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Five elements
theory is derived from early Taoist philosophy which divided the
world into 5 elements. Each element has certain properties and virtually
everything is slotted into a category.
The 5 elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. The 5 elements are usually presented in a circular manner showing
that each element has an intimate relationship with each of the
other elements and together make up an integrated whole. According to 5 elements theory as it applies in Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are two main cycles of interest. One is the Promoting or Generating Cycle and the other is the Controlling cycle. Promoting/Generating Cycle The 5 elements are arranged in the circle in a particular order. According to the theory, Wood promotes Fire, Fire promotes Earth, Earth promotes Metal, Metal promotes Water and Water promotes Wood. In nature, one can see how Wood is the fuel for Fire, how burned wood returns to the Earth, how Metal comes from the Earth, how Metal promotes condensation and how water promotes the growth of Wood. In Chinese Medicine, each of the major organ systems is assigned an element. Wood is the element of the Liver, Fire is the element of the Heart, Earth is the element of the Spleen, Metal is the element of the Lungs, and Water is the element of the Kidneys. A TCM diagnosis following these principals would look at the Liver disharmonies for example in terms of the effect the Kidneys have on it. The Kidneys (water) promote the Liver (wood). If there is a Liver disharmony, a treatment principal might be to tonify the Kidneys in order to promote the Liver. The Liver is wood and promotes Fire, the Heart. If the Liver is in excess and too much wood is put on the Heart fire, the Heart fire flares. So, to find the root of a Heart disharmony, one may look to the Liver. In Acupuncture, 5 points on each channel are designated according to the 5 elements. That is on each of the 12 channels, there is a Wood point, a Fire point, an Earth point, a Metal point, and a Water point. These points are all located below the elbows and the knees, at the beginning or at the end of the Channels. Choosing points for treatment, then following the Controlling cycle, for Wood disharmony one chooses the Water point, for a Water disharmony, one chooses the Metal point, and so on. If this sounds a bit confusing, it is a bit, but with practice it becomes easier. Controlling Cycle The other cycle of interest is the Controlling Cycle. In this, it is said, that certain elements control others. Again, the elements are arranged in the same order, but this time it is said Water controls Fire, Wood controls Earth, Fire control Metal, and Earth controls water. From Nature, it can be seen how, Water puts out Fire, Leaves cover the forest floor, Fire forges Metal, Earth can dam up and direct water. In TCM diagnosis these relationships are very important. For example, it is said there is a close relationship between the Heart and the Kidneys. Kidney Water cools Heart Fire and Heart Fire warms Kidney Water and balance is maintained in the body. There is also a close relationship between Liver/Wood and the Spleen/Earth. Disharmonies between these two organs are very common. Five Elements theory extends to every aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Besides the body's organs, tastes, smells, bodily fluids, as well as seasons, foods, directions, in fact virtually everything is assigned an element. Of particular interest in clinical practice is the assignment of emotions. In 5 elements theory, each of the cardinal emotions is assigned an Element. In this way the Emotions are linked to the 5 major organ systems. That is Anger is assigned to Liver/Wood, Joy is assigned to Heart/Fire, Worry is assigned to Spleen/Earth, Grief is assigned to Metal/Lungs, and Fear is assigned to Kidneys/Water. Since TCM diagnostic theory holds that emotions or Endogenous factors are a primary cause of disease, it could be very helpful in clinic to know that if a patient expresses Anger excessively or inappropriately, one can suspect problems with the Liver organ system. If a patient develops phobias, Kidney deficiency can reasonably be suspected. Excessive grief may be treated by tonifying Lung or Metal points and so on. There is much more to 5 Element theory. It is found in every branch of TCM. In clinical practice, 5 Elements theory is not actually the main theory most practitioners use. In fact, it is not always that useful in determining a course of treatment. But it is useful in many ways and is one more way of looking at the world. 5 Elements Table
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