Cause
- Lung Yin deficiency
- Kidney Yin deficiency
- living in a dry environment
To understand how dryness may develop in the Lung we need to make a short review of the concept of Yin and Yang in traditional Chinese medicine.
Since Yang in nature represents activity, light, warmth it logically represents function/warming faculty in the human body. Since Yin in nature represents rest, quiet, slowness, in the human body it translates to structure, substance, matter. In other words Yin represents blood, body fluids and matter, while Yang is the force that gives them live.
There is good health when Yin and Yang are in balance. When there is deficiency of Yang, Yin instantly becomes excessive and vice versa – when there is deficiency of Yin, Yang becomes excessive. Yang deficiency manifests in coldness, lethargy, overflow as there is "deficiency of warmth and energy" which struggles to contain the matter. And vice versa - when there is Yin deficiency the warming principle of the body (Yang) becomes excessive which in time will lead to accumulation of heat(1). Since body fluids are part of Yin, Lung Yin deficiency will also manifest in “dryness in the Lung”.
Lung Yin deficiency is a chronic condition, it cannot happen overnight(2). Causes for Lung Yin deficiency are chronic inflammation of the Lung or any long term Lung disease.
Another cause for Lung Yin deficiency is Kidney Yin deficiency(2). In traditional Chinese medicine the Kidney is viewed as “the root organ” that sends nourishment and energy up to the other organs. Prolonged illness may cause the Kidney Yin to become deficient which will manifest in Yin deficiency in one or more other organs.
Living in a dry environment is an external cause for "dryness in the Lung"(2)(3).
If you want to learn more about the Lung and its functions from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine go to "The Lung in Traditional Chinese Medicine" in the Physiology chapter.
Symptoms
- dry cough
- dry throat
- dry mouth
- dry skin
- hoarse voice
- Lung yin deficiency symptoms - night sweats, feeling hot in the afternoon and evening
As the term “dryness in the Lung” suggests the majority of the symptoms manifests in “dryness” such as dry mouth and dry throat(2)(4) As the mouth is dry there is thirst(2). As the throat is dry there is hoarse voice(2). As the Lung governs the skin there is dry skin(2)(4).
Typical “Lung Yin deficiency” symptoms are dry cough(4) or cough with little sputum(2)(3)(4), dry throat(2)(3)(4), feeling hot in the afternoon and evening(2) and night sweats(2)(3)(4). The evening and the night are governed by Yin, thus Yin deficiency discomfort manifests more during that period of time. Afternoon fever may also be present(2).
Treatment
To nourish Yin (whether it is Kidney or Lung Yin) it is useful to consume healthy fat “substance producing” foods.
To unlock the rest of this article select "Yes, I want to learn!" below.
Food therapy is the most economical and non-toxic biochemical approach to health and disease. Food is something we continuously use to sustain our lives. Learning what foods are healing (and what disruptive) for each condition has the potential to convert every meal into a form of therapy.
YS
(1) Zhang, Enqin (1990). Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Shanghai: Publishing House of Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
(2) Maciocia, Giovanni (1989). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. Edinburgh: Harcourt Publishers Limited
(3) Deng Liangye, Gan Yijun, He Shuhui, Ji Xiaoping, Li Yang, Wang Rufen, Wang Wenjing, Wang Xuetai, Xu Hengze, Xue Xuiling, Yuan Jiuling (1987). Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. China: Foreign Languages Press
(4) Yang Weiyi, Meng Fanyi, Jiang Yuanan(2002). Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Beijing: Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology
(5) Pitchford, Paul (2002). Healing with Whole Foods. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books
Related Articles
The Lung, season autumn, and the foods during autumn that benefit the Lung
Herbs that transform cold-phlegm and hot-phlegm
Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Herbs for first stage wind attack
Herbs for second stage wind attack
Herbs that tonify Yin
Herbs that tonify the Qi and benefit Lung Qi
Please read our Disclaimer
