Lung Qi Deficiency

How to recognize Lung Qi Deficiency

The signs that point most strongly to this pattern:

1. Shortness of breath on effort, shallow breathing
2. Weak voice, no wish to talk
3. Catching every cold, slow to recover
4. Daytime sweating for no reason
5. A weak cough that lingers after an illness

Also common

• Pale face
• Tiredness
• Dislike of wind and cold
• Thin watery phlegm

Tongue

Pale with a thin white coat.

Pulse

Weak, especially at the right wrist.

Formulas for Lung Qi Deficiency

Herbs that matter most for Lung Qi Deficiency

• Huang Qi Root of Membranous Milkvetch Astragalus tonifies Lung qi and firms the surface.
• Dang Shen Dang Shen Root Codonopsis tonifies Lung and Spleen qi.
• Ren Shen Ginseng Ginseng, the strongest qi tonic, for real weakness.
• Wu Wei Zi Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit Schisandra holds the Lung qi in and stops the sweat.
• Shan Yao Chinese Yam Rhizome Chinese yam gently tonifies Lung, Spleen, and Kidney.
• Bai Zhu Rhizome of Largehead Atractylodes Atractylodes strengthens the Spleen that feeds the Lung.

How Lung Qi Deficiency differs from its look-alikes

• Lung Yin Deficiency Yin deficiency is dry and warm: a dry cough, a red tongue, night sweats. Qi deficiency is weak and pale with daytime sweats and a quiet voice.
• Spleen Qi Deficiency The Spleen version is about digestion: bloating, loose stools, tiredness after meals. The two often need treating together.

What drains into Lung Qi Deficiency

• Repeated colds and chest infections
• Long illness or long bed rest
• Smoking
• Spleen qi deficiency, since the Spleen feeds the Lung
• Grief
• Overwork and a stooped sitting posture

Food and habits that help Lung Qi Deficiency

• Breathe deeply on purpose a few times a day; the bellows strengthens with use.
• Warm cooked food to feed the Spleen that feeds the Lung.
• Keep the neck and upper back covered in wind.
• No smoking, and stay away from smoke.
• Sit up straight; a folded chest cannot fill.

What should change as Lung Qi Deficiency improves

• Daytime sweating eases within two to three weeks.
• Colds come less often and clear faster over a season.
• The voice and breath strengthen over one to two months.

Conditions where Lung Qi Deficiency shows up