The 5 Elements
The 5 elements and their two basic cycles form the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the belief of interconnection between all organs and all kinds of ailments which affect the body.
When it comes to complex diseases that have multiple symptoms, this school of thought leads us to understand that most ailments of this sort can be attributed to a single cause. In this way you can treat the ailment not by dealing with the symptoms but the cause itself.
Wood - Fire - Earth- Metal - Water (The Generating Cycle )
These 5 elements form a cycle by feeding each other and transforming into each other. The burning of wood feeds fire which turns the wood into ashes. The ash in turn becomes humus which is new Earth. Metals rise from the Earth, which attracts morning dew (Water) which in turn feeds plants and thus the wood.
Wood- Earth - Water- Fire - Metal (The Overcoming Cycle)
Wood overcomes the Earth because plants pierce the soil.
The Earth overcomes Water because it absorbs it.
Water overcomes Fire because it puts it out.
Fire overcomes Metal because it melts it.
Metal overcomes Wood because axes bring down trees.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 organs are located in pairs divided according to ( Yin and Yang )and one of 5 elements:
| Yin | Yang | Element |
| Liver | Gall Bladder | Wood |
| Heart | Small intestine | Fire |
| Spleen | Stomach | Earth |
| Lung | Colon | Metal |
| Kidney | Bladder | Water |