Osalina

Dear ChiDragon and Jeff, It was nice to see some friendly sunny faces after dealing with the Informer. He made me feel like I was in some Orwellian Novel in which I was being interrogated in some sterile room. I am still not sure what he was talking about or if he was trying to insult me on purpose. But to have him be the first person to respond to me on this group was a bit unsettling and I must admit did throw me off my center a bit. If I was a Taoist Master; perhaps my dealings with him could have been more smooth. Unfortunately, I am still a work in process, and progress and I am still working on myself and all too quite human, with an ego still in tact. When you said TCM, I am assuming that you are speaking of Taoist Chinese Medicine. If these initials stood for something else, please let me know. I studied in the 1970's with Michael Tierra, Malik Carter, David Little and William LaSassier, and in 1980's and 1990"s with Dr. Stephen Chang Taoist Chinese Medicine, whenever he would come to Maui. I lived in a wilderness Valley in Kauai in 1974 - 1976 for two years in a cave and built a house from native trees and plants with my partner. I feel it was in all my experiences in being so close to nature in which I began feeling connected to the 5 Elements and how aspects of nature effect the body. Or how too much water, sun, wind, mud, or ether out of balance creates various dis - ease conditions. I also studied the Gospel of Peace and the Essene teachings in that Valley in which Jesus worked with the 4 Elements in Healing. So when I learned about Chinese Medicine and 5 Element Theory, I resonated with it quite fully. As in Taoist philosophy, achieving health and harmony is all about finding the center and balance (You could say the eye of the hurricane and calm in the storm)It is how understanding extremes of any element can create dis-ease. In my book (The Alchemy of the 5 Elements) I teach these theories through my childrens story "The Legend of the Beet Brothers" in which the Elements take on a life and character of their own and it is through the eyes of the elements and plants themselves we learn about their healing gifts through poetry, story and humor. The 5 Elements have relationships with the organs, glands, systems, taste, sense organs, and emotions I will outline them here Fire: Heart, Small Intestines, Circulatory, Lymphatic, Thymus Gland, Taste: Bitter Sense: Touch Emotions: Fire out of balance creates anxiety, in balance love and peace. Earth: Stomach, Esophagus, Spleen, Pancreas, Muscular System, Mouth, Taste: Sweet: Sense: Taste Emotions: Out of balance Worry; In balance: Faith the Buddha's belly or Solar Plexus is Calm and Always has Faith in our Creator Water: Kidney, Bladder, Adrenal glands, Ovaries, Uterus, Testes, Prostate, Reproductive System, Urinary System, Skeletal System, Ears, Taste: Salty, Sense: Hearing. Emotions: Flight or Fight (Fear) out of balance. In balance Courage Air also called Metal in Chinese Medicine: Lungs, Large Intestines, Skin, Respiratory System, Nose, Taste: Pungent and Aromatic, Sense: Smell - Emotion: Grief, Irritability. In Balance joy and patience, a breath of calm. Ether also called Wood in Chinese Medicine: Liver, Gallbladder, Brain, Pituitary Gland, Pineal Gland, Eyes, Nervous System. Taste: Sour. Sense: Sight, both inner and outer. Emotions; Anger out of balance. In balance Forgiveness This is just the basics and I would be happy to explain why these Elements were assigned to these organs and glands, emotions, taste, etc.. or at least my interpretations of why, if you are interested.

Dear Vortex, First we took her mostly off grains and fed her mostly fish or chicken with wheatgrass powder, barley grass powder, rainforest tea, dehydrated and rehydrated vegetables, una de gato, sangre de gato, cordiceps mushrooms, small amount of olive oil, digestazon or papaya enzymes. It seems like there were some other things I am not thinking of now, but mostly herbs to strenthen immune and highly nutritious. We got a lot of these herbs from Amazon Herbs and others we ordered on the internet like the cordiceps mushrooms. Milk Thistle and papaya enzymes from Trader Joe's and completely eliminated all non organic junk dog food.If I can remember other things, I will let you know as we tried many things, also milk thistle to clean liver and blood. We sometimes gave her valerian root capsules 1 - 2 capsules for pain. We also sometimes gave her a grain free dog food called Origen, I think, for getting capsules in her wraped in dog food.. The powders and liquids we mixed in her foods. Oddly enough after being a picky eater all her life she often scarfed down this meat herbal blend

