Spring is the ideal time for a healing cleanse of the body, mind and spirit. The wood element of feng shui & East Asian Medicine corresponds with the spring season. Taoist wisdom guides on how best to cleanse your body, attuned to the seasonal cycles. Moreover, the wood element corresponds with the Liver/Gallbladder, emotional anger and indecisiveness.
East Asian Medicine rests on a foundation of 5-Element Theory, involving Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The 5-phase theory interrelates elements as organic energies expressed in our body and nature. In other words, this pentagram hosts a flow of energies that depict our personalities, emotions and health imbalances.
Everyone has their unique energetic blueprint of 5 elements expressed through constitutional patterns. Consequently, this can be a key factor in diagnosing for East Asian Medicine Practitioners. Furthermore, this article is part of a 5-element series, focusing on the wood element for spring. Here’s a table summing up the 5 elements and correspondences:
Five Elements Correspondences
The relationships flow, so that each element feeds the next one and controls the second. (see below image) For example, wood feeds fire and controls earth and so on. In contrast, wood is fed by water and controlled by metal (think of an axe). Overall, we embody all five elements, however, many individuals express certain elements more strongly. For instance, a Wood Type is more of an independent self-starter with ambitious nature.
Five Elements Cycle – Pentagram of Feng Shui
Wood Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine -Liver/Gallbladder Meridians
East Asian Medicine diagnosis includes wood as 1 of the 5 elements used in diagnosis. Overall, these elements interchange the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the constitution. Humans are always out of balance, with a unique blueprint for highest nature. Consequently, understanding the baseline helps monitor objective assessments, eliminate judgment and encourage personal evolution.
The wood element is yang, overall, symbolic of the wood’s growth in springtime. It corresponds with the 3 earthly branches (Zodiac signs) of springtime: Tiger (February), Hare (March), and Dragon (April). Wood’s symbol is the azure dragon. Also, its direction is east on the Feng Shui Ba-gua and associates with ancestors and family relationships. Wood qualities are the self-starting pioneer spirit of springtime expressing skills in leadership and competition.
Emotional Balancing: Anger & Decision-making
Wood-types learn to control anger and channel their energies into constructive activities that benefit other people. Wood is a yang energy, but less yang than fire. For example, yang expresses through the upright, sturdy constitutions of the hardwoods. In contrast, the yin expresses as more flexible, bending of bamboo.
Each element associates with paired yin-yang organs and other emotions. East Asian Medicine’s Wood Element pair is the Liver (Yin) and Gallbladder (Yang), corresponding with anger and decision-making, respectively. The East Asian Medicine cultural perspective is different than the Western regarding emotions. With the exception of joy, from the western perspective, the other 4 emotions of anger, worry, grief and fear are ‘negative’ to most individuals. Rather, in East Asian Medicine the emotions are a source of disharmony with neutral connotations. All emotions have their place in healthy individuals and ideally expressed in a balanced way to maintain health.
Expressing disruptive anger or “flying off the handle” is symptomatic of a Liver imbalance. Likewise, a situation that causes a person much anger brings imbalance to the Liver. When individuals are chronically indecisive or making irrational decisions, an imbalance to the Gallbladder may be the source, from the East Asian Medicine perspective.
Taoist Healing Sounds and Tones/Anger Meditation
In East Asian Medicine, there is an ancient Taoist concept of the Six Healing Sounds or Liu Zi Jue. Each of the 5 elements and paired organs have a healing sound and tone. Triple Burner is the sixth sound and integrates the other 5 sounds. The tone for Wood Element is E and the healing sound is SHHH. Furthermore, there’s a Taoist Qi Gong exercise where you lean to the left with arms and palms up. Continue while inhaling deeply, then exhale while saying the healing sound, SHHHHH. The Six Healing Sounds transform the stagnant energy stored in the organs and meridian pathways into a vital life force.
Also, this Qi Gong exercise includes a technique, similar to the western modality, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming). In the Liver exercise, firstly you imagine a person or situation who has made you angry. (If it’s a person, then separate the person from the anger.) Next, imagine your eyes move down into your liver. While focusing on the anger, move your eyes back and forth. Simultaneously, imagine the eyes in your liver moving back and forth, eliminating the anger. Also, this exercise applies to all organs and their corresponding emotion and vocal healing sounds. In addition, you can use color therapy and imagine vibrant green light penetrating the liver and Gallbladder during this meditation.
Liver Herbal Cleanse
What a better way to do a spring cleaning of your own body, mind and spirit, than to detoxify the Liver. It’s the master gland for detoxification in western anatomy. Because our planet is so polluted with environmental toxins, just living on it has inherent consequences building up in our systems. For example, this partial list includes heavy metals (lead and mercury), pharmaceuticals, preservatives (parabens, formaldehyde, and formic acid), pesticides and herbicides (glyphosate), plastics (polychlorinated biphenyls, bisphenol A, polyvinyl chloride), cosmetics, solvents and glues (benzene, toluene), and gasoline additives. Most importantly, these chemicals cause inflammation to the liver and the heat leads to stagnation.
