Type 4 / 6

Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency

Deficiency of the lung and spleen leads to insufficient ancestral Qi; throat muscles lose their tonicity and sag, obstructing the airway. Common in flabby, middle-aged and elderly individuals and those recovering from illness or chronic overwork.

Tongue & Pulse Pale tongue, white coating, slightly enlarged; thin-weak or soggy-slow pulse

Who Is Most Affected

Flabby or loose-muscled individualsMiddle-aged and older adults (50+)Chronically fatigued, low-energy individualsPost-illness or post-surgical recovery

Common Symptoms

  • Low-pitched snoring but labored breathing
  • Mental fatigue, pronounced daytime sleepiness
  • Reluctance to speak, shortness of breath on exertion
  • Poor appetite, reduced food intake, loose stools
  • Sallow complexion, weak limbs

Treatment Focus

1 Strengthen spleen, tonify Qi, supplement the lungs
2 Gentle aerobic exercise; avoid sweating profusely
3 Regular sleep schedule, 7–8 hours nightly
4 Qi-tonifying foods such as astragalus chicken soup or ginseng tea

Representative Formula

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang combined with Si Jun Zi Tang

Huang Qi (tonifies Qi, raises Yang)Ren Shen / Dang Shen (greatly supplements source Qi)Bai Zhu (strengthens spleen, dries dampness)Fu Ling (strengthens spleen, drains dampness)Sheng Ma (raises and lifts Yang Qi)Chai Hu (dredges liver, raises Yang)Zhi Gan Cao (tonifies Qi, harmonizes middle)

⚠️ Chinese herbs should be used under guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner. Do not self-prescribe.

Recommended Acupoints

Press each point for 1-2 min, 1-2 times daily
1 Zu San Li (ST 36)

📍 3 cun below the knee, one finger-width lateral to the tibia

Strengthens spleen and stomach, tonifies middle Qi — key wellness and strengthening point

2 Qi Hai (CV 6)

📍 Lower abdomen, 1.5 cun below the navel

Tonifies kidneys and grasps Qi, warms Yang and tonifies Qi, supplements source Qi

3 Tai Yuan (LU 9)

📍 On the palmar wrist crease, at the radial side of the radial artery

Supplements lung Qi and Yin — source point of the lung channel

Dietary Guidance

Recommended
  • Yam, lotus seeds (strengthen spleen, tonify Qi)
  • Red dates, longan (tonify Qi and blood)
  • Astragalus and Dang Shen chicken soup
  • Glutinous rice, millet porridge (nourish stomach, tonify Qi)
Avoid
  • Cold and raw foods and drinks
  • White radish, betel nut and other Qi-consuming foods
  • Overly greasy, hard-to-digest foods
  • Strong tea, coffee and other Qi-depleting beverages

Lifestyle Adjustments

  • 1 Regular schedule, 7–8 hours of sleep nightly
  • 2 Choose gentle exercises such as Tai Chi and Ba Duan Jin
  • 3 Avoid overexertion; balance work and rest
  • 4 Stay warm during weather changes to prevent colds from depleting Qi

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