The Function of the Lungs: Insights From Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Science

Udumbara Udumbara
Dec 7, 2024 - 11:09 Updated: Dec 6, 2024 - 18:39
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The Function of the Lungs: Insights From Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Science

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Modern science is bridging the gap between traditional medicine and contemporary understanding.

Health Viewpoints

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes lung care in autumn, while Western medicine focuses on preventing respiratory illnesses during this season. Despite being distinct medical systems, both agree that the lungs play a critical role in maintaining health. Our lungs are not just for breathing; they also regulate essential functions like fluid balance, blood circulation, and brain and emotional health.

TCM offers a holistic perspective on how the lungs influence various aspects of the body. Modern science now validates much of this ancient wisdom, bridging the gap between traditional insights and contemporary understanding.
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Breathing and Energy

In TCM, the lungs are said to “govern qi and control respiration.” Qi represents the vital energy of life. Oxygen, a key component of qi, is brought into the body through the lungs, which inhale “clean air” and exhale “impure air,” maintaining the body’s blood oxygen balance.

From a modern scientific perspective, the lungs play a crucial role in oxygen exchange, delivering oxygen to the blood and, subsequently, to the brain and other organs. A lack of oxygen can lead to brain fog, cognitive decline, and fatigue—issues that align closely with TCM’s concept of qi deficiency, causing weakness and low energy. This connection highlights how ancient and modern medicine converge in understanding the lungs’ role in vitality and overall health.

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Regulating Blood Vessel Functions

In TCM, the lungs are said to “regulate the water pathways,” meaning that they govern the movement of body fluids, preventing water retention and ensuring smooth fluid metabolism. In Western medicine, the lungs are seen to expel water vapor through breathing as well as play a significant role in maintaining fluid balance.
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Modern science adds depth to this understanding. The lungs are integral to the renin-angiotensin system, which directly influences blood pressure regulation.
Lungs also produce adrenomedullin, a hormone that lowers blood pressure, protects blood vessels, and even helps regulate emotions. Studies show that during oxygen deprivation, the lungs release more adrenomedullin, reducing damage to pulmonary blood vessels caused by hypoxia.

TCM also describes the lungs as “commanding all vessels,” meaning they oversee the circulation of blood and energy throughout the body. The term likens the lungs to an emperor managing the flow of blood and energy in the vessels and meridians, emphasizing their vital role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain and maintaining overall circulation. This holistic perspective finds resonance in modern findings about the lungs’ systemic impact.

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Immune Function

TCM also has a theory called “the lung governs the skin and hair,” meaning that the lungs are responsible for the health of the skin and hair and manage the body’s defense function through the skin. The skin is seen as the first line of defense against external pathogens.
Modern immunology also points out that the lungs secrete surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D, which protect the lungs from infections and have a significant impact on immune activities throughout the body.
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The Lung-Brain Axis

The connection between the lungs and the brain, known as the lung-brain axis, highlights a dynamic relationship that parallels the better-known gut-brain axis. Lung health is closely linked to neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis, and the brain’s immune functions.
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Studies show that severe pneumonia often leads to neurological disturbances. This occurs when bacteria from the lungs migrate to the brain, a process facilitated by the breakdown of the lung-blood and blood-brain barriers during severe infection. This bacterial invasion triggers brain inflammation and disrupts the function of glial cells, critical for clearing waste from the brain.
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Modern medicine confirms the bidirectional link between lung and brain health. Research has found that declining lung function is often accompanied by cognitive decline, and acute brain injuries frequently lead to acute lung damage. This interconnectedness underscores the importance of holistic approaches to maintaining lung and brain health.
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Emotional Health

According to TCM, each organ houses a spirit, and the spirit of the lungs is known as the Po, hence “the lungs store the Po.” The Po governs the body’s form and mind, representing our instinctive and emotional reactions. The Po is closely related to breathing and oversees the connection between our body and mind. When lung qi is abundant, emotions are balanced. However, when lung qi is weak, emotional disturbances such as grief, sadness, and anxiety are more likely to arise.
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Modern science has also confirmed the close connection between lung function and emotional health. A study published in Thorax revealed that among 55 patients with severe asthma, 49 percent experienced anxiety, and 31 percent had depression. These emotional challenges are likely linked to reduced oxygen supply to the brain, which impairs its ability to regulate emotions effectively.

Through breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, we can stimulate the vagus nerve, which directly affects the brain and helps alleviate anxiety. This aligns with TCM’s emphasis on nurturing the lungs to improve physical and emotional well-being.

The understanding of the lungs in TCM offers a comprehensive perspective. The lungs are not limited to respiration; they also regulate fluid balance, immune response, emotional health, and brain function. Modern science continues to validate these ancient concepts, demonstrating the close connection between lung health and overall well-being.

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Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
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