The Ancient “Liuzi Jue” Qigong:
From 1,500 Years of Wisdom to Modern Science-Based Healing
1. Origins: From Ancient Breathwork to a Holistic Practice
The Liuzi Jue (“Six-Healing Sounds Formula”) is a cornerstone of traditional Chinese wellness practice, tracing its roots to the Warring States Period (475–221 BCE). Early texts like Zhuangzi describe primitive breathwork practices for longevity, but the formula took shape in the 5th century CE. Taoist physician Tao Hongjing first codified the six sounds—xu, he, hu, si, chui, xi—in his Book of Nourishing Life, linking each sound to an organ. Over centuries, physicians like Sun Simiao (Tang Dynasty) refined breathing techniques, while Ming Dynasty masters integrated physical movements, creating a mind-body practice. Modern adaptations, such as Ma Litang’s Yangqi Gong (Qi-nourishing work), have brought Liuzi Jue into clinical settings worldwide.
2. The Five Elements Theory: How Sounds Harmonize the Body
At its core, Liuzi Jue aligns with Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) Five Elements Theory, connecting sounds to organs, elements, and energy flow:
- Wood (Liver): Xu (pronounced “shoo”)—a hissing sound to soothe anger.
- Fire (Heart): He (“her”)—a vibrant exhale to calm anxiety.
- Earth (Spleen): Hu (“who”)—a grounding hum to aid digestion.
- Metal (Lung): Si (“suh”)—a sharp breath to clear congestion.
- Water (Kidney): Chui (“chway”)—a pursed-lip exhale to boost vitality.
- Triple Burner (San Jiao): Xi (“shee”)—a playful sigh to balance upper, middle, and lower body energy.
Practitioners follow the generative cycle (Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water) for daily wellness practice and the control cycle for targeted healing. For example, someone with a weak spleen (Earth) might first practice He (Fire, the spleen’s “mother” organ) to strengthen the heart, then Si (Metal, the spleen’s “child”) to restore balance.
3. Sound Therapy in TCM: Music as Medicine
TCM’s sound therapy dates to the Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor), which links the five musical tones (Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, Yu) to the Five Elements. As Yuan Dynasty physician Zhu Zhenheng noted, “Music is medicine,” a concept embedded in Chinese characters: the word for “medicine” (藥 /yào) combines “music” (樂 /yuè) with “herbs” (艹). Liuzi Jue uses precise phonetics—like Si’s 136.10 Hz frequency, matching lung meridian vibrations—to resonate with organs, reducing inflammation and improving function.
4. Modern Science Validates Ancient Wisdom
Contemporary research confirms Liuzi Jue’s physiological effects:
- Gene Regulation: A 2020 study found “Xu” sound reduced liver enzyme CYP2E1 activity by 32%, lowering alcohol-related liver damage markers (Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine). Chui boosted kidney VDR gene expression, improving vitamin D function in diabetic patients.
- Lung Health: In a 2023 RCT (Clinical Interventions in Aging), COPD patients who practiced Liuzi Jue for 6 months saw a 0.45L increase in FEV1 (lung capacity) and a 19% drop in IL-8 inflammation markers.
- Mental Health: Hunan University’s 2020 study showed Liuzi Jue + 五行音乐 (five-element music) reduced COVID-19 patients’ anxiety scores by 32.6%, outperforming music alone.
5. Clinical Applications: From COPD to Anxiety
- Respiratory Diseases: An 84-patient study (Journal of Alternative Medicine) found Liuzi Jue improved FEV1/FVC ratios by 4% and cut COPD exacerbations by 1.3 times annually.
- Diabetes: Type 2 diabetics practicing Hu for 3 months lowered fasting blood sugar by 1.2 mmol/L and HbA1c by 0.8% (Complementary Therapies in Medicine).
- Parkinson’s Disease: A meta-analysis showed 12 weeks of Chui improved breathing strength (MEP +8.71 cmH₂O) and reduced motor symptoms by 12% (Neuroscience Letters).
- Anxiety: Liuzi Jue paired with guqin music matched SSRI medications in reducing HAMA scores by 40% (Journal of Psychosomatic Research).
6. Modern Qigong vs. Ancient Practice: Key Upgrades
Today’s Liuzi Jue blends tradition with science:
- Reverse Abdominal Breathing: Inhaling by contracting the abdomen (instead of expanding it) increases diaphragm movement, boosting lung capacity by 10–15%.
- Fluid Movements: Tai Chi-inspired gestures—like a side stretch for Xu (liver) or heel-lifting for Chui (kidney)—enhance meridian flow. Stroke patients improved balance (Berg scale +3 points) in just 2 weeks of practice.
- Precision Metrics: China’s National Fitness Qigong Association standardizes breath rate (6–8 breaths/min) and joint angles (80°–120°), using sensors to optimize techniques like Hu’s pursed-lip exhale.
7. Stories from the Clinic and Beyond
- Legendary Longevity: In Sui Dynasty lore, a man told he had one year to live practiced Liuzi Jue daily. A year later, he amazed seer Zhang Guolao with his renewed vitality, living 12 more years.
- Modern Miracle: A severe COPD patient (FEV1 35% of normal) relied on oxygen until Liuzi Jue training. After 3 months, he walked without oxygen, the FEV1 climbing to 52% (Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine).
- Anatomical Aha!: Chui’s pursed lips increase oral pressure, stimulating kidney reflex points, while Xi’s smile activates San Jiao meridian points on the face—proof that “shape guides qi.”
Why Practice Liuzi Jue Today?
Whether you’re managing chronic illness, reducing stress, or curious about TCM’s magic, Liuzi Jue offers a science-backed, low-cost way to heal from within. As the character 藥 suggests, true wellness starts with harmonizing the mind (樂) before treating the body (草).
Ready to try it? Join my online Weekly Qigong for Health courses (we are teaching Liuzi Jue (Six Healing Sounds Qigong) in June this year), to learn these ancient sounds and unlock your body’s self-healing power. Click the link below to start your journey!
Selected References
- Shi, J., Wang, R. J., & Wang, F. Y. (2020). Mind–Body Health Technique Liu Zi Jue: Its Creation, Transition, and Formalization. SAGE Open, 10(2), 2158244020927024. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020927024
- Chen, H. Y., et al. (2016). Effects of Long-Term Home-Based Liuzi Jue Exercise Combined with Clinical Guidance in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 11, 1303–1310. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S114235
- Chinese Health Qigong Association. (2007). Health Qigong: Liuzi Jue. Beijing: People’s Sports Publishing House.
- Xiao, X., & Zhuang, Y. (2015). Liuzi Jue for COPD: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 94(40), e1665. DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000001665
- Li, W.J., et al. (2014). Anxiety relief with Liuzi Jue. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22(5), 840–846. DOI:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.08.003
- Sun, S.J., et al. (2011). Gene changes in liver disease. Evidence-Based Complementary Medicine, 2011, 857323. DOI:10.1155/2011/857323
- Zheng, Y., et al. (2013). Parkinson’s and Liuzi Jue. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(10), 875–881. DOI:10.1089/acm.2012.0529
- Henz, A., & Schöllhorn, W.I. (2018). Brain activity during Liuzi Jue. Neuroscience Letters, 685, 1–6. DOI:10.1016/j.neulet.2018.09.014
- Wang, F. Y. (2015). History of Chinese Health-Preservation Psychology. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022). Qigong for health. NCCIH Report
https://yang-sheng.com/?p=12654
