Back to ArticlesThey say health is one’s greatest wealth. Good health isn’t only the absence of illnesses and diseases in one’s body, but the complete physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual well-being of an individual. There are two schools of thought about this topic — western and eastern.
In western medicine, good health is believed to be determined by good genes. Its main aim is to identify and treat specific symptoms to allow the patient to heal and recover more comfortably.
On the other hand, Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) basic philosophy is to treat the person as a whole by diagnosing both symptoms and a person’s overall body condition. It does this by understanding a person’s body based on the 5 elements theory. These elements are namely Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. This theory has been used in TCM diagnosis as early as ancient China’s “Warring States Period (476-221 BC). Each element represents a particular body organ, emotion, and meridian.
TCM practitioners believe that a healthy body is a body where the 5 elements are in balance, namely the Yin and Yang.
A person who is born with a balance of their 5 elements is better known as someone considered to being born with good genes in the western definition. However, it is important to note that even if one is born with an imbalance at birth, this can be corrected through making conscious food and lifestyle choices which we will outline in this article.
Here are the 5 element theories in TCM explained.
1. Wood
Likened to a tree, wood types seek out challenges and thrive under pressure. These people are known to have a type-A personality which means they are hard-working and driven. People in this group tend to overwork themselves leading to stress, tightness in the neck and shoulder, and jaw. They’re also prone to having a bad temper and irritability.
The wood element is associated with:
Body: Liver, gallbladder, tendons, eyes
Colour: Green
Emotion: Anger
Flavour: Sour
Weather: Wind
If you exhibit the following features, it signifies liver issues, which is commonly associated with the wood element:
Forehead: If you’re pale or veiny
Eyes: If you have tired eyes or poor vision, yellowish or bloodshot eyes, wrinkles around your eyes
Nose: Red and prone to nose bleed
Tongue: Pale tongue
Symptoms: Emotional fluctuations, insomnia, memory issues, appetite issues, constipation, have low energy
2. Fire
The fire type is known to be energetic, passionate, and strong-willed with a natural tendency to be joyful and delightful in the company of others. However, when imbalanced, you tend to get over-excited, have trouble sleeping, and may experience anxiety symptoms.
The fire element is associated with:
Body: Heart, tongue, pulse
Colour: Red
Emotion: Joy
Flavour: Bitter
Weather: Heat
If you exhibit the following features, it signifies heart issues, which is commonly associated with the fire element:
Face: Often swollen, reddish, sensitive face – This is a sign of excessive heat in your body.
Tongue: Reddish or purplish tongue – This signifies blood flow issues.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, heartburn, inability to articulate yourself, swollen extremities (feet & hand), stuffy in heart and lungs, sweat easily, aching shoulders
3. Earth
People in this element type are known to be dependable, grounded, and practical. These people are drawn to harmony, peace, and stability in themselves and their surroundings. When out of balance, earth types are prone to overthinking, have digestive problems, and may wear themselves out.
The earth element is associated with:
Body: Spleen, Stomach, Mouth, Muscles
Colour: Yellow
Emotion: Pensive
Flavour: Sweet
Weather: Damp
If you exhibit the following features, it signifies spleen issues, which is commonly associated with the earth element:
Face: Yellowish, swollen, & with large pores
Facial features: Exhibit bad breath, sensitive teeth, may salivate too much
Tongue: Overly red or overly pale
You could be dehydrated or eating food that is too rich, sweet, or heavy.
Symptoms: Gastric issues, appetite issues, bruise easily, bloatedness, longer menstrual cycle, obesity or skinny.
4. Metal
Metal types are known to be righteous, faithful, and brave. They’re known to be disciplined and like structure and methodology (aka perfectionists). When out of balance, this element experiences respiratory conditions like common colds and flu, or experience allergies, dry skin, or mild rashes.
The metal element is associated with:
Body: Lungs, nose, skin
Colour: White
Emotion: Sadness
Flavour: Pungent
Weather: Dry
If you exhibit the following features, it signifies lung issues, which is commonly associated with the metal element:
Face: Pale face, acne, stuffy nose, runny nose, pimples on side or tip of the nose, sore throat, breathing through the mouth, phlegm or dry cough.
Symptoms: Sensitive skin, easily get a sore throat, asthma, frequent flu, constipation, hair on the back, easily bloated or swollen.
5. Water
Water elements are known to have strong willpower, a determined nature, and a tendency to be self-sufficient and independent. They go with the flow and are adaptable. They’re critical thinkers asking questions about themselves and the world around them. When out of balance you can be so introspective and focused on your inner world that you become withdrawn from others and may become fearful.
The water element is associated with:
Body: Kidneys, ears, bones
Colour: Black
Emotion: Fear
Flavour: Salty
Weather: Cold
If you exhibit these features, it signifies kidney issues, which is commonly associated with the water element:
Hair: Thinning or white hair
Facial features:
- Eyebags
- Listlessness
- Swollen eyelids
- Darkish skin on the face
- Sensitive teeth
Tongue: Reddish tongue
Symptoms: Difficulty peeing, easily tired, takes long to recover, extremities feel warm, hard on hearing, poor sex drive, feel generally tired, feeling hot in the afternoons & evenings causing the body temperature to rise.
Final thoughts
Whether your element is wood, fire, metal, earth, or water, it’s important to seek your element type to be able to change your lifestyle and diet in order to achieve balance for yourself. If one is weak in either of the elements, we offer a number of workshops to attend based on your element types.
- Metal – Suitable for everyone
- Water – Suitable for everyone (especially women)
- Fire – Suitable for those looking to destress and also for women
- Wood – Suitable for women and those looking to detox
- Earth – Suitable for detox and destress
However, be sure to get yourself checked regularly as your element may not stay the same throughout your life as your body goes through different stages. You can meet with a TCM practitioner to better understand your current element type and hence be able to change your lifestyle to achieve better health through practicing a holistic lifestyle.
Want to find out which one you are? Why not try this short quiz here.
