The lungs are the largest respiratory organ in the human body, primarily responsible for exchanging internal and external gases, helping the body expel toxins and inhale more fresh air to maintain balance. Disruptions to this system can severely harm the body, leading to frequent respiratory illnesses. The lungs are also relatively delicate; in winter, they are most vulnerable to cold and dry air, which can impair lung function.
Therefore, nourishing the lungs is crucial during this period!
As people age, their physiological functions gradually decline, often resulting in insufficient Qi and blood. If they catch a cold or cough, they find it difficult to heal themselves. Therefore, even common ailments require more attention and careful maintenance from the elderly than from younger people.
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I. What are the signs of poor lung health?
1.1 Dull skin and hair
1.2 Weakness during bowel movements
1.3 Frequent coughing and phlegm
II. 10 things to do to protect your lung health
1. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day
2. Do breathing exercises regularly
3. Eat more white foods
4. Drink lung-nourishing teas
5. Tap the lung meridian
6. Avoid constipation
7. Quit smoking and wear a mask
8. Ventilate your home by opening windows
9. Get plenty of sunshine
10. Maintain a good mood
I. What are the signs of poor lung health?
1.1 Dull Skin and Hair
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the lungs are closely connected to the skin and hair. Lung problems lead to insufficient lung Qi, causing toxins to accumulate in the lungs and enter the skin and hair, resulting in dull, lackluster skin and dry, brittle hair.
1.2. Lack of Strength During Bowel Movements
Our internal organs are interconnected. Damage to one organ can affect others. Poor lung function, leading to insufficient lung qi, can impair normal digestion and absorption, slowing intestinal peristalsis and causing a feeling of weakness during bowel movements.
Many people might mistake this for constipation. Constipation has complex causes, but it's often linked to poor lung function and requires timely treatment.
1.3. Frequent Coughing and Phlegm
Coughing is common, usually related to respiratory illnesses, especially lung infections caused by colds. This leads to a buildup of bacteria in the lungs, causing persistent coughing and phlegm. Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent the condition from worsening.
These symptoms indicate lung problems and require immediate attention.
II. Ten Tips to Protect Your Lung Health
1. Drink 6-8 Glasses of Water a Day
Winter weather is generally dry, causing significant moisture loss from the lungs. Dehydration can easily lead to lung infections, so daily hydration is crucial for lung health.
Aim for 6-8 glasses of water a day, in small, frequent sips, with the first glass of water in the morning being the most important.
2. Practice Breathing Exercises Regularly
Exercise, especially deep breathing exercises, is beneficial for lung health. These are simple to perform; just find a place with good air quality. With each inhale and exhale, toxins are expelled from the lungs while increasing oxygen intake, thus improving lung function.
Traditional Chinese medicine breathing exercises include Five Animal Frolics, Eight Pieces of Brocade, and Tai Chi. During these exercises, consciously relax your breathing and muscles, guiding your movements with your mind, integrating awareness, breathing, and movement to generate energy that flows to the limbs. Additionally, dedicate some time each day to brisk walking or jogging.
3. Eat More White Foods
The lungs correspond to the color white, and many white foods are beneficial for lung health. It's good to eat more of these. Foods like pears, lilies, white fungus, almonds, and fritillaria cirrhosa, which are both food and medicine, can effectively nourish the lungs.
Steamed pears are effective for moisturizing the lungs and relieving coughs. Peel and core the pear, cut it into chunks, place it in a steaming bowl, add a small amount of lilies and rock sugar, add some water, and steam until the pear chunks are easily pierced with chopsticks. It's best to eat it once in the morning and once in the evening, including the liquid, for the best results.
4. Lung-Nourishing Tea
Here's a tea recipe perfect for autumn and winter, with yin-nourishing and lung-moistening effects. Use 15 grams each of the four Chinese herbs—Polygonatum odoratum, wolfberry, Codonopsis pilosula, and Ophiopogon japonicus—to steep in water. Alternatively, you can choose only one herb to steep in water, depending on your individual needs.
5. Patting the Lung Meridian
Patting the lung meridian can promote lung function, regulate qi, relieve cough and asthma, and is used to treat sore throat, cough, and wheezing.
Method: Raise your right hand to chest level, with your left hand's five fingers together, and use your left palm to pat the lung meridian of your right upper limb. Switch hands, using your right palm to pat the lung meridian of your left upper limb, patting 3 times on each side. The lung meridian is located on the upper inner side of the upper limb, from the front of the shoulder to the wrist.
6. Avoid Constipation
The lungs and large intestine are internally and externally related. Normal large intestine function helps the lung qi descend. Therefore, when treating lung-related diseases, special attention should be paid to maintaining regular bowel movements. Clinically, many patients with similar coughs and asthma do not respond well to treatment, often because they neglect bowel regularity.
To reduce constipation, in daily life, pay attention to reducing prolonged sitting, drinking plenty of water, and eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains rich in dietary fiber.
7. Quit Smoking and Wear a Mask
The lungs are constantly inhaling fresh air and exhaling stale air. Smoking involves inhaling polluted air, so quitting is recommended.
Many details of polluted air in daily life are often overlooked. For example, if the bathroom is too polluted, it needs to be cleaned regularly with moxibustion. When cleaning, if there's too much dust, remember to wear a mask. Also, avoid areas with heavy cooking fumes or uncollected garbage. Some places rarely see sunlight and have heavy polluted air; avoid taking children into these areas to prevent lung damage. Old books and clothes stored at the bottom of drawers also carry polluted air; don't let children touch them immediately, let them air out in the sun first.
8. Ventilation
Regularly opening windows allows more fresh air to enter the room. It's recommended to do this 2-3 times a day for at least 15 minutes each time, while ensuring warmth while ventilating.
9. Get some sunshine.
Studies have shown that moderate sun exposure in winter can be very beneficial for lung health. Sunlight helps the body synthesize Vitamin D, which promotes the repair of damaged lung cells, alleviates lung inflammation, and helps prevent lung diseases. Regular sun exposure is beneficial.
10. Maintain a good mood.
The lungs are sensitive to dryness, and this dryness comes not only from air quality but also from emotional stress. Therefore, to nourish your lungs, maintain a positive mood. Smile more, as this expands the lungs, effectively clears the respiratory tract, and improves lung function.
Laughter not only expands the chest cavity, increasing lung capacity and stretching the chest muscles, but it also relieves fatigue, chest tightness, and restores energy. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, laughter can promote lung function and dispel turbidity.
