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Elements
and what that means

                                                         This page is a work in progress!


The five elements are deeply woven into the fabric of Asian culture. The five elements theory is the foundation of Asian disciplines such as fung shui, martial arts and the I Ching (The Book of Changes). The five elements are a comprehensive template that organizes all-natural phenomena into five patterns in nature. Each of the five groups are called Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. All these groups contain a direction, climate, are related to the internal organs, emotions, taste, color, sound…. They provide a blueprint of how nature interacts with the body and how all things are interconnected. They show us how the systems of our bodies are connected to each other and how we are connected to our environment. Within the structure of the five elements there are two relationships: generation and support. When speaking about generation, it means a relationship that nurtures and promotes growth. Here you can take a deep dive into what this means.

Water

About the Water Element

Many people just like being told exactly what to eat. If that’s you, then according to the ancient philosophy of 5 Element Theory, here’s exactly what you should fill your belly with at the start of the new year. 

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Winter is associated with the Kidney organ system. Is it a coincidence, then, that kidney beans and other beans that resemble the physical shape of the kidney organ and are the ideal food to eat from a Eastern perspective? In Asian Medicine theory, the Kidney organ system function in 3 primary ways:

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  • As in Western medicine, they regulate the body’s fluids

  • Store the body’s life force energy (Jing)

  • Encourage Yin/Yang balance 

 

However, many people experience bloating after eating beans. This is because many commercial varieties of beans contain the hard outer shell. This shell contains proteins called lectins. Lectins are anti-nutrients. This means that they interfere with mineral absorption and are difficult to digest. But there is a way to better digest beans to minimize the lectin content: pre-soak them in water overnight before cooking or fermenting. 

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Kidney-Nourishing Foods in Asian Medicine

In addition to beans, other foods that could be eaten in winter are bone broth, black sesame seeds, walnuts, chestnuts, beef, lamb, stews and warming spices such as ginger, garlic, cardamom and cloves. 

As for the best veggies, go with baked root vegetables such as yams or sweet potatoes. You can also help nourish your body in winter by consuming plenty of easy-to-digest whole grains, nuts, and seeds, salty fish and sea vegetables like seaweed. These foods will help nourish your overall energy as well as help fortify the blood and encourage more warming, Yang energy to radiate through your body. 

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Salads and cold/raw food are definitely not ideal for winter time. That’s because they can lead to insufficient digestion or indigestion (Spleen Qi deficiency). However, one exception to the rule is dark, leafy greens. Enjoy these as much as possible for nourishing Kidney QI. 

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If you find that this time of year your skin feels like a reptile because of the dry, cold air, eat lots of soups and stews. They’re like moisturizer for your body—from the inside out. 

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