The Four Elements

According to the principles of Thai traditional medicine, one of the reasons people get sick is an imbalance of the four elements in the body: Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire. People often have one element that is more dominant than the others, similar to the doshas in Ayurveda.

We can determine a person’s elemental constitution based on their day, month, year, and time of birth, which will yield 4 different readings that are taken together to analyze his or her health concerns as well as tendencies.

The Earth Element

The Earth element does not refer directly to soil but rather to things that are solid and stable, such as flesh, heart, bones, kidneys, lungs, and intestines.

Individuals with a prominent earth element tend to be strong and stout, with relatively dark skin, thick hair, and larger bones, and have a loud voice. They are usually healthy and vigorous, rarely experiencing illness. However, when they do fall ill, it tends to be severe because they have a high tolerance for pain and may not seek treatment until the illness becomes severe.

The Earth element does not lose balance on its own but is affected by the water, wind, and fire elements. Common ailments for people with a strong earth element often relate to the core structural organs of the body, heart issues, food consumption, and the accumulation of waste in the large intestine. It is advisable for them to consume foods with a naturally astringent, sweet, oily, and salty taste in moderate amounts such as coconut, nuts, pumpkin, banana, potatoes, and balefruit.

The Water Element

The Water element refers to things that are fluid, such as blood, phlegm, mucus, and synovial fluid.

The physical characteristics of individuals with a dominant water element often include a well-proportioned physique, supple skin, firm posture, watery and expressive eyes, a stable gait, thick and beautiful hair, good endurance for hunger, heat, and cold, a melodic voice, a strong sexual drive, and a tendency to be slow and inactive.

Individuals dominated by the water element often fall ill due to bodily or internal fluids, such as issues related to blood, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems. It is advisable for them to consume foods with sour and bitter flavors, such as lime, lemon, tomatoes, roselle, and pineapples.

In the early years up to about the age of 16 years old, individuals dominated by the water element may frequently have colds, runny noses, and watery eyes. They may also be more susceptible to illnesses during the winter season.

The Wind Element

The Wind element refers to things that are moving or the energy that creates movement, such as breathing, blood circulation, the nervous system, and emotions.

Individuals who are dominated by the wind element often have a slim and narrow physique, rough and dry skin, and joint cracking when moving. They also have anxiety and jealousy tendencies, are easily smitten, have a low tolerance for cold weather, may have problems sleeping, talk softly without proper enunciation, and lack strong sexual drive in general.

They frequently become ill as a result of problems with blood circulation, the nervous system, and emotions. It is recommended that they consume hot and spicy food, such as ginger, galangal, lemongrass, black pepper, and cumin . Individuals with an air element dominance, particularly those above the age of 32, are prone to dizziness, particularly during the rainy season.

The Fire Element

The Fire element refers to things that contain heat or can break down and process other elements, such as the digestive process, metabolism, and oxidation.

People with the dominant fire element often exhibit signs such as premature graying of hair, a receding hairline, low heat tolerance, a healthy appetite, maturing skin, soft hair and beard, impatience and a quick temper, flexible joints, unpleasant breath, a pronounced body odor, and a moderate level of sexual desire.

It is advisable for them to consume bitter, cooling, and bland-tasting foods, such as cucumber, watermelon, apple, moringa, and morning glory.

Individuals with a dominant fire element, during the age range of 16-32 years, tend to get easily irritated, have frequent mood swings, and are typically hot-tempered. During the summer, they are more prone to being moody and may easily fall ill due to conditions related to excessive heat.

Closing Thoughts

The four elements are interconnected and are present in all living things. Earth relies on Water to retain moisture, on Wind to move, and on Fire to provide energy. Water relies on Earth to remain stable and on Wind to be absorbed. The Wind element relies on Water and Earth to carry energy. Fire relies on Water for proper digestion, Fire makes Wind move, and Wind increases Fire. If there is an imbalance in these four elements, it can cause the body to become unwell.

Each of us possesses a unique blend of the four elements in different proportions. Understanding your elemental composition is valuable in maintaining balance and preventing common health issues associated with these elements.