When Western Medicine “Discovers” What Classical Chinese Medicine Has Known for 2000 Years

Scientists Found an Unexpected Lung Function: Our Lungs Make Blood

Imagine the excitement in the scientific community: a “groundbreaking” discovery that the lungs are involved in blood production! Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco have found that lungs produce more than 10 million platelets every hour in mice, accounting for the majority of platelets in the bloodstream. Not only that, but they’ve identified a pool of blood stem cells in the lungs—cells previously thought to reside only in bone marrow.

This is being hailed as a monumental finding that reshapes our understanding of human physiology. But for those of us familiar with the brilliance of classical Chinese medicine (CCM), it’s hard not to crack a knowing smile.

Hmmm… Where Have We Heard This Before?

Let’s rewind a couple of millennia to the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine). Chinese medicine has long emphasized the lung’s role in governing Qi and aiding blood production. The lungs, as part of the metal element, are intimately connected to the circulation of Qi and the generation of blood—a concept firmly rooted in CCM’s view of the body as an interconnected whole.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the lung system is said to “command 100 vessels,” influencing the movement and transformation of fluids that are critical to blood production. The lungs help extract and distribute oxygen, which is the “heavenly Qi” that combines with “earthly Qi” from food to form blood.

Sound familiar?

Western medicine’s “new” revelation—made possible by fancy imaging tools like two-photon microscopy—is, quite frankly, old news. While it’s wonderful to see the scientific method catching up, we can’t help but appreciate how the sages of ancient China figured this out with nothing but keen observation, experience, and deep intuition about the human body.

Why Does It Matter?

This isn’t just an “I told you so” moment for TCM practitioners. It’s a reaffirmation of how timeless and insightful classical Chinese medicine truly is. The lungs’ role in blood production bridges East and West, offering opportunities for integrative approaches to health.

For example:

• TCM practices like acupuncture and herbal medicine have long targeted the lung system to treat conditions like anemia, poor circulation, and immune deficiencies.

• Modern research on the lung’s newfound role could inform novel therapies for blood disorders, complementing the wisdom of classical techniques.

The Takeaway

While it’s tempting to be a little cheeky—“Where have we heard this before? ;)” —it’s also important to celebrate this overlap between ancient knowledge and modern science. As researchers dig deeper, they’ll continue to discover what the sages of Chinese medicine knew thousands of years ago: the body is a beautifully interconnected system, where every organ plays a part in sustaining life.

It’s exciting to see science catching up, but perhaps we should also take a moment to bow in respect to the ancient physicians who laid this groundwork. Their brilliance continues to light the path forward, reminding us of the incredible wisdom that resides in classical Chinese medicine.

So yes, the lungs make blood. But we’ve been saying that for a while now, haven’t we?

Link to the Study:

www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2017/lungs-are-not-just-breathing-they-make-blood-too