An important principle in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine is the Five Element Theory, which was formed in China in the 16th century B.C.

The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The relationship among these elements can be used to describe the nature of the organs, guide clinical diagnosis and treatment, and is important in an animal's relationship to nature.

Each element has a relationship with another in a continuing circular pattern: wood is the parent of fire; fire is the parent of earth; earth is the parent of metal; metal is the parent of water, and water is the parent of wood. Each element controls another element: wood controls earth, earth controls water, water controls fire, fire controls metal and metal controls wood.

Each element has certain characteristics. For example, wood is associated with the season of spring, climate of wind, direction of east, color of green, flavor of sour, sound of shouting, and emotion of anger or irritability.

Each element is associated with a Zang-Fu organ: wood is associated with liver/gall bladder, fire is heart/small intestine, Earth is stomach/spleen, metal is lung/large intestine and water is kidney/urinary bladder.

Each element is also associated with an orifice and tissue. Wood is associated with the eyes, nails and tendons/ligaments. Fire is associated with the tongue, complexion and vascular system. Earth is associated with the mouth, lips and muscles. Metal is associated with the nose, skin pores and skin/hair coat. Kidney is associated with the ears, head hair and bones.

The Five Element Theory can be applied to personal characteristics of people as well as their pets.

By knowing a pet's constitution, a practitioner can understand the animal as a whole and determine imbalances. For example, an animal with a wood constitution would be expected to have more problems in the spring. The climate that would cause the most problems would be windy weather.

This pet would be expected to be very loud and vocal and display anger or irritability. A common problem with a wood personality or constitution would be Liver Qi Stagnation, which produces a lot of heat. This heat can rise to the eyes and cause conjunctivitis. Wood constitution would be predisposed to tendon and ligament damage.

Take the constitution test and see what constitution you and/or your pet are. Mark the characteristics that apply and determine which element has the most marks. Some people or pets can be a combination of elements and change with age.

 

WOOD

Dominant behavior or attitude: active, energetic, athletic, quick, fast

Enjoys or skilled with running or moving: impatient

Easily becomes angry or loses temper: alert and responds quickly to stimuli

Good at adapting to changing conditions: good diplomat

Quickly forms ideas, but then changes mind: aggressive, angry

Confident: bites with little provocation

Narrow-minded/intolerant to different ideas: irritable, "crabby"

 

FIRE

Easily excited: extroverted

Loves to be loved: tends to be center of attention

Loves to be in the middle of a group: difficult to calm down

Inventor. Conceives good ideas: sharp mental activities

Persuasive. Skilled at inspiring others. Proficient in competition or fighting

Aggressively pursues ambitions, arrogant attitude

Exaggerates. Very friendly

Noisy, vocal

 

EARTH

Honest and kind: motherly, takes care of others

Generous and modest: Laid back

Speaks and walks neither fast nor slow: humble

Easily satisfied: slow response to a stimulus

Good worker, but a little slow: friendly

Enjoys sleeping or relaxing: eager to please

 

METAL

Clean hair (haircoat): quiet

Organized, knows what to do next: Disciplined

Knows what to expect: Broad-minded

Follows the owner's commands: A leader in a group

Always follows the rules: Righteous

Confident and consistent

 

WATER

Terrified or fearful about everything: Introverted

Quiet, but good observer: Skilled at planning or scheming

Good adviser or supervisor: Prefers deep thought

Willing to live alone: Sinister or insidious if evil

Very consistent, but slow when doing something: Fear biter

Hides behind owner or runs away: Hides under bed

 

Reference: Dr. Xie, Huisheng, "Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 1: Fundamental Principles," Jing Tang: Beijing, China, 2005, pgs.27-51.

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Dr. Connie Clemons-Chevis has received certification in Acupuncture, Tui-na and Chinese herbology through Chi Institute in Reddick, Fla., and China National Society of TCVM. Alternative Medicine for Pets offers TCVM services in Bay St Louis, Escatawpa and Pascagoula, Miss. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling (228) 671-6210.