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8.19.19

lung health tips

Take a deep breath. Now, ask yourself: how often are you mindful of your breathing? Healthy lungs are a vital part of our overall health and, according to traditional Chinese medicine, lung health may require a bit of mindfulness. Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine expert, Mona Dan of Vie Healing, is explaining all about how to nourish these vital organs…

The lung’s energy and role—as seen in Chinese medicine—is that of making a boundary between the inner and outer world. The inner environment needs to be protected by a clear boundary which both defends and defines the person. Across this boundary, vital materials can be taken in and waste materials excreted. The lung’s most vital and obvious role is to take in oxygen, but there is more to it.

The Lungs In Chinese Medicine: Immunity + Elimination

In Chinese medicine, the lungs are more than just a respiratory system—they are deeply related to the large intestines and hold a strong role in breathing in and out, the necessity of living a healthy life. At the physical level, our boundary to the world begins with our skin—the largest organ on our body—which helps us breathe in and out through the pores. Beneath the skin, lung energy helps the circulation of blood, what we consider the body’s defensive layer against outside pathogenic factors.

The lung’s paired organ is the large intestine, and its main function is to release and eliminate. Together the lung and colon are related to immunity through the strength of the protective external layer of our skin. Generally, outside pathogens most easily enter through the respiratory and digestive systems, and the lung and colon are responsible for maintaining the function of these systems so that they are not penetrated by outside pathogens. According to Chinese medicine, the body’s defensive energy is directly dependent on the strength of the lung and colon.

Abundant lung energy presents itself as strong physical energy. There is a sense of softness yet fullness in the chest. In the lung’s most healthy state, immunity is strong, recovery from illness is quick and effective, skin is hydrated and the complexion is bright and fresh. Body posture is another physical expression of the state of the lungs, so a strong posture shows healthy lung energy. If lung health is weak, it will present as low energy and a poor immune system. Breathing may be shallow, and skin may appear unhealthy because energy and blood circulation may be weak. Also, emotions in the form of sadness and grief are expressions of lung energy.

How To Nourish The Lungs With Chinese Herbs

Because the lungs are so closely related to breath—the first sign of energy to enter our bodies—energy strengthening herbs are also for strengthening the lungs.

Ginseng Root | Ginseng is considered especially nourishing to the lungs, skin and stomach. Ginseng is said to moisten and cool the lungs, making it particularly useful for those with a dry cough. American ginseng is recommended over Asian ginseng for this purpose, as American ginseng is considered a yin tonic that is cooling in nature. Asian ginseng is a yang tonic that tends to be hot in nature.

Astragalus | Astragalus is one of the most commonly used Chinese herbs for strengthening and toning energy and the immune system. In Chinese medicine, astragalus is thought to build up immunity to protect us from external pathogens. Astragalus is most useful for those who frequently come down with a cold or the flu, have difficulty breathing (such as asthma), and who tend to sweat too much or not enough.

Cordyceps Mushroom | Traditionally this medicinal mushroom was used to strengthen weak lungs in those who exert high breathing energy, such as athletes. It is also highly recommended for those who suffer from chronic weak lungs, and those who tend to cough, wheeze and encounter shortness of breath. Also, it has a natural ability to resist a wide range of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Schisandra | Schisandra helps keep the lungs moist. It does so by retaining clean lung fluid, so it’s best for those with weak breath function, such as people with asthma and chronic wheezing.

How To Nourish The Lungs With Nutrition

On Protein + Dairy: It’s best to absorb protein from legumes and white meat (such as turkey). For dairy, focus on non-processed dairy (such as goat and sheep products) and pungent foods (such as fermented foods).

supportive foods: Fermented radishes specifically are great—they help your gut, so it helps your lungs. Additional foods recommended: clean white foods (cauliflower and potatoes), turnips, parsnips, almonds, daikon, apples, pears, rice, oats, sesame seeds, onion, garlic and white peppercorns.

leaf greens

above ground plants: Foods that grow through oxygen—think leafy greens, fresh organic vegetables with sprouted seeds and grains—help most.

warming drinks: Also, keep drinks and foods warm, and try to avoid foods that are too raw or on ice. Cover your chest in areas of wind or too much air conditioning and continuously drink warm/hot tea.

6 Other Ways To Improve Lung Health

BREATHE well | The best way to support lung health is to take in plenty of fresh air by developing your breath to expand the physical capacity of the lungs. This can be done through breath coaching and breathwork, mindful awareness of the breath, or gentle exercises such as swimming and walking. Stretching also helps expand the lung energy.

SUNBATHE | Moderate sunbathing will nourish the skin, although overexposure may be damaging. Learn a bit more about balance here.

RESPECT YOURSELF | Emotionally, the lungs are nourished by respect. Put value into who you are and what you do to attract respect from those around you, and this will also open your lung energy.

CLEAN your space | Take time to clean the physical world around you. Clean the corners of your home. Clearing up your environment literally gives you a sense of fresh air.

dry BRUSH your skin | Nourish the skin by dry brushing. This will maintain the skin’s health and support the immune system.

Bare it All | Occasionally going naked helps the skin breathe and improves lung health.

Did you know that there is a direct link between our organs and our emotions? Learn more about the philosophy here. 

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs. 

