The Four Body Elements

According to Traditional Thai medical theory, the 1000-years ancient wit, our own body which composed of four elements: earth, water, wind and fire is the best healer with the sole purpose to keep us healthy. If the ability to repair itself is weakened, this is the point at which we become vulnerable to illness and unhappiness. To achieve the optimal good health, the four elements of the body must be in perfect harmony and balance.

The elemental balance may be lost due to diet, lifestyle as well as the state of mind. External factors-the changes in the weather and seasons, pollution, the living and working environments will also affect this balance. Removing or alleviating these factors will provide the body and spirit a chance to regain its strength so that healing takes place naturally and effectively.

Elements of the Body

In traditional Thai medicine, we believe that the influence of the nature such as the hot and cold weather of the seasons cause the difference of the four elements of each person starts from the period of pregnancy. Each person’s main element is considered by the month of birth.

However the people’s characteristics may be same or different from what they were of the pregnant period. It depends on many factors such as the way of bringing up; eating habit and the surrounding that cause the people’s elements change. Some may change from fire to wind. This means that the sickness of this person could be of both fire and fire element. Normally, each person’s element does not change during the first 6 years.

Characteristic of Elements

Earth element : is for the people who were born in November, December and January.

• Main Characteristics : dark complexion, thick and dark hair, big and strong bones and joints, muscular and powerful vice.
• Health control : perfect heart condition, nutrition, and fiber in intestine.
• Sickness : skin disease, heart diseases, tumor, and hemorrhoids.

Water Element : is for the people who were born in August, September and October.

• Main Characteristics: good figure, healthy complexion, watery eyes, lifeless, black silky hair, tolerate to heat and cold well, good sexual feeling, rather inert.
• Health control: water controlling of the body such as nassal mucus, phlegm, enzyme, urine, and etc.
• Sickness: respiration problems, digestive problems and urination problems.

Wind Element : is for the people who were born in May, June and July.

• Main Characteristics: tall and thin figure, loose joints, dry and rough skin, jealousy, timid, easily gets bored, intolerant to cold, insomnia, talkative, low voice and low sex drive.
• Health control: heart beating, the circulation and the nervous system.
• Sickness: nervous tension, blood circulation, emotion and mind.

Fire Element : is for the people who were born in February, March and April.

• Main Characteristics: thin figure, impatient, intolerate to heat, often hungry, enjoy eating, soft hair, bald, premature aging skin, early grey hair, bad body odor, moderate sex drive.
• Health control: bile system and temperature control of the body.
• Sickness: bile clogged, damaged liver, indigestion, have a fever.

The cycle of the time

Every twenty-four hours, we travel through two elemental cycles. Water runs from 6 to 10 in the morning, then again in the afternoon from 6 to 10. Fire time is from 10 to 2 in the middle of the day and from 10 to 2 at night. Wind time begins in the afternoon from 2 to 6 and returns in the early morning from 2 to 6.

The day has its own natural rhythms and Thais believe that the closer we follow them, the healthier and happier we will feel.

Six Periods of Elements

Water time :

• 6 A.M to 10 A.M and 6 P.M to 10 P.M
• The effects of water in the body are alleviated.
• Food and drinks with sour or bitter taste will relieve Water element diseases.

Fire time :

• 10 A.M to 2 P.M and 10 P.M to 2 A.M
• The effects of fire in the body are alleviated.
• Food and drinks with cool or bitter taste will relieve Fire element diseases.

Wind time :

• 2 A.M to 6 A.M and 2 P.M to 6 P.M
• The effects of wind in the body are alleviated.
• Food and drinks with hot or spicy taste will relieve Wind element diseases.
  

Imbalanced Elements

Besides having one main and one changed element, you may have an elemental imbalance- and this can be the third element. At different time of day and year and at different stages in lives, certain kinds of foods and improper activities can aggravate one element to become imbalanced. The aim of Traditional Thai Medicine is to overcome imbalances by mean of diet or lifestyle changes and restore your natural harmony.