Lungs and Large Intestine
Health through the Metal element

The Metal element (金, jīn) in Wu Xing is the phase of gathering, concentration, separating the grain from the chaff. At the level of the body it corresponds to the lungs and large intestine, the skin as the "third lung," the body hair, the nose, and the emotions of grief and sorrow. In the classical formula the lungs are named 相傅之官 — the "chancellor to the Heart-emperor": they help the heart govern, filter and direct Qi, and protect the body from external pathogens.

In this article — an in-depth guide to how the Metal element in the BaZi chart relates to the health of the lungs, intestine and skin. If your Day Master is Geng 庚 or Xin 辛, or if your chart shows a sharp excess/deficiency of Metal, this material concerns you directly.

1 The Lung meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Lung meridian (手太陰肺經, shǒu tài yīn fèi jīng) begins at the first rib, runs along the front of the arm and ends at the thumb. The paired Large Intestine meridian (手陽明大腸經) runs from the index finger up the arm, across the shoulder to the face, ending at the wing of the nose. This hand-lung-nose connection explains why, in TCM, lung problems are often visible on the skin of the hands, and why lung diseases always affect the nose and vice versa.

The functions of the lungs in TCM:

• They govern Qi (主氣, zhǔ qì) — the lungs receive "heavenly Qi" through breathing and distribute it throughout the body.
• They govern respiration (主呼吸).
• They "disperse" and "descend" Qi (主宣发肃降) — like a "chancellor," the lungs issue commands upward and downward.
• They govern the water pathways of the Upper Burner (通调水道) — which is why weak lungs = a tendency toward swelling of the face and upper body.
• They "open into the nose" (開竅於鼻) — the state of the nose and the sense of smell is an indicator of the lungs.
• They "manifest in the skin and body hair" (其華在毛, 主皮毛) — the skin = the "third lung."
• They govern Wei Qi (defensive Qi) — the surface layer of immunity.

The large intestine in TCM is responsible for the "transmission and transformation of waste" (传化糟粕). This is not merely the elimination of waste, but a key mechanism for cleansing the body. In TCM, constipation is interpreted not as a "local problem," but as a failure of the entire system.

2 Metal and the emotions: grief and sorrow

The "root emotion" of Metal is grief, sadness (悲, bēi) and the deeper sorrow (憂, yōu). The connection works both ways:

• Weak lungs → constant background grief. When the lungs cannot cope, when they fail to "disperse" Qi, a feeling of heaviness in the chest arises, of sadness "for no reason," a tendency to weep.
• Prolonged sorrow → a blow to the lungs. Unwept grief settles in the lungs. There is an observation in TCM: after the loss of a loved one, especially when unwept, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and allergies often develop. These are documented cases.

Modern neurophysiology also records the connection: a severe bereavement raises the risk of respiratory infections by 6–10 times in the first year after the loss. Chronic depression objectively reduces lung function (on spirometry).

That is why working with unprocessed grief is direct support for the lungs. Sometimes chronic asthma could only be "cured" after psychotherapy aimed at processing a long-ago loss.

3 Weak Metal = asthma, allergies, pneumonia

When there is little Metal in the chart (less than 5–7%), or when a Metal Day Master is unsupported in the spring season, we speak of "empty" Metal. This is the typical "immunodeficient" pattern.

The clinical picture of weak Metal

• Frequent respiratory infections, especially between seasons;
• Lingering bronchitis, often progressing to pneumonia;
• Bronchial asthma, especially with an allergic component;
• Allergic rhinitis, hay fever;
• Atopic dermatitis, eczema;
• Dry, thin, sensitive skin;
• Thin, brittle hair;
• Reduced immunity overall, frequent infections;
• Allergies to food, medications, household chemicals;
• Easy sweating, especially "out of nowhere" (impaired Wei Qi);
• A weak, quiet voice;
• Shortness of breath on minimal exertion;
• Chronic nasal mucus, postnasal drip.

Chart markers

• Day Master Geng or Xin in a spring month (寅 Tiger, 卯 Rabbit, 辰 Dragon) without roots;
• The absence of, or a single, Metal against a background of strong Fire (Fire melts Metal);
• Birth in the Wood season without support.

4 Strong Metal = constipation, skin problems

The reverse situation: Metal at 40% or more, a Metal Day Master in the autumn season with triple support. This is "excess" Metal, rigidity.

The clinical picture of strong Metal

• Chronic constipation with hard stools;
• Coarsening of the skin, keratoses;
• Diverticulosis of the large intestine;
• Hemorrhoids, especially with hardened nodes;
• Dry, rigid skin;
• A tendency toward stone formation (Metal = "hardening");
• Arrhythmias of the extrasystole type;
• Emotional "coldness," rigidity, an inability to be flexible;
• Chronic suppressed anger (Metal attacks Wood);
• A tendency toward perfectionism to the point of neurosis;
• Melancholic depression fixated on the losses of the past;
• Excessive restraint of the emotions.

5 Chart markers: Metal attacked by Fire

In the Wu Xing cycle, Fire controls Metal (Fire melts Metal). When the chart holds strong Fire without balance, it "melts" the Metal — creating acute problems with the lungs and skin.

Specific configurations

• 庚 Geng + 丙 Bing adjacent — yang Fire melts yang Metal. If this pair stands on the month or hour pillar — an elevated risk of severe pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, COPD.
• 辛 Xin + 丁 Ding — yin Fire melts yin Metal. More often produces chronic bronchitis, allergic asthma.
• 申 Monkey + 寅 Tiger clash — a Wood-Metal collision, a risk of severe respiratory events + limb injuries.
• 酉 Rooster + 卯 Rabbit clash — subtle respiratory disturbances, sinusitis, allergies.
• 巳 Snake + 申 Monkey — the "hidden Fire" in the Snake melts the Metal of the Monkey.

