1. The Five Elements
1. The origin of the Five Elements theory: The Five Elements theory is the essence of traditional Chinese culture, referring to the five fundamental substances: Wood (growth, flexibility, and smoothness), Fire (warmth, rising, brightness), Earth (transformation, support, and acceptance), Metal (cleansing, refinement, and contraction), and Water (coolness, nourishment, and downward movement). Ancient Chinese people recognized that Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are essential basic substances through long-term life and production practices. This understanding extends to the idea that all things in the world are generated from the movement and transformation of these five basic substances. There exists a relationship of mutual generation and mutual restraint among these five elements, maintaining a dynamic balance through their continuous interactions, which is the fundamental meaning of the Five Elements theory.
2. The relationship of mutual generation and mutual restraint among the Five Elements: The Five Elements theory posits that there are relationships of generation, restraint, multiplication, and insult among the elements. The mutual generation and restraint relationships can explain the interconnections between things, while the multiplication and insult relationships can indicate the mutual influences when balance is disrupted. Mutual generation refers to the support and enhancement among the elements. The order of mutual generation is: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, and Water generates Wood. Mutual restraint refers to the control and limitation among the elements. The order of mutual restraint is: Wood restrains Earth, Earth restrains Water, Water restrains Fire, Fire restrains Metal, and Metal restrains Wood. Mutual generation and restraint are inseparable; without generation, things cannot occur or grow; without restraint, things cannot maintain normal coordinated relationships. Only by maintaining a dynamic balance of mutual generation and restraint can things develop and progress normally.2. The Five Elements and the Five Organs Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the human organic whole is a highly complex unity centered around the five organs. It is primarily based on the five organs, complemented by the six bowels, with meridians serving as a network connecting bodily tissues and organs, forming five major systems. This is part of the systems theory in TCM. Therefore, discussing TCM health preservation inevitably involves the intrinsic connections and mutual nourishing relationships among the five organs.Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water Liver → Heart → Spleen → Lung → Kidney For example, Wood generates Fire, meaning the Liver (Liver Wood) supports the Heart (Heart Fire). The Liver stores blood, and the Heart governs blood vessels; normal liver blood storage function aids the Heart’s blood vessel function. Fire generates Earth, meaning the Heart (Heart Fire) warms the Spleen (Spleen Earth). The Heart governs blood vessels and spirit, while the Spleen governs transformation and blood production; normal Heart function allows blood to nourish the Spleen, enabling it to perform its functions of transformation, blood production, and blood regulation. Earth generates Metal, meaning the Spleen (Spleen Earth) assists the Lung (Lung Metal). The Spleen can benefit Qi, transform Qi and blood, and transport essence to nourish the Lung, promoting the Lung’s function of governing Qi, ensuring normal dispersal and cleansing. Metal generates Water, meaning the Lung (Lung Metal) nourishes the Kidney (Kidney Water). The Lung governs cleansing, while the Kidney stores essence; the Lung’s Qi descending aids the Kidney in storing essence, receiving Qi, and governing water. Water generates Wood, meaning the Kidney (Kidney Water) nourishes the Liver (Liver Wood). The Kidney stores essence, and the Liver stores blood; Kidney essence can transform into Liver blood, assisting the normal function of the Liver. This mutual nourishing relationship among the five organs is explained using the theory of mutual generation of the Five Elements. Using the theory of mutual restraint to explain the inter-restraining relationships among the five organs: For example, the Heart belongs to Fire, and the Kidney belongs to Water; Water restrains Fire, meaning Kidney Water can control Heart Fire. If Kidney Water ascends to the Heart, it can prevent excessive Heart Fire. The Lung belongs to Metal, and the Heart belongs to Fire; Fire restrains Metal, meaning Heart Fire can control Lung Metal. Excessive Heart Fire can inhibit the Lung’s cleansing function. The Liver belongs to Wood, and the Lung belongs to Metal; Metal restrains Wood, meaning Lung Metal can control Liver Wood. If Lung Qi is excessively cleansing, it can inhibit the Liver Yang’s hyperactivity. The Spleen belongs to Earth, and the Liver belongs to Wood; Wood restrains Earth, meaning Liver Wood can control Spleen Earth. If Liver Qi is smooth, it can relieve Spleen Qi stagnation. The Kidney belongs to Water, and the Spleen belongs to Earth; Earth restrains Water, meaning Spleen Earth can control Kidney Water. The Spleen’s transformation can prevent Kidney Water from overflowing. This inter-restraining relationship among the five organs is explained using the theory of mutual restraint of the Five Elements. 