02/12/2025
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. The frequency and severity of symptoms can vary, and triggers may include cold weather, fatigue or emotional stress. While modern medicine attributes asthma to airway inflammation and hyperreactivity, Traditional Chinese Medicine views it as an imbalance of the body’s internal systems. In long-standing or recurrent cases, where attacks are easily triggered by exhaustion or occur more often at night. The root cause is often linked to Kidney deficiency syndrome. Patients with this pattern commonly experience shortness of breath that worsens on exertion, difficulty inhaling deeply, fatigue, weakness in the lower back and knees, and sometimes cold limbs. These signs indicate that the Kidneys are too weak to "grasp the Qi" and assist the Lungs in respiration.
The Kidneys are considered the foundation of Qi and are responsible for “receiving and grasping the Qi” that the Lungs draw in. When Kidney Qi is deficient, whether due to chronic illness, aging, excessive work, or constitutional weakness, the Kidneys fail to anchor the Lung Qi, leading to wheezing and breathlessness. Two subtypes which are Kidney Yang deficiency which presents with cold sensations, weakness, and clear sputum and Kidney Yin deficiency which presents with dryness, night sweats, and a red tongue with little coating. In both cases, the deficiency makes the body vulnerable to recurrent asthma attacks. The treatment principle is to tonify the Kidneys, strengthen the Qi, and help the Lungs grasp and descend the breath.
Herbs include Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan for Kidney Deficiency. Acupuncture help reinforce the connection between the Lung and Kidney systems. Points such as Shen Shu (BL23), Tai Xi (KI3) tonify Kidney Qi. Moxibustion helping to warm and nourish the lower back and enhance Qi circulation. Patients should maintain warmth, especially around the lower back, feet, and avoid overwork. Nourishing foods like black sesame, walnut, lamb, and goji berries can support Kidney energy. Gentle breathing, meditation, or Qi Gong can further enhance the flow of qi.💕
