The Five Elements
WOOD
Wood signifies beginnings, creativity and expression. Wood is expansive and unfolding, it governs both its Yang organ, which is the gall bladder, and its Yin organ which is the liver.
An excess of the Wood element will result in anger and frustration, if a person is suffering from this imbalance they may have an inflexible and stiff body, taut muscles and tendency to shout.
A deficiency of wood, often leads to being timid and repressive, with little ability to express oneself. Patients may become depressed and cry easily and often have sore, red, itchy eyes, weak and rigid nails.
Water feeds wood and wood makes fire, according to the theory of the Five elements. And anger, the emotion of wood will be increased by your fear.
FIRE
The properties of fire are to heat and to blaze. Fire is linked to the spirit and mind. Its Yang organs are the triple heater and the small intestine. Its Yin organs are the heart and pericardium.
A fire imbalance can cause a wide range of emotional and psychological problems, including neurosis and at worst possible schizophrenia.
In less extreme cases there may be an unnaturally easy going attitude if there is an excess, or an overly pessimistic one in the case of a deficiency. Physically the imbalance may manifest itself in palpitations or in excessive sweating.
Fire is also linked to speech and a deficiency may result in stammering and other speech impediments. People with a fire type constitution are more likely to have red cheeks, bright eyes, have an outgoing and cheerful personality.
Fire on oriental medices is the element of joy and psychic energy. Its organ, the heart, is regarded as the house of both mind and spirit.
EARTH
The properties of earth are to give, to receive and to concentrate. Its Yang organ is the stomach and its Yin organ is the spleen.
People with an earth deficiency are often pale with dry, cracked lips and a tendency to be chubby, partly due haveing a sweet tooth. They may also suffer from poor digestion and weak muscles.
An earth deficiency may cause you to have a toneless voice, whereas patients with an excess of the earth element are inclined to become constant worriers.
An excess of the earth element overpowers the next element in the cycle, the next element metal, causing digestive problems.
METAL
Metal purifies, regulates and eliminates. Its Yang organ is the large intestine, its Yin organ, the lungs.
People with a metal imbalance may have respiratory problems and a tendency to colds and flu.
A deficiency can often be observed in shortness of breath, wheeziness, a weak or whining voice, dry unhealthy skin and poor hair condition, constipation and generally lethargic.
An excess will result in feverish energy and possible an over sensitive sense of smell, a tendency for loose bowels movement and excessive body hair.
Metal is the emotion of deep sadness and grief.
WATER
Water nourishes and is directly related to power and the will. Its Yang organ is the bladder. Its Yin organ is the kidneys.
The water element is associated with the constitution we inherit from our family, particularly with reference to growth, fertility and our own sexuality.
A deficiency of water often leads to general weakness and fatigue, irregular menstruation, low labido, impotence and infertility. It can make sufferers feel inadequate and fearful.
Symptoms include asthma, loose teeth, thin hair, constipation, incontinence and poor hearing. An excess of water leads to overactive libido, seminal emission, premature ejaculation and sweating.