3. The Five Tastes and the Five Organs 1. Sour nourishes the Liver: Sour foods enhance digestive function and protect the liver. Regular consumption can help digestion, eliminate harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, and prevent colds, lower blood pressure, and soften blood vessels. Sour foods such as sour plums, pomegranates, tomatoes, hawthorn, and oranges, which are rich in vitamin C, can prevent cancer, combat aging, and treat arteriosclerosis. 2. Bitter nourishes the Heart: There is an ancient saying that bitter medicine is good for health. TCM believes that bitter foods can drain, dry, and strengthen Yin, having effects of eliminating dampness and promoting diuresis. Foods like orange peel, bitter almonds, bitter melon, and lily can prevent toxin accumulation and treat various sores. 3. Sweet enters the Spleen: Sweet foods can nourish Qi and blood, replenish energy, relieve fatigue, and detoxify the stomach, also having effects of alleviating spasms. Foods like brown sugar, longan, honey, and rice products are good choices for sweet foods. 4. Spicy enters the Lung: TCM believes that spicy foods can induce sweating and regulate Qi. Commonly consumed foods like scallions, ginger, garlic, chili, and pepper are primarily spicy foods. These foods can protect blood vessels, regulate Qi and blood, and smooth meridians. Regular consumption can prevent colds, but those with hemorrhoids, constipation, or weak Kidney meridians should avoid them. 5. Salty enters the Kidney: Salty is the crown of the five tastes, and it is never tiresome. TCM believes that salty foods can regulate cell and blood osmotic pressure, maintaining normal metabolism. Salty taste has effects of draining, softening hardness, dispersing masses, and nourishing Yin and blood. Foods like salt, kelp, nori, and jellyfish are high-quality salty foods. If the Kidney is weak, Kidney Water cannot support Heart Fire, which is a dangerous signal. We should be cautious about changes in the color of the Yintang (the space between the eyebrows) in daily life. 4. The Five Colors, Five Grains, and the Five Organs 1. Liver color is green: It is advisable to eat brown rice, beef, jujube, and sunflower seeds; green corresponds to the Liver, so to achieve a rosy complexion, one should not primarily consume vegetarian food. 2. Heart color is red: It is advisable to eat adzuki beans, dog meat, plums, and leeks; red corresponds to the Heart, so to achieve a complexion like peach blossoms, one can supplement with foods rich in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, oranges, and red apples. 3. Lung color is white: It is advisable to eat wheat, lamb, apricots, and leeks; white corresponds to the Lung, so to achieve fair skin, one can regularly consume protein-rich foods like soy milk and milk. 4. Spleen color is yellow: It is advisable to eat soybeans and chestnuts; yellow corresponds to the Spleen, so those with a dull complexion can supplement with yellow, sweet foods like carrots and egg yolks. 5. Kidney color is black: It is advisable to eat meat, peaches, and scallions; black corresponds to the Kidney, so those with darker skin should eat less food with excessive color additives. 5. The Five Organs and the Five Senses 1. The nose corresponds to the Lung: The shape of the nose is governed by the stomach Qi, and the nostrils are governed by the Lung Qi, so the Lung opens to the nose. The nose is the organ of the Lung; if the Lung is diseased, it will first manifest in the nose. Here, the nose primarily refers to the inside of the nostrils. If there is Lung heat, the nostrils will exhale hot air; if there is Lung cold, the nostrils will emit cool air. For example, when a person has a lung disease, symptoms like wheezing and flaring nostrils may appear. 2. The eyes correspond to the Liver: The Liver opens to the eyes, and liver disease will manifest in the eyes. Generally, individuals with liver disease will have bluish corners of the eyes. If a child is frightened, there may be blue veins or bruises on the bridge of the nose, which is also related to the Liver. In TCM’s correspondence of colors and organs, the Liver governs the color green. This green is not the green of grass or leaves but rather a bluish color. The Liver is generated from Kidney Water, and this bluish color is a transitional color between black and green. It is worth mentioning that if a person does not take care of their body in winter, they may become ill in spring when the Qi cannot rise. Therefore, understanding the correspondence between colors and organs is beneficial for health preservation. We can often judge the state of our body by observing changes in facial color. 