Wood Element

FUNCTION: In Chinese Medicine the Wood Element is responsible for, among other things, storing the blood and for the free flow of Qi (this is the energy or life force that circulates in your body). The movement of the element is in all directions, much like a tree with branches reaching to the sky and roots sinking deep into the earth. This allows the blood and Qi to reach all parts of the body.

EMOTION: The emotion associated with the Liver is anger. This can also be interpreted as emotional imbalance associated with irritability, frustration or depression.

The Gall Bladder is sometimes referred to in ancient texts as the ‘Official in Charge of Decision Making.’ It also relates to the courage required for a person to carry our their convictions

In balance the Earth element is patient and able to make and carry out good decisions with relative ease.

DIET: In spring we commonly desire fresh, green food – asparagus, spring greens, peas, etc. - the foods that naturally ripen at this time of year. Eating these foods is very beneficial for the Liver and Gall Bladder. They encourage the secretion of bile from the gall bladder which acts as a gentle natural laxative and helps to detoxify the body.

Helpful Foods for the Earth Element include:
Onion, watercress, tumeric, ginger, mint, beets, strawberry, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouted grains, licorice, romaine lettuce, quinoa, chamomile, celery and bitter greens.

IMBALANCE: Usually Earth imbalances are of excess. Liver Qi, when trying to move in all directions, can often get stuck or stagnant backing up like a traffic jam in the meridian system. We see imbalance in the Liver and Gall Bladder manifest as headache, irritability, dry itchy eyes, neck and shoulder stiffness and immobility, quick temper, issues with pain or stiffness in tendons or connective tissues, and also some digestive complaints and disorders.

Shiatsu can be very useful in treatment of imbalance in the Liver and Gall Bladder. It is useful to include some dietary changes and also work on cultivating patience to help balance the Earth element.