Dear Kempomaster, That is so amazing. I love working with animals too. I do not know what Taoist exercises you did, but I would love to learn. I worked as a healer for humans for many years but when I first moved to Tucson in 1995; I started connecting with many birds. Mostly doves and pigeons, but I worked with a sparrow, a blackbird, a hummingbird and a few others too. My daughter started finding injured birds and I learned to care for them when they were ill, using reiki energy work and feeding and giving them rest and fluids. I did a meditation when I was around them; I would call it the "Be a Tree Meditation" I found when you visualize yourself as a tree; birds feel less intimidated by you. I started learning how to massage their legs from a bird re-abilitator when they got sprained and one pigeons wing after out of a cast as well and was amazed that they actually have tiny little muscles. I kept them in open baskets while healing so they knew they were free to leave when they got well and some liked to stick around. My eldest daughter at 2 years old was saved by a horse from a dog that came after her when I was watching her play in the yard. Before I could grab her, our horse red button went after that dog so fast it ran away with its tail between his legs. Horses are amazing. So are most dogs. We just lost our beloved dog Iris of 15 years. She had cancer which we cured her of for 2 years using herbs and a healthy diet. But unfortunately; she got it back again after 2 years of doing great and being cancer free. My youngest daughter who is 25; is going to Berkeley U.C. and is working on becoming a Veterinarian; She is the one who brought me all the birds and watched me help deliver a breech kitten. Thanks so much for sharing. I have been away for a bit, but nice to see some good energy back here. So many amazing people here. Keep shining your very bright light Much Love, Osalina

Its been a while, since I have checked in. Been so busy working on my new series and adding a few new things on Ayurvedic Medicine to my book and I also designed a new Cover. Here is my Link: I don't know why Amazon has to make them so long. The other Link you have works too, on Tarot.info and you can see the new cover and it is larger there. I notice sometimes they are down and my Book is not there. Something about account limit of 2000 requests per hour. I am going try to do a link. Keep shining. I will get back soon. Love, Osalina http://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Elements-Legend-Brothers-Course/dp/147742895X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339744962&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Alchemy+of+the+5+Elements+-+The+legend+of+the+Beet+Brothers

It looks like they have changed back to my old cover today. I guess its all the edits. Amazon will probally have the new cover again. Oddly this has a link to both of my books - "The Holistic Medicine Chart Book" and "The Alchemy of the 5 Elements" http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=The+holistic+medicine+chart+book+-+by+Osalina+Berman+&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3AThe+holistic+medicine+chart+book+-+by+Osalina+Berman+&ajr=0 This is my create space site. https://www.createspace.com/3873078 Both show my new cover and the Amazon.com also has my newest book as well

I everyone, Well I got my book back on line "The Alchemy of the 5 Elements - The Legend of the Beet Brothers" with copies available. There are 2 Links. Amazon.com has a cool thing that allows you to read certain pages. So anyone interested in getting a better idea of how I incorporated these ideas around the 5 Elements in a Children's story for adults and children. To me it is providing knowledge in a more Zen fashion. Here is Amazon.com link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Alchemy-Elements-Legend-Brothers/dp/147742895X

Dear MythMaker, I love that statement. Each day I maintain my body, only to find the sea once more at my sand castle. When I watched psychic surgery done and had it done, I saw inside the body, the surgeon removed cysts and tumors from peoples body and put them in a bowl and sealed the body, washed a little blood into bowl and within seconds their was no scar and no trace of anyone having entered the body. When she explained how it was done, she said that the material existence is just energy vibrating at various rates and frequencies. I believe it is the slower frequencies that take on denser and more physical reality. She said that by raising ones vibration to higher frequencies, one can move through what appears material and remove denser objects, for people who need to see, but still be working at a higher frequency. Also when I did fire walking it was like that for me. Changing frequencies so what would normally burn, is like dancing in the sand. Or in marshal arts cutting through large blocks, moving through dense matter like butter. We each have a Myth we are Making in time. When we see our lives patterns, we get in touch with the dream stuff that weaves the Myths into the actual manifestations to tell us a story of what we came here for. I do not know if your familiar with Joseph Campbell, but he has some great insights on myths. Keep shining Much Love, Osalina

Dear Old Green Thanks. I do find combining imaginative story with actual information that is fact helps to absorb the knowledge much deeper. Also my characters can get away with saying more outrageous things, and whose going to talk back or get as upset with a beet or a carrot. My book availability is down again. I decided to add my picture on the back and a short Bio, just so the back cover has more than the ISBN number and code. I added it last night, so hopefully it will show available copies within the next day or so.