3. The lips correspond to the Spleen: The Spleen opens to the mouth, and the lips are the organ of the Spleen. Individuals with Spleen disease may exhibit symptoms like yellow lips or yellowing around the mouth, chapped lips, or bleeding, which are all caused by excessive Yangming dryness and heat. 4. The tongue corresponds to the Heart: The tongue is the organ of the Heart. Heart disease generally manifests as an inflexible tongue or a retracted tongue. Frequent verbal errors may also indicate insufficient Heart Qi. The “Huangdi Neijing” states: “Those with heart disease have a retracted tongue and red cheeks.” Red cheeks indicate heart disease, and the area of the cheekbone may become red. In addition to the cheekbones, we should also pay attention to the Yintang, as heart disease can also manifest in this area. If the Yintang suddenly turns red and has a pattern resembling a flower, it indicates that the spirit is scattering, and we should be especially cautious, as this may signal a sudden severe illness. A black Yintang is also not a good sign; from the perspective of TCM, this indicates excessive water Qi affecting the heart, meaning Kidney Water is too abundant, preventing Heart Fire from functioning properly. 5. The ears correspond to the Kidney: The ears are the organ of the Kidney. Ear diseases are often related to the Kidney. The “Huangdi Neijing” states, “The Kidney opens to the ears.” Individuals with Kidney disease may experience symptoms like deafness or tinnitus. The five senses are closely related to the five tastes, five colors, and five sounds, and TCM believes that the relationship between the five senses and the organs is extremely close. By understanding the changes in the five senses, we can discover hidden diseases in the five organs. Therefore, we must always pay attention to changes in the five senses to be aware of the corresponding conditions of the five organs. Specifically, the health preservation methods for the five senses are simple: often close your eyes to nourish the spirit; speak less to nourish the heart; breathe steadily to nourish the lungs; eat delicious food to nourish the mouth; avoid unnecessary troubles and listen to nothing inappropriate to nourish the ears. 6. The Five Emotions and the Five Organs 1. “The Heart corresponds to Joy”: “The Heart corresponds to Joy” refers to the physiological function and emotional state of the heart being related to joy. The “Suwen: On Pain” states: “Joy harmonizes Qi and unblocks the spirit, allowing the Ying and Wei to flow smoothly.” The process of joy is akin to the release of energy (both mental and physical) in the body. The released energy forms the original driving force, initiating new mental activities and governing bodily vitality, creating new achievements. It can enhance the vitality of the brain and the entire nervous system, fully utilize the body’s potential, and improve the efficiency and endurance of both mental and physical labor, making life and work feel enjoyable and confident, thus appearing light, strong, agile, accurate, and energetic; it can strengthen the movement of the heart and blood vessel muscles, accelerate blood circulation, and elevate metabolic levels; it can expand the lungs, enhance respiratory movements, increase lung capacity, and facilitate the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen; it can strengthen the movement of the digestive organs, increase the secretion of digestive fluids, thereby enhancing appetite, aiding digestion, and promoting metabolism.
2. “The Liver corresponds to Anger”: Anger is a strong emotional response to external stimuli and is a negative emotional stimulus. Anger is most closely related to the Liver, hence the phrase “The Liver corresponds to Anger.” On one hand, excessive anger can harm the Liver, leading to abnormal discharge, excessive Liver Qi, and blood surging with Qi, which can manifest as a flushed face, red eyes, irritability, and in severe cases, can lead to vomiting blood, nosebleeds, sudden fainting, or loss of consciousness. On the other hand, if the Liver fails to discharge properly, it can also lead to emotional instability, manifesting as irritability and restlessness. 3. “The Spleen corresponds to Thought”: The Spleen corresponds to Thought. Thought refers to the state of consciousness and mental activity. The emotional activities of thought are primarily expressed through the Spleen. Thought is a state of highly concentrated mental activity. When a person is immersed in thought or anxiety, they often experience a lack of appetite and food may taste bland. Some women may experience reduced menstrual flow or irregular periods due to work stress and intense concentration, which aligns with the Spleen’s function of governing blood. 