Written by John Immel, Asheville, NC

Observe the Natural World

In every corner of the globe and every ecological niche, plants and animals have adapted to life in the natural world. Humans have also adapted. Our health is directly correlated to our ability to withstand the seasons. Some of us feel strong in winter, others in summer. The body evolved in nature, and to an Ayurvedic practitioner there is no separation of medicine and nature.

Ayurveda's origins come from observation of the natural world. The ancient founders of Ayurveda watched how other species defended themselves against dampness, heat, wind, dryness, and other basic qualities of nature. From them, they learned how to strengthen the body's defenses. Thus, Ayurveda begins with the basic five elements in nature.

The elements are the basic characteristics of all reality. In Medieval times as in modern, all cultures believed the world around them was made up of elements. But in Medieval times, people believed the form (characteristics of something) was more important than the matter (atoms, protons etc). So they classified matter as earthy, watery, fiery, airy, or etheric.

Can you identify which elements might be increased or decreased in your body from the following?

The Five Elements

To Ayurveda, the elements of nature are not forces in themselves, but rather states. The five elements are the most common qualities one encounters in nature. They include ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Chinese medicine also adds metal and wood elements. Our five senses have evolved in the context of the natural world. Thus, our bodies are well attuned to interpret and assess the environment using the concept of these five elements. The body uses the elements to interpret the seasons and determine the appropriate foods to eat. Modern materials, such as concrete, may be confusing to the senses.

Ether

Ether correlates with form, nature, or shape (as in Plato's 'ideas' or 'forms'). Objects have both substance and shape. When this shape disintegrates or is reformed into another shape, there is a change, not in substance, but of ether. For example, reshaping clay from a statue of a bird into a bust of Napolean is a change in ether, not in substance.

Excess ether correlates to identification with things out of proportion to one's nature / form or shape. An etheric person spends too much time in the dream world, imagines they are something they are not, is disconnected, or has a distorted perspective on reality. On a physical level, excess ether could include everything from excessive weight loss, to excessive weight gain - any departure from one's true nature is an excess of ether.

Balanced ether in the body can look like:

• Appropriate feelings of empathy, connection
• Good flow of creativity
• Adaptability
• Ability to consider more subtle topics eg: philosophy

Deficient ether element can present as stubbornness, preoccupation with one's self (egoic nature), and inflexibility.

Ether is characterized by nonresistance, space, and receptivity. It is subtle, soft, and light. Weight loss increases ether element. Isolation, loneliness, drugs, and/or spiritual practices that increase spaciness have ether element. It is associated with the spirit, sound, and the ears.

Air

Air correlates with movement, direction and the process of change (of ether). It is light, dry, subtle, cold, and dispersive. Substances that increase air include caffeine, pungent spices, exercises, and mental stimulation. It is associated with thoughts, nerve impulses, breath, touch, peristalsis, and the musculo-skeletal system. Air is linked to Vata dosha.

In the body, balanced air can look like:

• Easy, smooth breathing
• Graceful, agile movement
• A balance of movement and rest.

However, excess air in the system can cause:

• Dry, rough skin
• Gas, bloating, hiccups, cramping, irregular digestion
• Anxiety, insomnia
• Erratic movement eg: ticks, twitches, spasms
• Scattered thinking, inability to organize thoughts
• Talking without thinking, going on tangents

Deficient air element can look like excess stable quality.

Fire

Fire correlates with energy, visible light, and the appearance of things. It is hot, penetrating, subtle, light, and dry. Alcohol, pungent spices, and analytical activity increase fire. It is associated with the eyes and brightness of the skin. Fire prioritizes truth and clarity over relationships.

Fire is generally linked to Pitta dosha and transformation in the body. It helps break down and process everything we come into contact with. Healthy, balanced fire element looks like intelligence and balanced heat:

• Regular, healthy appetite and thirst
• Easy digestion
• Healthy, rosy glow to skin, ruby lips
• Bright, sparkling eyes
• Resilience, courage
• Intellectual sharpness

Excess fire in the body can look like excess heat:

• Bounding pulse behind belly button, in head
• Rashes, acne
• Flushed skin, excess sweat
• Voracious hunger with inability to gain weight
• Yellow coloring in eyes, skin, tongue coating
• Anger, hostility
• Infection, inflammation

Deficient fire element can show up as excess cold.

Water

Water provides cohesion and relationship. It is fluid, sticky, and soft. It is associated with sweetness, emotion, and fertility. Water sacrifices righteousness for relationship. It is associated with tastebuds, the heart, reproductive organs, and fat tissue.

Cool, heavy water is linked to Kapha dosha, while hot acid and bile are more Pitta-type fluids. Healthy, balanced water element often looks like:

• Dewy, supple skin
• Sufficient digestive enzymes, GI lubrication
• Healthy, easy-flowing blood
• Appropriate thirst, hunger, urination
• Formed, easy to pass stool
• Stable, protected nerves

However, excess water can present as:

• Edema
• Feeling heavy, fatigued, dull
• Excess mucus secretion
• Diarrhea, loose watery stool
• Hydrocephalus

Deficient water element can present as dryness.

Earth

Earth is heavy, solid, and dense. It gives our body substance and solidity. All solid parts of the body are an expression of the earth element. Earthy people are grounded, stable, stubborn, and hard. It is associated with smell, muscle, the base of the spine, and the soul.

Earth is a Kapha element, giving stability and grossness. Balanced earth element will look like:

• Strong bone, muscle, fat formation
• Overall strong, sturdy constitution
• Good stamina
• Reliable, nurturing
• Ability to stick with a task, project

If there is excess earth element in the body, it can appear as:

• Weight gain, low muscle tone
• Bone spurs
• Stagnation/obstruction of blood, lymph
• Feeling sluggish, unmotivated, 'stuck in a rut'
• Slow, sluggish digestion
• Stubborn, unable to adapt to change

Deficient earth element can look like excess ether element or lightness.

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