Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Spleen in Chinese Medicine The Lungs in Chinese Medicine The concept of Qi The concept of Deficiency
Key attributes
Chinese name: 脾肺气虚 Pinyin name: Pí Fèi Qì Xū
Pattern nature: Empty combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Spleen Qi Deficiency Lung Qi Deficiency
Causes
Precursor patterns: Spleen Qi Deficiency
Common causes: 1. Diet, 2. Sedentary lifestyle, 3. Overtalking
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Obesity Coughing Tiredness Lassitude Weak Limbs and ten other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue description: Pale
Treatment
Treatment principle: Tonify Lung and Spleen Qi.
Common formulas: Si Jun Zi Tang Liu Jun Zi Tang
Pathology
The Spleen and the Lungs are both involved in the production of Qi. They're respectively the source of Grain Qi and Clean Air which merge together to make Gathering Qi (also called True Qi). As such they have a strong inter dependence and influence over each other.
There is a saying in Chinese medicine: "The Spleen is the source of Qi and the Lungs are the pivot of Qi."
One key aspect of this interdependence is that if Lung Qi is deficient, or if there is not enough deep breathing or exercise to bring in sufficient Clean Air, the Spleen is affected and can't function well in transporting, distributing and transforming nutrients or in performing Fluids metabolism.
On the other side, an impairment of Spleen Qi or a diet high in cold raw foods leads to Deficient Qi of the Lungs and creates Dampness in the Lungs with symptoms of cough, excessive mucus and asthma. That is why one major way to treat Lung Dampness is to warm, strengthen and dry the Spleen.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency can derive from Spleen Qi Deficiency
Diet: Irregular eating or a diet lacking in nourishment may lead to Spleen Qi Deficiency and eventually affect the Lungs because they will not receive enough Food-Qi produced by the Spleen.
Sedentary lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle may lead to Lung Qi Deficiency. This is because lack of exercise and excessive stooping over a desk for many years weakens Lung Qi as not enough air is taken in.
Overtalking: If your profession involves talking a lot (e.g. teacher or sport coach) this might lead to Lung Qi Deficiency
Diagnosing Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue description: Pale
Main symptoms: Obesity Coughing Tiredness Lassitude Weak Limbs Weak voice Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Aversion to cold Shortness of breath Dislike of speaking Spontaneous sweating Frequent Colds or Flu Slight abdominal distention after eating
Diagnosis commentary: The main characteristic symptoms here are the lack of appetite, the fatigue and the slight shortness of breath. Those 3 symptoms are in and of itself enough to diagnose Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Treating Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Treatment principle
Tonify Lung and Spleen Qi.
Herbal formulas used to treat Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Formula summary
Si Jun Zi Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi.
Besides Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency, Si Jun Zi Tang is also used to treat Qi Deficiency or Stomach Qi Deficiency.
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Formula summary
Liu Jun Zi Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi.
Besides Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency, Liu Jun Zi Tang is also used to treat Qi Deficiency or Phlegm.
Diet recommendations
To treat this pattern, it is particularly important to eat at regular time a diet made of real nourishing foods, particularly meats and grains.
A sedentary lifestyle is also very damaging. Get regular exercise and don't spend too much time stooping over a desk.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency can lead to Phlegm