By observing the Chinese medicine(1) Water element and studying Water’s characteristics we can see how we get sick and feel out of balance. Nature always gives us cues. So take the following cues from the Chinese medicine Water element to live a better life.
The Five Element Theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a comprehensive template organizing all natural phenomena into five master groups or patterns in nature.
In fact each of TCM’s five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—reflects particular natural characteristics or phenomena including:
direction
environmental factor
internal organ
sense organ
body tissue
emotion
aspect of the soul
sensation
sound
color
taste
direction and
time of day.
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The Chinese Medicine Water Element: Essence of Life and Balance
Water is the essence of life. Water makes it possible for each of the other four elements of TCM to function properly.
Water’s the first place to look when your body feels chronically out of balance. Imbalance in Water causes physical symptoms like:
lower back pain
fatigue
shortness of breath
vertigo
dizziness and
high blood pressure.
The Chinese Medicine Water Element: Kidney Support
The kidneys are associated with the Chinese medicine Water element.
The kidneys primarily store and regulate what TCM calls our Essence—the foundation of blood and chi energy.
Kidney’s energies nourish our body fluids, lubricate our joints, and provide warmth and movement in our bodies.
The kidneys directly connect with our deepest reserves, resources and will.
Energetically speaking, balanced kidneys support our ability to flow even in chaos and lack of clarity.
Emotionally speaking, the kidneys are the seat of our will. Too much fear means our kidneys are out of balance. This imbalance causes us to get stuck over-thinking and leave our bodies energetically drained.
The Chinese Medicine Water Element: Attributes According to TCM
When you embrace the Chinese medicine Water element characteristics you’ll live in harmony with its corresponding season of Winter. And anytime you live in harmony with a season and its element you live better and healthier.
Season: Winter (November 8 to January 17)
Skin condition: dehydration, lack of tone, wrinkles; PHYTO5’s quantum energetic Water line of skincare super-hydrates mature very dry skin, increases elasticity and balances moisture retention; and because it’s quantum energetic, it also balances emotion so you can have a sense that all is well.
Aspect of the psyche: wise, reflective, private
Virtues: strength, courage, wisdom
Emotion: fear, dread, anxiety, paranoia, indecisiveness, worry, grief, regret
Yin organ: kidney
Yang organ: urinary bladder
Colors: deep violet, blue and black
Flavor: salty
Tissues: bone and marrow
Five sense organ: ear
Sensation: hearing and balance
Sound: the deep sigh or groan
Direction: North
Environment: cold
The Chinese Medicine Water Element: Best Foods to Eat
Part of living in harmony with any of the five seasons of TCM including Winter and Water, we should eat foods that share the qualities of that particular element.
Water’s colors are dark blue and blue-black.
The Chinese medicine Water element gives you clues about the color of foods you should increase in your diet during Winter. And you’ll find examples of black and blue-black nourishing foods for Winter and your Water balance in the comprehensive list at the end of this article.
Click here to also read our creative and comprehensive blog on blue and blue-black foods for energetic Winter.
Also ensure your food intake is very hydrating and nourishing at this time.
Good food choices for the Chinese medicine Water element balance include:
nuts
seeds
legumes
shellfish
salt water fish
seaweed
root vegetables
whole grains
stews and soups.
During energetic Winter, eat mostly warm and cooked foods. Limit your consumption of cold and raw foods. Cook with warming spices like garlic, ginger, and cardamom.
The Chinese Medicine Water Element: Best Foods List
adzuki bean
amaranth
avocado
bamboo shoot
beet
black bean
blackberry
black currants
black fungus
black garlic
black mission figs
black lentils
black quinoa
black rice
black sea salt
black sesame seed
black soybean
black pepper
black tea
black vinegar
black wheat flour
blueberry
blue corn
broccoli
cabbage
cardamom
cantaloupe
carrot
cashew
celery
chia seed
chives
coconut
cucumber
daikon radish
eggplant
garlic
ginger
grape
green bean
leek
lotus root
millet
mulberry
mustard greens
oregano
parsnip
pea
peanut
pear
pearl barley
potato
quinoa
raspberry
salt water fish
seaweed
sesame seed
shallot
shellfish
shitake mushroom
snow pea
soybean
spinach
squash
walnut
watercress
watermelon
wild rice
winter melon
zucchini
…
Endnotes:
(1) Traditional Chinese medicine or TCM
Sources:
Russell, J. Lei. TCM Foods: Cooking with the Five Elements. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2nd edition. November 19, 2015.
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