The Lungs and sweating

[Guest guest]

Review for readers new to TCM: Qi, pronounced chee, is roughly

though inadequately translated as " energy " . Qi flows throughout the

body.

 

One of the hurdles for Westerners first learning about TCM is TCM

physiology. The TCM Lungs are not equivalent to the anatomical lungs

and have many functions not a part of the lungs. (TCM Organs are

collections of functions.)

 

Two of the functions of the TCM Lungs are the regulation of water

passages and the control of the skin and hair. In short, they

control the opening of the pores of the skin and regulate sweating.

 

Deficient Lung Qi is not the only possible Root of excessive

sweating, but it is one of the first things TCM healers consider

when sweating is excessive. Giovanni Maciocia states that Lung Qi

Deficiency can be the Root of excessive sweating only on the hands

as well as excessive sweating all over the body. (The Foundations of

, p. 155. He also notes that nerves can cause

this. When one researches the topic further, one learns that Lung

Qi Deficiency is not the only possible Root of sweating just on the

hands. Also note that he says " on " the hands. Excessive sweating

from the palms can point to Yin Deficiency.)

 

The Lungs control the skin and hair, and Qi governs proper opening

and closing. Whenever there are " leaks " suspect and rule in or rule

out Qi Deficiency. Urinary incontinence? Possible Bladder Qi

Deficiency. Bowel incontinence and/or diarrhea? Possible Spleen Qi

Deficiency. Excessive sweating during the day? Possible Lung Qi

Deficiency.

 

One of the things that quickly becomes apparent when one starts to

learn about TCM is that any imbalance (Root) can have several

manifestations. Organs have more than one function. Excessive

sweating is just one of the ways Lung Qi Deficiency can manifest.

Another very important manifestation is that the Lungs influence

something called Defensive Qi (aka Protective Qi). Defensive Qi

circulates beneath the skin and gives resistence to pathogens -

Exterior Pernicious Evils (Cold, Heat, Wind, Dampness, and Dryness)

and in some cases to bacteria and viruses. Invasion by Wind Cold or

Wind Heat can mimic allergies and infections. Weak Defensive Qi also

can increase one's chances of catching colds or the flu or certain

other infections.

 

Qi can be lost via " leaks " . When sweating is excessive, " a certain

amount of Defensive Qi is lost with the sweat. " (Maciocia, p. 86.

The weak Lung Qi results in the pores staying open too much and not

closing properly, the person's Defensive Qi is lost gradually, and

the person becomes more and more prone to allergy-like symptoms,

arthritis, catching infections, etc. Whenever both excessive

sweating and a proneness to catching infections (or having the

symptoms of allergies) or having arthritic aches and pains, strongly

suspect Lung Qi Deficiency and rule in or rule out. It's usually

Lung Qi Deficiency that has gone untreated for some time.

 

I'll be going into more symptoms of Lung Qi Deficiency and how to

recognize it in a future post.

 

For the TCM students: Another function of the Lungs in addition to

regulating water passages and controlling the skin and hair is

controlling dispersing and descending of Qi. Lung Qi is supposed to

descend. If it does not and accumulates in the chest, the result

can be breathing problems, cough, and a feeling of oppression of the

chest. Lung Qi also influences the Large Intestine. (Remember, the

Lungs are Yin Metal and the Large Intestine is Yang Metal.) When

Lung Qi doesn't descend properly, this can cause the person to lack

the Qi necessary for proper bowel movement. The person lacks the

energy for proper defecation. The waste matter sits in the bowels.

The person also may lack the Qi necessary for proper urination, and

urine is retained. These two conditions more often are seen in

older people though it can be seen in younger clients, especially if

the Lungs' descending function has been impaired for some time.

 

For the TCM students and the psychologists on the list: The Lungs

are most vulnerable to the emotion of grief. Grief lessens Qi.

Think of a person who is grieving the loss of a loved one at a

funeral. It's like something has gone out of the person. It has.

Qi. Also, the person comes across as weaker and more vulnerable

than before. The person is weaker. Qi has been lost.

 

Grief as well as depression, sadness, anxiety, and bereavement can

cause Qi to " knot " . It becomes stuck. The Lungs' dispersing

function has been interfered with. Maciocia considers the treatment

of the Lungs to be very important in treating emotional problems

which are coming from the emotions listed previously. (pp. 86-87.)

Maciocia recommends the acupoint Lung 7 for releasing constrained

emotions, and Bladder 42 for tonifying Lung Qi and firming the

Corporeal Soul. (Another function of the Lungs is they house the

Corporeal Soul.) (p. 87.)

 

Sitting hunched over a desk too much - as occurs in excessive

studying or sometimes working at a computer - also can interfere

with the Lungs' dispersing and descending functions over time.