Intro to The Five Elements

Along with yin and yang theory, the core of Asian medicine revolves around the five natural elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Within the body, each element exists as a microcosm of its existence in the outside world. Each element is associated with an organ, an acupuncture meridian, a season, a body tissue, a smell, a flavor, and more. The elements interact with one another in predictable manners in nature as well as in the body. Acupuncturists learn how the elements interact and then apply this knowledge to each patient to determine why a particular symptom is present, how best to bring the body back into harmony with the elements to alleviate the symptom, and how to stabilize the elements to prevent future symptoms from arising. Five Element Theory has many layers; this post is meant to serve merely as an introduction to the five elements and one of the many ways they can interact in the body.

Wood

Wood is associated with the Liver and Gallbladder. Its taste is sour and its smell is rancid, like oil that has gone bad. It is the element of spring, of growth and flexibility. Think of how a tree’s branches can bend in the spring’s wind and snows without breaking. This is the core of Wood energy: the ability to sprout and shift without becoming rigid and stiff. The emotion of Wood is anger. Channeling anger appropriately and creatively rather than lashing out and reacting instinctively is a manifestation of healthy Wood energy.

Fire

Fire is associated with the Heart, Small Intestine, Heart Protector (or Pericardium), and Triple Heater. Fire's taste is bitter and its scent is scorched, like sulfur. It is the element of summer, of quick movement and the warmth that supports healthy, loving relationships with oneself and others. The emotion of Fire is joy. Tapping into your innate joy without mindlessly-seeking adrenaline rushes enables you to flourish healthfully with the Fire element.

Earth

Earth is associated with the Spleen/Pancreas and Stomach. The taste of earth is sweet and its scent is fragrant, similar to the cloyingly sweet scent of old flowers. According to different theories, it is associated either with late summer (think “Indian Summer”) or the last 15 days of each season. Regardless of seasonal perspective, Earth is the element which roots us back to our center. Healthy Earth energy within the body manifests with proper digestion and excretion, not only of food, but of energy, or qi, as well. As plants sprout from the earth, so does our Qi sprout from healthy Earth energy. The emotion of Earth is pensiveness. Reflection without rumination, which is a key aspect of meditation, allows us to harness the Earth element to strengthen our Qi.

Metal

Metal is associated with the Lung and Large Intestine. Metal's taste is pungent or spicy and its scent is rotten, like rotting food. It is the element of fall, of harvest and conservation, as well as release. As we inhale, our lungs harvest oxygen from the air around us, while also cleansing our bodies as we exhale. The Large Intestine harvests any remaining nutrients from our food and releases the waste products we do not need. Both of these organs serve as boundaries between our bodies and the outside world, allowing air and food from the outside to enter and exit our bodies safely. Similarly, healthy Metal energy manifests in the body with appropriate boundaries. The emotion of Metal is sadness or grief. Like a deep breath, the tears of sadness allow us to release what we do not need, while preserving that which we do.

Water

Water is associated with the Kidney and Bladder. Water's taste is salty and its scent is putrid, like the smell of ammonia. It is the element of winter, of cultivation of our true essence of self. As the cold snows of winter nourish the land for spring’s growth, so does stillness and quietude nourish Water within the body. Healthy water energy manifests in the body with comfort both in the unknown and in being alone. Tapping into your inner wisdom cultivates Water energy, pulling together the droplets of your essence into your true being. The emotion of Water is fear. Shining our inner-wisdom-spotlight onto our fears allows us to move in harmony with the Water element.

Five Elements in the Body

Within the body, Wood energy relates to our tendons and ligaments, allowing flexibility and adaptation to change. Fire energy manifests in our circulatory system, carrying warm, nutrient- and oxygen-filled blood quickly throughout the body. Earth energy corresponds to our muscles, allowing us to move throughout the world and also serving as storehouses of energy. Metal energy is associated with the skin, our largest boundary against the external world, protecting us from any pathogens we come in contact with. Water energy is connected to our bones, the deepest depths of our body from which all other tissues derive connection.

Five Elements in Connection: the Generative Cycle

Chinese medical theory relies on circular, rather than linear, thinking. In turn, each of the five elements supports one another in a circular way. In fact, the elements are related to one another in a circle called the “Generative Cycle.” It is easy to understand this cycle when we look at nature.

Wood generates Fire, as kindling and wood build fires. Fire generates Earth, as fire creates ash, which becomes earth. Earth generates Metal, as it is from within the earth that metals are mined and extracted. Metal generates Water as water consists not only of hydrogen and oxygen, but minerals as well. Water generates Wood as trees’ roots harvest water to grow.

This same generative cycle applies to our health. Wood energy nourishes Fire energy which nourishes Earth energy which nourishes Metal energy which nourishes Water energy which nourishes Wood energy and so on. We are each born with a tendency towards one or two elements in particular, but each of the five elements coexist within all of us. We can only reach our true potential by looking at all five elements and harmonizing them in relation to one another.

Have questions about the Five Elements and how they relate to your current health? Feel free to ask me at your next appointment. For more information about the theories of Chinese medicine, check out my blog posts on yin and yang theory and the terminology of Asian medicine.