Chinese medicine philosophy is largely organized around the Five Elements – Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. Each of the Five Elements are associated with a particular organ in the body, as listed below. The Five Elements can be applied to all things in nature, including humans. Most of us are a blend of Five Element “types,” and we are all always ebbing and flowing among the elements and between yin and yang, but there will likely be one element below that you most relate to.
Fire Element / Heart Organ – quick mind, “wears heart on sleeve,” outgoing, enthusiastic, excitable, expressive, empathetic, affectionate, optimistic, sensitive, impatient, sees the humorous side of life, easily shares innermost feelings, easily frustrated, prone to circulatory and heart problems, anxiety, insomnia. Fire Spirit Remedy: Ask yourself what brings you joy, and bring more of it into your life.
Earth Element / Spleen Organ – sincere, easygoing, agreeable, accommodating, peacemaker, nurturing, loyal, diplomatic, conservative, methodical, prone to overthinking and worrying, digestive and intestinal issues, most content in company of other people but can be needy or too giving. Earth Spirit Remedy: Do something by yourself to build self-sufficiency. Create clearer boundaries with people you habitually overextend for.
Metal Element / Lung Organ – neat, orderly, self-contained, enjoys solving puzzles, likes procedures and organization, logical, systematic, meticulous, discriminating,intellectual, organized, prone to colds, allergies and asthma, hyper-rational, detail-oriented. Metal Spirit Remedy: Do something creative to balance your hyper-rational tendencies.
Water Element / Kidney Organ – cautious, sensible, enjoys solitude, curious, imaginative, intellectual, patient, persevering, self-sufficient, independent, reflective, will power, endurance, timid, susceptible to urinary and reproductive problems, low back pain. Water Spirit Remedy: Nurture social relations and plan activities with other people – your self-sufficiency can isolate you.
Wood Element / Liver Organ – intense, type A, smart, decisive, prone to stubbornness, control freaks, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, high blood pressure, acid reflux, . Wood Spirit Remedy: Add non-competitive, relaxing activities to your routine – like yoga, meditation, hiking in nature.
Resources
Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold, New York: Ballantine, 1991.
Second Spring: Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate At Any Age, by Maoshing Ni, New York: Simon & Schuster, 2009.
