Introduction To 5 Element Theory For Dogs
5 Element Theory for Pet - Dr. Ruth Roberts, DVM
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Five Element Theory is one of the main guiding principles in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
According to this theory, everything in the universe is made up of five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
TCM practitioners believe that the human body is also made up of these five elements and that each one is associated with a certain organ. The liver is associated with wood, the heart with fire, the spleen with earth, the lungs with metal, and the kidneys with water. balance between these five elements is essential for good health. When one of the elements is out of balance, it can lead to illness. For example, too much fire element can cause heart problems, while too much water element can cause kidney problems. The goal of TCM is to restore balance between the five elements in the human body. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy.
Yin & Yang
These elements are in constant interplay with each other, and each element has its own unique qualities and characteristics. In order to maintain balance and health, it is important to ensure that all of the elements are in harmony with each other. Each element also has a unique effect on the other elements. For example, wood element has the power to control fire, while fire can transform earth into metal.
When one is out of sync, the others will be as well.
5 Element Theory An Organs
TCM practitioners believe that the human body is also made up of these five elements and that each one is associated with a certain organ.
The Five Elements are:
Wood: corresponds to the liver and gallbladder
Fire: corresponds to the heart and small intestine.
Earth: corresponds to the spleen and stomach.
Metal: corresponds to the lungs and large intestine.
Water: corresponds to the kidneys and bladder.
The goal of TCM is to restore balance between the five elements in the body. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as essential oils, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and energy work. Each season represents the system of the body that is has “prioirty” and in “cleansing” mode for that time.
5 Element Theory In Nutrition
There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the most popular methods is through the use of food. Each of the five elements is associated with a particular type of food, and consuming these foods can help to bring the elements into balance.
Wood element foods are typically green in color, and include leafy vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
Fire element foods are typically red or orange in color, and include chili peppers, tomatoes, and ginger.
Earth element foods are typically yellow or brown in color, and include potatoes, grains, and squash.
Metal element foods are typically white or silver in color, and include egg whites, and cabbage.
Water element foods are typically blue or black in color, and include seaweed and and mushrooms.
5 Element Theory Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used to balance the five elements and restore health and well-being. Every essential oil is associated with one or more of the elements. For example, rosemary oil is associated with fire, while lavender oil is associated with air. By using the appropriate essential oil or blend of oils, it is possible to bring the body back into balance and promote healing. We target systems of the body & organs, emotions, behaviors, and symptoms. Essential Oils can warm or cool energy. They can stimulate or sedate emotions, meridians, and acupressure points. Essential oils support systems of the body and can help clear messages and rewrite messages to cells of the body.
5 Element Theory & Behavior
Water: The water element is associated with the emotions of fear and anxiety. It’s also associated with the kidneys and bladder, which are responsible for filtering and eliminating toxins from the body.
Wood: The wood element is associated with the emotion of anger. It’s also associated with the liver and gallbladder, which are responsible for breaking down and metabolizing fats.
Fire: The fire element is associated with the emotion of joy. It’s also associated with the heart and small intestine, which are responsible for pumping blood and absorbing nutrients.
Earth: The earth element is associated with the emotion of worry. It’s also associated with the spleen and stomach, which are responsible for digesting food and producing blood.
Metal: The metal element is associated with the emotion of grief. It’s also associated with the lungs and large intestine, which are responsible for breathing and eliminating waste from the body.
By using essential oils that are associated with the five elements, you can balance your emotions and improve your overall health.
5 Element Theory For Dogs
5 Element Theory Emotions & Behaviors
As we evaluate the energetics of the body and health, we choose foods to bring back balance. Meaning when there is heat & inflammation in the body, we turn to cooling foods. This may be for our allergy and aggressive dogs. For our seniors, we may need foods that warm them and remove stagnation. For our anxiety dogs, we may need foods that support the digestive system.
Anger (Aggression) is said to live in the liver. So we do work in this area to detox and bring balance.
Anxiety is said to live in the stomach/spleen. Stress in the brain. We often target the kidneys as well for anxiety.
Fear is associated with the kidneys.
So you can start to see that we simply must address the whole animal when we’re dealing with behavioral issues as they have roots in the systems of the body.
In my cases, whether they are behavior or wellness — we assume they are both. And we dig into many factors or the whole animal. Things that may seem to have no relevance to you or to other factors — but they do. Yin and Yang tell us everything is intertwined. So we work to sort out the puzzle and bring back balance. We choose to use nutrition, essential oils, herbs, homeopathy and energy work to achieve these goals.
Yes, I know this seems complicated and a bit out there. You’ll need to be open-minded to these topics to give them a chance to work.
There may be cases so complex that we need to engage holistic veterinarians who specialize in Chinese Medicine and can write you prescriptions for Chinese Herbs or other Remedies to help your dog heal.
The Seasons of 5 Element Theory:
Season of Earth
Season of Fire
Season of Metal
Season of Wood
Season of Water