The Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The theory of the Five Elements or Five Phases, known as Wu Xing, is an ancient system, dating back to the 4th century BC. Wu means five, and while the Chinese word xing is often translated as "element," it actually means "move" or "walk." The elements wood, fire, earth, metal and water symbolize interrelated processes in the human body and in the natural world. Each of the Five Elements is associated with a specific season, color, emotion, yin (solid) organ, yang (hollow) organ, taste and many other qualities that together allow the body, mind and spirit to function as a well-balanced whole.

The Wood Element

The Wood element corresponds to spring and the color green. Its yin organ is the liver, its yang organ is the gall bladder, and it relates to the tendons and eyes. The emotion associated with Wood is anger, and its taste is sour. The Wood element regulates many of the body's functions, including ridding the body of toxins, storing blood, and regulating hormones. Digestion is also under the jurisdiction of Wood through the gall bladder, which secretes bile. Disharmonies of the Wood element include headaches, menstrual problems, cysts and fibroid tumors, muscle spasms, hypertension, irritability, anger and frustration.

The Fire Element

The Fire element is associated with summer and the color red. Its yin organ is the heart, its yang organ is the small intestine, and it relates to the blood vessels and tongue. Fire's emotion is joy, and its taste is bitter. The Fire element controls circulation via the heart, as well as separating pure from impure through the small intestine. The Mind and Spirit reside in the heart, and Fire rules memory, thinking and dreaming. Imbalances of the heart element may appear as poor circulation, chest pains, poor memory, insomnia, speech disorders or mental illness.

The Earth Element

The Earth element corresponds to late summer and the color yellow. Its yin organ is the spleen/pancreas its yang organ is the stomach. Earth relates to the muscles and mouth. Its emotion is worry, and its taste is sweet. The Earth element is responsible for digestion and metabolism of food. An imbalance of the Earth element may cause symptoms of indigestion, lack of appetite, weakness, and excessive worry.

The Metal Element

The Metal element corresponds to autumn and the color white. Its yin organ is the lungs and its yang organ is the large intestine. Metal relates to the skin and nose. The emotion of Metal is grief, and its taste is pungent, or spicy. The Metal element controls respiration as well factors associated with the skin such as perspiration and sweating, and removal of waste from the body via the large intestine. Imbalance of the Metal element may manifest as shortness of breath, asthma, coughing, skin conditions, bowel problems, and feelings of grief or sadness.

The Water Element

The Water element is associated with winter and the color black. Its yin organ is the kidneys and its yang organ is the bladder. Water relates to the bones and ears. The emotion of Water is fear, and its taste is salty. The Water element is responsible for the fluid metabolism of the body, as well as regulation of the endocrine system through the adrenal glands. Symptoms of a Water imbalance may include edema, low back pain, urinary problems, painful joints, brittle bones, or feelings of fear or paranoia.

The Shen and Ko Cycles of Generation and Control

Each of the five elements interacts with the others in specific ways so that the whole remains in balance.

The generating or shen, cycle, also known as the mother-child cycle, describes how the elements nurture one another. Wood generates Fire, which generates Earth, which generates Metal, which generates Water, which in turn generates Wood as the process comes full circle.

The controlling, or ko cycle, describes how the elements regulate each other. Wood controls Earth, as a tree's roots can split the soil; Earth controls Water, as a dam can be built to staunch the flow of a river; Water controls Fire by quenching the flames; Fire controls Metal by melting it; and Metal controls Wood as an axe can chop down a tree.

Pathological conditions occur when one element becomes too strong or too weak, which will negatively affect the others. Treatment by acupuncture, herbal remedies or changes in diet can restore health and harmony.

Sources:
Tierra, Lesley. Healing with the Herbs of Life. Berkeley: Crossing Press, 2003.

Kaptchuk, Ted J. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. New York: McGraw Hill, 2000.

TCM Student http://www.tcmstudent.com/theory/Five%20Element%20Theory.html

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