QiLifeLung 肺
The Lung governs Qi and respiration, and controls the skin — it is the body's outer defence against cold, wind and dryness.
Pinyin: Fei · Five Element: Metal · updated
The Lung governs Qi in its most outward-facing sense: it manages respiration and it rules over the skin, which is the body's interface with the environment. From this comes Wei Qi, the defensive layer, and it is why Lung patterns so often present as susceptibility — frequent colds, easy drafts, weather-reactive symptoms.
The Lung also handles the distribution of fluids through the body, and dryness is its characteristic failure. A dry cough, dry skin, a hoarse voice and dry lips all sit in the same family. The season attached to the Lung is autumn, which in most climates is exactly when dry symptoms appear.
Supporting the Lung means keeping the chest open: regular breathing practice, aerobic movement, and dryness managed with warmth and moisture rather than cold drinks. Its element is Metal, and its period runs from 3am to 5am, when deep sleep is said to restore it.
Signs that suggest this pattern
No single sign establishes a pattern — Chinese medicine reads combinations, not isolated symptoms. If several of these are familiar and have been for a while, it is worth running the Zang-Fu Organ Check to see what the combination scores.
- Shortness of breath or shallow breathing
- A dry cough, or one with little phlegm
- Dry skin, or skin that reacts to weather
- Frequent colds, especially in autumn
- A pale or tender complexion
- Sadness or a low mood, in the classical pairing
Acupoints used for this pattern (2)
Every point below opens the full library entry, including location, technique, frequency and the cautions attached to it.
CV17 · Shanzhong
The meeting point of Qi. Traditionally used for chest tightness, sighing, breathlessness and emotional constriction.
Conception Vessel meridian
LU9 · Taiyuan
The Lung's source point. Traditionally used for a weak voice, dry cough, shortness of breath and fragile surface defences.
Lung meridian
Foods listed against this pattern (11)
Nature and flavour are the traditional classification. Read the avoid note before changing anything you eat regularly.
Chinese yam
Supports digestion and lung function without being cloying. The safest tonic food for most people.
Neutral · Sweet
Lily bulb
Moistens dryness and settles a restless mind. Used for dry cough and disturbed sleep.
Cool · Sweet, slightly bitter
White fungus
The classic moistening food for dry skin, dry throat and autumn dryness.
Neutral · Sweet
Pear
Moistens the throat and clears mild heat. Best steamed or stewed for a dry cough.
Cool · Sweet, slightly sour
Mandarin orange
Moistens a dry throat and eases thirst. The dried peel is used separately for stuck Qi and phlegm.
Cool · Sweet, sour
Astragalus
Builds Qi and supports defensive energy. Traditionally used for fatigue, a weak voice and catching everything going around.
Warm · Sweet
Walnut
Warms and supports the Kidney, holds Qi and moistens the intestine. Used for lower back ache and dry stool.
Warm · Sweet
Black fungus
Nourishes blood and gently moves it. Traditionally used for dry stool and sluggish circulation.
Neutral · Sweet
Cordyceps
Supports the Lung and Kidney pair. Traditionally used for a weak voice, a lingering cough and low stamina.
Warm · Sweet
Tofu
Clears mild heat and moistens dryness. A light protein that suits warm weather.
Cool · Sweet
Almond
Settles a cough and moistens the intestine. The traditional partner to pear for a dry cough.
Warm · Bitter, sweet
Tea formulas listed against this pattern (2)
These are traditional reference formulas. Doses shown are traditional reference amounts, not a prescription — check with a qualified practitioner, especially if you are pregnant, on medication, or managing a condition.
Ophiopogon & glehnia tea
Moistens the throat and lungs when dryness appears: dry mouth, dry cough, warm palms.
6 g ophiopogon, 6 g glehnia root
Pear & white fungus tea
The classic autumn drink for dry skin, dry throat and dry cough.
1 pear, 1 small white fungus, rock sugar to taste
Which assessment identifies this pattern
Zang-Fu Organ Check
Twenty questions across the five Zang-Fu systems. You get a score for each and the two weakest named explicitly, with what to do about them.
TCM Symptom Pattern Decoder
Twenty-eight questions across eight patterns, ranked by fit rather than a single verdict. Free, no email, results you can act on.
Seasonal Alignment Check
Fifteen questions scored against the solar term you are actually in right now, with specific adjustments rather than general advice.
Patterns that often appear alongside this one
Yin Deficiency
Yin deficiency is insufficient cooling, moistening fluid — you run warm and dry, and rest does not fully restore you.
Qi Deficiency
Qi deficiency means your defensive and transformative Qi runs low, so ordinary effort costs more than it should and colds come easily.
Yin
Yin covers everything cooling, moistening, contracting and substantial — the half of the pair that sustains and contains.
Qi
Qi is the umbrella concept in Chinese medicine — the body's capacity to move, warm, transform and defend, rather than a single substance.
Kidney
The Kidney stores Jing — the constitutional essence that governs growth, ageing and reproduction — and governs water metabolism.
Yang Deficiency
Yang deficiency is insufficient warming function — you feel cold, digest slowly, and move with less spark than the seasons call for.
Related vocabulary
Search terms this page covers: lung tcm, wei qi, defensive qi, lung meridian, autumn lung.