Constitution Check 4: The Five Elements
The Five Elements are connected to the five organs and six bowels, which in turn relate to the five senses and emotions.
The details about each element are explained in the context of Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine, but let me summarize briefly.
- The element associated with the star shape inhibits the direction or flow.
- The element associated with the circle nurtures the direction or flow.
The Five Organs associated with the Five Elements are:
- Wood: Liver, which governs anger.
- Fire: Heart, which governs joy.
- Earth: Spleen, which governs worry.
- Metal: Lungs, which govern sadness.
- Water: Kidneys, which govern fear.
When the balance of these Five Organs is disrupted, it can lead to emotional instability, such as feeling irritable or sad without clear reasons. Additionally, when organs are under pressure, for instance, if the heart works too hard, it can cause breathlessness.
The Five Elements can also be influenced by the seasons, but the body constitution check itself is relatively simple. It involves answering 5×5 questions to determine which element is most prevalent and which symptoms are most strongly expressed.”
Group A Questions
- The complexion is dark or bluish.
- There are worries related to work.
- Experiencing tired eyes or dark circles under the eyes.
- Prone to feeling stressed.
- Concerned about wrinkles between the eyebrows.
Group B Questions
- The complexion is red.
- Experiencing palpitations or shortness of breath.
- There are worries related to home or romantic relationships.
- Prone to being anxious.
- Forgetful.
Group C Questions
- The complexion is yellow.
- Prone to bruising easily.
- Loss of appetite.
- Wrinkles or sagging around the neck.
- Bloated abdomen.
Group D Questions
- The complexion is pale blue.
- Prone to catching colds.
- Coughing or producing phlegm.
- Skin is prone to irritation.
- Nasal discharge.
Group E Questions
- The complexion appears darkened.
- Legs and lower back tire easily.
- Frequent or infrequent urination.
- Prone to swelling.
- Premature graying of hair.
- If you had mostly A answers, you are likely to have a burden on the liver type; Wood element is weak.
- If you had mostly B answers, you are likely to have a burden on the heart type; Fire element is weak.
- If you had mostly C answers, you are likely to have a burden on the digestive system type; Earth element is weak.
- If you had mostly D answers, you are likely to have a burden on the lungs type; Metal element is weak.
- If you had mostly E answers, you are likely to have a burden on the kidneys type; Water element is weak.
The Five Elements are influenced by the seasons and diet, so they are as changeable as the “Qi, Blood, and Water” types. However, since they can be assessed by “color,” choosing suitable foods is relatively straightforward.
Recommended Ingredients for Each of the Five Elements.
The Root of Health Problems as Seen Through the Five Senses and Five Emotions
It does seem unusual to connect organs with emotions, especially from a Western perspective where such links aren’t typically emphasized. However, traditional medicine systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda have long explored these connections. They propose that each organ system is associated with specific emotions and overall well-being.
For example, in TCM:
- The liver is linked to anger.
- The heart is associated with joy.
- The spleen is connected with worry.
- The lungs are related to sadness.
- The kidneys are tied to fear.
These connections are seen as part of a holistic view of health where emotional and physical states are interrelated. While this perspective may not align with conventional Western medicine, it reflects a comprehensive approach to understanding health and disease.
In everyday life, there are instances where emotions and physical states influence each other. For example, people who drink alcohol frequently may be more prone to irritability, or individuals with many worries may prefer sweet foods. These phenomena suggest a certain relationship between the body and emotions.
Several reasons can explain this:
- Alcohol and Emotions: Alcohol affects the nervous system and can make it difficult to control emotions. This can lead to irritability and emotional instability.
- Stress and Appetite: When under stress or dealing with many concerns, the body may crave sugar and fats. This is a response where the body seeks to quickly supply energy, which can make one prefer sweet or high-calorie foods.
- Mind-Body Connection: Traditional approaches such as Eastern medicine view the relationship between emotions and physical health as interconnected. Stress and emotional instability can affect the body, and vice versa, physical ailments can impact emotional well-being.
Observations like these can help in understanding the connection between emotions and the body. However, these relationships can vary depending on individual circumstances, so a broad perspective is needed for comprehensive understanding.
With advancements in science, our understanding may also evolve more rapidly. Personally, I look forward to the evolution of science with improved precision. While non-science and science are often seen as opposing, in reality, all activities in the universe and on Earth are part of science.
