Lung governs qì

The lung takes in clear, natural qì and expels turbid qì. The lung governs qi denotes the respiratory function and role played by the lung in the production of true qì (qì, in Chinese means breath and breathing as well as qì). Lung qì has the functions of ensuring diffusion and depurative downbearing. If these two functions are fulfilled, air can pass in and out of the lung freely, the respiratory tract is kept free, and breathing is even. Nondiffusion of lung qì is characterized by cough possibly accompanied by exterior signs, whereas impairment of depurative downbearing is characterized by cough and panting. Plain Questions (素问 sù wèn, zhì zhēn yào dà lùn) states, All qì rushing and depression is ascribed to the lung. The respiratory function of the lung is further related to the production of true qì. Inhaled air becomes a main constituent of true qì. The Magic Pivot (灵枢 líng shū) states, True qì is derived from air and from food qì, and fills the body. Inhaled air is combined with grain qì (nutrients in food), which are in turn combined with the essential qì of the kidney to form the true qì that nourishes the whole body. Hence it is said in Plain Questions (素问 sù wèn), The lung governs the qì of the whole body and all qì belongs to the lung. In addition to impairing respiration, insufficiency of lung qì may also affect the formation of true qì and thereby trigger generalized qì vacuity, characterized by fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath, and spontaneous sweating. Compare lung is the governor of qì.

Etymology

Chinese: 气 qì, breath, vapor, qì.