Earth
Earth is an element of fertility, cultivation, femininity, and wrath. Earth governs the Spleen and the Stomach. The Spleen, a yin organ, regulates digestion and the metabolism. It also holds the flesh and organs in their proper place while directing the movement of ascending fluids and essences. Mentally, the Spleen aids in concentration. Imbalance of the Spleen leads to chi deficiencies, diarrhea, organ prolapses, and headaches. The Spleen Meridian begins at the big toe, moves to the inner aspect of the leg, up to the front of the torso, and ends on the side of the trunk. The Stomach, the most active yang organ, breaks down food and controls the descending movement of chi. Imbalance of the stomach leads to vomiting and belching. The Stomach Meridian begins below the eye, moves down the front of the face, torso, to the outer part of the leg, and ends on the third toe.
Read more about this topic: TCM Model Of The Body
Famous quotes containing the word earth:
“There seems to be a kind of order in the universe, in the movement of the stars and the turning of the earth and the changing of the seasons, and even in the cycle of human life. But human life itself is almost pure chaos. Everyone takes his stance, asserts his own rights and feelings, mistaking the motives of others, and his own.”
—Katherine Anne Porter (1890–1980)
“There by some wrinkled stones round a leafless tree
With beards askew, their eyes dull and wild
Twelve ragged men, the council of charity
Wandering the face of the earth a fatherless child....”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“In a sense the world dies every time a writer dies, because, if he is any good, he has been a wet nurse to humanity during his entire existence and has held earth close around him, like the little obstetrical toad that goes about with a cluster of eggs attached to his legs.”
—E.B. (Elwyn Brooks)