Five Element Theory

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCVM) is based not in controlling the cause and effect of disease but in balancing the body's natural ability to fight disease.  Ancient Chinese practitioners looked at the elements in nature and how the forces of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood supported and controlled each other. These observations gave rise to the Five Element Theory.

These five elements support one another creating harmony in nature.  Fire supports the earth by creating ashes and strengthening the soil.  Earth gives rise to mountains and rock creating metal.  The hard influence of metal creates rivers, lakes and oceans providing places in which water can dwell and flow.  Water feeds the trees and bushes supporting the element of wood.  Wood creates the fuel needed for fire to burn.

Just as these elements are supportive creating harmony in nature they must also control one another to maintain balance in nature.  Fire melts metal.  Metal can be used to chop up wood.  Trees fall to the ground and so wood blocks earth.  Earth builds up and creates dams that block and control water.  And water douses fire.