In Chinese medicine, we use nature’s five elements (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) to guide us in diagnosis, treatment, food and herbal therapy, and lifestyle suggestions. The five elements also represent relationship and interaction.

The more in harmony we are with each element, the more we life a life of ease. As with any relationship, the more we resist, or force, the more discomfort we may experience. 

While I write this, we are inching towards Spring, natures wood element. This element resembles growth and expansion. In life, this element aids us in carrying out our plans, ideas, and creations. It takes us from where we are now to where we want to go. 

It is a wood boat that we ride while floating down the river of life.

In northern Ohio, the air is still chilly, yet the wood element begins to sprouts while buds pop up persistently. This persistence parallels those who resemble the wood element. A seedling, similar to an idea, must push through its hard shell to sprout new beginnings. It is its persistence that allows for it to reach through to the other side. The sunny side.

The wood element embodies perseverance. They are also hard-working, goal-oriented, confident, diplomatic, and possess leadership skills. They nurture their life’s desires with consistency, attention, and motivation. They often have many projects going on, yet too much work can leave them feeling overworked, burnt out, and prone to depression.

Physically a wood-type person will have strong muscles (sinews in Chinese medicine), broad shoulders, and stand tall with a straight spine. Their hair, skin, and nails are full and lustrous, when not plagued by disharmony. Full eyebrows resemble a strong liver. 

The wood type person is active both physically and mentally. They like to exercise and stretch regularly. They likely played sports as a young child. 

Similar to a tree’s stable trunk, those with a wood personality are strong in their foundation, and rooted in their beliefs, principles, values, and morals. They are often flexible and easy-going like branches flowing in the wind.

In Spring we often have higher winds than any other season. Wind facilities change and offers flexibility in movement, thinking, and decision making. When the wind is stuck or stagnated between a narrow corridor, we too may feel stuck, stagnated, or unstable. When the wind is flowing with ease, we too may feel at ease.

The characteristic of wind is granted to the Liver, which moves Qi and energy in the body. When the Liver’s Qi and energy is smooth, we flow and move with grace and ease. When Liver Qi is stagnated, we may feel tension, pain, anger, frustration, and irritability. 

Qi that has been stagnated for long periods can build up in the body creating inflammation, chronic pain and long-term illness. 

Can you feel and see the wood element in you?