Dear Informer, Thank you for sharing the teachings on Metta. Love certainly is the most important aspect of all qualities in the Universe. I also appreciate your love too

I just got my other book published. "The Holistic Medicine Chart Book" this has over 100 pages of charts and works well with my "Alchemy of the 5 Elements" book which should be back in circulation in a few days. I realize I have to wait for it to go on line, right now the link is more internal.

In my search for various 5 Element Theories of different cultures I came across one from the Greeks and from Japan I thought you may find interesting. Main article: Five elements (Japanese philosophy) Japanese traditions use a set of elements called earth, water, fire, wind/air, and void. These came from Buddhist beliefs; Earth represented things that were solid. Chi (sometimes ji) or tsuchi, meaning "Earth", represents the hard, solid objects of the world. The most basic example of chi is in a stone. Stones are highly resistant to movement or change, as is anything heavily influenced by chi. In people, the bones, muscles and tissues are represented by chi. Emotionally, chi is predominantly associated with stubbornness, stability, physicality, and gravity. It is a desire to have things remain as they are; a resistance to change. In the mind, it is confidence. When under the influence of this chi mode or "mood", we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action. (Note: This is a separate concept from the energy-force, pronounced in Chinese as qì (also written ch'i) and in Japanese as ki, Water represented things that were liquid. Sui or mizu, meaning "Water", represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world. Outside of the obvious example of rivers and the like, plants are also categorized under sui, as they adapt to their environment, growing and changing according to the direction of the sun and the changing seasons. Blood and other bodily fluids are represented by sui, as are mental or emotional tendencies towards adaptation and change. Sui can be associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism. Fire represented things that destroy. Ka or hi, meaning "Fire", represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world. Animals, capable of movement and full of forceful energy, are primary examples of ka objects. Bodily, ka represents our metabolism and body heat, and in the mental and emotional realms, it represents drive and passion. ka can be associated with motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit. Besides the obvious examples of heat and flame, lightning can also be thought of as an extension of Ka. Air represented things that moved. Fū or kaze, meaning "Wind", represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement. Aside from air, smoke, and the like, fū can in some ways be best represented by the human mind. As we grow physically, we learn and expand mentally as well, in terms of our knowledge, our experiences, and our personalities. Fū represents breathing, and the internal processes associated with respiration. Mentally and emotionally, it represents an "open-minded" attitude and carefree feeling. It can be associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom. Spirit represented things not of our everyday life. Kū or sora, most often translated as "Void", but also meaning "sky" or "Heaven", represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy. Bodily, kū represents spirit, thought, and creative energy. It represents our ability to think and to communicate, as well as our creativity. It can also be associated with power, creativity, spontaneity, and inventiveness. Kū is of particular importance as the highest of the elements. In martial arts, particularly in fictional tales where the fighting discipline is blended with magic or the occult, one often invokes the power of the Void to connect to the quintessential creative energy of the world. A warrior properly attuned to the Void can sense their surroundings and act without thinking, and without using their physical senses. Classical elements in Greece The Greek classical elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether) date from pre-Socratic times and persisted throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, deeply influencing European thought and culture. The Greek five elements are sometimes associated with the five platonic solids. Hellenic elements fire - earth - air - water - Plato characterizes the elements as being pre-Socratic in origin and called them the the four "roots" Plato seems to have been the first to use the term "element. Air is primarily wet and secondarily hot. Fire is primarily hot and secondarily dry. Earth is primarily dry and secondarily cold. Water is primarily cold and secondarily wet. Aristotle added aether as the quintessence, reasoning that whereas fire, earth, air, and water were earthly and corruptible, since no changes had been perceived in the heavenly regions, the stars cannot be made out of any of the four elements but must be made of a different, unchangeable, heavenly substance. According to ancient and medieval science aether (Greek word aithēr, also spelled æther or ether, is the material that fills the region of the universe above the terrestrial sphere. This was believed to be where the God's lived. It is amazing how each culture has corresponding philosophies although slightly different aspects. I copied this from a Wikipedia page I found it so interesting

