The 5 elements are used extensively in Chinese medicine, particularly in acupuncture to pinpoint weaknesses in specific organs or areas of the body where energy paths are blocked.  It is a useful tool for the therapist, and can be used as a diagnostic tool during a consultation.  The colours that relate to the 5 elements and the related organs, emotions and seasons are shown on the chart below:

There are additional organs and personality types that correspond with the 5 elements.  A trained therapist will be able to use these guidelines to further help with diagnosis of specific problematic areas:

It is not unusual for someone to intensely dislike a colour that relates to an organ that is out of balance, or alternatively cover themselves from head to foot in it.  A complete avoidance of all the above colours may indicate imbalance in several areas of the body.

Once an element has been out of balance for more than 2 years there will always be an additional imbalance in the water element.

In more depth
To understand what these Elements represent in man it is helpful to see each Element in relation to its seasonal correspondence.

The Wood Element corresponds to Spring, which is a time of new growth, increasing activity and longer days. In the individual, Wood corresponds to having a vision of the future, having the ability to organize, plan and initiate action, and to express emotions, including anger, in a healthy manner. Wood includes the function of the biliary tract, liver, ocular system and musculoskeletal system. When not in balance, there will be difficulty in making decisions, high levels of frustration, excessive need for control, inappropriate anger, difficulty relaxing, anxiety, chronic muscular problems such as fibromyalgia, headaches (including migraine) and visual problems.

The Fire Element corresponds to Summer. This is the time of greatest warmth and light, the longest days, the greatest activity and luxuriant growth. In the individual this includes the ability to establish relationships, express love and sexuality, expansiveness, enthusiasm, passion, playfulness, joyfulness, warmth and relaxation. The organ systems include the heart, small intestine, pericardium (sac that encloses heart), and sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. When the Fire Element is not in balance there is a lack of joy and warmth, difficulty in intimate relationships, depression, confusion and doubt, low energy, digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, cardiac disease and tinnitus.

The Earth Element is Late Summer. This is harvest time when food is plentiful and the warmth and golden light of the Late Summer days create a sense of relaxation and contentment. The organ systems of Earth are the stomach, spleen, pancreas and all digestive processes. In the individual, this relates to  nourishment, contentment, harvesting what is needed for self and others, stability, security, empathy and caring. Earth corresponds to the biological mother, as well as Mother Earth. When the Earth Element is not in balance we see a person who can be obsessive, self centered, opinionated, insecure and uncaring. The physical symptoms include eating disorders, upper and lower gastrointestinal disease including peptic ulcer disease and inflammatory bowel disease, sinusitis, frontal headaches and all gynecological disorders.

The Metal Element is Autumn. This is a time of decreasing light, increasing cold and shorter days. Trees lose their leaves as they withdraw their energy internally. In the individual, the Metal Element represents internal resolve and strength, self worth, self esteem, vitality and endurance, as well as the ability to let go of emotional upsets and grudges. The organ systems are the lung, skin and colon. Metal represents the biological and spiritual Father. When the Metal Element is out of balance there can be depression and sadness, an inability to recover from loss, lack of inspiration, rigidity, poor self esteem, excessive materialism and emotional withdrawal. The physical symptoms include asthma, rhinitis, eczema and other skin disorders, constipation and lower bowel disorders.

The Water Element is correlated with Winter. This is the darkest and coldest time of the year, when activity in the plant kingdom occurs only deep in the roots. In the individual, the Water Element represents energetic reserves, the will to survive, courage, our ability to procreate, movement and flow, self actualization, willpower, trust and faith. The organ systems are the bladder, kidney, bones and endocrine system. When out of balance, the Water Element will show fear and a struggle for survival, a lack of reserves and deep fatigue, reduced sexuality, timidity and a lack of trust in life and in other people. The physical symptoms include fatigue and exhaustion, all disorders of the urinary tract, infertility, hypertension, all endocrine disorders, lumbar syndromes, ankylosing spondylitis and dental pathology.

Specific imbalances and conditions

Typical imbalances could be:

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Chinese Medicine - How the 5 elements are used to diagnose imbalance

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