4. “The Lung corresponds to Worry (Sadness)”: Ancient physicians observed that the Lung is the main organ expressing worry and sadness. When a person cries due to worry, tears flow, which is mucus secreted by the Lung. When a person cries, Lung Qi is abundant, and mucus secretion increases, and since the Lung opens to the nose, tears flow from the nose. The Lung governs Qi and is the master of sound; worry and sadness can also lead to hoarseness and rapid breathing. The Lung governs the skin and hair, so worry can increase facial wrinkles. 5. “The Kidney corresponds to Fear”: Fear corresponds to the Kidney, which is the main organ expressing fear. Fear is a mental state of being afraid of things, which is a negative stimulus to physiological activities. The “Suwen: On Pain” states: “Fear causes Qi to descend, and shock causes Qi to become chaotic.” This indicates that the stimulus of fear can adversely affect the operation of Qi in the body. “Fear causes Qi to descend” means that in a state of fear, the Qi in the upper body becomes blocked, leading to fullness in the lower body, and in severe cases, can cause incontinence. “Shock causes Qi to become chaotic” means that normal physiological activities can be temporarily disrupted due to panic, resulting in a state of confusion and helplessness.7. The Five Seasons and the Five Organs 1. Spring is suitable for ascending and nourishing: In spring, Yang Qi begins to emerge, the earth revives, and all things grow upwards, corresponding to the Liver. According to the characteristics of spring, one should use mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, ginger, and other ascending and dispersing products to fully mobilize the body’s Yang Qi, harmonizing Qi and blood. 2. Summer is suitable for cooling and nourishing: Summer is hot, with excessive fire evil, and all things flourish, corresponding to the Heart. According to the summer season, the Qi and blood of the body’s organs are vigorous, and one should use honeysuckle, lotus leaves, and lotus seeds to adjust the body’s Yin and Yang Qi and blood with light and cooling products. 3. Late summer is suitable for light nourishment: Late summer is the transition between summer and autumn, with heat descending and humidity rising, and damp heat intertwining, corresponding to the Spleen. One should use adzuki beans, mung beans, and patchouli to promote dampness and strengthen the Spleen to achieve a source of Qi and blood generation. 4. Autumn is suitable for cooling nourishment: In autumn, Yang Qi converges, and Yin Qi grows, with dry weather, corresponding to the Lung. At this time, the five organs have just relaxed from the vigorous metabolism of summer, and one should use lily and black sesame to nourish Yin and generate fluids to adjust the dysfunction of the organs from summer. 5. Winter is suitable for warming nourishment: In winter, the weather is cold, and Yang Qi is deeply hidden, corresponding to the Kidney. One should use longan, walnut kernels, and donkey-hide gelatin to warm and nourish the body’s Qi and blood deficiency, ensuring the organs’ Qi and blood are vigorous and adapting to changes in the natural environment.8. The Five Fluids and the Five Organs Sweat, mucus, tears, saliva, and spittle are referred to as the Five Fluids. The Five Fluids are generated by the five organs: the Heart produces sweat, the Lung produces mucus, the Liver produces tears, the Spleen produces saliva, and the Kidney produces spittle. The Five Fluids are generated by the five organs and belong to them, hence they are called the “Five Organs Transforming Fluids,” also known as the “Five Organs Transforming Five Fluids.” The Five Fluids belong to the category of body fluids, all generated from body fluids, distributed among the orifices of the five organs, playing roles in nourishing, moistening, and regulating fluid metabolism. The generation, distribution, and excretion of the Five Fluids occur during the process of body fluid transformation, resulting from the combined actions of multiple organs, particularly the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney. However, the five organs are the core of the organ representation theory, thus sweat, mucus, tears, saliva, and spittle are classified under the five organs. Hence it is said: “In a person’s body, there are mucus, tears, saliva, spittle, feces, and urine, all belong to the transformation of one water, and are emitted through the nine orifices” (from “Questions and Answers on Medical Theory”). “Sweat and urine can both be called body fluids” (from “Medical Essays: On Qi, Blood, and Spirit”). The relationship between the five organs and the five fluids is a unity of overall regulation and local regulation in the process of body fluid metabolism. 