Dear Informer, Although the Thyroid does play a key role in temperature regulation, as well as the hypothalamus and perhaps that role is more associated with the Thyroid than the Thymus. However, the Thymus also has a role. The thymus gland is the central control organ for the immune system. When it is functioning properly, the thymus gland acts like a thermostat to provide the right balance of immunity. It turns up heat to help the body fight infection or tumor and down to prevent autoimmune disease. It is the association with the fire element and the fact that it is located under the sternum, just above and in front of the heart, that I find this connection to the fire element in Chinese Medicine. There is a Internal exercise that you can do that is called the Thymus Thump that I learned from Dr. Stephen Chang. You simply Thump on the Chest in Rhythms, like beating a Drum and it increases immune function as well as circulation of blood to the heart and helps bring more warmth to the body. Here is a great U-TUBE Video of someone doing the Thymus Thump, for more in depth instruction to increase circulation of Chi and Energy. I also find your 6 Chakra Chart interesting. What system does that come from? I am sorry if we got off to a rough start in communications, but I found some of your comments to me seemed you were inferring I did not understand love, etc... but perhaps I misread you. I am always open to learning new things. Thank you ChiDragon, for all your great input. I am learning so many things from you and I have so enjoyed your feedback. Much Love, Osalina

Dear ChiDragon, I agree that in many ways the 5 Elements are more like 5 Attributes. Although in most teachings they are also called Elements. I also see the Elemental aspects and correlations to each Element. Earth - has Muscles which is like fabric of earth Fire - Heart and Small Intestines Engine for us Warm blooded creatures and Thymus keeps us warm Water - Urinary system, Reproductive ( conceived and gestate in water) Bones made from mineral salts from Water Metal (Air) - Respiratory and Lungs for breathing Air, Skin exposed to air, Thyroid for oxygen metabolism and Large Intestines where we pass out air Wood (Ether) Space - Nerves and Brain - Holds the space of our thoughts and where ideas are created. Pituitary and Pineal where we activate higher functions of Brain and consciousness

Dear Friend, I appreciate your interest in my book. I am so enjoying the interchange of ideas and concepts. Some of the points that ChiDragon is helping me formulate is the translations of Ayurvedic Elements as compared to Chinese Medicine, so it inspired me to add an extra page or two to my book, which may delay the preview once again for another day or so. But should be available https://www.createspace.com/3873078 by the 1st. When I first printed and laminated my 5 Element Charts and my book was around in 2002, 10 years ago. My goal was to teach 5 Elements in a relative format to people to encourage a deeper understanding of the connection we have with the elements, a way to teach their inter-relations with organs, glands and systems and how their bodies work, the 5 taste and how that relates to various herbs and foods related to those elements and organs, glands and systems as well as emotions and 5 senses. This was all coming mostly from Chinese 5 Element theory, only I borrowed from Ayurvedic Ether or also called (Space), and Air (Metal) as I felt these names for the Elements make more sense to people in terms of what we think of in terms of what we call Elements. However; since there are so many differences in Ayurvedic 5 Elements, I think adding a page or two describing these differences may bring greater clarification to people who have just studied Ayurvedic and ones who have just studied Chinese 5 Element to show both aspects. Of course Ayurvedic is a whole science in itself and as Apech pointed out that Medicine is not only a science it is an art and understanding the depths of mulch-layered meanings requires deep contemplation. By the way Apech - I may have mentioned Paracelsus is in my book when Frances the Fragrance Fairy tells some of the history of Alchemy with the Beet Brothers, she speaks of Paracelsus as the Father of Modern Chemistry, but also very much into the Mystery Schools and Spiritual aspects of healing in Alchemy. Keep shining and thanks for all the feedback, links and ideas Much Love, Osalina

