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Lung Meridian (Tai Yin)

LU Shou Tai Yin Fei Jing 手太阴肺经 Metaal Tai Yin 📍 11 points ➡️ Borst → Hand (duimzijde) 🔗 Paired with LI 🕐 03:00–05:00

Introduction & pathophysiology

The Lung Meridian (Tai Yin) governs Qi and respiration, the water pathways, and the skin. In dysfunction, we see four patterns: Lung Qi deficiency (fatigue, shortness of breath), Lung Yin deficiency (dry cough, red tongue), Wind-Heat (fever, sore throat, yellow phlegm), and Cold in the Lungs (pale face, clear phlegm). Clinically, this meridian is used for asthma, bronchitis, COPD, sore throat, hoarseness, skin conditions, and emotional issues such as grief.

Functions within TCM

1. Controls Qi and respiration
2. Regulates the water pathways
3. Commands the skin and body hair
4. Orchestrates Blood and vessels
5. Influences the throat and nose

Clinical applications

**Respiratory system:** Asthma, bronchitis, COPD
**Immunity:** Low resistance, eczema
**Psycho-emotional:** Grief, sleep disorders (3-5am)
**Throat:** Pharyngitis, hoarseness
**Musculoskeletal:** Arm/shoulder pain

Primary dysfunction patterns

Lung Qi deficiencyFatigue, shortness of breath, weak pulseLung Yin deficiencyDry cough, red tongue, night sweatsWind-HeatFever, sore throat, yellow phlegmCold in LungsPale face, clear phlegm, cramped breathing

Key points

LU-1Asthma, COPD, chest tightnessLU-5Hoarseness, acute cough, vomitingLU-7Headache, neck pain, urinary retentionLU-9Pulse point, lung deficienciesLU-11Emergency point, sore throat, bloodletting

Point selection per pattern

Lung Qi deficiencyLU-7(moxa), LU-9(moxa)ST-36, BL-13Lung Yin deficiencyLU-5, LU-8, LU-10KI-6, KI-27Wind-HeatLU-5, LU-10, LU-11(bloodletting)LI-4, LI-11Cold in LungsLU-1(moxa), LU-5(moxa), LU-7(moxa)BL-13, CV-22

All points of the Lung Meridian (Tai Yin)

LU-1
Middle Assembly
Zhongfu
📍 On the upper chest, 6 cun lateral to the midline, in the 1st intercostal space
💊 Cough, asthma, chest pain, shoulder pain, lung congestion, bronchitis, rib pain
📖 View details
LU-2
Cloud Gate
Yunmen
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-3
Upper Arm Assembly
Tianfu
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-4
Supporting the Lung
Xiabai
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-5
Cubit Marsh
Chize
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-6
Collection Hole
Kongzui
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-7
Interrupted Sequence
Lieque
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-8
Channel Ditch
Jingqu
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-9
Great Deep Pool
Taiyuan
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-10
Fish Border
Yuji
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details
LU-11
Lesser Metal
Shaoshang
📍 On the upper chest/arm, along the Lung meridian pathway
💊 Lung disorders (cough, asthma, chest tightness), throat disorders, upper arm pain
📖 View details

Contraindications & safety

LU-1/LU-2Increased risk of pneumothorax - never deeper than 1 cunLU-11Avoid bloodletting when INR > 3.5LU-9Caution with arteriovenous fistulas

Relation with other meridians

Exterior-interior with large intestine (LI)
Cooperation with Kidney (KI) and Spleen (SP) for fluid regulation
Reinforcing back points: BL-13, BL-42

Clinical notes

Lung time: 03:00-05:00
Waking between 3-5am indicates lung pathology
LU-9 (Tai Yuan) is the diagnostic pulse point

Comorbidity & drug interactions

AnticoagulantsIncreased bleeding risk - avoid bloodlettingBronchodilatorsMask TCM pattern - assess before medicationCorticosteroidsLong-term use strengthens Yin deficiency

Prognostic signs

Weak, thready pulse|Long-term treatment (20+ sessions)
Rapid, full pulse|Results within 3 sessions
Empty, hurried pulse|Often worsens in the evening

Conclusion

The Lung Meridian is invaluable for acute respiratory and ENT problems as well as chronic organ weakness.