These configurations are especially dangerous for smokers and for those who work with dust, chemical vapors. If the chart shows a vulnerability of Metal + there are occupational hazards — the risk of COPD and lung cancer rises many times over.

6 Skin, hair, nose — the organs of Metal

Besides the lungs and intestine themselves, Metal governs several "outlying" structures.

Skin — the "third lung"

The state of the skin is a direct reflection of the state of the lungs. What to look for:

• Dry, flaking skin — a deficiency of Lung Yin;
• Atopic dermatitis, eczema — weak lungs, impaired Wei Qi;
• Hyperhidrosis, easy sweating — weak Wei Qi;
• Psoriasis — often linked to a Metal/Wood imbalance;
• Acne, boils — Lung Heat + Blood Heat;
• Rigid, coarse skin — excess Metal, "hardening";
• Premature aging of the skin — weakness of Kidney Jing + Metal;
• Rosacea, sensitive skin with visible vessels — weak Metal + Heat.

The nose and the sense of smell

"The lungs open into the nose":

• Chronic rhinitis — weak lungs;
• Nasal polyps — stagnation of mucus (Tan) in the lungs;
• Loss or reduction of smell — weak Lung Qi;
• Chronic sinusitis, maxillary sinusitis — stagnation of Qi and mucus;
• Nosebleeds — Lung Heat or weakness of the capillaries.

The large intestine

The state of the large intestine is a parallel indicator of Metal:

• Chronic constipation — excess or dryness of Metal;
• Diarrhea, especially in the early morning (the hours of Metal) — weak Metal;
• IBS with constipation — stagnation of Metal Qi;
• Diverticulosis — rigidity of Metal;
• Hemorrhoids — stagnation in the Lower Burner with weak Qi;
• Polyps, intestinal adenomas — stagnation of Qi and mucus.

7 Prevention for Metal

The main strategy is supporting the breathing, the skin and the intestine as a single "eliminating" circuit of the body.

Breathing practices

The most important thing for Metal. The lungs are the only internal organ we can consciously control (through breathing).

• Qigong, especially the "Six Healing Sounds" — the sound "ssss" is an ancient practice for the lungs;
• Box breathing: 4-4-4-4 (inhale-hold-exhale-hold);
• Deep diaphragmatic breathing, especially in the morning in the fresh air;
• Yoga with pranayama — especially nadi shodhana (alternate-nostril breathing);
• Walks in the fresh air at least 30–45 minutes a day, ideally in a forest or by water;
• Running, swimming — to develop lung capacity;
• Avoid smoking in any form, including vapes and hookahs.

Routine and diet

• Humidifying the bedroom air, especially in winter (40–60%);
• Regular bowel movements — ideally in the morning after waking;
• Sufficient fiber — vegetables, fruits, grains;
• Hydration — 30–35 ml per kg of body weight per day;
• White foods for the lungs in TCM: pears, white radish, white mushrooms, almonds, lotus, rice;
• Pungent flavor in moderate amounts — onion, ginger, garlic, white pepper;
• Limit mucus-forming foods if prone to phlegm: dairy, bananas, sweets.

Color, direction, activities

• Color: white, gray, metallic shades;
• Direction: west (the direction of Metal);
• Supporting season: autumn — the time of Metal; watch the lungs especially closely;
• Emotional work: processing unlived grief, allowing yourself to be sad, to cry. Psychotherapy in cases of prolonged depression.

8 Herbs and foods for Metal

Chinese herbal medicine is rich in remedies for the lungs and intestine:

The classic formula for weakness of the lungs and immunity is Yu Ping Feng San (玉屏风散), the "Jade Windscreen Powder." It is a "vaccine" against frequent colds, a preventive compound taken in courses in autumn and winter.

9 Da Yun: years of heightened risk for the lungs

Two types of Da Yun are especially critical for the lungs:

Cycles of "a blow to Metal" (Fire)

If your Day Master is Metal, and a Da Yun with strong Fire arrives (Bing-Wu 丙午, Ding-Si 丁巳), this is a direct attack on the lungs. Fire "melts" Metal.

Symptoms: pneumonia, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma, the risk of COPD, skin flare-ups, especially in smokers.

Cycles of "excess Metal"

If you already have strong Metal, and a Da Yun brings still more Metal (Geng-Shen 庚申, Xin-You 辛酉), this is hyper-rigidity: chronic constipation, skin problems with hardenings, depressions fixated on losses.

In such 10-year periods it is recommended to:

• Get an annual chest X-ray or CT (especially for smokers);
• Have spirometry if there are any breathing complaints;
• Monitor bowel function;
• Have a colonoscopy after 45–50, especially with strong Metal;
• Have allergy testing if new allergic reactions appear;
• Pursue psychotherapy for prolonged depression or unprocessed grief.

Annual risks

If the chart holds 申 (Monkey) or 酉 (Rooster), the years of the Tiger (寅) and the Rabbit (卯) are especially dangerous — clash conflicts. These are years to pay attention to the lungs and immunity.

10 Specific diagnoses by configuration

Metal is the element that "closes" the Wu Xing cycle and prepares the transition to the rest of Water. That is why Metal is bound up with the theme of letting go: of unlived grief, of old grievances, of attachments that are no longer relevant. Many chronic problems with the lungs and skin improve when a person passes through the difficult but necessary process of saying goodbye to what is no longer theirs. This is the work of years, but it is worth it — easy breathing returns.