When we started this blog December 2018, we started telling about winter, the water element (bladder and kidneys). Then we proceeded with spring, the wood element (gallbladder and liver). Spring turned into summer, the fire element (heart and the small intestine). August was the aftersummer, the earth element (spleen and stomach). You will find these blogs in archive under related subjects. Now we will discuss the fifth and the last element, being called the metal element.
So, the last element in Chinese medicine we will describe is the metal element. The lungs are yin and the yang organ is the large intestine. Both organs are in direct interaction with the outside world. The lungs through breathing and de large intestine through your food intake. Both organs take in and let go. The aftersummer (the earth element) is the season to harvest and the autumn is the season of letting go. The harvesttime is over, the days are getting shorter, it is getting colder outside, the leaves start falling. Mother Nature is slowly withdrawing her energy inside and so should we humans. The autums is also called ‘little yin’, whereas the winter is called the ‘big yin’.
The metal element is an important element, because we get energy (life force or qi) out of the air and out of our digested food. The lungs and the intestine also have the important function of keeping our skin healthy and they both play a major rol in our immune system.
The emotion that belongs to the metal element is sadness. Sadness comes along with a lot of life’s experiences. Feelings, all feelings, ask for recognition, before they fade away. If this recognition did not take place, they will be stored in the body and cause a qi-stagnation. This qi-stagnation will cause health complaints. Some health complaints that will occur when the metal element is out of balance are: shortness of breath, a soft voice, fatigue, eczema and obstipation.
The climate of the metal element is drought. Drought can be caused by airconditioning, heating and dry air outside. Inside of the home, you can solve drought by putting away a bowl of water.
You can strengthen the metal element through nutrition, such as ginger and horseradish. The colour of the metal element is white, therefore white food such as cauliflower and onion will strengthen the metal element as well.
The metal element benefits from a good posture and by movement, so that the lungs and intestines can develop properly.
Should you have questions or remarks, feel free to comment or contact us.
September 2019
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