion to wind or cold

Answer 14

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Cold

Aversion to cold due to obstruction of the space between skin and muscles by Wind so Defensive (Wei) Qi cannot circulate and warm muscles.

Question 15

Fever/ Chills

Answer 15

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Cold

Fever results from the fight between Defensive (Wei) Qi and exterior Wind, but may not be present if PF is not too strong.

Wind, as a moving pathogen, causes fluctuating symptoms (e.g., chills alternating with fever).

Question 16

cough, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose with clear watery mucus

Answer 16

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Cold

Lungs open in the nose and regulate fluids.

Cough, blocked or runny nose, sneezing due to impairment of Lung’s function of descending Qi by exterior Wind.

Question 17

itchy throat

Answer 17

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Cold

External Wind invasion can cause an itchy throat.
Wind attacks the top part of the body and often lodges in the throat, causing an itchy sensation in the throat.

Question 18

occipital headaches

Answer 18

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Cold

Exterior Wind also obstructs the circulation of Defensive Qi, resulting in occipital headache and body aches as Defensive Qi does not circulate properly in the space between skin and muscles.
The headache is typically on the occiput along the Greater Yang channels (Small Intestine and Bladder).
External Wind causes occipital headaches.

Question 19

body aches

Answer 19

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Cold

Due to fight between pathogentic facor and upright Qi. Exterior Wind also obstructs the circulation of Defensive Qi, resulting in occipital headache and body aches as Defensive Qi does not circulate properly in the space between skin and muscles.

Question 20

slight breathlessness

Answer 20

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Cold

Big Qi gathers together without moving to accumulate in the chest; it is called the Sea of Qi which comes out of the Lungs, goes to the throat and facilitates inhalation and exhalation. During a Wind invasion this function of the lungs is disrupted leading to slight breathlessness.

Question 21

stuffy or runny nose with yellow mucus

Answer 21

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Heat

Lungs control nasal mucus. If the diffusing and descending of Lung-Qi and fluids is impaired, the nasal secretion may accumulate, causing a nasal discharge or a stuffed nose.
If the Lungs are affected by Heat or Phlegm-Heat, the nasal mucus becomes yellow and thick.

Question 22

Cough

Answer 22

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Heat

Cough, blocked or runny nose, sneezing due to impairment of Lung’s function of descending Qi by exterior Wind.

Question 23

Aversion to cold

Answer 23

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Damp

Aversion to cold is experienced as Defensive (Wei) Qi is obstructed by pathogenic factor and cannot circulate and warm muscles.

Question 24

Stuffy or runny nose with profuse white or clear mucus

Answer 24

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Damp

Lungs control nasal mucus. If the diffusing and descending of Lung-Qi and fluids is impaired, the nasal secretion may accumulate, causing a nasal discharge or a stuffed nose.
The mucus is white or clear and profuse due to the damp

Question 25

sneezing

Answer 25

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Damp Sneezing is due to impairment of Lung's function of decending Qi by exterior Wind.

Question 26

feeling of heaviness in the body

Answer 26

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Damp Damp impairs the Spleen’s T&T function, causing tiredness, heaviness, and poor nourishment of organs. Spleen rules muscles and limbs — dysfunction leads to weak, heavy limbs. Damp also invades muscles and sinews, adding to heaviness.

Question 27

feeling of stuffiness in the chest

Answer 27

Invasion of the Lung by Wind-Damp Damp hindering the transformation and transportation function of Qi

Question 28

profuse white sputum which is easy to expectorate

Answer 28

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung Damp hinders the transformation and transportation function of the Spleen leading to the accumulation of Phlegm Sputum is due to Phlegm in the chest and head. The damp nature of the Phlegm makes it easy to expectorate.

Question 29

phlegm in the throat

Answer 29

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Lung The Spleen produces Phlegm and the Lungs store it. When the Spleen Qi is weak, it fails to transform and transport Body Fluids. These fluids accumulate into Damp, which congeals into Phlegm. The Phlegm can rise up and lodge in the throat.

Question 30

Chronic coughing coming in bouts, stuffiness of the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing

Answer 30

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Damp & Phlegm obstruct the Qi mechanism. Phlegm obstructs the Lungs and impairs the descending of Lung-Qi, hence the cough and shortness of breath.

Question 31

feeling of heaviness, muzziness and dizziness

Answer 31

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung The feelings of muzziness and heaviness of the head and dizziness are caused by obstruction of the head's orifices by Phlegm.

Question 32

Dislike of lying down

Answer 32

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung The Spleen produces Phlegm and the Lungs store it. When the Spleen Qi is weak, it fails to transform and transport Body Fluids. These fluids accumulate into Damp, which congeals into Phlegm. The Phlegm can rise up and lodge in the throat, chest, or Lungs. Inability to lie down is due to the obstruction of the Upper Burner by Phlegm. The patient dislikes lying flat and prefers to sit up or lie propped up because the obstruction of Phlegm in the chest is made worse by the horizontal position.

Question 33

White pasty complexion

Answer 33

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Lung There is usually underlying Spleen Deficiency. The white complexion reflects deficiency of Yang of the Spleen and Lung, whilst its pasty quality reflects the presence of Phlegm and Dampness.

Question 34

Barking cough with sticky profuse yellow, green or dark sputum

Answer 34

Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Damp hinders the transformation and transportation function of Qi leading to the accumulation of Phlegm Sputum is due to Phlegm in the chest and head. Heat makes the sputum yellow, green, dark sticky. Phlehm disrupts the Lungs function of decending leading to coughing.

Question 35

A feeling of heat, thirst

Answer 35

Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Lungs are the origin of fluids, heat is drying leading to thirst Feeling hot—Symptom of heat

Question 36

Insomnia, agitation

Answer 36

Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Functions of the Shen include sleep and the emotions. Heat rises up and disturbs the Shen.