"How Can I Locate Acupoints to Strengthen Lung Qi?"

Tonifying Lung Qi and Lubricating Lung Yin with Acupuncture

The primary acupoints for bolstering lung qi and nourishing lung yin are Feishu (BL13), Zusanli (ST36), and Qihai (CV6). Feishu serves dual purposes: it alleviates coughing and wheezing while benefitting the lungs and dispersing phlegm. It is effective in treating coughing and wheezing regardless of the underlying cause. Zusanli's primary function is to harmonize and strengthen the spleen and stomach. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there's a vital health preservation principle, "reinforcing the mother when there is weakness." Essentially, to address weakness in a specific organ, its "mother" organ must be fortified first. The lungs are associated with the metal element, while the spleen and stomach correspond to the earth element, and earth is the mother of metal. Thus, to nourish the lungs, it's essential to strengthen their "mother," the spleen and stomach. Qihai, where the body's vital energy converges, significantly replenishes vital energy. To tonify lung qi using these acupoints, performing moxibustion on each for 10-20 minutes during daily health maintenance suffices.

Food Therapy for Lung Tonification

Food therapy for lung tonification is a gradual process, primarily involving incorporating qi-tonifying herbs into regular meals. Examples include adding longan, huangqi (astragalus), goji berries, and dangshen (codonopsis) to soup. Huangqi excels in tonifying qi, benefiting qi, and strengthening the spleen; longan nourishes the heart and soothes the mind; dangshen nourishes blood, promotes saliva secretion, and tonifies qi. Add 10 grams of each herb to a pot of soup and consume it 2-3 times a week for an extended period to observe results. If qi deficiency is severe and symptomatic, consult a doctor for herbal prescriptions to be decocted and administered.

Exercise for Lung Tonification

Exercise, particularly qigong and abdominal breathing, can also aid in lung tonification. If you find it cumbersome, practice abdominal breathing at home. The method is straightforward: Place one hand on your lower abdomen, relax all muscles, inhale through your nose while expanding your lower abdomen outward, hold your breath for 1-2 seconds after inhaling fully, then slowly exhale through your mouth while drawing your lower abdomen inward. This breathing technique can be performed repeatedly and is recommended in the morning.