According to East Asian Medicine, this stagnation of liver qi and blood inhibits the liver’s enzymatic detoxification process. Acupuncture and herbal medicine, restores the flow of our liver qi. Also, they support the liver cells and their enzymatic activity for detoxification of the body.
There are many herbs according to East Asian Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine for detoxing the liver and gallbladder. I suggest that individuals consult a health practitioner on the best herbal medicine combination suited for their holistic health needs.
Liver Cleanse – Wood Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine
Herbal Medicine is a fantastic way to cleanse the liver, however, it’s best to consult a Health Professional for a customized concoction. Examples of herbs that cleanse the liver include milk thistle, dandelion root, artichoke leaf and aloe vera.
Additionally, it’s important to supplement antioxidants as in Phase 1 of the liver’s detoxification. During this time, damaging oxygen radicals are produced. So, the amino acid, Glutathione, and Alpha Lipoic Acid (fat and water soluble) are crucial antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals from detoxification. Another factor is fiber to cleanse the toxins out of the Large Intestine. Many cleanses focus on the soluble fiber to leach the toxins out of the colon. However, it’s best to balance the soluble (slows digestion) with the insoluble (speeds up digestion) fibers according to your own body’s needs. Also, it helps to gradually add fiber to your diet.
Gallbladder Cleanse – Wood Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine
Cleansing the gallbladder is complementary to the liver cleanse and vice versa. The liver (yin) is the paired organ to the gallbladder (yang) for the wood element in Chinese Medicine. In western anatomy, the liver produces the bile, used to emulsify fats. The Gallbladder stores bile, until released into the small intestine for digestion.
Gallstones are formed out of bile components when there is a deficiency of organic sodium in the body. A sodium deficiency is usually caused by eating too many acid-forming foods, a high protein diet, stress or a combination of these. Sodium is used up by the body through the sodium bicarbonate buffer system, in process of neutralizing these acids. In East Asian Medicine, the pattern diagnosis for gallstones is damp-heat in the Liver/Gallbladder, causing the bile to dry up and harden. The only way to diagnose Gallstones with certainty is with an ultrasound.
Gallstones Cleanse
There is a popular olive oil protocol for cleansing the gallbladder and stones. First, it recommends that diet minimizes all acid-forming foods, such as, meat, sugar, dairy products and wheat for the week. In addition, you eat as many green apples, apple juice or cider (preferably fresh) as possible throughout the week. These soften the gallstones . Finally, on day 7 before going to bed mix 4-8 ounces of warm unrefined extra-virgin olive oil mixed with 4-8 ounces of organic lemon juice at room temperature. Then go directly to bed, lying on your right side. Consequently, this can make you feel a bit nauseous but it will be worth it.
It’s best to do the Gallbladder cleanse, after being on the liver cleanse for at least a month. There are many herbs that stimulate bile production, such as, dandelion (taraxacin) and milk thistle (silymarin). Increasing the bile production, decreases its concentration and also can help flush gallstones.
These greens can be taken as a tea or eaten raw as a salad or steamed like spinach. One of my herbal teachers from China recommended corn silk tea for gallstones. Rosemary, also, stimulates bile production and supports fat digestion. There is compelling research on using peppermint oil capsules (enteric-coated) to stimulate bile production and help dissolve gallstones. In conclusion, there’s no shortage with Mother Nature’s Materia Medica to prevent and help eliminate gallstones.
Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse Castor Oil Packs
A topical cleanse complements the internal for both the liver and gallbladder with castor oil packs. This ancient remedy has been used in many cultures for centuries, as far back as ancient Egypt. The healing clairvoyant, Edgar Cayce, recommended castor oil packs in hundreds of his readings for many diseases. The organization, Association on Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) dedicates research on the thousands of readings done by Edgar Cayce. (many recommended castor oil packs)
Castor oil is pressed from the castor bean, and it brings healing to the areas applied. I apply castor oil packs over the liver, while giving acupuncture to my patients. It stimulates the lymphatic system and circulation, reduces inflammation, bringing new life to whatever it touches. First, you apply Castor Oil packs as flannel squares, dampened with castor oil. Next, you cover with a wrap and top with a heating pad for enhanced penetration. There are many variations to length of time and quantity of treatments. It’s recommended to keep them on for at least an hour. My suggestion is to do it at least once/week during the liver/gallbladder cleanses. Also, it’s particularly beneficial for gallstones, so it may be helpful to do it daily during the gallbladder cleanse.
