Oriental Medicine offers practical wisdom for adjusting to seasonal change. One of the basic concepts in Oriental Medicine is the Five Element system of correspondences. Each element having an associated season, emotion, taste, organ, etc.
5 Element Theory and You
According to the ancient Five Element Theory, each season has a predominant effect on the function of a particular organ system of the body. This ancient perspective on health and well-being provides predictive insights regarding how to regain, maintain, and enhance your overall health. Five Element Theory uses metaphors to convey its wisdom.
For example: The organ system most affected by the Winter season are the Kidneys—the physical aspect of the Water element. Spring is the season of the Wood element, and the organ most affected is the Liver. So as Spring advances and Winter recedes, the predominant energy in your body moves from the Kidneys to the Liver.
Metaphorically speaking, the Kidneys pass ‘Water’ energy to the Liver, whose ‘Wood’ energy needs the activation and support that water provides.
The logic of Five Element Theory becomes clear as you begin to use it as a filter for processing your observations regarding things like: how you feel after eating; the types of emotions you’re prone too; and the kinds of food you crave.
Exploring the Five Element Theory chart is a fun and informative way to understand how to navigate your way toward health and well-being: the Oriental Medicine Way. 
Because the Wood Element of Spring affects the nerves and mental activity, be on the lookout for changes in the following areas:
- Emotional swings
- Increased irritability and frustrations
- Raw nerves
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Digestive problems