1. Sweat is the fluid of the Heart: What is sweat? “Yang added to Yin is called sweat” (from “Suwen: On Yin and Yang”). “Yang” refers to the Yang Qi in the body; “Yin” refers to the Yin fluids in the body. The phrase “Yang added to Yin is called sweat” means that sweat is the liquid that is expelled from the body after body fluids are vaporized by Yang Qi. The secretion and excretion of sweat also depend on the opening and closing of the defensive Qi on the skin. When the skin opens, sweat is excreted; when the skin closes, there is no sweat. Since sweat is transformed from body fluids, and blood and body fluids originate from the same source, there is a saying that “sweat and blood share the same source.” Blood is governed by the Heart, and sweat is the fluid of the Heart, vaporized into sweat, hence it is called “sweat is the fluid of the Heart.” As Li Zhongzi said: “What the Heart stores internally is blood, and what is emitted externally is sweat; sweat is the fluid of the Heart” (from “Essential Readings in Medicine: Sweat”). Due to the close physiological relationship between sweat and blood, they also mutually influence each other pathologically. Regarding the relationship between sweat and blood, excessive sweating can deplete blood and damage body fluids. Conversely, insufficient body fluids can lead to low blood levels, resulting in insufficient sweat. Therefore, in clinical practice, when blood deficiency symptoms appear, one should be cautious in using sweating methods. The principle of “depleting blood leads to no sweat, and depleting sweat leads to no blood” is based on this. Regarding the relationship between sweat and the Heart, excessive sweating can deplete the Heart’s Qi and blood, leading to symptoms like palpitations and anxiety. Since sweating is the result of the evaporation of body fluids due to Yang Qi, excessive sweating can also harm the body’s Yang Qi, leading to a critical condition of excessive sweating depleting Yang. Conversely, when the Heart’s Qi and blood are insufficient, it can also cause pathological sweating, such as Heart Qi deficiency leading to spontaneous sweating; Heart Yin deficiency leading to night sweats. 2. Mucus is the fluid of the Lung: Mucus is the viscous secretion from the nose, which moistens the nasal passages. The nose corresponds to the Lung, and the Five Organs transform fluids, with the Lung producing mucus. When the Lung’s physiological function is normal, mucus moistens the nasal passages without flowing out. If the Lung is affected by wind-cold, clear mucus may flow from the nose; if affected by wind-heat, turbid mucus may flow; if the Lung is dry, there may be little or no mucus. 3. Saliva is the fluid of the Spleen: Saliva is the oral fluid, with the clearer and thinner part referred to as saliva. Saliva protects and cleanses the mouth. During eating, saliva is secreted in larger amounts, moistening and dissolving food, making it easier to swallow and digest. Under normal circumstances, saliva rises in the mouth but does not overflow. If the Spleen and Stomach are not harmonious, it often leads to excessive saliva secretion, resulting in drooling, hence it is said that the Spleen produces saliva. 4. Tears are the fluid of the Liver: The Liver opens to the eyes, and tears flow from the eyes. Tears have the function of moistening and protecting the eyes. Under normal circumstances, the secretion of tears is moistening and does not overflow, but when foreign objects invade the eyes, tears can be secreted in large amounts to cleanse the eyes and expel foreign objects. In pathological conditions, abnormal tear secretion may occur. For example, if there is insufficient Liver Yin blood, tear secretion may decrease, leading to dry eyes; if there is wind-heat in the eyes, there may be excessive tears and tearing in the wind. Additionally, in cases of extreme sadness, tear secretion can also increase significantly. 5. Spittle is the fluid of the Kidney: Spittle, like saliva, is oral fluid. The thicker part is referred to as spittle, while the thinner part is saliva. The fluid of the Spleen is saliva, while the fluid of the Kidney is spittle. Spittle not only moistens and dissolves food, making it easier to swallow, and cleanses and protects the mouth, but it also nourishes Kidney essence. Since spittle is transformed from Kidney essence, excessive spittle or prolonged spitting can easily deplete Kidney essence, which is why practitioners often swallow spittle to nourish Kidney essence. The Five Elements, Five Organs, Five Tastes, Five Colors, Five Senses, Five Emotions, Five Seasons, and Five Fluids are all interrelated and inseparable. As long as you grasp their interrelationships and apply them to daily health preservation, you will surely achieve a healthy body!