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.
___
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.