Elemental Wisdom
What Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Teach Us
How TCM’s Five Elements Framework Nailed Holistic Health
You’ve probably heard the five elements tossed around, but do you know how they make their way to body energetics?
Energetic systems ruled by the body’s organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may provide insight into the organs that need our attention. In TCM, if there are issues associated with an element, there could be an imbalance with its associated organ.
NOTE: This is not to replace a doctor’s, naturopath’s, or TCM practitioner’s diagnosis. This may provide you with insight into your body. Helping you tune in.
This is an extremely complex subject and we’re only touching the surface here.
If you’re new to TCM, this barely skims the surface. But if it helps you in any way to find the root cause of a health issue by working with your doctor and health care team, that’s my only intention.
The Five Elements
Okay, let’s dive in to the five elements and their associated organs. As you read through, really think of how logical and metaphorical each element is. There’s symbolism in each one and its association with the human body.
Wood (liver)
Associated with the liver. The energy will tend to rise up and be warm. It rules the flow of qi, storing of blood, sides of the body, menstruation, breasts, nails, tendons, eyes, tears, and vision. As well, this element is associated with plans and courage.
When imbalanced:
Moodiness/frustration/pent up anger
Poor blood flow, which can lead to tumours
Symptoms on the side of your body (e.g. temporal headache)
Upward rising energy: headaches, panic attacks, vertigo, tinnitus
Breast issues
Uterine & period issues
Nails, tendons, eye issues
Dry/watery eyes
Low self-esteem
Inability to see your future or a lack of any plans
Fire (heart)
Associated with the heart. This is a rising energy that moves up and tends to be warm. It looks after blood, blood vessels, and sweating. It governs the mind’s spirit, in particular your intuition, consciousness, and even your emotions. Your complexion is also associated with the element of fire.
When imbalanced:
Mental health: depression, anxiety, easily startled, emotional imbalances, panic attacks
Easy blushing
Dull complexion and eyes
Stuttering
Tongue ulcers
Palpitations
Sweating outside of normal range
Issues with blood vessels (blood pressure, skin rashes, bleeding, menstrual bleeding)
Sleep issues - insomnia
Earth (spleen)
The Earth energy is associated with the spleen. It’s another energy that rises and it likes to be dry and warm. It rules the flesh or muscles, mouth, lips, and saliva. It is thought to raise qi, make blood, digestion, transform and transport nutrients, as well as be responsible for our thoughts and memory.
When imbalanced:
Digestive troubles, bloating
Dampness and heaviness
Limb that feel weak and/or heavy)
Too much/not enough saliva
Loose stool, prolapse of organs
Low qi and blood
Over-worrying, obsession, inability to think clearly or memorize
Weight gain
Metal (lung)
Metal energy is one that descends and it likes to be warm and slightly more damp as it is associated with the lungs. It rules the skin, body hair, nose, sinuses, and throat. All features that require warmth and moisture. The energy descends and disperses water/qi. It also governs qi and inspiration.
When imbalanced:
Asthma, nasal/sinus issues
Swelling in the upper body
Dry skin
Loss of body hair
Low energy
Depression
Sadness/grief
Water (kidney)
Water energy is clear and flows up, while impure it flows down liking to be warm. It rules the teeth, bones, and our essence. Water governs how we metabolize water, our hair colour, the vision we were born with, spine, brain, rules the yin/yang balance and our willpower. As we age, these symptoms tend to surface as our kidney energy declines.
When imbalanced:
Teeth/bone issues
Deep exhaustion
Genetic imbalances
Edema
Ear issues - including deafness
Losing our sight and cataracts
Grey hair
Incontinence and urine flow issues
Protstate issues
Sexual dysfunction and infertility
Neurological disorders
Yin/yang deficiency
Menopause
Depression (low willpower)
Fear
These cover just the basics and you may find yourself searching in various elemental categories for your symptoms. This will give you an idea as to where to take your concerns and work with them through diet, medicine, plant medicine and lifestyle changes.