Dear Ya Mu, Thanks for posting my Book Link. I had published it already and recently decided to do some revisions and was not aware till today that CreateSpace puts it in a holding pattern. I am actually glad that is the case and I think I may even add a little on Ayurvedic translations of the Elements, today, which once again puts it into another 48 hour review process. But the great thing about CreateSpace, is you can order a book from them or through Amazon.com and other online stores they link it too and they print on demand, so I can edit and make changes at any point I choose, without having to print up thousands of books. Also thank you ChiDragon for the info on Ayurvedic 5 Elements. Actually Space is also called Ether in Ayurvedic and the Senses and Sense organs are also different in Ayurvedic than they are in Chinese 5 Elements. I am actually more familiar with Chinese 5 Elements. However, I do plan to study Ayurvedic more in depth. I must say though that when I think of Elements and for the purpose of my book, I do not think of metal as an element nor wood and although I do include the Chinese translations, to my mind, elements are earth, water, fire and air. Ether was just the closest term to what I could refer to as an element, and since in Ayurvedic it is listed as a element, in some ways it is even a stretch to call it that. But since wood is definitely not what one would call an element, but more an object in nature, I tried to translate this system in a way that I felt made more sense in terms of the English language and getting people to respect the elements of nature and see how we all connect and how these organs function relate to elements. A great site for Ayurvedic Element descriptions is http://www.holistic-online.com/ayurveda/ayv-basis-five-great-elements.htm In Ayurvedic the Elements are described as Element - Ether (Space) Senses - Hearing Sense Organ - Ears Action - Speech Organ of Action - Vocal Chords, Tongue, Mouth Element - Air Senses - Touch Sense Organ - Skin Action - Holding Organ of Action - Hands Element - Fire Senses - Vision Sense Organ - Eyes Action - Walking Organ of Action - Feet Element - Water Senses - Taste Sense Organ - Tongue Action - Procreation Organ of Action - Genitals Element - Earth Senses - Smell Sense Organ - Nose Action - Excretion Organ of Action - Anus As compared to Chinese Medicine Element - Ether (Wood) Senses - Sight (Vision) Sense Organ - Eyes Action - Thoughts? Organs, Glands and Systems - Brain, Nerves, Pituitary,Pineal, Liver, Gallbladder Element - Air (Metal) Senses - Smell Sense Organ - Nose Action - Breathing Organs, Glands and Systems - Lungs, Skin, Large Intestines, Thyroid, Throat, Vocal Cords, Respiratory System Element - Fire Senses - Touch Sense Organ - Hands Action - Feeling? Organs, Glands and Systems - Heart, Small Intestines, Thymus, Lymphatic, Circulatory Element - Water Senses - Hearing Sense Organ - Ears Action - Procreation Organs, Glands and Systems - Genitals, Bladder, Kidneys, Adrenals, Skeletal, Urinary, Reproductive Element - Earth Senses - Taste Sense Organ - Mouth and Tongue Action - Eating and Movement? Organs, Glands and Systems - Stomach, esophagus, spleen, pancreas, muscular system In Ayurvedic the organs and systems are more described by action and more in terms of solid, gaseous, liquid, etc... such as Earth is the solid, bones, muscles, tissues Water is the Liquids, blood, lymph, urine and waters that transport the goods Fire is the power of transforming solids into liquids, and to gas and back again. Perhaps bile, stomach acids, enzymes, etc... may fit, but I am uncertain. However, these are the things that do turn solids into liquids and gas Air is the gas and oxygen in the body and it is air that is required for fire to burn Ether - is the Space - where everything happens. So each system has its own way of looking at things and each has a logic of its own if you contemplate the reasoning. I think the organ associations have to do with taste a lot as well in Chinese Medicine. Fire: Bitter stimulates bile in small intestines and also increases circulation as well as hot foods. I see small intestines as fire in it being the digestive organ that helps cook foods into liquid nutrients for heart and being as heart pumps warm blood and circulation is what gives us the fire to move and circulate energy, the thymus regulates heat, and lymph helps burn germs, in one sense to fight bacteria. Bitter stimulates bile that transforms solids into liquids, I refer to bitter as heating in that sense. In Ayurvedic, bitter is consider having a cooling, but drying affect. Bitter herbs often have antipyretic and cooling properties or diaphoretic, but often through heating causing sweat to cool the body down Earth: The Spleen/Pancreas connection to sweet in producing insulin, turning starches into sugar. also carbohydrates for muscles and the solid aspect of Earth is also the muscles and tissues. Mouth and Taste perhaps were seen as one of the first senses we experience, when nursing our own mother like earth. I do not know but this is how I envision this relationship. Air (Metal): Pungent and Aromatic tastes relates to air because pungent and aromatic smells are released into air. To me Respiratory seems most natural for air element. Air is breathed in through the Nose, and Lungs and passed out the Large Intestines. The Thyroid metabolizes oxygen in its relationship to air. Water: is Salty like the lakes and oceans have all the mineral salts from plants and sands. To me urinary seems obvious as a water element system - kidneys, adrenals and bladder. Reproductive as we are conceived in fluids in sperm and egg and live within a watery womb and skeletal because the bones are made up of mineral salts from the seas and lakes. Ether (Wood): Sour; Could also be associated with some actions of Liver /Gallbladder. Brain, Pituitary, Pineal ( This is the more mystical aspect of body) where thoughts generated from ether's and they float around in space) Nervous system as Nerve cells are characterized by their ability to conduct electrochemical energy forms called nerve impulses. This to me has correlations with Chi, life force energy, although not quite the same and meridian channels are different, I feel there is a link. Liver/Gallbladder because the liver helps to break substance down to nutrients for the brain and nerves. I still have a hard time with these associations and between wood and ether and liver/gallbladder, perhaps someone here could add to the Liver/Gallbladder connection to Wood in Chinese Medicine.

