According to ancient Chinese philosophy, harmony surrounds the human body and the ever-changing universe. They noticed how the seasons change cyclically. They saw how their crops germinated and grew. They saw how landscapes varied. Such observations were integrated into the holistic ancient Chinese philosophy such as yin-yang, and led to the birth of the five-elements theory. The theory asserts that natural phenomena can be divided into any one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each has its own characteristics and properties, and is related to all other. The five elements can be used for grouping functions and processes. They can also be used for analysing changes. Ancient Chinese medical philosophers, having understood the physiological relationships within the body, used the theory to summarise their experiences in medical practice. Together with yin-yang, the five elements theory was used to explain pathological presentations and guide the choice of herbs in the treatment of diseases. Both theories worked together and gradually built up the philosophical architecture of Chinese medicine. As early as the 4^th century BC, the five elements concept was described in an ancient text. According to the historical literature Shangshu (The book of Documents), the wood element was considered to possess bending and stretching properties. This emerged from observation of wood (branches of trees, herbs and plants), which was flexible, soft, smooth and rich in the power of growth. As a result, phenomena related to the properties of growth and softness belong to the wood element. From observing fire, which burns and flares up with heat, the fire element was considered to possess burning and ascending properties. Phenomena that are related to warming and heating, or associated with ascending properties, belong to fire elements. Earth is an important element. The ancients appreciated that earth gave them food and all other agricultural yields. This element possesses properties of agricultural phenomena, which allow for production, transformation, support and receiving of nutrients. The ancients believed that the earth element carries all other elements and is the mother of everything. Metal is formed from the changing of ores, so the metal element was considered to possess properties of change. Metal is usually heavy and made into weapons for killing. Therefore, phenomena which are related to properties of sinking, descending, killing and astringing, belong to the metal element. The water element possesses nourishing and downward moving properties. Phenomena related to nourishing and downward-moving properties belong to a water element. The influence of the five elements on people and various phenomena in nature are shown in the table below. Next week, we’ll discuss rules that govern the relations between the elements and how they’re applied in Chinese medicine. Rose Tse and Angela Collingwood are editors for Shen-Nong, a subsidiary of Integrated Chinese Medicine. Before taking any medicine. Consult your TCM or general practitioner. Rose Tse and Angela Collingwood info@shen-nong.com Edited by Suzanne Harrison suzanne.harrison@scmp.com Published: April 11, 2005 Source: South China Morning Post