The Earth Element

The Earth Element is considered in many 5 Element systems to be the center of the 5 Element system. 

It is associated with stability, nourishment, and the digestive system.

Although its season is late summer, it is in relationship with the changing of the seasons, and that reflects in the body becoming more vulnerable and tending to catch a cold at seasonal changes.

The organs related to the Earth Element are the Stomach and Spleen

The Spleen is said to control the Blood in the vessels, so a Spleen deficient person will often bruise easily.  Someone with an Earth element imbalance may be overweight and retain water, and have digestive issues.

An Earth type can be very nurturing, values communication, relationships and community.

The 5 Elements Cycles and Relationships 

Controlling and Generating Cycles

Fire generates Earth (generating cycle)

Earth generates Metal (generating cycle)

Earth directs Water (controlling cycle)

Wood acts on Earth (controlling cycle)

Fire generates Earth

The ashes of a fire create the nutrients of the soil, which are the foundations for growth and stability.

Physically, the Heart produces Blood, and the Spleen is in charge of holding blood in the vessels (valves etc) Without Blood, the vessels collapse and the Heart doesn’t pump

Emotionally, joy is nurturing and happiness relieves worry. Love makes us feel emotionally supported.

Earth generates Metal

Over thousands of years, the earth compresses and some parts become stone.  Also, the earth is comprised of minerals which are essentially stone.

Physically, the Earth element is actually at the center of the 5 Elements and can be considered late summer but is also associated with the changing of the seasons.  So, if the earth element is not strong the body will get sick during these times.

Emotionally, thinking creates manifestation and the relationship of the Earth and Metal is our intellect.  Our earth nurturing helps us to set healthy boundaries (metal)

Earth directs Water

The Stomach and Spleen provide Nutritive Qi for the Kidneys in the form of Qi and Blood. The Kidney clean the Blood and the Liver circulates it through the body.

Earth also regulates the Water element through its relationship with the Kidneys.

Emotionally, our thoughts are controlled by the Earth element, so if we are worrying or overthinking then it leads to fear.  When we have healthy intellect and thinking patterns, then fears are managed.

Wood acts on Earth

The Wood element controls the Blood in the Vessels as well as the tendons in the body.  It is in charge of growth and reproduction. 

Physically the Liver has a large part of the digestive function and provides digestive support to the stomach and Spleen.

Emotionally If there is excessive anger, it can lead to worrying thoughts and if there is timidity or indecisiveness it can lead to unhealthy thought patterns. If the Liver is harmonious, it is creative and very spirited, and the healthy Stomach and Spleen likes to sing.

 Pathway of the Stomach Meridian

Emerges directly under the iris on the orbital bone and travels down the face, into the jaw where one branch ascends to the hairline, and another travels down the neck, lateral along the esophagus to the sternum where it travels laterally and descends along the chest to the nipple line, and the moves medially to the stomach.  Here it travels 2 cun beside the centreline to the pubic bone, where it moves laterally, and travels down the lateral thigh on the side of the quadriceps to the lateral border of the knee, continues down the lower leg on the lateral border of the tibialis anterior halfway, where it moves laterally, and back in to the top of the foot where it travels between the tendons of the second and third toes to the medial border of the 3rd toe.

Conditions to treat

Muscle Energy

Heaviness in the legs

Sluggish Digestion

Fatigue

Frontal Headache

Sinusitis

Energy balancing

Insomnia

Rebellious Stomach Qi occurs when instead of flowing downward, it ascends causing nausea, vomiting, belching, acid reflux, and morning sickness.

This condition can be caused by a number of situations including:

Dietary

too much spicy food, overeating, too much raw food, irregular eating

Emotional

Worry and overthinking

Liver or Spleen Disharmony

Impacting digestion

External Factors

External cold, damp sudden weather changes, external pathogens

The best point to balance the flow of Stomach Qi is ST 36

Pathway of the Spleen Meridian

Starts on the medial aspect of the big toe, travels up the medial foot, over the top of the ankle, along the medial border of the tibia to the knee, up the medial quad to the groin where internal branches connect with the centreline and it ascends the lateral body to the pectoralis muscle where it meets the lung meridian and descends to the lateral border of the ribcage in the 6th intercostal space.

Conditions to treat

Mental clarity, brain fog

Heaviness in the legs

Blood issues (menstruation)

Varicose veins

Edema