Dear Taomeow, I am really fascinated by history. In my book the Alchemy of the 5 Elements, and Legend of the Beet Brothers, I teach history intermingled with herbology, nutrition, 5 elements, anatomy and physiology, poetry, mythology, science, etc... I also teach about some of the history related to Alchemy. I even go back to Paracelsus the father of what later became chemistry, although he was more like the Taoist and combined a understanding of physical chemistry with the more subtle aspects of mind and spirit and the mystical. In my series of the Legend of the Beet Brothers as they move into the Alchemy of Foods and Herbs after graduating in the 5 Elements and 5 Senses from the College of Alchemy for Plants to teach humans the 5 Elements, they travel the world learning from plants. This format allows me to teach about the history of each plant, its origins and journey as it was traded and brought to various lands, as well as the wars, slavery and corruption that sometimes occurred between humans from what I feel is a plants perspective. I can also teach about when humans started genetically modifying certain plants or plants especially heavily sprayed or exploited. The effects of the oil spills and radiation leaks on some of our sea plant friends, and where to find the least affected and healthiest sources, etc... I teach about each plants many healing uses and other uses as well. I find this a great format for me to educate people about many of the serious issues we are facing as a planet and offer solutions for changes to correct these imbalances both in our human bodies, and the body of earth. History can teach us a lot and when put into an imaginative children's story using puns, play's on words and humor whenever possible. My idea is to make my courses more entertaining to read, as when we get too serious as humans, I find we get too depressed to really do anything about our problems, or paranoid and mean. I find watching the Daily Show to get my news makes it more palatable; as the regular news makes me so angry and is so often dishonest lies, that watching the daily show, in my opinion relays more truth as to what is really going on and allows me to take in the information more. Did you write the story on the Allian.wordpress? That was really well written and quite engaging with the woman in the airport. It is so funny how different other cultures are from American. Keep Shining Osalina

