Lung Meridian
Pathway
The Lung meridian begins in the region of the stomach (the \"middle burner\"), descends through the diaphragm to connect with the lungs, then re-ascends to the throat and the chest. From below the clavicle it runs down the medial (inner) aspect of the upper arm, crosses the elbow crease, continues along the inner forearm to the wrist, and ends at the medial side of the thumb. A branch splits at the wrist to connect to the index finger, where the Large Intestine meridian takes over.
Role in TCM theory
In traditional Chinese medicine the lung is called the \"delicate organ\" (肺為嬌臟) because it is the most exposed to the outside world. Its traditional functions are:
- Governing qi and respiration — the lung draws in natural air qi (宗氣) and merges it with food-derived qi from the spleen.
- Ruling the exterior (衛氣) — the lung is said to spread defensive qi (wei qi) over the skin and regulate the opening and closing of the pores.
- Governing descent and dispersion — the lung \"descends\" fluids downward and \"disperses\" them outward; tradition holds that disruption of this rhythm underlies cough and nasal congestion patterns.
- Holding the office of the minister (相傅之官) — the Suwen chapter 8 of the Huangdi Neijing describes the lung as the \"chancellor\" who assists the heart in regulating the body.
Common acupoints on the Lung meridian
| Point | Name (pinyin) | Location | Traditional use |
|---|---|---|---|
| LU-7 | Lieque (列缺) | Above the wrist crease, in the depression at the styloid process | Classically the first point named for head and neck discomfort; said to \"open\" the exterior |
| LU-9 | Taiyuan (太淵) | At the wrist crease, lateral to the radial artery | The yuan-source point of the lung; traditionally used to support the lung's qi-gathering function |
| LU-1 | Zhongfu (中府) | Below the clavicle, lateral to the first rib | The front-mu point of the lung, where chest-level work often begins |
Point locations follow the WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Names (1991). Acupressure is generally safe as a gentle practice; needling must only be performed by a licensed practitioner.
The 3–5 am window
On the TCM organ clock the lung's two-hour peak runs from 3 to 5 a.m. Traditional routines favor quiet breathing practice — and classical insomnia advice holds that waking in this window is worth discussing with a practitioner of either tradition. See the interactive body clock.
Related: all twelve meridians · paired meridian: Large Intestine (profile coming soon) · body constitutions