Liver/Gallbladder Meridians – Wood Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine
East Asian Medicine consists of 12 principle meridians that correspond with organs. Furthermore, it comprises paired organs: 1 yang/hollow and 1 yin (solid) pairs for each element and season. (Fire Element is the exception with 2 pairs.) As aforementioned, the wood element of spring is the paired Liver/yin and Gallbladder/yang. The meridians are channels, where the qi (life force) flows, transforming energy to material and vice versa. The acupuncture points used for needling are along these channels.
However, there are many ways to stimulate the points without acupuncture needles. For example, essential oils, acupressure, massage, Reiki or tuning forks are used to stimulate the points. First, the Liver channel originates on the big toe and travels up the inner shin bone & thigh, terminating in the liver.
Anyone can support the flow of the qi in the meridians by stretching or doing yoga. For the liver meridian stretching the adductor/quadricep thigh, medial lower leg and rib cage supports the qi flowing smoothly. When we are stiff, our meridians kink like a garden hose, obstructing our free flow of qi. Obstructions can lead to pain or disease from an imbalance or blockage in the body.
Liver Meridian:
3 of the 14 power points on the liver meridian are noteworthy:
Liver-3: “Gushing Spring”-2 finger widths proximal to place where big & 2nd toes join for Stress, pain, irritability, anxiety, headaches and anger.
Liver-4: “Woodworm Groove” Medial surface of leg; 5 cun* above inner malleolus for Hernias, libido, lower abdominal distention, UTI’s, groin pain
Liver-14: “Cyclic Gate”-6th intercostal space, mid clavicular line for Digestion, GB inflammation, hepatitis, PMS, sighing and also irritability
*Cun=thumb width for measurement
Gallbladder Meridian:
This meridian begins at the lateral eyes going in front and around the outside of the ears, down the side of the neck and along the lateral ribcages. Then it continues over the Gallbladder and back into the gluteal muscles. Finally, it goes around the hips and down the sides of the legs and down and out the foot and 4th toes. Here are 6 of the 44 power points on the Gallbladder meridian:
GB-20: “Wind Pool”-Where base of skull & top of neck meet, depression lateral to trapezius tendon for Stiffness or pain in neck, nasal congestion, allergies, headache, blurry vision, vertigo, tinnitus.
GB-24: “Sun & Moon”-7th intercostal space, mid-clavicular-line for Indecisiveness, lacking gall or courage, hypochondriac pain, acid reflux, hepatitis.
GB-30: “Circling Jump”-On gluteus muscle, lateral 1/3 on line from trochanter and sacral hiatus for Sciatica, leg pain and weakness, hemiplegia.
GB-34: “Outer Mound Spring”-Directly below and anterior to fibula head-Empirical Point for all the tendons and ligaments in the body.
GB-37: “Bright Light”-5 cun* directly above the tip of external malleolus, on anterior border of fibula-Improves vision-blurry vision, night blindness, opthamalgia.
GB-41: “Close to Tears”-Lateral foot dorsum, proximal to 4th metatarsophalangeal joint in depression for Temporal headaches, migraines, hypochondriac pain, malaria and also eye pain
*cun-thumb width
Hun Spirit or “Ethereal Soul” – Wood Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine
Finally, in East Asian Medicine 5 of the yin organs all have a spirit linked to them, conveying how the physical organ is lived out emotionally, mentally and spiritually in the body. In a sense, you could say these spirits are housed in their organs during our mortal span of life. The Liver’s spirit is called the Hun or “ethereal soul.”
The Hun is the force behind all of our movement in life. Even more, the Hun carries out our spirit into the Heavens after death. At the most basic level, the smooth flow of our liver qi, is the foundation for all of our other movements. It mirrors our movements in life. Thus, our liver qi is stagnant, we experience pain and irritation, which slows us down and inhibits movement and inspiration.
The Hun guides our capacity for inspiration and motivates us forward. It manifests our abilities to lead and foster new ideas and creative endeavors. It’s our drive for accomplishment, relationships and our purpose. Life is movement and the force behind mortality. All of our billions of cells are in constant vibratory motion, expressing our resonance and magnetic fields around us. In other words, the more we exercise movement in life, the less we resign to the rigor mortis of death.
Guided Healing Meditation – Wood Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine
Overall, this article provides an overview of East Asian Medicine or Taoist principles on the 5 elements into a cohesive whole. As the wood element and spring, it’s part of a 5-Element blog/Guided Meditation series in links below.
Read More!
Fire Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine – Summer Heart Healing and Love
Earth Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine – Balancing Digestion & Being Present
Metal Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine – Autumn Healing of Grief & Lung/Large Intestine
Water Element of Feng Shui & East Asian Medicine – Winter Healing for Fear & Kidneys/Bladder
Healing Meditation Download
Disclaimer: This article or meditation is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease. Consult a health practitioner for any illness. Also, do not listen to meditation while driving or lifting heavy objects.