Dear Snowmonki, Thanks for your warm welcome. I look forward to checking out the links you gave furthur. It looks like great stuff. I also appreciate your sharing Taomeow. When my Mom was in Beijing China in the 80's and was trying to get her Chinese Acupuncture Doctor friends in America, she tried everything to no success. The Chinese Government was so oppressive and letters I read from her Doctor friends were so sad about how the Chinese Government often separated them from their own family for a year or more at a time. I also agree with you about how the rich elite of this country besides the Rockerfellow's; Lily Pharmaceuticals, of the Bush family are behind a lot of suppression of natural medicine and westernization of medicine around the world for greed for quite some time. These conspiracies actually go back to the College of Physicians and before and the Witch Trials were also an example of a way to suppress midwives and herbalists from providing simple natural cures to the common people. Pharmaceuticals, blood letting and all kinds of barbaric practices of medicine contrary to common sense and propagated by greedy people to profit on the poor and sick has been going on for probally as long as we have had civilizations. Greed and suppression of cures that are simple and easy to obtain has been something people of money and power like to suppress. However, this is not to say that all people of wealth and power are like this, or that western medicine does not have its benefits in some cases. Of course there are many compassionate healers in Western Medicine practices, but sadly, natural medicine and teaching people knowledge about how to unblock energy through touch and movement and use simple foods and herbs to heal is especially scary to people who want to enslave people to the system they have in place for so called health and happiness that involves getting them rich while poisoning people, plants, animals and the earth.

Dear ChiDragon, Thank you for this. I love the Chinese and Taoist descriptions of these things. As simplistic as they may seem to some people, they really provide so much information. The more you know the relationships of these Elements with all parts of the body, you can begin to see clues as to how not only the elements affect each other, but the inter-re;relationships between all parts of the body and the body of earth, as well as the universe. The microcosm in the macrocosm and visa versa. Your reminding me of the relationships of these elements also helped me to understand why they translated Wood from Ether and Metal from Wood in order to explain relationships in a way harder to translate in the Ayurvedic terminology. Each system has its own unique way of explaining what causes disease and what herbs and foods and conditions can aide a person in finding balance. My main thing is herbs and probally my greatest expertise, is as a Master Herbalist. I use the Elements as a way to understand how herbs work through their relationship to various elements, the 5 senses, Touch - temperatures and textures (hot, cold, wet, dry, rough, smooth) and Fire Element, Taste - bitter, sour, sweet, salty, pungent and aromatic and Earth Element, Sight= shape and visual clues, gem therapy and color, related to the 7 Chakra's and Wood - Ether Element. Smell - various aromatic herbs and foods related to taste and Air (Metal) Element. I also teach about Sound therapy related to various notes, musical instruments and music styles relationships to the 7 Chakra's and Water Element. Then I go into the Chemistry and Properties of herbs for a more western approach to their many benefits. Some examples: Fire: Bitter and Hot Foods - bitter stimulates bile in the small intestines and hot and bitter foods have a heating affect to burn and cook germs, and warm the body working with Thymus and Lymphatic, stimulate greater circulation for the heart for these fire element organs, glands and system. Earth: Sweet - sweet foods provide sugar that the pancreas turns into glucose for the production of insulin. Starches (Carbohydrates) also turn to sugar and are needed for muscle building along with proteins. The spleen also assists in turning starches to sugar. Sweet is the first taste as humans we taste in our Mouth when arriving on earth through our earth mother. This taste relates to these earth element organs, glands and system. Water: Salty - The adrenals secrete hormones that are related to fluid/electrolyte balance, mineral salts provide the electrolytes needed by the body and the kidneys also serves as a filter for these salts that in excess are stored in Bladder to be released with the waters. It is also in oceans, lakes and streams in which these salts are deposited and seaweeds and aquatic plants are especially high in mineral salts. This taste relates to these water element organs, glands and system. Metal (Air): Pungent and Aromatic - aromatic and pungent herbs and foods open the lungs and help expel air and gas from the large intestines. I have heard a statement that Metal chops wood to bring out the aroma in the air. Pungent aromatics are also antifungal for skin conditions and respiratory infections or even candida and fungus that start in the large intestines and can become systemic. This taste relates to these Metal (Air) element organs, glands and system. Wood (Ether): Sour - sour foods also stimulate bile and gastric juices to activate the liver and gallbladder in the wood element. Sour is also astringent and draws tissues together. Although Astringent may not be as relevant to Wood in relationship to Liver, Gallbladder, Nerves, Brain, Pineal and Pituitary, however, this aspects of sour working with liver and gallbladder does aide in assimilation of fat soluble vitamins and many nutrients such as B12 that is essential to brain and nerve function. This taste relates to these Wood or Ether element organs, glands and system. These are just some of the ways that I apply these teachings in my work as an Herbalist for practical use and understanding for bringing the body into balance Touch Sense; Textures and temperatures Hot: Too much heat causes irritations and inflammations Not enough heat and the body becomes sluggish and sedate Cold: Too much cold sedates the body and slows circulation. When their is too much heat you need cooling foods to cool the heart to calm the nerves and bring down inflammations Wet: Too many fluids not being properly circulated and released as needed can create fluid on lungs, edema, enlarged heart, germs, fungus and bacteria like to grow in wet marshy environments. Not enough fluids circulating and the body becomes toxic, or organs dry out or skin dries and becomes more susceptible to aging. Deserts crumble into dust Dry: When the body dries, it ages, lubrication is needed to circulate nutrients, such as through mucus membranes, urinary, blood, etc... But too much moisture - breeds disease and many conditions, some listed above Smooth; things such as fats and oils, mucilaginous foods like pectin, seaweeds, cooked starches, etc.. are needed for lubrication, easy delivery throughout the body and to take down inflammation. Too many fats or mucus forming foods create many disease conditions, obesity, congestion, etc.. Rough: roughage is needed to scrub and clean intestines or like a dry brush to scrub skin for better circulation. too much roughage when colon is irritated and inflamed can be more irritating. Like scrubbing a wound on skin, it can cause more damage. In 5 Element and Chinese Medicine it is all about finding balance and harmony. Not too hot or Cold, Wet or Dry, Smooth or Soft, Yin or Yang Etc...

