Determining which organs are fatigued based on taste preferences and the direction of one's emotions.
The Relationship Between the Five Senses and the Five Organs
The liver is connected to the eyes and the sour taste.
The heart is connected to the tongue and the bitter taste.
The spleen is connected to the mouth and the sweet taste.
The lungs are connected to the nose and the pungent taste.
The kidneys are connected to the ears and the salty taste.
It is believed that each of these organs is connected to a specific sense and taste.
Here, we also write about the seasons and the Five Elements, so please take a look if you are interested.→和漢薬膳 - Japanese and Chinese herbal cuisine
If you want an example of how taste preferences relate to the five senses, here’s an easy-to-understand story.
A middle-aged man, Mr. A, loved salty foods. His dinner alone often exceeded the recommended daily intake of 7 grams of salt.
One day, he suddenly developed sudden deafness.
Three years later, his diet hadn’t changed much. People warned him, but he snapped back, saying, 'I can’t live without eating what I like.'
So what happened in the end?
He collapsed at work, face bright red, and was immediately hospitalized and underwent surgery. He narrowly escaped death, but the damaged blood vessels were beyond repair.
There are many stories of people who have died instantly from the same condition, and Mr. A finally regretted his lifestyle and switched to a low-sodium diet. Fortunately, his body’s self-healing ability has somewhat improved the damaged areas, but his blood vessels will never be as strong as they once were.
In terms of the Five Elements, the 'ears' are connected to the kidneys. Sudden deafness is often of unknown cause in Western medicine, and I’m neither a doctor nor a medical student, so I can’t definitively determine the cause.
However, in Mr. A’s case, I believe it was quite clear that his lifestyle and taste preferences played a significant role.
Ears, kidneys, water. The cause of his condition was excessive salt intake, and additionally, water extinguishes fire. Fire corresponds to the heart. The fact that his face was bright red was a clear sign that his heart, the fire element, was in distress.
If he had realized that his sudden deafness might have been due to salt intake, his heart might not have reached the point of distress.
This is a rather severe example, so it might not seem very relatable.
In more relatable terms, consider what happens after sex (including solo activities).
Do you ever feel your ears go fuzzy, or experience ringing in your ears and dizziness when you stand up? Vaginal fluids also fall under the category of 'water' in traditional Chinese medicine, which also includes the kidneys as part of the reproductive system.
Sex involves the temporary expulsion of a large amount of 'water,' putting some strain on the kidneys. (While blood is also involved, we'll focus on water for this explanation.)
The ears contain the vestibular system, which controls balance, so when your ears are affected, it can be difficult to walk straight. Your heart also beats faster, and your face may turn red.
There are occasional stories of people experiencing heart shocks during sex, so I don't mean to alarm you, but health should always come first.
If you're in good health, these symptoms usually subside after resting for a while, so take it easy and avoid getting up too quickly.
A star shape can be drawn starting from any point and still be completed.
In this instance, I shared a relatable story about the connection between the 'ears,' 'kidneys,' and 'heart,' but similar issues can arise from other connections, such as the spleen (or more understandably, the stomach).
Recently, there's been a lot of talk about 'glycation.' Sugars are a taste that humans really love, and they are essential nutrients for the brain. If you don't get enough sugar, you can lose consciousness and potentially become comatose. There are even treatments for children at risk of severe hypoglycemia where they carry candy to consume when needed.
However, excessive sugar intake can lead to diabetes. A neighbor of mine developed cancer as a result of advanced glycation, which also caused his body to stiffen, making bowel movements difficult.
If the spleen is affected, it can lead to kidney issues, which can then affect the heart. If the heart is affected, it can impact the lungs, and next, the liver. The cycle of mutual inhibition (相剋関係) is quite applicable.
While occasional stomach pain from nervousness isn't usually a concern, if you experience persistent issues for several days or have concerns about your daily diet, it's important to check your constitution and choose foods that suit your current health condition. Of course, seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis should also be considered.
・Five Emotions
As someone who has been anxious since childhood, I’ve always had a weak stomach and a small appetite. I’ve also had many worries about the future and experienced irregular menstrual cycles.
In terms of the Five Elements, worry corresponds to the spleen. Since the spleen is closely related to the stomach (though they are not the same organ), it makes sense that a weak stomach would align with this.
Additionally, being anxious and having a sweet tooth are related. Overconsumption of sweet foods puts a strain on the kidneys. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys include the reproductive organs, so it’s understandable that anxiety and menstrual irregularities are connected.
To determine which organ might be fatigued, consider the emotion that has been most persistent.
- If anger has been ongoing, it affects the liver.
- If you are excessively happy and can’t calm down, it affects the heart.
- If you are constantly worried, it affects the spleen.
- If sadness persists, it affects the lungs.
- If fear continues, it affects the kidneys.
For instance, if you experience incontinence due to fear, it directly relates to this concept. Extreme happiness can also be problematic; for example, fainting upon making eye contact with your favorite idol during a concert illustrates how overwhelming emotions can affect you.
Five Elements
While it's easy to focus on the "star" symbol associated with the Five Elements, the most important thing is to think about the circle (〇). Aim to create a balanced, harmonious circle.
When you consume sour foods, follow up with bitter ones. After bitterness, move on to sweet, then spicy, and finally salty, creating a cycle or circle (〇). It's also okay to go in the reverse direction. Sometimes it's important to exercise restraint, so it’s not just about constantly adding more.
Balance is key.
Traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine is not a cure-all; it can only provide care through diet. While the body has self-healing capabilities, some individuals will still need to visit a doctor.
If you have concerns about your health, consult a physician. The sooner you recognize health issues, the more options you'll have for addressing them.
Please also check out this related article.
