Element Spotlight - Wood

As we journey through the five elements, we arrive at our fifth and final spotlight: the Wood element. This element is integral to the functioning of the Liver and Gallbladder, organs that play crucial roles in our body's health and well-being.

Gallbladder

Horary Cycle Time: 11PM-1AM

Primary Actions:

• Judge, Makes decisions with the heart.

• Stores and secretes bile

• Controls gall and decisiveness

• Controls sinews (tendons and ligaments)

• Nourished by the liver

• Gallbladder provides Qi

Liver

Horary Cycle Time: 1AM-3AM

Primary Actions:

• Adjust and makes smooth - Rules flowing and Spreading

• Ensures smooth / free flow of Qi

• Controls the sinews

• Stores the blood

• Manifests in the nails

• Opens in the eyes

• Controls tears

• Governs planning

• Affected by wind, anger, and unfulfilled desires.

Characteristics of the Wood Element:

Associations: Spring, Wind, Ligament, Sour, Anger, Shouting, Rancid, Eyes

Recurrent Subluxations: Knee, Lower Cervical Fixations, Intervertebral Disc Space, Ileocecal valve, Femur / Acetabulum, Mid Dorsal, Shoulder.

Muscles: Popliteus, Iliacus, Pectoralis - Sternal Division, and Rhomboids.

Emotions: Anger and Resentment.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Liver-Blood Deficiency can manifest as dizziness, numbness/ tingling of the limbs, insomnia, blurred vision, ‘floaters” in the eyes, diminished night vision, scanty menstruation or amenorrhea, dull-pale complexion without luster, pale lips, muscular weakness, cramps, withered brittle nails, dry hair and skin, depression, a feeling of aimlessness. Similarly, Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder can manifest as hypochondrial pain, fullness and distension, nausea, vomiting, inability to digest fats, yellow complexion, scanty and dark yellow urine, fever, thirst without a desire to drink, bitter taste, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability, a feeling of heaviness of the body, numbness of the limbs, swelling of the feet, loose stools or constipation, an alteration of hot and cold feeling, yellow sclera, a feeling of heat.

An interesting aspect of the horary cycle is its connection to the liver's detoxification time, which peaks between 1AM and 3AM. It’s quite ironic that bar closing time is around 2AM, right in the middle of this detoxification period. If you find yourself waking up during this time, it might indicate your liver is struggling to detoxify and process toxins like alcohol, chemicals, or an unhealthy diet.

Let us help you achieve balance and wellness at Jai Yen Chiropractic and Wellness Center!

References:

Deadman, Peter & Al-Khakaji, MAzin: A Manual of Acupuncture, 2004

Maciocia, Giovanni: The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, 2005

N.E.T Master Chart