Lungs

“The Lung holds the office of Minister and Chancellor. The regulation of the life-giving network stems from it.” - The Su Wen

The Lungs, part of the respiratory system, are sponge-like organs located near the backbone on either side of the heart in the chest or thoracic cavity. They are encircled and protected by the rib cage. They are separated from each other by the mediastinum and the heart. The mediatinum contains the thymus gland, heart, aorta and it’s branches, pulmonary arteries and it’s veins, superior and inferior vena cava, esophagus, trachea, thoracic duct, lymph nodes and vessels.

The lungs serve as a fundamental source of life energy –transporting oxygen from the atmosphere into the capillaries so they can oxygenate blood – as well as an important channel of elimination – releasing carbon dioxide from the bloodstream into the atmosphere. They are constantly filtering, protecting, and transforming the external world into a refined and perfected air, cleansed of pollutants, and environmental irritants.

The upper part of the lung near the collarbone or clavicle is called the apex and the broad lower part is called the base. The base of each lung rests on the diaphragm.

The right lung is larger and broader than the left lung due to the shape and location of the heart. The right lung is also shorter due to the diaphragm’s upward displacement to accommodate the liver. The right lung is divided into three lobes or parts; superior, middle and inferior.

The left lung is divided into two lobes; superior and inferior. The left lung is smaller and narrower than the right lung. The concave area occupied by the heart on the left side of the lung is called the cardiac impression.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs (yin) are associated with:

• Element: Metal, which governs organization, communication and the mind helping us set limits and protecting boundaries.

• Season: Fall

• Emotions: Grief/letting go, sadness. Emotions of grief, bereavement, regret, loss, and remorse can prevent the ability of the lungs to accept and relinquish, impeding their function of “taking in” and “letting go”. Grief that remains unresolved can become chronic and create disharmony in the lungs, weakening the lung’s function of circulating oxygen around the body. When lung function is impaired, it leads to shortness of breath, fatigue and feelings of melancholy.

• Balanced: Supports confidence, organization, discipline; ability to to yield and demand, give and take, hold on and let go

• Imbalanced: Issues with self-worth, hoarding, clutter; balance, order and discipline are rigidly maintained, the emotions are kept under tight control, rules and routines become inflexible, and the body begins to stiffen up.

• Virtue: Reverence (sadness without the loss) is the ability to experience every moment as unique, as special and complete in itself.

• Corresponding organ: Large intestine (yang), which takes care of releasing waste in the body. In Chinese Medicine, the lungs and the colon make up the majority of the immune system, hence its immune enhancing properties.

Other Energetics:

• Planet: Mercury

• Zodiac: Gemini

• Element: Air

• Body: Shoulders, arms, and hands

• Gemini's plants: usually feature finely divided leaves or stems (like the bronchi of lungs), hairy or fuzzy leaves (related to the cilia in the lungs), or subtle odors. Plants associated with Gemini help to strengthen the lungs and respiratory system, relax the nervous system, strengthen ears and hearing, the tongue and speaking, the vocal cords, lungs and thyroid, as well as the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Nature has provided us with a variety of herbs that provide medicinal constituents that support the entire respiratory system.

Astragalus for strengthening and tonifying the immune system and is great for colds, the flu, and difficulty breathing.

Wild Cherry as a respiratory sedative and antitussive agent and can be helpful in alleviating rapid or shallow breathing from asthma or a bronchial infection. It helps to relax and strengthen the respiratory system in cases of infection, and is often used in cough syrup and other cough formulas.

Essential Oil Blends

• Breathe™ helps to clear and open the nasal passages and supports the relief of sinus pressure from chronic sinus infections and/or sinus issues related to allergies.

• Histamine Balance™ helps to balance the histamine response as histamine performs critical functions in body, contributing to HCL production and neurotransmitter signals.

• Lung Support™ helps to support the release of emotional grief to enhance breath and life energy.

• Sinus Support™ helps to clear and open the nasal passages and supports the relief of sinus pressure from chronic sinus infections and/or sinus issues related to allergies.

• Parasympathetic™ helps to melt away stress, elevate mood, boost energy, improve digestion, and to regain focus. The parasympathetic state of the Autonomic Nervous System is influenced by external factors like breathing.

Discover more ways to support the lungs and respiratory here.

Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath. Smile, and start again. – Author Unknown