5 Element Theory of Acupuncture
The 5 Elements are important guides in Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical diagnosis and treatment. In ancient China, the theory emerged as philosophers found an association between all the phenomena occurring in the universe and five indispensable elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Wind and Water. While each of these materials are characteristically different, they are inter-dependable and cannot exist without the others.
This conceptual method looks at different phenomena through the lens of the microcosm and macrocosm of each element, focusing especially on the connection between what happens in nature and its reflection within the human body. Every element corresponds to a season, sound, taste, color, emotion, and pretty much anything else that you can think of. Each has a relationship to another (wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and so on...) while at the same time, each organ is controlled, or kept in check, by another organ so that a balance of elements is maintained in the body. For example, the liver controls spleen, heart controls lungs, etc.
Over the years, the 5 Element theory, along with the theory of Yin and Yang, has developed into a clinical tool used to observe nature, identify patterns within it, and then apply those patterns in their interpretation of the present dysfunction within the body. 5 Element Diagnosis includes observing affected body tissues, facial color, voice quality, emotional quality (what's missing or what's in excess), if symptoms are exacerbated during a particular season and many other indications to determine the disease of the patient and the appropriate treatment.
We all have all of the elements within us, but typically err on the side of embodying one more than any of the others. As mentioned, this can help us understand any ailments we may be prone to or talents that may be innate in us as well. So, which element are you (most)? Read below to find out!
Wood Type Person
Wood is generally considered the first element as it corresponds to spring and brings new growth and life. To understand the wood element, think of a tree - it grows rapidly, is flexible, but durable, and will twist its way around obstacles to continue expanding. Wood people are highly motivated, very intelligent, excellent decision makers, determined, and hard workers. They are confident and ambitious but may have a tendency to get angry or frustrated very quickly and overwork themselves or overindulge.
Typically, Wood people have long, lean bodies, broad shoulders, long faces, and a slight greenish tint to their complexion. Wood's body tissue is the sinews and the organs ruled by wood are the liver and gallbladder. So, health issues commonly attributed to wood imbalance include stress, tight muscles, high blood pressure, headaches, and gallstones. If you're a Wood type person, your voice may come across sound as if you're shouting. The emotion of wood is anger, and the climate is wind. If you like sour food you're probably a Wood person.
To balance out your health as a wood person, it's very important to stay active with regular exercise and meditation. Recognize when you might be being a little stubborn, and take time to slow down and enjoy life!
Fire Type Person
Fire is the next element and is related to summer - it blazes and consumes, so it makes sense then that fire type people are energetic, outgoing, passionate, creative, optimistic and charismatic. These are the people that always seem happy, have a smile on their face and are full of ideas. They are active, impulsive, walk quickly, and are good at observing the things around them. As a fire sign, these people may have problems with boundaries, feel anxious, become easily overexcited or irritable, or feel lonely.
Fire people are usually shorter, with a smaller head and pointed chin, have strong shoulders, smaller hands and feet, curly hair or thinning hair and a reddish complexion. Fire's body tissue is the blood vessels, and the organs associated with fire are the heart and small intestine (as well as the pericardium and triple burner). When things are out of whack for fire people, health problems can manifest as heart problems like palpitations, issues with circulation, fever, and insomnia. Fire type people have voices that come across like they're laughing when they speak. Fire emotion is joy, and climate is heat. If you find yourself drawn to bitter foods (black coffee, anyone?) it could be indicative that you're a fire person.
Fire people should focus on including cooling foods in their diet like leafy greens, cucumbers and pears and drink a lot of water. It can be good for these people to plan things out ahead of time and try to stick to a routine.
Earth Type Person
Earth is all about stability - it is connected to late summer but serves as a point of reference for the rest of the elements by acting as a sort of pause between them. The best way to conceptualize this element is to think of the archetype "Mother Earth:" the Earth is always grounded and Earth people are practical, caring, thoughtful, and peaceful. Earth people are all about balance, easy to get along with, compassionate, reliable, relaxed and generous. They have a tendency to always take on the role of the mediator, and may overthink things, worry too much, lack ambition, or be a little codependent in that they are so eager to please other people they may forget about themselves.
As an Earth person, you probably have a round face and body with a bigger head, your body is muscular with a large abdomen with strong large legs. Earth people also have a yellowish tint to their faces. Earth's body tissue are the muscles and organs are the spleen and stomach. Here, health issues develop as hormonal problems, abdominal pain, digestive trouble, and issues with weight. When they speak, there is a sing-songy sound to their voice. Earth's emotion is worry and climate is damp. If you find yourself always craving sweets, you're probably an earth person!
To stay healthy, Earth people should make time to be in nature, and focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future.
Metal Type Person
The season for metal is autumn, and as such represents the time when we begin to let go and turn inward. Metal people are neat, disciplined, methodical, persistent, organized, self-reliant, and like structure as they tend to be perfectionists. They make natural leaders because they have a strong voice, are very honest, decisive, logical, and have a quietly commanding air to them. However, they may tend to be a little controlling, rigid in their thinking, melancholy, and unsettled when things are out of order in their life.
Metal people usually have a white or pale complexion, straight hair, a square shaped face, smaller head, flat abdomen and walk slowly and deliberately. Metal's body tissue is the skin and the metal organs include the lungs and large intestine. Here, health problems are often manifested as eczema, psoriasis, asthma, depression, and allergies. When a metal person speaks, their voice may sound as if there is a weeping quality - to imagine this sound, think of lovesick country singers. Metal's emotion is sadness and its climate is dryness. These people like things with a pungent taste, like mustard or ginger.
To stay healthy as a metal person, try to engage in deep breathing practices, consistent aerobic exercise, and proactively seek out social activities.
Water Type Person
Finally, we end with the water element which represents all different forms of water on earth and is connected to the season of winter. Water is a transformational and adaptive force that effortlessly stays its path desperate changing form without losing its intrinsic nature. Water people are laid back, tend to "go with the flow," aware of their surroundings, sympathetic and may find it difficult to stay still. These are the kinds of people are introspective and maybe even a little mysterious, relishing the opportunity to observe and reflect. These are the old souls of the world. Like the season of winter, these people use their time to inwardly build up their energy in preparation for a new creative idea. Conversely, water type people can be indecisive, withdrawn, fearful, self-conscious, and a little bit paranoid.
Water people typically have darker complexions (dark circles under eyes), round faces, wrinkles, narrow shoulders, and a softer body. The body tissue associated with water is the bones, and the organs are the kidneys and bladder. As such, health problems can emerge such as back pain, knee pain, urinary infections, low libido, edema, kidney disease, and lack of willpower. Water people voices sound a little like they might be groaning. The emotion connected with water is fear and the climate is cold. If you have an affinity to salty foods, you could very well be a water person.
For water people to optimize their health, they should avoid stimulants that can damage their adrenals, make sure your body is getting plenty of fluids, avoid cold foods, and engage in calming exercises like yoga or swimming.
Integrating the 5 Elements into Your Life
Apart from being potentially the oldest personality test known to man, the 5 Element Theory of acupuncture helps you understand yourself at a much deeper level by offering not only a comprehensive analysis of your mind-body-soul identity, but also by providing a complete system to follow to live your life in better alignment. Knowing what element you most identify with can bring a certain level of relief and offer some guidance in your daily routine. It also offers direction to help identify and develop inherent talents as well as release guilt surrounding some of the not so great things we hold onto that we might feel ashamed of. As a holistic practice, Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us the that the first step to health is understanding how everything is connected. From there, we can conceptualizing an illness or dysfunction of health within that greater picture to better understand the connection between symptoms and ultimately optimize treatment.
