In ELEMENT STRUCTURE OF NATURE

Naturopathy, as a medicinal practice, is mainly based on the principle of the five elements of nature or the human body. These five elements lay the foundation of everything on Earth.  

In Sanskrit, these elements are called the “Panch-maha-bhootas” which means the “five” “big” elements” respectively. We know that they are namely Fire, Air, Ether, Earth and Water, which, starting from the thumb to the pinky finger, symbolize all elements respectively.  

When we go way back, at the beginning of creation, we understand that first, these elements were created by the power of consciousness of the supreme being or God. There are different things that each element symbolizes and hold characteristic: 

• Ether or Aakash element – sound (most subtle form) 
• Air or Vaayu element – touch (sound in a recessive form) 
• Agni or Fire element – form/ color, (sound and touch in the recessive form) 
• Water or Jal element – taste, (form, sound and touch in a recessive form) 
• Earth or Prithvi element – smell (taste, form, sound and touch in the recessive form) 

 The cell of a living organism contains all the five elements as their components: 

EARTH – structure of the cell (cell membrane) 

WATER – cytoplasm of the cell 

FIRE – metabolism 

ETHER – space to accommodate the various cell organelles  

AIR – respiration and movement of nutrients, ions and metabolic waste products\ 

The proportion of all elements differ in the body. Water constitutes 72%, Air 6%, earth 12%, Fire 4% and Ether 6%. Usually, the ether elements’ proportion can be enhanced while the others remain constant.  

 ETHER ELEMENT: 

• Represents all the body channels, pores and empty spaces. It is present in hollow cavities within the body. 
• It includes cavities like cranial cavity, sinuses, thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity and many other cavities which are present in our whole body.  
• Its importance is to allow for the potential to move 
• For example, the space in the thoracic cavity allows the movement of air through the respiratory tract and the movement of blood I.e., cardiovascular circulation through the spaces within the chambers of heart.  

The ether element is the king of health and is the most effective of all the five elements. 

Imbalances in the ether element results in the following: 

An excess in this element can create a sense of detachment, cause diseases like parkinsons, dizziness, restlessness and heart palpitations, etc.  

The deficiency of the same may cause feelings of stubbornness, inflexibility, respiratory disorders like asthma, muscle soreness, etc.  

Other issues include thyroid disorders, throat problems, speech disorders, epilepsy, madness, etc.  

 For balancing the ether element through naturopathy practices: 

• Fasting (short, intermittent, long) 
• Eating less than required for complete satisfaction of hunger 
• Vital forces can be increased and made efficient by rest and relaxation, self-control, simple and rightful living, mental balance and discipline and deep sleep. 

 AIR ELEMENT: 

It represents the gaseous form of matter. It acts as a driving force behind all the movements or air initiates and directs movement or motion. This element controls all the voluntary as well as involuntary body movements.  

It alters at both physical and mental level because the sensory as well as the motor impulse are governed by this element. It is responsible for expansion, contraction and vibration, and movements like them.  

Imbalances in the air element results in the following: 

Excess of the air element results in hyper-mobility, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, gas and bloating, unsteady state of mind, insomnia, depletion of energy, etc.  

Deficiency of the same element may cause dullness, loss of motion, weak senses, dry skin, giddiness, constipation, poor circulation, lack of creativity, boredom and laziness, etc.  

Naturopathic and yogic interventions include: 

Yoga has mobilizing properties and helps to maintain a state of homeostasis in the body.  

This is possible through Ozone therapy, breathing exercises, massage, yogic breathing and pranayama.  

 FIRE ELEMENT: 

It represents the metabolic state of the body. This element has the power to transform the state of any substance and provides energy for the metabolic activities of the body. It controls body temperature as well as the body’s metabolic rate.  

It transforms energy into food containing vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals to the energy which is then utilized by our cells.  

 Imbalances in the fire element results in the following: 

Excess in the fire element creates restlessness, anxiety, sweating, sensitivity to heat, heartburn, acidity, ulcers, red face, rashes, bloodshot eyes, frequent urination, constant need of attention and fever, etc.  

Deficiency of the same may cause lusterless complexion, clammy skin, thick coating on the tongue, dull and glassy eyes, low energy, inertia, lack of appetite, poor digestion, cold, prone to addictions, poor circulation and stiff joints, etc. 

Naturopathic and yogic interventions say: 

It has a regulatory property. It includes heliotherapy which consists of sunbathing and chromo therapy which uses different colors.  

 WATER ELEMENT: 

It represents the liquid state of the body. It governs the flow of the constituents of all fluids from bodily fluids like digestive juices, plasma, saliva, urine and so on. These bodily fluids move between the cells and the vessels which are carrying nutrients, metabolic waste, etc.  

The water element is cool and soft.  

Imbalances in the water element results in the following: 

Excess in this element will result in bloating, swollen legs, feet and ankles, stiff joints, weight fluctuations, excessive emotions, nausea, salivation, excessive sleep, varicose veins, cough and congestion, nasal mucus or runny nose, etc.  

A deficiency in in the same element may cause decreased urination, dry and dull skin, palpitations, dry mouth and less salivation, low blood pressure, weight gain, abdominal pain and cramps, headaches, irritability, weakness in muscles, feeling of emptiness and frequent illness, etc.  

 Naturopathic and yogic interpretations include: 

It has eliminative properties. It includes hydrotherapy in its treatment. Water has cooling, heating, diluting and cleansing properties. It is used in all three forms, solid, gaseous and liquid. It can be given in the form of packs and be used in baths. 

EARTH ELEMENT: 

 It represents the solid state of matter. It has the highest density among all other elements. All the solid structures in the body are represented by the earth element in the forms like bones, hair, teeth, muscles, tendons, etc. It is responsible for the structure, shape and strength of the body. The fire element is heavy, coarse, hard, dull, stable and gross.  

Imbalance of Earth element: shows itself as general weakness in the body, loss of calcium from bones, obesity, cholesterol, weight loss, and weight gain, muscular diseases, etc. 

 Practices you can follow to establish balance of the earth element in the body include: 

Grounding. Also known as Earthing, grounding is the practice of physical grounding yourself (either in nature or energetically). Simple habits like Getting Outside, Color Healing, Eating Earthy Foods, Gardening, Using Affirmations, etc. May prove extremely useful.