The spleen and lung

The relationship between the spleen and lung is closely connected with qui and body fluid. The spleen dominates transportation and transformation and is considered to be the source of acquired qi and blood. The strength of the lung qi relies on a continuous supply of the acquired essence of water and food. The condition of the lung qi, therefore, depends greatly on the tonifying action of spleen qi. On the other hand the function of the spleen in transporting and transforming water fluid also relies on the coordination of the dispersing and descending function of the lung. The twenty - first chapter of Plain Questions says : " The spleen spreads the qi for flowing upward to the lung, which regulates the water passages in order to transmit the water fluid down to the bladder. "

It pointed out the internal physiological connection between the spleen and the lung. Pathologically, weakness of spleen qi usually leads to deficiency of lung qi, resulting in poor appetite, abdominal distention and emaciation, accompanied by feeble cough, lassitude and dislike of speaking. Dysfunction of the lung in dispersing and descending may lead to accumulation of body fluid and stasis of dampness in the spleen, resulting in cough with much expectoration and stuffiness in the chest, or abdominal distention, borborygmus and edema