The Five Elements are interrelated through generation and overcoming.
Generation: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood, representing development.
Overcoming: Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal, Metal overcomes Wood, representing balance.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concepts of “Five Elements, Five Qi, Five Organs, Five Tastes, and Five Colors” are interconnected, supporting and overcoming each other.
The harmony of the Five Elements directly affects bodily functions; any imbalance can lead to corresponding physical symptoms. Therefore, understanding the Five Elements in the body is essential for health.
Wood
Season associated with Wood:Spring.
Organs associated with Wood: Liver, Gallbladder, Eyes. When working too hard, the first organ to protect is the liver, as it is the organ that stores blood in the body. If you work excessively, it must work hard to store blood.
The Five Elements originally generate in the order of Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney. If the Liver is overworked and weak, it affects the Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney, and accumulated anger from overwork can also harm the Liver.
Therefore, snacks during overtime work can include sour foods, such as preserved plums. If any organ associated with Wood feels uncomfortable, consuming more green foods can be beneficial.
These foods correspond to the Liver and Gallbladder, containing large amounts of chlorophyll, vitamins, and fiber, which can help the organs accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body.
Emotions associated with Wood: Anger.
Taste associated with Wood: Sour.
Foods associated with Wood: Green foods.
Recommended foods: Cabbage, Bok Choy, and Spinach, among various leafy vegetables.
Fire
Season associated with Fire:Summer.
Organs associated with Fire: Heart, Small Intestine, Tongue.
Emotions associated with Fire: Joy.
Taste associated with Fire: Bitter.
Foods associated with Fire: Red foods. The Heart is associated with Fire, and during this time, it is easy to experience excess heat, restlessness, and rapid heartbeat, which increases the burden on the heart. Therefore, nurturing the heart is crucial in summer.
In addition to consuming heart-nourishing foods, according to the principle of overcoming in the Five Elements, the Kidney controls Heart Fire, so nourishing Kidney Qi in winter is a wise approach.
To nourish the heart, it is best to eat red foods, which correspond to the red blood and the heart responsible for blood circulation. Those with poor complexion and cold extremities can benefit from consuming more.
Recommended foods: Red beans, Red dates, Carrots, Red peppers, Tomatoes.
Earth
Season associated with Earth:Late Summer. This refers to the period in summer when the dry heat has passed and the rains begin.
Organs associated with Earth: Spleen, Stomach, Mouth.
Emotions associated with Earth: Worry.
Taste associated with Earth: Sweet.
Foods associated with Earth: Yellow foods. Late summer is the wettest time of the year. Excess humidity can harm the Spleen and Stomach, and when these organs are affected, appetite decreases, which is why we often lack appetite in the height of summer.
During this time, it is important to consume “more sweet and bitter” foods; eating sweet foods can replenish Spleen Qi. According to the Five Elements, the Fire-associated Heart nourishes the Earth-associated Spleen, and consuming bitter foods that strengthen the heart also benefits the Spleen.
Problems with Earth-associated organs correspond to yellow foods. The Spleen and Stomach play a role in nutrient supply in the body; when they are well-regulated, Qi and blood will be abundant.
Recommended foods: Oranges, Pumpkins, Corn, Yellow soybeans, Sweet potatoes.
Metal
Season associated with Metal:Autumn. In autumn, the lungs should be well cared for, as cough is a common ailment, influenced by the spirit of the Five Elements. During autumn, plants begin to wither, which can easily lead to feelings of melancholy.
Organs associated with Metal: Lungs, Large Intestine, Nose.
Emotions associated with Metal: Sadness.
Taste associated with Metal: Spicy.
Foods associated with Metal: White foods. Metal-associated foods primarily correspond to the lungs, and most are white foods.
These foods are generally neutral and cool, can strengthen the lungs and clear the voice, and promote gastrointestinal motility, enhancing metabolism, giving skin elasticity and luster.
Recommended foods: Pears, White radishes, Yam, Almonds, Lilies, White fungus.
Water
Season associated with Water:Winter.
Organs associated with Water: Kidneys, Bladder, Ears. Excessive eating out can harm the kidneys, which are of utmost concern. Chefs often use a lot of oil and salt in cooking, making the food more flavorful.
However, salty flavor is associated with Water and the kidneys; in moderation, it is beneficial, but excessive consumption is detrimental. If the complexion is dark, it may indicate kidney issues.
Emotions associated with Water: Fear.
Taste associated with Water: Salty.
Foods associated with Water: Black foods. These foods correspond to the kidneys and bones, and regular consumption can help maintain normal metabolism related to the kidneys, bladder, and bones, preventing excess water retention that can cause edema and strengthening the bones.
Recommended foods:Black beans, Black sesame, Blueberries, Mushrooms, Black dates, Longan, Dried plums!!
