Library

The Lung corresponds to Metal in the Five Elements and is prosperous in Autumn. Its pulse is floating and light like feathers; its external manifestation reflects on the nose; its sound is weeping (crying); its odor is fishy; its taste is pungent; its fluid is nasal discharge; it nourishes the skin and body hair; it stores the Po (Corporeal Soul); its complexion is white; its meridian is the Hand-Taiyin (Lung Meridian). It is interior-exteriorly paired with the Large Intestine; as a Fu organ, the Large Intestine governs the exterior, while as a Zang organ, the Lung governs the interior.

If Lung Qi is excessive, manifesting as "Qi surplus," symptoms include panting, coughing, rebellious Qi ascending, pain in the shoulder and back, sweating, and pain throughout the buttocks, genitalia, thighs, knees, popliteal fossa, calves, and feet. This constitutes an Excess syndrome of Lung Qi, which should be treated with draining methods. If Lung Qi is deficient, symptoms include shortness of breath, inability to complete inhalation, deafness, and dry throat. This constitutes a Deficiency syndrome of Lung Qi, which should be treated with tonifying methods.

Regarding the Four Seasons: A Lung disease may heal in Winter; if not healed in Winter, it worsens in Summer; if death does not occur in Summer, it remains stable in Late Summer; and it begins to improve in Autumn. Regarding Heavenly Stems: Healing occurs on Ren-Gui days (Water days); if not healed, aggravation occurs on Bing-Ding days (Fire days); if death does not occur, stability is maintained on Wu-Ji days (Earth days); and improvement begins on Geng-Xin days (Metal days). Regarding Time of Day: The patient feels clearer in the late afternoon, quiet at midnight, and worse at noon.

The Lung desires contraction; therefore, sour flavors should be consumed urgently to contract it. Sour flavors are used to tonify the Lung, and pungent flavors are used to drain it. Cold food and cold clothing are prohibited.

The pulse location for the Lung is at the Cun-kou position anterior to the Guan position on the right wrist. A normal Lung pulse comes gently and rhythmically, like falling elm seeds, termed "Ping" (Normal) Lung Pulse. In Autumn, the Stomach Qi (digestive vitality) serves as the foundation. In Autumn, when Lung Metal is dominant, the pulse is floating, choppy, and short, which is called a Normal Pulse. If instead a floating, large, and surging pulse is obtained, this indicates Heart Fire encroaching upon Lung Metal (Fire overcoming Metal), representing a major reversal (Da Ni), which is fatal and incurable. If instead a deep, soft, and slippery pulse is obtained, this indicates Kidney Water encroaching upon Lung Metal (Child supporting Mother); even if diseased, it will heal spontaneously. If instead a relaxed, large, and long pulse is obtained, this indicates Spleen Earth encroaching upon Lung Metal (Mother returning to Child); although diseased, it will likely heal. If instead a wiry and long pulse is obtained, this indicates Liver Wood encroaching upon Lung Metal (Wood overwhelming Metal), representing a minor pathogen; although diseased, it will likely heal.

A Lung pulse that floats lightly, like a breeze blowing the feathers on a bird's back, with two beats per respiration is normal. Three beats indicate deviation from the classic pattern (Li Jing); four beats indicate depletion of essence (Duo Jing); five beats indicate death; six beats indicate the end of life. In Lung disease, the pulse moves up and down like feeling a chicken feather, termed Lung Disease. In Lung disease, the complexion is white, the body feels only cold without fever, there is frequent desire to cough, and the pulse is slightly slow; this is treatable. The dying Lung pulse floats like an object on water or like wind-blown feathers, termed Dying Lung Pulse.

In Autumn, a pulse with slight feathery quality and present Stomach Qi is normal; less Stomach Qi and more feathery quality indicates Lung disease; feathery quality without any Stomach Qi indicates death. Feathery quality with wiry quality indicates Spring illness; pronounced wiry quality indicates current illness. When the True Lung pulse appears, it is large and empty, like feathers touching human skin. If the complexion is red and white without luster and hair breaks, death ensues. Decoctions, moxibustion/warming therapies, needles, and stones have separate specific formulas; tonification, nourishment, and guidance exercises are attached hereafter.

The *Yangsheng Fang* (Prescriptions for Nourishing Life) states: Speaking too much causes Qi conflict, leading to Lung distension and dry mouth.

It also states: The three months of Autumn are called "Rong Ping" (Container and Level/Peaceful Convergence). The Heaven Qi becomes urgent/crisp, and the Earth Qi becomes clear. One should sleep early and rise early, waking with the rooster. One should keep the mind peaceful to缓 (slow/soothe) the autumn form. One should gather and store the Shen Qi (Spiritual Energy) to keep the Autumn Qi balanced. One should not let one's will wander outward, keeping the Lung Qi pure. This is responding to the Autumn Qi, the way of nourishing convergence. Violating this injures the Lung, leading to undigested diarrhea (Sun Xie) in Winter.

The *Yangsheng Fang · Daoyin Fa* (Guiding and Pulling Method) states: For those with Lung organ diseases, experiencing chest and back pain and fullness, and limb restlessness, one should exhale using the "Xu" (Hiss) sound technique.

It also states: Support oneself with both hands on the ground, invert the body, inhale through the mouth, and exhale through the nose; this eliminates diseases in the chest and lungs.