Lung Meridian – Grief
The Organ: The lungs keep our cells supplied with oxygen and remove gaseous waste.
The Meridian: Life begins with the first breath. The lung meridian connects the mind to the body through breath.
Location: Begins at the front of the shoulder. It runs upward a little and then down the top of the inner arm and ends at the corner of the thumb.
Physical Imbalance: weak immune system, respiratory infections, breathing problems, stunted vitality and drive, cough, chest congestion, phelgm (flem), and asthma.
Emotional Imbalance: grief and sadness, depressive mood, sense of aloneness, and alienation.
How To Balance
* A strong and balanced flow of energy through the lung meridian promotes humility, tolerance, and allows someone to be teachable.
Acupressure Point/Massage: *The are many pressure points in body. This is one example.
Lung 7 is a key acupuncture point for treating early stage cold and flu symptoms, including cough, sore throat, chills and fever, nasal congestion, headache, and stiff neck.
Applying acupressure to this point can be done in the comfort of your own home. In addition to holding the point, you can also gently massage the area in small circular motions to enhance the effects. Here’s a simple guide to get you started.
- Use the descriptions above to locate the acupressure point. You can use your fingers to feel for slight indentations or sensitive areas.
- Use your thumb, fingers, or a soft-tipped tool to apply steady, firm pressure to the point. You should feel a slight discomfort but not pain.
- Maintain the pressure for 1-3 minutes while taking deep, slow breaths. This helps to activate the point and allows the body to relax.
- In addition to holding the point, you can also gently massage the area in small circular motions to enhance the effects.
Herbal Therapy/Diet: If you experience asthma, chest congestion, chronic bronchitis, and allergies, you can comfort them by taking lung tonics like mullein, horehound, wild cherry, marsh mellow, and plaintain. Herbal teas such as peppermint and ginger tea will help as well.
Meditation/Mind: To transform negative thoughts, practice breathing exercises that soothe the nervous system, such as, extending your inhale and exhale while focusing on the breath. Try this.
- Inhale deeply through the nose from the belly then the chest.
- Place one hand on the belly and one on the heart. Feel them lift as you breathe in, and fall as you breathe out.
- On the inhale, picture your body filling up with a bright light. At the top of the breath pause and sip in one last little bit of air, bringing the breath up into your collar bone area. Hold the breath for five, four, three, two, one… before releasing the air.
- Visualize all negative thoughts and tension leaving the body through the exhale. Picture the air leaving your body as murky, a contrast to the bright light being inhaled. When you think you’ve exhaled completely, try to press out just a little bit more and hold for a count of five.
- Repeat this exercise for five minutes or until you feel calm and balanced.
Physical Exercise: Avoid smoking and steam inhalation to improve the lungs. Also spending 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week doing some endurance activities is great for improving lung function and health. Try this.
- Brisk walking or jogging
- Yard work (mowing, raking, digging)
- Dancing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Climbing stairs
Related Articles
Resources
1. https://www.meine-tcm.com/en/lung-meridian/
2. https://www.functionalkinesiology.co.uk/lung-kinesiology/
3. https://www.katokamassagetherapy.com/understanding-body-meridians
4. https://acupuncturistseattle.com/the-12-meridians-of-acupuncture/
5. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/storey/five-herbs-lung-respiratory-health/
7. https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/ss20181019-build-healthy-lungs