The Wood Element in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine Spring is related to the Wood element. The nature of Wood is expansive. It pushes upwards and outwards. You can imagine seeds growing upwards out of the ground towards the light and warmth. The Wood Element encompasses all forms of vegetation from grasses and flowers to trees. The Power of Wood is birth. Spring time is also lambing time. Many animals give birth to their young in Spring time. The Wood element relates to the Liver and Gall Bladder. In terms of Chinese Medicine the Liver is the General that makes the plans and the Gall Bladder is the decision maker. The spirit of the Liver is the Hun. This represents the spiritual aspect of the Liver Meridian. It is involved with thinking, sleeping and consciousness. It is easily upset by drugs and alcohol. When a person uses "astral travel" it is their Hun that leaves their body.

The Wood Element

References

Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone

Diet in Chinese Medicine

Proportions

A good nutritious diet is high in fiber, minerals and vitamins, moderate in unsaturated fat and low in saturated fat. People who eat these diets live longer and are less prone to cancer and heart disease. According to Healing with Whole Foods (Pitchford) it should contain the following proportions:

35-60% Grains such as whole grains and cereals

20-25% Vegetables starchy and non starchy, seaweeds, microalgi

5-15% Legumes: including beans, peas and lentils

5-15% Fruits, nuts and seeds

0-10% Animal Products: meat, dairy, eggs and fish

Breakfast

There is a saying "Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince, and Dine like a Pauper..." and another saying "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." This makes sense in terms of Chinese Medicine. The digestive system is strongest between 7 and 9am and between 7 and 9pm. So breakfast is the best time to eat a hearty meal and we should be eating sparingly in the evening. In the West this advice is not always followed. Many people skip breakfast and eat a sandwich in front of their computer. 

Fiber and protein slow the transfer of sugar into the blood and should definitely be included at breakfast time. Oats are a good food for a slow release of energy throughout the day. The setting for meals is just as important as the food itself. "When eating just eat" is a good saying. Your body's energies should be concentrated on digesting your food. Rather than rushing your breakfast or arguing with your family take the time to chew your food so that it is digested properly and avoid distractions like mobile phones and TV when you are eating.

Lunch

 Often we must eat lunch at work. Take this time to eat and socialize rather than hunching over your computer, laptop or mobile phone. A warm meal works wonders in Autumn and Winter. If your work offers warm meals you should take advantage of them. In summer months a salad makes more sense.

Tea/Supper

     The evening meal should be more simple. There is little point preparing a full meal if your body does not have the energy to digest one.  Soup fits the bill nicely. After 9pm we should avoid eating. If we must snack then fruit is a good choice as it is easy to digest. We should avoid caffeine or alcohol if we wish to have a good nights sleep.

References

Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone

Winter

Blencathra in Winter

Winter

In Chinese Medicine Winter is the season relating to the Water element and the Kidneys. Winter is the time of year where everything slows down. Water freezes and becomes ice. The stillness of ice represents this season. Animals hibernate and seeds lay dormant.  In Winter we are advised to go to bed early and slow down our activity to preserve our resources.

Chinese Character for Water

Diet

In terms of diet Winter is a good time for salty and bitter foods which aid the bodies capacity for storage. Examples of bitter foods are oats, rye, carrot top and quinoa. Seaweed, millet and barley are salty foods. It is advisable to avoid salads at this time of year as they are cooling in nature.

References

Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone

The Metal Element

In Chinese Medicine the character for Metal (Jin) 金represents something precious deep in the earth. It includes the character for Earth (see below). The Metal character has a sloping roof on top, representing something covered over. You could imagine it as a mine with nuggets of gold buried deep within the earth. Metal can be thought of like minerals in the body. Small but essential. In the body the Metal Element consists of the Lungs and Large Intestine. The Lungs take in air. In Chinese Medicine they take in the Qi from the Heavens. The Large Intestine lets go of waste material. On a more emotional level it's important to be able to freely accept gifts and compliments. To appreciate beauty in the world. It's also important to let go of things we no longer need. The Dhammapada (sayings of the Buddha) states "For see how the Jasmine flower releases and lets fall its withered flowers." So we must release the parts of us that no longer serve us rather than clinging to them.

Recently I had the chance to go potholing with Lancashire Walking Group. We hiked up towards Ingleborough. Gaping Gill is part way up the hill. It is a huge cave with the longest unbroken waterfall in the country. You had to be winched down into it. It was really impressive. I have also recently visited Poole Caver in Buxton. It made me appreciate the nature of the Metal element.

Gaping Gill

Character for Metal

References

Hicks, Hicks and Mole, 2004, Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone