Wood
Flavor & color associated with wood
What is sour / green
Flavor & color associated with fire
What is bitter & red
Flavor & color associated with Earth
What is sweet and yello/orange/brown.
Flavor & color associated with Metal
What is Pungent and silver/white.
Flavor & color associated with water
What is salty & blue/black
List three sour herbs
Rosehips
Schisandra
Raspberry
Hibiscus
List three bitter herbs
Yarrow
Arugula
Artichoke
Dandelion
Coffee
List three sweet herbs
Licorice
Marshmallow Root
Milky Oats
Cinnamon
Elderberry
List three pungent herbs
Cayenne
Garlic
Rosemary
Ginger
Oregano
Mint
List three salty herbs (one can be a food)
Nettle
Bupleurum
Horsetail
What organs are associated with the wood element?
What organs are associated with the fire element?
What is the heart & small intestine.
What organs are associated with the earth element?
What is the stomach & spleen
What organs are associated with the metal element?
What is the lungs & large intestines.
What organs are associated with the water element?
What are the kidneys & bladder
What are the therapeutic effects of the sour flavor on the body? List at least 3.
- Cooling
- Astringent. (This means they tighten & tonify tissues, ridding the body of excess fluids.)
- They support the liver (and therefore digestion)
What are the therapeutic effects of the bitter flavor on the body? List at least 4.
- cooling
- detoxifying
- stimulates appetite & activates a wide range of digestive functions
- energetically calming (stimulaties the parasympathetic nervous system to restore balance)
What are the therapeutic effects of the sweet flavor on the body? List at least 4.
- nourishing and tonic remedies which help to build energy and strengthen the tissues
- moistening, increasing fluids in the tissues and relaxing the body
- gently warming and helps strengthen the body from deficiency or weakness
What are the therapeutic effects of the pungent flavor on the body? List at least 4.
- guides energy to the lungs
- disperses energy outwards
- can initiate a sweat
- improves circulation
What are the therapeutic effects of the salty flavor on the body? List at least 4.
- moistening, relaxing and softening effects on tissues
- aid in elimination
- nutritive: filled with vitamins and minerals that are essential to our well-being
- guides qi / energy to the Kidneys.
What is the emotion associated with the Wood Element? Explain why/how it is connected.
Anger: the creative force needed for a new plant to burst through winter's frozen ground.
Other skills associated with the wood element: Creative vision, planning, decision making.
What is the emotion associated with the Fire Element? Explain why/how it is connected.
Joy: the feeling of contentedness that comes from being with those you love. Like sitting around a campfire. In summer, nature is "in full bloom."
Other skills associated with the fire element: being able to communicate effectively, being able to understand what another person is saying, ability to be fully present in the moment.
What is the emotion associated with the Earth Element? Explain why/how it is connected.
Pensiveness/Worry: Thinking something over; thoughtfulness. When out of balance: overthinking. Like a stomach breaking something down.
Other skills associated with the earth element: ability to nurture and be nurtured. Ability to know what will be nourishing for oneself.
What is the emotion associated with the Metal Element? Explain why/how it is connected.
Grief: In the Fall, plants shed their leaves and prepare for winter's dormancy. The poignancy of knowing all will one day come to an end. The understanding of the beauty of everything, when seen in the light of its impermanence.
Other skills associated with the Metal element: appropriately being able to let go & release. Ability to be inspired by the word.
What is the emotion associated with the Water Element? Explain why/how it is connected.
Fear/Courage: In the natural world, winter is the season associated with death. Food is scarce, temperatures are cold. Being able to survive often involves having strong instincts (in Chinese medicine, instinct is associated with the Kidney/Bladder system).
Other skills associated with the Water element: using willpower, relaxation