*Traditional Chinese medicine divides everything according to the five elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Each of these elements has its own characteristics. This is a review of the WATER element. Be sure to check out the Five Elements chart that was in my previous post!
We've all met people that seem to be indecisive, or wishy-washy. These individuals that can't seem to make up their minds may fall under the WATER category in Traditional Chinese Medicine. While this element is associated with people that exhibit sign of flexibility(personality-wise), in excess it can across as timidness or flip-flopping. This can be due to fear- an underlying emotion associated with WATER in TCM.
The area effected by this fear would be the kidneys and bladder. Pretty much of you think of the water bearing organs and the mechanisms that help to regulate water balance in the body then you are thinking of the TCM water element. This even goes to include the pH and mineral balancing functions of the kidneys. This could be one reason the element of WATER is also associated with the bones.
When excess water and water-like personality tendencies are too strong in the body, the Chinese Kidney Activator TCM formula (Qu Shi meaning to get rid of the damp) will help to eliminate excess water from the body. This formula is helpful for edema, scant or clear urine, heavy sluggish feelings, bladder infections and burning urinations. It can also help people who are timid , fearful and indecisive. It contains Morus root bark, thought to help eliminate excess moisture, Hoelen, and Alisma to help promote the flow of moisture.
When there is a loss of water - quality in the body , creating brittleness and stiffness, the Chinese formula KB-C TCM (Jain Gu which can be can be translated to mean “strengthen the bones.”) will strengthen both the kidneys and the bones. Chinese herbalists believe eucommia nourishes the kidney yang and the ligaments and bones. Eucommia has been used for centuries in the Far East for weakness. No single Western herb has been found to substitute for these qualities. Chinese herbalists also believe achyranthes relieves the body of excess fluids and strengthens it. They hold that achyranthes strengthens the liver, kidneys, bones and tendons. It has been used for convalescence, comfort and certain gynecological needs.
This formula not only aids chronic urinary problems, it is also builds the bones. It is helpful for spinal misalignment, chronic backache (especially in the low back), weak knees and ankles, arthritis and osteoporosis. It is also helpful for people who lack "backbone" or have become so hardened, inflexible and rigid in their thought processes that they can no longer flow with the changes in their lives.
**Did you miss the last few installments on this topic? Click here to read about the five element chart. Click here to check out the list of my articles.
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