Homeopathy

The Five Element Theory

The Five Elements

Each season is assigned an element:

Spring is Wood, when Qi is in the liver and gallbladder.
Summer is Fire, when Qi is in the heart and small intestine. Fall is Metal, when Qi is in the lungs and large intestine. Winter is Water, when Qi is in the kidneys and bladder.

The two weeks between the seasons (solstice/equinox) is designated as the element Earth and Qi is in the stomach and spleen.

The Chinese found that when the energy of the prevailing season is in the corresponding organs, diseases of those organs are more prevalent. For example, more serious kidney diseases are diagnosed between the end of December and late February than at any other time. Heart disease occurs more frequently in the summer months than at other times.

By treating a weak organ during the time when the Qi is in that organ, a cure can take place. Treatment any other time of the year can only achieve relief but no cure.