The Five Elements in Chinese Medicine
By Mr. Steven Horne

We all have a constitution that influences the types of illness we are prone to. Every person is genetically unique.
These differences not only give us unique personalities, they also make us different biochemically. This is why the same diet that will keep one person healthy will make another person ill.It's also why an herbal formula for a particular condition will work for some people, but not for others.

These differences in our genetic make-up are called our constitution. Our basic personality traits make us prone to certain types of disorders.For example, some of us are nervous and excitable and prone to anxiety and nervous disorders. These constitutional traits are due to the basic patterns of energy (qi) in our system.

Over time, without doing anything to maintain our health, we will tend to drift out of balance in the direction of these general tendencies.

To further understand health, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) further divides the way energy (qi) manifests itself into five phases or "elements."
These five types of energy are symbolized by the physical forms of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Keeping our constitution in balance is the long term solution to maintaining health!

By taking an herbal formula designed to balance these basic metabolic functions, you bring your whole body into greater balance and harmony, and hence, greater health.

Read the description of the element(s) below. If the description fits you, you'll want to try one of the Chinese herbal formulas that balance that element.

Earth is related to the stomach and pancreas. Earth people are nurturing, helpful and loyal. Details       Fire is related to the nerves, circulation and glands. Fire people are charismatic and charming. Details       Metal is related to the lungs and colon. Metal people are precise, orderly and reserved. Details       Water is related to the kidneys and bladder. Water people are calm, patient and peaceful. Details       Wood is related to the liver and gallbladder. Wood people are bold, driven and decisive. Details

The Earth Element

Organ Systems: Stomach/Spleen
Emotions: Sympathy, Worry
Basic Function
Process of digestion, metabolism and utilization of nutrients to build tissue

The Fire Elements

Organ Systems: Heart/Small Intestine
Emotions: Excitement, Joy
Basic Function
Generates warmth and energy, circulates blood, promotes activity

The Metal Elements

Organ Systems: Lungs/Colon
Emotions: Sadness, Grief
Basic Function
Receiving and discharging waste, protecting the body from infection and regulating vital energy

The Water Elements

Organ Systems: Kidneys/Bladder
Emotions: Fear, Willpower
Basic Function
Maintaining balance of water and minerals, storing basic life energy, helping maintain strong structural system

The Wood Elements

Organ Systems: Liver/Gallbladder
Emotions: Anger, Irritability
Basic Function
Builds and stores blood and regulates the smooth flow of qi (energy)