The Wood Element

In the Five Element system, the Wood Element represents growth, movement, and the power to adapt and change. Like a tree that bends in the wind but still grows towards the light, Wood energy gives us the ability to plan, make decisions, and keep moving forward despite obstacles.

The two meridians associated with the wood element are the Liver and Gallbladder.

Being the Yin aspect, the Liver stores the Blood and ensures the smooth flow of Qi in the body. Energetically it governs our ‘vision’ both physically and conceptually. In balance, the Liver reflects with patience, creativity, and clarity of direction.  Out of balance, it reflects anger, frustration, tension and stagnation.

As the Yang aspect, the Gallbladder stores and secretes bile but in the physical body it governs the tendons and sinews, governs the sides of the body so it allows us to pivot and change direction. Out of balance there is rigidity, indecision, or impulsiveness

The 5 Elements Cycles and Relationships

Controlling and Generating Cycles

Water generates Wood (generating cycle)

Wood generates Fire (generating cycle)

Wood controls Earth (controlling cycle)

Metal acts on Wood (controlling cycle)

Water generates Wood

In nature, we know that plants do not grow without water.  When wood is not nourished it becomes dry and brittle and easy to break.

The Kidneys are the source of essence which the Liver needs to produce Blood. 

It is the seasonal change from winter to spring, and our systems shift from a quiet contemplative state where we can plan our actions through wise contemplation. 

In spring (wood season) action comes to life and we see ingenuity and invention.

*According to statistics Canada, March is the peak month for trademark and patent submission.

Wood generates Fire

Wood is the fuel that we use to make a fire.  In the body, one of the functions of the Wood Element is making Blood – which is required for the heart to pump through the body.

The smooth flow and abundance of Liver energy helps to regulate the emotions just as stagnation in the liver can cause erratic emotional responses.

The Fire element expresses joy, and the Wood element in balance expresses creativity and movement, so joyful movement such as ecstatic dance, or more simply a love of movement can be experienced.

Wood controls Earth

Just as roots and plant growth can break apart and consume the soil to take nutrients.

Liver Qi (Wood) overacting on the Spleen/Stomach (Earth)

When Liver Qi becomes stagnant, it does not provide the nutrients to promote digestion and the result is bloating gas, distention, alternating constipation and diarrhea

Emotionally, when emotions are trapped or frustrated it becomes difficult to provide nurturing support to ourselves and others.

Metal acts on Wood

Physiology - our nutritive Qi comes from the Lung, and the Large Intestine expels waste.  The Lung Controls the Wood or Liver element from becoming excessive and the Wood element is the most physical of the five elements.  Inspiration helps to prevent stagnation of energy and provides structure.

Emotional - when our emotions are balanced and in control, there is less excess (anger/frustration)

LI 4 and LV3 is called the 4 Gates in Acupuncture.  It is a powerful point combination to balance the energy in the entire body, and relieve channel chaos.

Liver Meridian

Meridian Pathway 

The Liver Meridian starts on the medial aspect of the big toe, travel between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones to the superior angle of the ankle, travels up the medial aspect of the calf along the posterior tibia, then moves posteriorly to the medial knee, anterior to the tendons semi-membranosis and semi-tendinosis, proceeds up the medial thigh, enters at the groin, wraps around the genitals.  It continues to the lateral side of the body at the 11th rib, where one branch internally moves to the gallbladder and ascends to the eye.  The other branch continues up to its final point in the 6th intercostal space

Conditions to treat

• Liver Qi stagnation
• Reproductive concerns
• Menstrual cramps, clotting etc
• Sluggish digestion
• Emotional outbursts
• Eye problems

Gallbladder Meridian

Meridian Pathway 

The Gallbladder meridian starts at the outer canthus of the eye, travels to the front of the ear, ascends to the lateral hairline, follows the hairline to wrap around the ear (lateral to TH) to the mastoid process where it reverses back along the side of the head to the centre of the eyebrow.  It then reverses again over the superior-lateral head to the occiput, descends to the top of the shoulder (GB 21). Here an internal branch joins the 5 Yang meridians at DU 14, another internal branch descends through the breast and encircles the genitals. From GB 21, the main branch continues to the lateral ribcage and zig zags along the side of the body through the liver, kidneys and genitals, travels posteriorly to the piriformis muscle, and descends the lateral leg along the IT band, posterior to the knee, posterior to the fibula and ankle and travels between the 4th and 5th toes to the lateral aspect of the 4th toe.

Conditions to treat

• Tension headaches
• Ear problems
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Abdominal distention
• Lower back and hip pain
• Ankle and foot pain and strains
• Any tendon issues

Reverse flow of Wood Energy

Liver Qi Stagnation

The job of the liver is to keep the Qi or energy moving freely in the body. It also regulates the emotions.

This can be caused by a lack of physical movement, overeating, chronic stress, repressed or unexpressed emotions, or a physical injury or blockage.

Emotional

This can manifest as mood swings, frequent sighing, depression, irritability

Physical

Abdominal distention, bloating, PMS, neck and shoulder tension, irregular bowel movements, headaches

Blood Stasis

The Liver also stores Blood and ensures its smooth circulation. It also regulates the flow of Qi, so when the Qi is not flowing well, it can disrupt the Bloodflow. It can also be caused by external trauma, chronic illness, cold invasion or heat, and stress.