Hello, My name is Osalina. I found you through Dr. Stephen Chang who was a teacher of mine in Maui in the 80's and 90's while I was living there. I have a website www.abcpeace.com which I am currently working on to transfer from www.abcpeace.net and so I created a link to Stephen on my currently www.abcpeace.net site and found your site. Taoist Alchemy is a subject I am especially interested in since I have just published a new book called "The Alchemy of the 5 Elements" subtitled "The Legend of the Beet Brothers". In my book I teach the 5 Element Theory along with the history of Alchemy and its relationship to the 5 Elements through an imaginative children's story called "The Legend of the Beet Brothers" In this story the Beet Brothers (Beet the Beetnik and his brother Mr. Beet Hoven) study with the 5 Elements in the College of of Alchemy for Plants to learn how to heal humans. Their Elemental teachers are Solar the Sun King, Edena the Earth Mother, Airey the Air Angel, Watson the Water King and Ester and Ethen the Ether King and Queen also using Ayurvedic analogy instead of wood and metal for ether and air. I teach about the organs, glands, systems, taste, emotions, motivations connected to each element, herbs and foods etc... through poetry, story, humor and many recipes and include history lessons based on actual history of alchemy and myths surrounding alchemy. So I thought it would be fun to share these ideas with others who seem to be of like mind. Looking forward to connecting with you all. If you like I can add a direct link to this site as well from my website.

No offense, and perhaps I am misreading you - But your communications seem to me a bit assuming you do not know me or anything about me and you feel a bit self important. I certainly do have experience with Love more than you could know. I am a Mother and gave birth to two daughters and worked as a healer for over 30 years. I also studied Chinese 5 Elements for 35 years with many Masters and my former husband was Acupuncture Doctor who studied in Bejing. So please be a little more clear about what your talking about. I certainly have gaps in my knowledge as probally the majority of people do, I certainly would never claim to know everything, but your responses to me seem almost hostile and arrogant and certainly do not seem to reflect the energy of love.

Hi, I relate more to Ayurvedic names for the 5 Elements and prefer calling Wood - Ether and Metal - Air. However, I had it explained to me that wood can represent life force, like the Ethers from where all life springs and evolves and Metal cuts wood to bring out the aroma and fragrance in air. I am not sure exactly what was meant by your comment as a general statement on the aspect of Love being of most importance, or you feel somehow my intro was missing love. As far as elements, the fire element does relate to the heart and when in balance one feels very connected to love. When out of balance the fire element can go cold and one feels disconnected from their love or excess fire and this manifest as anxiety and stress and also disconnects one from their heart center and their love. If I have misread you, please explain? When one has never met before, words can be interpreted in many ways.