5 Element Theory: Season of Wood
5 Element Theory - Season of Wood
Spring Season: March 21 - June 6
Liver & Gallbladder — the liver is associated with the nourishment of ligaments. Liver is associated with the eyes. Red eyes can be a common sign of excess or stagnation in the liver.
Does your dog take charge of every situation, act a little (or a lot) bossy, or seem like they’re always on? You might have a Wood Element dog on your hands—and in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), that tells us a lot about how to care for them.
Let’s break down what that means and how you can support your dog using food, herbs, essential oils, and natural wellness strategies—especially in the spring.
What Is a Wood Dog?
Wood dogs tend to have big, bold personalities. They:
Like to be in control (hello, boss dog!)
Set the pace and rules in the household—especially if you don’t
Have high energy and need both mental and physical stimulation
They can also be more prone to:
Irritability, frustration, and sudden outbursts
Aggressive behavior when they feel out of balance
Snapping or biting with little warning
Common Health Issues in Wood Dogs
When the Wood Element is out of balance or deficient, you may see physical signs like:
ACL tears or ligament injuries
Liver or gallbladder disease
Nail, paw pad, or anal sac problems
Yeasty skin infections (ears, eyes, groin, underarms, tail)
Red, inflamed skin or frequent panting (even when it’s not hot)
Seizures (which TCVM considers a form of “internal Wind”)
Sleep disturbances—especially waking between 1am–3am
Springtime, which aligns with the Wood Element, can amplify these issues—especially with seasonal wind, pollen, and rising heat.
Cool the Fire: Food as Medicine for Wood Dogs
Because Wood generates Fire, Wood dogs often run hot. You may notice your dog seeking out cool floors, becoming overheated easily, or showing signs of internal inflammation.
Use food to cool, nourish, and balance the Wood Element:
Dark leafy greens (kale, collards, dandelion, spinach, etc.)
Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
Blood tonics like sardines, egg, turmeric, and ginger
Organ meat—especially liver, which supports the liver (5–10% of the diet is ideal)
🌀 “Like Supports Like”—Liver supports liver. Just be sure to pick the right kind of liver based on your dog’s elemental needs.
(Need help choosing? Let’s talk.)
Spring = Wind = Itchiness & Seizures
In TCVM, Spring is the season of Wind, and Wind stirs things up—literally and energetically. You might see:
More seizures (linked to Liver Qi stagnation or Liver Blood deficiency)
Itchiness, scratching, sneezing, and runny eyes from allergens
This is where seasonal nutrition, herbs, and homeopathy come in to ease inflammation and rebalance the body.
📌 Check out our [Seizure Guide] for more support.
Essential Oils That Support Wood Dogs
Here are some of my go-to oils for calming, cooling, and supporting Wood dogs:
Cooling & Detoxifying: Ledum, grapefruit, lemon, lime, eucalyptus
Calming & Grounding: Ylang ylang, lavender, spearmint, chamomile, rose
Balancing: Peppermint, petitgrain, palmarosa, sandalwood, thyme, patchouli
Always dilute properly and use high-quality oils—reach out if you need help with safe usage.
Let’s Support Your Wood Dog—Together
If your dog struggles with aggression, inflammation, seasonal allergies, or seizures—these may be signs their Wood Element is out of balance.
I can help you build a nutrition & behavior protocol that supports your dog’s liver, calms the nervous system, and improves behavior naturally.
💚 Try my Liver Cleanse Protocol
📆 Schedule an inquiry session
🗣️ Let’s chat about what your dog is going through
Together, we can bring your dog back into balance—physically, emotionally, and energetically.
Statements in this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Educational content only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Want even more resources, Q&A, and discussions on nutrition? Join my community forum. Free and Subscription Content.