(cont'd)

Five Elements Theory

In classical China, the five elements theory was used as a philosophy to describe the interactions of nature. Because the outside world is connected to our inner bodies, it was adapted for the same purpose. Here is the diagram, and I will explain what it means:



The outside represents the generation cycle, or the mother-son cycle:
- Wood is the mother of Fire (self-explanitory)
- Fire is the mother of Earth (when forests burn down they provide nourishment for the land)
- Earth generates Metal (Metal is elements of the Earth under high pressure)
- Metal generates Water (a bit obscure, but basically in ancient times, if people were able to find large mineral deposits in the ground, it would usually be near a water source; also, water condenses onto metal so it gives the appearance that the metal is generating it)
- Water generates Wood (trees need water)

In TCM philosophy, if the mother is sick, then the child will also be sick because it is not being provided for; likewise, if the child is sick, then the mother will be overburdened trying to care for the child.

The inside arrows represent the cycle of restriction or control:
- Wood controls Earth (without trees, the soil can be prone to flooding, erosion, and land slides)
- Earth controls Water (think about sand bags during a flood; Earth absorbs water)
- Water controls Fire (self-explanitory)
- Fire controls Metal (Metal under high heat will melt)
- Metal controls Wood (an axe chops wood)

If the one being controlled is sick, it may become over-restrained. If the one doing the controlling is sick, it will not properly restrain its target, and the one that should be restrained may become out of control. A good example is the liver. If the lungs (metal) become weak, they may no longer properly restrain the liver (wood), and the liver in turn may counter-restrain the lung, or attack nearby organs.

Through observation, the ancient Chinese realized that organs fit seamlessly into this system:


- Liver is generated by the Kidneys and restrained by the Lungs
- Heart is generated by the Liver and is restrained by the Kidneys
- Spleen is generated by the Heart and is restrained by the Liver
- Lung is generated by the Spleen and is restrained by the Heart
- Kidney is generated by the Lung and is restrained by Spleen

We don't strictly rely on the 5 elements theory for every aspect of diagnosis in TCM, but it provides some guidance in certain situations. For example, if someone has a lot of chronic phlegm in their lungs or suffers from routine bronchitis, we will strengthen the the lungs by tonifying the spleen. If the liver becomes too stagnant, either from alcoholism, stress, or excessive emotions like danger, it can counter-control the lung and cause breathing issues, and it can over-restrain the spleen and stomach causing big digestive problems. If the heart is weak, it will fail to provide warmth and support to the spleen (the digestive system), and nutrients will not be absorbed as effectively.

We learn the 5 elements theory because it is one of the foundational principles of TCM that guided its original work, but in the modern world we rely on many other factors too.