Chinese Medicine: The 5 Elements of Nature

Chinese Medicine is an organized medical system that is based on 2,000 plus years of clinical evidence. It is largely based on the observation of nature and its 5 Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. Chinese Medicine is focused on the harmonious relationship between our bodies and the surrounding natural environment. By understanding the relationship of these 5 Elements in nature, we can begin to understand how these 5 Elements work within our own bodies. Each element is assigned its own set of organs, emotions, flavors, colors, direction, and seasons:

1. Fire Element:

• Organs: Heart, Small Intestine
• Emotion: Joy, Mania
• Flavor: Bitter
• Color: Red
• Direction: South
• Season: Summer

2. Earth Element:

• Organs: Spleen, Stomach
• Emotion: Worry
• Flavor: Sweet, Bland
• Color: Yellow
• Direction: Center
• Season: Late Summer

3. Metal Element:

• Organs: Lung, Large Intestine
• Emotion: Grief, Sadness
• Flavor: Acrid, Pungent
• Color: White
• Direction: West
• Season: Autumn

4. Water Element:

• Organs: Kidneys, Urinary Bladder
• Emotion: Will, Fear
• Flavor: Salty
• Color: Black
• Direction: North
• Season: Winter

5. Wood Element:

• Organs: Liver, Gall Bladder
• Emotion: Anger
• Flavor: Sour
• Color: Blue-Green
• Direction: East
• Season: Spring

Stay tuned for my next blog post as we go more in depth with the 5 Elements and how we can observe it in nature!