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Comments


  1. Western medicine will make you Sick and keep you Sick. Eat a Plant based diet and Animal prodcts Avoid Western doctors as you would the Plague.

    Alex Adam | 08.19.2019 | Reply
  2. I am now 75 years old and I haven’t seen a western doctor or taken western medicine [even a panadol] for the past 40 years. I am relatively healthy with no issues with blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar.

    yip waihong | 08.19.2019 | Reply
  3. To what do you attribute you good health?

    Greg | 08.19.2019 | Reply
  4. CAN CHINESE HERBS REVERSE EMPHAZIMA

    WILLIAM CAVALLERO | 12.19.2019 | Reply
  5. Melix | 03.28.2020 | Reply
  6. Local grammar police, Typo: “our boundary to the world begins without skin” – “begins with our skin”

    Yangyi | 03.29.2020 | Reply
  7. Glad you point to the emotional aspects of Lungs and Large Intestine. Emotions are a way we control metabolism even without knowing.

    YangYi | 03.29.2020 | Reply
  8. chinese medicine? Are you sure that’s the best source of advice right now?!

    Andy | 03.30.2020 | Reply
  9. The chinese eating is the worst. They export all their shit. No more crap coming from china ! It must stop.

    Ndiaye | 03.31.2020 | Reply
  10. These herbs are very strong herbs and should not be taken unless under the advice of a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist.

    Cath | 04.01.2020 | Reply
  11. Very useful informations.
    Thanks for sharing

    Yussi | 04.09.2020 | Reply
  12. Andy, NDiaye; you’re both racist and that can’t be good for your health.

    Malie | 08.01.2020 | Reply
  13. In general I agree with the person who said avoid Western doctors like the plague. That is I agree with the general sentiment of avoiding them for anything concerning my general health. In that they are only destructive and often horrifically so. But they are good for some things such as setting a broken leg. So I don’t avoid them like the plague in all things but for my general health they are only destructive and in the way.

    Roger Simmons | 08.29.2020 | Reply
  14. @Roger Thank you for your well-reasoned response.

    Batarang | 01.03.2021 | Reply
  15. I had emphysema in 2009 when I was 45 years old. I smoked for 11 years, but quit smoking as soon as I was told that I had COPD. Quitting smoking was the hardest thing I have ever done. But I knew I would die if I didn’t. My health was getting so bad that I needed oxygen 24/7 and was down to 92lbs. Thankfully, in 2019 I got a natural herbal prescription from a friend. It saved my life. I no longer needed oxygen and was able to climb stairs, dance, and travel the world. This is their website www multivitamincare org

    Jacob Smith | 04.04.2022 | Reply
  16. At age 34 I had surgery and it was fixed. Unfortunately, my smoking just caused more damage to my already underdeveloped lungs. The problem was having is that I enjoy smoking and don’t want to give up! Have tried twice before and nearly went crazy and don’t want to go through that again. I saw the fear in my family’s eyes when I told them about my COPD then they start to find solutions on their own to help my condition. It was not known then how dangerous cigarettes were for us, and it seemed everybody smoked but I was able to get rid of my COPD lung condition through the help of MULTIVITAMIN HERBAL CURE my husband bought, https://multivitamincare.org has the right herbal formula to help you get rid and repair any lung conditions and cure you totally with their natural organic herbs. I wish anybody who starts smoking at a young age would realize what will eventually happen to their bodies if they continue that vile habit throughout their life.

    Cali Blake | 04.23.2022 | Reply
  17. I was diagnosed with COPD in Dec 2012. I was on levalbuterol to ease the situation as i constantly go out of breath when talking or when walking, I was advised for Lung Volume reduction surgery (LVRS) because both upper lobes of the lungs were affected. I was making preparation for this surgery when a friend of mine told me about a traditional herbal doctor called doctor Chyou from Multivitamin Herbal Cure who prepares herbal medicine to cure all kinds of diseases including COPD disease, when i contacted Multivitamin their email and bought the herbal medicine I received the herbal medicine through courier service in 7 working days after received this herbal medicine i used it as prescribed and was totally cured of COPD within 4 weeks to 15 weeks of usage, they are able to cure any kinds of disease such as COPD, ALS, etc. Please do not think twice to try their formula because surprise me after many years of assuming there is no cure . Contact them and they will give you all the instructions to follow www. multivitamincare. org this is the last medicine you will ever use concerning COPD lung disease.

    Jane Robert | 02.18.2023 | Reply
  18. I was diagnosed with severe COPD and emphysema at 48. I had LVRS (lung volume reduction surgery) a year later, which I am forever grateful for it actually led me to www madibaherbalcenter . com . I have read some of their stories online before using their natural herbal formula , I had very hard time breathing then, and even more so at night, it was so bad I can’t sleep. I get up with a tight chest that feels blocked and can’t breathe well at all,I was excused from normal life responsibilities but natural herbs from madibaherbalcenter . com really helped but sometimes I think is God prodigy that I was able to treat my Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but madibaherbalcenter . com herbal formula has a big impact on my recovery because my lung condition has been fully reversed. They do things for me, and was too happy to comply with their service. This is an equitable way to get off your COPD emphysema.

    Jake Van | 09.25.2023 | Reply

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