The Five Elements Theory – comprising Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – is often used to describe interactions and relationships between the different elements in nature and the life force, also known as Qi, that flows through them. This unique philosophy is not just applied to feng shui and fortune telling, but also to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM views each element with close relation to different organ networks, colours, emotions, tastes and sensory organs, which will have an impact on one’s overall health and well-being, including fertility.
Learn more and take the quiz to find out your element: Introduction on TCM 5 Elements Theory
If you are experiencing fertility issues, seeking TCM therapies in Singapore tailored to your element could help to increase your chances of conceiving.
Here is everything you need to know about the five elements and their correlation to fertility.
Wood Element
People who fall under the Wood element tend to have an intense personality – you may be confident and decisive on most days but other times, you can be stubborn and controlling. Your temperament may sometimes make you overly stressed, which can interfere with your ability to conceive. The Liver corresponds to the Wood element as well and from a TCM perspective, Liver-Qi stagnation can cause irregular menstrual cycles with impeded menstrual flow, making it harder for you to get pregnant.
Hence, regulating your stress levels and taking care of your Liver are some of the ways to enhance fertility if you are a Wood element. Try stress-relieving and meditative exercises such as yoga and deep breathing. Acupuncture for fertility can help unblock Qi and restore balance to the body too.
Fire Element
Like blazing flames, people who are of the Fire element can be passionate and excitable, but also impatient and easily frustrated. If you are a Fire-type, it is important to pay more attention to your Heart as you could be more susceptible to cardiovascular issues, as well as glandular and immune problems. From TCM’s perspective, this includes the heart, small intestines and lymphatic system.
Make some lifestyle changes such as sleeping early and reducing your intake of ‘heaty’ foods and ingredients like chocolate and stimulants to avoid adding to the fire. You can opt for more bitter foods, grains, vegetables and dark leafy greens that are recommended for the Fire body type. You can also consider visiting a TCM clinic for fertility issues – the physician may prescribe Chinese herbal medicine along with other therapies to quell the excess fire.
Earth Element
Earth-type people are easygoing and nurturing but tend to overthink and over-worry, which contributes to problems with the digestive system, also referred to as Spleen Qi. The Spleen Qi is crucial for regulating menses and transforming food into blood and energy for increased fertility.
Thus, TCM recommends avoiding cold and raw food if you are an Earth type, so that you do not weaken your Spleen Qi any further and let low energy affect your motivation to try for a baby. Instead, load up on warm foods like spices and broths to strengthen your digestive system. Acupuncture for fertility helps too – acupoint Zu San Li (located on the Stomach meridian) is known to improve gastrointestinal function as well as manage stress and anxiety.
Metal Element
People who embody the Metal type are meticulous and organised but can be fickle-minded, stretching themselves too thin at times and causing common respiratory problems like sinusitis and asthma to develop. While one’s respiratory health does not have a direct connection to fertility, it can take a toll on your overall well-being which can affect your mood and drive to try and conceive.
TCM’s advice for fertility includes avoiding smoking and doing more exercises that improve respiratory health, such as swimming. Establish regular mealtimes but avoid dairy products and overly spicy food that can put you in a restless state.
Water Element
Water-type people have strong willpower but are also sometimes timid and deep thinkers. If you fall under the Water element, take note of urinary, genital and reproductive ailments like infertility. Your Kidneys are also more prone to health issues, which in TCM’s perspective, is one of the most important organs when it comes to conceiving.
Drink more water to flush out toxins and use cooking methods such as boiling and steaming to retain the moisture in foods. Consume more seaweed, black rice, sesame seeds and walnuts. Acupuncture for fertility can be especially helpful too as it balances the Yang and Yin of the Kidney.
Visit a TCM Clinic in Singapore for Fertility Issues
Thomson Chinese Medicine is a TCM clinic in Singapore with a team of dedicated physicians committed to helping patients achieve their fertility goals.
The treatment plan is tailored according to your body constitution and element, consisting of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and more.
Find out more today!
