The 5 elements are extremely significant in understanding you mind and body and how they work on both the subtle (mental) and gross (physical) forms. Knowing them and how to use them are the key to health and longevity of your body and mind.
When you have too much off or lack certain elements, an imbalance can occur leading to specific physical, emotional and mental diseases.
The 5 elements that make up your physical and mental constitution are also found in the food you eat. In fact, all the foods that you eat are made up of the 5 elements in various proportions.
In order to establish optimum health and balance it is important to consume food and beverages that have a good variety – quality and quantity of all 5 elements.
When you eat the right types of foods with the right amount of elements you experience vigor, vitality and strength. Your appetite is good, you don’t over eat, your bodily tissues are strong and your physiological processes are functioning well.
Here is a brief description of the 5 elements below and how to incorporate them in your diet to create a healthy balance for your physical, emotional and psychological well-being.
1. Earth (Prthvi) – represents strength, solidity, stability and foundation giving resistance in action. The earth element, representing the solid state of matter, along with the water element is responsible for the physical constitution of the body. Bones, muscles, fat and other tissues are considered earth elements. The qualities of earth include heavy, hard, gross and stable.
Good earth type foods to include in your diet are: grains (ex: rice, oatmeal, wheat), and root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, yams and turnips. These foods are sweet and can be astringent in taste. Eating these foods provides stability and strength and helps replenish and rebuild the tissues in the body. They give confidence to the mind.
2. Water (Ap) – represents liquidity and fluidity allowing for movement and life. The water element represents the liquid state of matter and is responsible for the fluid circulation and the absorption of nutrients in the body. Plasma, blood, lymph and other fluids are considered water elements. The qualities of water include fluidity, cold, moist, and mobile.
Good water type foods to include in your diet are: watery types of fruits and vegetables such as melons and cucumbers, organic whole milk or buttermilk, fruit juice and filtered water. Such foods generally have sweet tastes. Eating these foods helps to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. They moisten the joints and internal passages, and create a sense of contentment in the mind.
3. Fire (Tejas) – represents light and illumination, allowing for perception and transformation. The fire element has the power to heat and change the state of any substance. In the body it is responsible for digestion, and metabolism for healthy physiological processes & responses. The qualities of fire include hot, sharp, subtle, dry, and light
Good fire type foods to include in your diet are: ginger, black pepper, hot peppers, red lentils, nuts, garlic, onions and all salts. These foods are pungent and sometimes sour and salty in taste. Foods made up of the fire element help with digestion, purify the organs, maintain body temperature, give glow to the skin, and provide clarity in your thoughts.
4. Air (Vayu) – represents subtle movement, manifesting ideas of direction, velocity and giving the basis for thought. The air element, also known as wind represents the gaseous state of matter and indicates mobility. In the body the air element is responsible for the respiratory system and is necessary for all energy transfers. Air is also the key element needed for fire to burn. The qualities of air include light, dry and subtle.
Good air type foods to include in your diet are: beans, lentils, and green leafy vegetables. These foods have bitter and astringent tastes. Eating such foods creates lightness and movement in the body and clarity in the mind.
5. Ether (Akasa) – represents the space or container for things and to exist. Ether or space is in fact where everything takes place. The ether element relates to all hollow or empty places in the body, such as our channels and pores. The qualities of Ether include subtle, light, and clear
Good ether type foods to include in your diet are: light vegetables such as lettuce, kale, sprouts and other leafy vegetables. These are often bitter and astringent in taste. Eating such foods and herbs helps detoxify the body and cleanse and improve all bodily tissues.
Here are some other Important factors to consider:
Earth nourish our whole body with foods from the earth making us strong, supple and stable.
Water hydrates our whole body and is our own life-sustaining nectar, making up more than 75 % of our total body mass.
Fire provides our body with heat and radiant energy and exists within all our metabolic and chemical actions.
Air flows freely throughout our body, giving movement to biological functions and feeding every one of our cells with oxygen, water and nutrients.
Space is ever-present within our whole body, providing the other elements with an opportunity to interact in various ways listed above.