Grief in Chinese medicine

Grief from the TCM perspective

In Chinese medicine, grief is not a psychological disorder,
but a emotional movementwhich is dedicated to the Metal element is assigned. This element stands for Structure, clarity, demarcation - and letting go.

The associated organ energy is the Lung (Fei). It receives what is fresh - and gives back what has been used up. It is the organ of exchange, of farewell and of dignity.

Grief belongs to the lungs,
because it is one of the few emotions that is not discharged outwardly,
but sinks inwards.

Grief contracts the Qi.
It slows, constricts, holds.
And that is precisely its essence.

⚖️ What happens when grief blocks?

When grief cannot be felt or expressed
for example because it is suppressed, rationalized or functionalized - in TCM this leads to a Stagnation of the lung qi.

Typical signs are

• Tightness in the chest
• shallow breathing, frequent sighing
• Emotional emptiness, withdrawal, inner pressure
• dry skin, irritability, feeling of tightness
• Tendency to infections, irritable cough, hoarseness
• Crying without access to emotion

The lungs can then no longer fulfill their regulatory function:
The Qi rises instead of sinking.
The defense system (Wei Qi) is weakened.
The rhythm of life - inhale and exhale -
gets out of sync.

TCM then says:
"The lung qi is blocked - and cannot descend."

🫁 The metal functional circuit: lungs, large intestine, skin

Not only the lungs and breath work in the metal element. It also includes the large intestine (fu organ) and skin.

When grief blocks the metal, this can also manifest itself as:

- Constipation or the feeling of not being able to let go
- dry, sensitive skin or skin rashes
- weakened sense of smell, nasal problems
- Shortness of breath, cough, tightness in the throat
- Control compulsion or rigid ways of thinking
- Sleep disturbances in the early hours of the morning (3-5 am)

The lungs are the organ that regulates the transition -
between inside and outside, between holding and giving.

🧘‍♀️ What brings grief back into motion

Chinese medicine does not offer short-term emotional therapy -
but it understands the body as a resonance chamber for everything that we (do not) process.

💠 Qi gong exercise - opening the cloud gates
→ Expands the chest, opens the upper Jiao, activates the lung Qi
"I open up space for my grief."
"I let go of what wants to go."

👉 To the exercise instructions:
www.meine-tcm.com/qi-gong-uebung-wolkentore-oeffnen

✨ Acupressure point - LUNG 1 (Zhōng Fǔ)
- Opens the chest, releases congested Qi, regulates the breath
- Particularly helpful for emotional constriction and restraint

👇 Instructions here:
www.meine-tcm.com/akupunkturpunkte/akupunkturpunkt-lu-01

🌿 Further TCM tips for grief

- Hot drinks & soups: relieve the lungs, strengthen the center.
- Prolong breathing: Exhale twice as long as you inhale; the healing sound "Sssss..." releases tension.
- Nature contact: Walks in the fall, conscious breathing under trees clears the Qi.
- Letting go rituals: Light a candle, write down & burn your thoughts, evening ritual with breaths for "letting go" and "taking in".
- Fragrances & herbs: Myrtle, cypress or eucalyptus open the breath; mild herbal teas (e.g. thyme tea, lime blossom tea) nourish the lung yin.

🔎 What your tongue tells you

In TCM, the tongue is a diagnostic organ - a
The tip of the tongue and the front third in particular provide information about the lung Qi.

Typical signs of grief stagnation:

- Pale, dry tongue
- fine cracks in the front third
- White, thin or missing coating
- Trembling tongue or sunken shape (in case of exhaustion)

🎥 Watch our video on tongue diagnosis:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-cOXGvci1Y&t=2s

🧭 Your free TCM analysis

Grief can be given space - even without an explanation, even without a goal.
TCM helps you to feel:
Where are you holding on?
What would like to be honored -
and what should be adopted?

👉 Do your TCM analysis now: www.meine-tcm.com/tcm-analyse

🌙 When grief comes in the night

✨ Conclusion

Grief is not a disorder. It is an expression of depth.
Chinese medicine does not ask,
how to get rid of your grief -
but: What do you need to be able to breathe again?

When the metal breathes again,
the heart can open up again.