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.
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Earth is related to the stomach and pancreas. Earth people are nurturing, helpful and loyal. Details |
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Fire is related to the nerves, circulation and glands. Fire people are charismatic and charming. Details |
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Metal is related to the lungs and colon. Metal people are precise, orderly and reserved. Details |
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Water is related to the kidneys and bladder. Water people are calm, patient and peaceful. Details |
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Wood is related to the liver and gallbladder. Wood people are bold, driven and decisive. Details |
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The Earth Element
Organ Systems: Stomach/Spleen
Emotions: Sympathy, Worry
Basic Function
Process of digestion, metabolism and utilization of nutrients to build tissue
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Frequent bad breath |
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Belching after meals |
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Cravings for sugar |
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Intestinal gas and bloating |
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Sour stomach, acid indigestion |
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Temporary loss of appetite |
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Foul taste in mouth |
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Poor protein digestion |
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Low energy levels |
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Prolonged illness or loss of energy |
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Poor muscle tone or thin and unable to gain weight |
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Chronically poor appetite |
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Shallow breathing |
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Constant bloating or intestinal irritation |
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The Fire Elements
Organ Systems: Heart/Small Intestine
Emotions: Excitement, Joy
Basic Function
Generates warmth and energy, circulates blood, promotes activity
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Nervous, excitable |
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Anxiety, muscle tension |
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Dizzy or light-headed |
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Toss and turn in sleep, restless sleep |
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Too much stress |
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Talks to fast, difficulty slowing down |
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Highly emotional |
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Cold hands and feet |
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Loss of sex drive |
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Muddled thinking and confusion |
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Waking up frequently, restless dreams |
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Forgetfulness, absent-mindedness |
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Feeling overwhelmed and burned out |
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Night sweats Feeling “Burned out” |
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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
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Acute respiratory congestion, asthma |
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Coughing, sneezing |
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Sinus congestion |
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Sinus headaches |
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Swollen lymph glands |
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Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath |
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Allergies, hay fever |
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Chronic infection in lungs |
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Chronic lung weakness, wheezing |
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Withdrawn, long-term grief, sadness, hardness of heart |
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Dry, unproductive cough |
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Tightness in chest |
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Feeble speaking |
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Tuberculosis, emphysema |
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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
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Water retention, edema |
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Sluggish, tired |
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Wake up at night to urinate |
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Urinary infections or burning urination |
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Prostate swelling |
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Scanty or pale urine |
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Fearful, indecisive, timid |
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Backache, joint swelling or pain |
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Dark circles under eyes |
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Chronic back pain, spinal misalignment |
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Neck pain, stiff neck |
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Leg cramps or pains |
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Weak knees, ankles, legs |
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Arthritis, gout |
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Osteoporosis |
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Impotency |
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The Wood Elements
Organ Systems: Liver/Gallbladder
Emotions: Anger, Irritability
Basic Function
Builds and stores blood and regulates the smooth flow of qi (energy)
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Nausea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms |
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Alternating diarrhea and constipation |
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Anger, defensiveness |
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Headaches, dizziness |
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Discomfort under right rib cage |
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Fatigue in the mornings, groggy |
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Bitter taste in the mouth |
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Stiff and achy muscles |
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Hypoglycemia or afternoon fatigue |
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PMS symptoms and moodiness |
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Depressed, discouraged feelings |
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Hypochondriac feelings |
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Frequent skin eruptions |
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Difficulty getting to sleep, difficulty waking |
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Frequent skin problems |
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Frequent fatigue |
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