Author: Khor Sea Moon (President of APAM)
Translated by: Kathryn Wong (EXCO Member of APAM)
The universe is composed of five types of fundamental energy which is known as the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. TCM practice categorises Zang Fu organs according to the Five Elements. The heart is represented by Fire; the liver is represented by Wood; the spleen is represented by the Earth; the lung is represented by Metal; and the kidney is represented by Water. The Five elements are co-creations and yet they restrict one another to maintain a constant balance in the body. They are essential energy for improving one’s health. Each energy corresponds to the relevant essential oils, therefore functions to relieve discomforts and improve health.
The concept of Five Elements can be applied in aromatherapy to categorise essential oils into five groups. For instance, essential oils with Metal attribute—frankincense, myrrh, tea tree, eucalyptus, cypress—can improve and strengthen lung functions, respiratory system, and detoxification. They can be used for the common signs and symptoms related to lungs, such as coughs, phlegm, skin allergy, piles, and bronchitis.
Essential oils with Fire attribute—Ylang Ylang, cinnamon, bergamot, neroli—can increase the Yang element in the body, produce warmth, increase energy, nourish the heart, calm the mind, improve autonomic nervous system, restore Qi and blood. Therefore, they are good for relieving cold hands and feet, bloating, hypotension, and female infertility that is related to “cold womb”.
Essential oils with Wood attribute—lavender, grapefruit, lemon, peppermint—are very effective in boosting energy, detoxification, improving circulation and reducing stress. They can also help improve the secretion of bile juice to reduce the risk of gallstones. We can apply these essential oils around the liver area to help with detoxification.
Essential oils with Earth attribute—patchouli, sandalwood, jasmine, ginger, basil, rosemary, lemon, tangerine—help to improve digestion, burn body fat, increase energy, and relieve signs and symptoms related to digestive system such as stomach bloating, vomit, diarrhea. They can also fight fatigue, increase positive energy and restore vitality.
Essential oils with Water attribute—help improving urinary system, enhance kidney functions, restoring innate Qi and reproductivity. These essential oils include rose, geranium, clary sage, cypress, and juniper berry. They are commonly used to relieve female reproductive issues such as menstrual pain, irregular menses, abnormal discharge; as well as male reproductive issues such as prostate problems and back ache.
The five-element attribution of essential oils is an integration of aromatherapy with TCM Five Elements and Meridian Therapy. Applying essential oils on the corresponding Zang Fu organs and meridian channels provides therapeutic results. Because the Five Elements and the five Zang Fu organs correspond to one another, applying essential oils based on the conditions of our Five Elements and Zang Fu organs is a better approach in health maintenance.