April 3rd, 2013 #3

The next hour consisted of me learning about the lung. 

The lung is responsible for:

1.) Dominating chi and controlling respiration

2.) Dominating dispersing, skin and hair

3.) Dominating descending and regulating water passages

4.) Opening into the nose

1.) Dominating chi and controlling respiration

Essentially the respiration part of the lungs is to inhale clean air and expelling the waste. So scientifically we're taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. Therefore the chi is distributed throughout the whole body to maintain normal functions of tissues and organs.

2.) Dominating dispersing, skin and hair

The chi the lung accumulates is distributed to warm and moisten the muscles, skin and hair. Keep in mind that the lung are in charge of the skin and hair. The skin and hair serve as protection from external factors and are often referred as "the gate of chi." Therefore the relationship between the lung, the skin and the hair are direct. A prime example would be when you've finished washing your hair and you let it air dry rather than blow drying it, you're letting "wind" into the body, which creates problems in the future such as arthritis and immediate effects such as a cold. 

3.) Dominating descending and regulating water passages.

This means that the lungs are in charge of regulating pathways for circulation and excretion of water.

4.) Opening to the nose.

Since the nose is the path for respiration and respiration is controlled by the lung there's no doubt that the lung chi would affect how we breathe and smell. Therefore is there is dysfunction then runny noses, nasal obstruction and anosmia can result. Another part of respiration is the throat, if the lung chi is deficient, then the voice becomes hoarse.