Grief: The Lung and Letting Go.
The very first thing we do upon entering this world is take a breath. From that moment on, the Lung becomes our life’s constant companion—faithfully working until our very last exhale. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Lung is considered the most exterior of the Zang organs, making it both our first line of defence and our most sensitive emotional barometer.
In Five Element theory, the Lung corresponds with the Metal element and the autumn season—a time when nature itself demonstrates the art of letting go. Just as trees release their leaves, our Lung encourages us to release what no longer serves us. Breathing in and breathing out. Taking in the new, and letting go of the old. Sounds simple, but we humans do love to hold on.
The Lung opens to the outside world through the nose and is reflected in the skin and body hair. It works closely with the Kidney to grasp Qing Qi (air qi), supporting respiration, water metabolism, sweating, skin moisture, and that glow you can’t fake. Along with Gu Qi (derived from food and drink), the Lung helps create Zong Qi—or Gathering Qi—stored in the chest to aid both respiration and circulation. Think of Zong Qi as your body’s internal support team, gathered from heaven and earth.
The Lung, as written in the Huang Di Neijing, “assembles the hundred vessels” and disperses Qi like a sprinkler system. But here’s the trick: it needs a clean environment—physically and emotionally—to do this properly. The Lung thrives on clarity. That includes air and feelings.
Emotionally, the Lung is most affected by sadness. In TCM, Sadness is the appropriate emotional reaction to loss. Grief, on the other hand, is what happens when Sadness overstays its welcome. It becomes pathological—like an unresolved loop, where we dwell, cling, and resist release. Whether it’s a relationship, a job, a loved one, or even a former version of ourselves, Grief can root us in place, preventing the Lung from performing its descending and dispersing functions.
And if that weren’t enough, the Lung’s partner in crime is the Large Intestine—another organ devoted to letting go (you can draw your own conclusions). When Lung Qi doesn't descend properly, the Large Intestine can get sluggish. And vice versa—a constipated colon can actually back up the Lung, leading to shortness of breath or even skin issues. Yes, your emotional baggage might actually be giving you a rash.
The physical clues of Lung imbalance include respiratory issues, inability to sweat, dry or damp skin, and—true to Metal’s nature—a sense of internal constriction. That tightness in your chest might be your Lung whispering: “Hey, how about we process that heartache now?”
But here's the good news: the Lung wants balance. It’s literally built to let go. A good cry (the Lung’s signature sound, according to the Five Elements) can be a deeply cathartic release—like emotional exfoliation.
So how do we support our Lungs in doing what they do best?
TCM gives us tools. Breathing exercises. Qigong. Food therapy. The Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) Qigong set includes movements like “Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Eagle,” which expands Lung capacity and eases chest tightness. In Five Element Qigong, Metal practices use sweeping, forward-pushing arm movements to mimic the Lung’s natural rhythm: receive and release. Inhale and exhale. Clarity in, clutter out.
Nourishing the Lung also happens through seasonal eating. Metal’s flavour is pungent, and its colour is white. Foods like radish, garlic, cauliflower, eggs, and onions support Lung function. Spices like ginger, mustard greens, and chili stimulate circulation and help transform phlegm. And don’t forget the Spleen: a well-fed Spleen (Earth) supports the Lung (Metal) in their mother-child relationship, creating an internal system of mutual care.
Your grief isn’t just “in your head.” It’s in your chest, your breath, your bowels, and your skin. But it doesn’t have to stay there. With gentle movement, mindful breath, nourishing food, and even a well-timed sob, you can honour your sadness, process your grief, and eventually—finally—let go.
Sources:
Zhu Bing & Wang Hongcai (2010). Basic Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zhu Bing & Wang Hongcai (2010). Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Eva Wong (2015). Being Taoist – Wisdom for Living a Balanced Life
Dr. Dong Hua (2021). Nan Jing: The Classic of Difficult Issues
Yinova Center: Grief in Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine Living: Grief & the Lungs
8 Brocades Qigong: YouTube
Five Element Qigong: YouTube
