The nose is the flower of the Lungs

 flower of the lungs

The nose is the sense organ of the Lungs.

Every organ system has an associated sense organ. Classical Chinese medicine is more poetic, and writes that these sense organs are the “flowers” of the associated organ system. Since the lungs are all about breathing, it is easy to understand that the nose is the flower of the lungs.

When we inhale, we inhale Qi as well as oxygen. When we exhale, we exhale carbon dioxide, as well as “used up” Qi. Qi (“chee”) is energy.

Our overall vitality reflects the quality, quantity, and flow of Qi throughout the meridian system. By exercising our breath, we nourish our lung organ system and increase our vitality. Gentle movement, such as taking a walk, exercises the breath.

Another simple practice is to take a few moments to feel your breath entering your nose and then follow that sensation down into your lungs. This may take some practice but stay with it and you will get the hang of it. While you inhale, experiment with sensing the Qi coming in with the breath. While you exhale, try to envision the used Qi moving out of your nose.

Do you have a favorite breathing practice? I’d love to know what it is. Feel free to share in the comments below.

Cindy Black

Cindy Black is the Founder of Big Tree School of Natural Healing and the author of Meridian Massage, Pathways to Vitality. She is appreciated for her ability to make the complex accessible, fun, and practical.

7 Comments

  1. Aniiyah Klock on October 22, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    I love all the breath exercises shared,and one I don’t see is syncronising breathing with your pet. Cats breath slower,dogs a bit faster, chickens are just all over the place, but it’s really fun to hold your pet and breath together!!

  2. Marilyn McCord on December 10, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    My favorite calming and centering breathing technique is to take a slow deep breathe and exhale twice as long as the inhale. To get to sleep at night, do this with one hand over the 2 Seas of Qi, the one below the navel and the other in the center of the chest.
    I love the Breath of Fire too, it really wakes you up and gets the Qi moving!

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on December 10, 2015 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks for adding your practice Marilyn!
      🙂

  3. Carol on November 2, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    i practice ujjayi breathing when doing yoga abd also lion’s breath( breath of fire)

    • Kc Rossi on November 4, 2015 at 2:38 pm

      Great, thanks for sharing.

  4. Genesis-Margaret Roy on October 29, 2015 at 9:51 am

    Since I was born under the sign of Taurus I have experienced many issues with my Throat, at the age of three, my tonsils were moved because of constant sore throats and back in the day (since now I am 68 years old) that’s what they if it’s not working out it came … lol … so later in life I still had issues with my throat, laryngitis alot so in the early 70’s while attending a Medical Astrology Workshop I was introduced into something called “Throat Breathing”This breath brings the pranic or qi life energy to your throat and neck.
    You straighten your neck. Gently bring your chin in, slightly contracting your throat.
    When you inhale and exhale through your nose, hear a slight hissing sound in the back of your throat.
    Healing Hissing … 🙂

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on November 2, 2015 at 8:38 am

      Genesis – thanks for sharing this breath practice!

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