Chinese Five Element Theory-Spring
Every year around March or April my monthly cooking class takes on a new atmosphere. We play games like New York taxi driver and throw the eggs. What does this mean you ask? Well there is a philosophy about food called the Chinese Five Element Theory and the basis of this theory is that there are five seasons per year. Each season correlates to different organs of the body, emotions, vegetables, grains, atmospheric conditions, and states of mind to name a few.
Ok. So I don’t know how to start this article. I guess I can list what I know about cooking in the spring and five Chinese element theory. First the spring element is represented by the tree or wood. Trees bud or start their road to renewed life in the springtime. New projects, new attitudes new life can begin in the spring. It is like the time of birth. People have been hibernating all winter and spring begins the thaw towards warmth. Sprouts and greens are the food s of spring as well as lighter grains like wheat and barley?. The organ of spring is the liver. Anger is the emotion and anger is stored in the liver. The liver does not play a direct role in digestion but it does purify the blood in some way. Also the liver provides bile so the gallbladder can do its job. Tears are representative of this element as well. Disorders associated with the wood element is addictions, strengths include will/grace issues usually have to do with the ego.
What role does the liver really play in the body? The liver catches toxic chemicals and bundles them into a form that won’t cause damage until they can be excreted through one of the exit organs (colon, kidney/bladder, skin and lungs). Liver and kidneys are often over stressed (because of nutritional deficiencies, polluted external environment and a disturbed internal one, also drugs stress the liver and this is not limited to pharmaceuticals but chemical pollutants you take in with food, water or air. includes caffeine, alcohol, nicotine as well as many compounds in herbs. Everything that has been absorbed goes directly to the liver, also c and under nourished. The liver is primarily responsible for the detoxification of so many of the substances that can poison the body.
Psychological and emotional issues also affect the way you use your liver. Anger and frustration and worry are intricately bound with the liver function.
If your diet has been excessive in fats, protein, and sheer quantity of food for numbers of years, your liver could be clogged with sludge and stones.
Imbalances in Wood element involve confusion about where you’re going and why.
Food preparation simpler more raw (raw food should be used cautiously by those with bowel irritations) and sprouted foods
Eat less, or fast, to cleanse the body of the fats and heavy foods of winter.
Diet should be the lightest of the year and emphasize young beets and carrots and other sweet starchy vegetables thinned from the spring garden, fresh greens, sprouts and immature wheat or other cereal grasses.
Salty foods such as soy sauce, miso and sodium rich meats should all be reduced or eliminated.
“When the liver is harmonious, there is never stress or tension. People with vital livers have unerring judgment and can be naturally effective as leaders and decision makers” paul pitchford page 278
Too many heavy foods clog the liver, resulting in spring fits and fevers.
Symptoms of liver imbalance
Emotional: emotional difficulty related to anger: impatience, frustration, resentment, violence, belligerence, rudeness, edginess, arrogance, stubbornness, aggression, and impulsive or explosive personality. Mood swings
Physical: Thyroid problems, swelling, tumors, cancerous growths, eye problems like glaucoma, cataracts, red or dry eyes, night blindness, near or far sightedness, excessive tearing
Eating moderate amounts of food and avoiding late meals allows the liver and gallbladder ample time to prepare for regeneration during their four hour cycle of peak energy defined by the Chinese clock from 11pm to 3am
Specific to liver, headaches (esp. migraines), inflamed eyes, anger, dizziness and or high blood pressure
Most cases of heart disease are related to the liver
Wind is the climate of the Wood Element
Liver rules tendons and eyes
According to traditional Chinese Five Elements theory, the seasons, nature,
and the body are intimately related. The element corresponding to autumn is
metal. The related organs are the lungs and large intestines. The sense is
smell, the emotions are grief, anguish and melancholy. If this is at all
meaningful for a normal autumn, the current situation seems particularly
relevant.
In Chinese medicine, foods are a primary healing tool. For example, the
beneficial grain for the metal element is rice. The related flavor is pungent.
So eating more rice and pungent foods (such as hot peppers, onions, garlic,
ginger, radish) at this time would support the lungs and help ease grief.
Other foods are used for their purifying effects. Miso is used to neutralize
some of the effects of smoking, air pollution and radiation. Seaweeds help
expel radioactive substances and heavy metals from the body, and help to
purify the blood. American studies suggest that foods high in beta carotene
appear to protect both the lungs and colon against cancer. (Carrots, winter
squashes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, dark leafy greens, and other yellow and
orange fruits and vegetables8/21/06212:48 PM©)
Rose Payne is the founder and Director of High Level Wellness a holistic health and nutrition center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor and National Educator with a private practice that offers assistance countrywide. She is also the Director of the Immersion Graduate Program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC. Her passion is helping clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition. You can contact Rose at info@high-level-wellness-online.com
If you are interested in purchasing an article or having Rose write for your publication contact publishing@high-level-wellness-online.com
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