The first time a TCM practitioner asked ‘Are you more of a wood person or a fire person?’ I had no idea how to answer. That conversation changed how I understand my health.
Understanding the Five Elements
The Five Elements describe the five phases of transformation in nature:
- Wood = Growth, Planning
- Fire = Heat, Passion
- Earth = Stability, Nourishment
- Metal = Structure, Boundaries
- Water = Fluidity, Wisdom
Which Element Are You?
Wood: planners, prone to anger when imbalanced
Fire: warm, social, prone to anxiety
Earth: nurturing, prone to worry
Metal: organized, prone to grief
Water: calm, prone to fear
The Element Cycle
Generating: Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal collects Water, Water nourishes Wood
Controlling: Wood parts Earth, Earth blocks Water, Water extinguishes Fire, Fire melts Metal, Metal cuts Wood
Quick reference:
- Identify your type: Which emotion dominates?
- Eat for your element: Wood=sour, Fire=bitter, Earth=sweet, Metal=pungent, Water=salty