The Five Elements are interrelated through generation and overcoming.
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 restraining each other. 【WeChat Public Account: Guoxue Life】
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
Wood
Season of Wood: Spring.
Organs associated with Wood: Liver, Gallbladder, Eyes. When overworked, the first organ to protect is the liver, as it is the organ that stores blood in the body. If you work hard, 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 weakened, it affects the Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney, and the accumulated anger from overwork can also harm the Liver.
Therefore, when working overtime, it is advisable to prepare some sour snacks, such as preserved plums. If any organ associated with Wood feels uncomfortable, consuming more green foods associated with Wood can be beneficial.
These foods correspond to the Liver and Gallbladder, containing a large amount 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
Fire
Season of 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, making it prone to heat, restlessness, and rapid heartbeat, which increases the burden on the heart. Therefore, nurturing the heart is most important in summer.
In addition to consuming heart-nourishing foods, according to the principle of overcoming in the Five Elements, the Kidney restrains Heart Fire, so nourishing Kidney Qi in winter is a wise approach.
To nourish the heart, it is best to eat some 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. 【WeChat Public Account: Guoxue Life】
Recommended foods: Red beans, Red dates, Carrots, Red peppers, Tomatoes.
Earth
Earth
Season of Earth: Late Summer. This refers to the period in summer when the dry heat passes and it begins to rain.
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 moisture can harm the Spleen and Stomach, affecting appetite, 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 with the Heart nourishes the Earth associated with the Spleen, and consuming bitter foods that strengthen the heart also benefits the Spleen.
Problems with Earth organs correspond to yellow foods. The Spleen and Stomach play the role of nutrient providers in the body; when they are well-regulated, Qi and blood will be abundant.
Recommended foods: Oranges, Pumpkins, Corn, Yellow soybeans, Sweet potatoes.
Metal
Metal
Season of 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. In 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. Foods associated with Metal primarily correspond to the lungs and are mostly white foods.
They are generally neutral and cool in nature, which can strengthen the lungs and promote digestion, enhancing metabolism and giving skin elasticity and luster.
Recommended foods: Pears, White radishes, Chinese yam, Almonds, Lilies, White fungus.
Water
Water
Season of Water: Winter.
Organs associated with Water: Kidney, Bladder, Ears. Excessive dining out can harm the kidneys, which are the organs we care about the most. A common trait among chefs is the heavy use of oil and salt, making 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.