Bolstering emotional and mental well-being is an importantly recognized facet of oriental medicine. Emotions are considered factors which, in excess, contribute to imbalance and subsequent disease. In the interplay of the 5 elements, emotions offer correspondances that are integral to TCM diagnosis and treatment and are always taken into consideration. Oriental medicine can prove very beneficial in treating pronounced emotional disorders and enhances mental clarity and a calm heart & mind overall.

Occasionally, everyone experiences emotional upheavals and significant distress and in life; events which may trigger a host of unexpected feelings and behaviors such as disruptions in sleeping and eating to depression and panic attacks. A patient who experiences upheavals that effect emotional well-being is treated according to organ principles and life-style factors to harmonize the interal environment.  Oriental medicine not only alleviates symptoms associated with emotional unrest or with defined mental health issues but more importantly, it addresses the roots of the problem; helping the person to rebalance and prevent future phases.

The Nei Jing 黃帝內經, a centuries-old, foundational text revered for discussing the basis of criterion in Chinese medicine was first to expounded that emotional and psychological excesses are factors that contribute  to illness.  It advises, "Not (to) be weighed down by perplexing thoughts.  Strive to be calm, optimistic and complacent in the face of situations that cause upset.  Keep sound in body and mind so in this way one can live to the age of 100."  This statement indicates that excessive emotion disturbs the internal organs of the human body. 

 The Five Elements and Emotions

FIRE (Heart) 'The Heart is considered to be the sovereign ruler'

Emotional Attributes - Feelings of joyfullness, giving and receiving warmth, the capacity to experience love and emotional closeness, willingness to embrace responsibility, feeling lovable and having a happy heart.  In oriental medicine balanced fire pertains to the sun shining in our soul; 'taking things to heart', embodying conviviality, propriety, enthusiasm, pleasure, joy.  / Virtue - Propriety,  Power - Respect,  Poison - Hatred.

Prolonged or excessive strain and over-excitation of the heart can lead to anxiety, mania, a sense of abandonment or rejection, and lack of joy, and alters/damages the heart.  Emotions that injure the integrity of the Fire element / Heart: result in sluggishness of QI. 

EARTH (Spleen) 

Emotional Attributes - The capacity to appropriately support & nourish oneself and others, a sense of belonging, sense of compassion and quite thought.  In oriental medicine balanced earth pertains to security, identity, fulfillment, contentment, gratitude, the ability to empathize and stability.  / Virtue - Integrity,  Power - Commitment,  Poison - Blame.

Prolonged or excessive strain in the earth element can manifest symptoms of pensiveness, brooding, obsessive worrying and feeling unsupported by others, and alters/damages the spleen.  Emotions that injure the integrity of the Earth element / Spleen: stagnate QI.

METAL (Lung)

Emotional Attributes - The capacity of letting go following an experiencing of loss, the ability to accept personal recognition, a sense of connection and feeling of wholeness.  In oriental medicine balanced metal pertains to clarity about what is important, values that are straight, righteous, a sense of justice, respect, strength, the true capacity to yeild, purity, sparkle, receptivity to one's spirit. /  Virtue - Selflessness,  Power - Discernment,  Poison - Judgment.

Prolonged or excessive strain in the metal element can manifest grief, melancholia, sadness, and feeling unappreciated, and alters/damages the lung.  Emotions that injure the integrity of the Metal element / Lung: dissipate QI.

WATER (Kidney)

Emotional Attributes - Assessing risk and responding appropriately, will-power, the capacity of sensing, trusting in dynamic flow.  In oriental medicine balanced water pertains to connecting with the sacred origins of life, the mysterious reservoir that supports movement & stillness and peacefulness. /  Virtue - Wisdom,  Power - Awareness,  Poison - Disdain.

Prolonged or excessive strain in the water element can manifest fright, fearfulness, reckless responses, and a lack of will-power, and alters/damages the kidney.  Emotions that injure the integrity of the Water element / Kidney: disturb equilibrium of QI.

WOOD (Liver) 'The General'

Emotional Attributes - Assertiveness, having structure & boundries, growing & developing, inner 'vision' and direction in life.  In oriental medicine balanced wood pertains to carrying the vision in one's soul, growth & creativity, consulting one's purpose and then making decisions, looking forward, planning, the power to overcome obstacles. /  Virtue - Benevolence,  Power - Containment,  Poison - Anger.

Prolonged or excessive strain in the wood element can manifest anger, resentment, bitterness, and repression of a natural flow of emotional energy, and alters/damages the liver.  Emotions that injure the integrity of the Wood element / Liver: pathologically ascend QI.   

Bach Flower Essences are the only non-TCM modality that I consider in my practice.  At their inception in the 1930's, flower essences were conceived of by visionary doctor, Dr. Edward Bach, MD. Bach was a practitioner who comprehended the connection between feelings and actual physical illness and sensed the bridge made possible to treat them by the original 39 essences he worked with.  Flower essences are dilutions of flower material which, through the sunlight fueled process, become resonant with the vibrational qualities of each plant.  Flower essences are an energetic approach which address subtle layers of our psyche & spirit.  They are gentle, non-invasive, non-habit-forming and engender no residual bio-chemical changes or side-effects whatsoever which makes them entirely compatible with all other forms of treatment.  The flower dilutions are suspended in a 50:50 solution of water and brandy and each dosage should be diluted in atleast one half litre of spring water if there is known alcohol intolerance.  Bach Flower Essences can be found in most health food stores.  Up to 6 remedies can be effectively combined when necessary although one or two are usually more suitable when working with deeper, more long-standing charecteristics.  Pets too, may be treated effectively with flower essences.   

Preparing Flower Essences:  Use a two ounce medicine dropper (stock/tincture) bottle  /  Fill it with pure water  /  Add 4 drops of each of the remedies you wish  /  Shake gently before each use  /  Administer 4 drops under the tongue, 4 times per day

Herbal medicine is an important aspect in treatment and prevention. To avoid ineffective results and any potentially unwanted effects of applying herbs improperly, always consult with your practitioner before taking herbal products and medicinal preparations.

  In good health and happiness, Wendy Brown, Licensed Acupuncturist

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