Seasonal Acupressure Tune-Up — Winter/Water Balancing — January -March
Stimulate Deep Functional Wellness, Peace, Stillness/ Kidney -Bladder

Values Quiz, 5-Element System, Foods & Horary Acupressure Points

by Alvina Quatrano | May 7, 2024 | 5-Element Class

Seasonal eating is a key to health and wellness. This page will connect you to information that can help you to balance and strengthen your –what aryurvedics would call Doshas — your natural way of being at any time. Discover; The 5-Element Diagram and Chart from ancient Taoist teachings that follow The Nature of All Things. Seasonal Foods listed from John Garvey’s out of print book The Five Phases of Food: How To Begin 2nd Edition; and helpful acupoints called Horary Points which you can use hourly & daily, anytime (for insomnia) and when traveling to avoid jet lag by tuning your body clock to the time of your destination. Enjoy!!!

SAVE This Page (BOOKMARK) so that you can get back to the info below.

Take the Values & 5-Elements Quiz (automated version only available a short while) —

Paper Version of Values & 5-Elements Quiz (answer sheet at end) seasonally to determine any changes you may be experiencing and then support yourself with the Horary Acupoints and 5-Element Foods. For 1-CE for MT’s please let me know your results and any questions you might havev when you finish the quiz by emailing me at alvinaq@me.com.

“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”  Hippocrates

“Organ Pairs are Nourished by Foods in the Same Phase”  Garvey

Description of 5-Element Diagram

Pentagon containing a Pentagram — outer solid line composed of vector arrows indicating a clockwise direction of energy flow is known as the nourishment cycle (Or Mother Cycle)— each phase tonifies or increases the energy in the proceeding phase.

The dotted-line Pentagram or star-formation within the Pentagon represents what is known as The Control Cycle (or Grandmother Cycle).  Here each phase acts to sedate or decrease the energy content of the phase which is located 2 positions in front of it.

The dual function of nourishment and control exists for each phase. 

“That which tonifies (supplies) when taken in moderation, will sedate (drain) when taken in excess: quantity changes quality”      Garvey

Garvey continues, “The secret to maintaining balance is to supply where there is deficiency and to drain where there is excess. Most acute symptoms indicate excess while chronic symptoms indicate deficiency”.

From Paul Lundberg, “If fire is weak water may extinguish it If water is deficient fire can vaporize it — overcoming the element that usually controls it.  Reversal of control sequence is called Counteracting or Insulting.

The Key Word Is Balance

Fire and Water balance each other,

Metal and Wood balance each other, and

Earth is at the Center that balances all the other four elements.

At transitional times we take on Earth Qualities (pivot) until the next season. {An important acupoint to support transitions is Stomach 25 which is 2 cun (thumb widths) on either side of the Navel. It is known as “Spiritual Pivot”

WATER allows Wood to grow (inspire)

WOOD fuels the Fire (energizes)

FIRE nourishes the Earth (ashes into soil) 

EARTH creates structured Metals (coal, diamonds) 

METAL nourishes Water (breaks down element into air, water

WATER controls FIRE (hot flashes & fevers)

WOOD stabilizes EARTH (clear up indigestion, infuses enthusiasm)

EARTH contains and provides boundaries for WATER (motivate, nourish)

FIRE controls METAL(inspires and loosens up seriousness)

METAL controls WOOD(create structure & discipline projects complete)

Adaptation — Creating a Zone of Resiliency

To stay healthy a person must continually adapt to changes going on both inside & outside the body. If adaptations are not made illness can manifest as disharmony — too far in the stress zone.  The task is to interpret cause and adjust lifestyle to restore body function.

One must look after yourself and be responsible for your own condition.

Rest. Exercise. Diet, Security.

Nourishing/Shen Cycle aka “Mother & Child”

          WATER allows Wood to grow & accomplish things.

          WOOD fuels the Fire to reach out for relationships.

          FIRE creates Earth (ashes into soil) which nourishes all.

          EARTH condenses to create structured Metals (coal, diamonds). 

          METAL enriches Water to settle, rest & be quiet.

Control/Restraining/Ko Cycle aka “Grandmother”

WATER extinguishes FIRE 

Hot flashes due to deficient Water or 

too much Fire can vaporize Water (fried) 

WOOD penetrates/roots into/stabilizes EARTH 

Sugar & High protein stresses liver. Too acidic and liver becomes toxic, overworked. (Symptoms=Breast sensitivity, Digestion problems, constipation, diarrhea, Menstrual problems). 

EARTH dams/provides boundaries for  WATER 

Too much earth, waterlogged, bloated, edemic, sensitive to humidity. Difficult to loose weight/fleshy/worrier. Sluggish, unmotivated. Must find balance in taking care of others and our own needs. 

FIRE melts Metal 

Inspiring, playfulness—child-self. Lightness

METAL cuts WOOD 

Can give structure to dreams. Can inspire or criticism can impinge upon

  the childlike qualities of wood — (performing, creativity). 

5-Element Chart

The 5-Element Supporting Foods

The Five Tastes 

from Lundberg referencing the Shang Su text,

     “ That which soaks and descends (water) is salty, that which blazes

       upward (fire) is bitter, that which can be bent and straightened (wood)

       is sour, that which can be moulded and become hard (metal) is 

       pungent, that which permits sowing and reaping (earth) is sweet.”

5-Element Foods For Each Season

 WOOD/Spring

Liver/Gall Bladder 

LIVER SUPPORTING FOODS 

Sour Foods, Tart Fruits, Citrus Fruits, Grapefruit Juice, Healthy Oils/Fats are good for liver–create insulation & ability to buffer stress.  Steamed Dark Greens, Broccoli, Carrots, Green Peppers, Zucchini, Avocado, Lettuces, Pickles, Olives, Chicken Liver Pate, Chicken (free range)=Blood-Building Tonic, Sour Yoghurt, Pastas, Wheat, Barley, Oats, Rye, Spelt(Russian wheat), Green Lentils,Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Mayo, Butter, Strawberries, Sour Plums, Sour Apples, Sour Cherries, Crab apples, Hibiscus, Cheeses, Wheat, Oats, Barley, Split Pea, Mung, Green Lentil, Artichoke, Lettuce, Parsley, Pea, Rhubarb, Snap Bean, Zucchini, String Bean, Vinegar.

Craving Chinese Food, Greasy Fried Food, Pizza, Peanut Butter, Buttery Foods, Cappuccino (Night Owls), Coffee, Cola>> crank up a sluggish Liver but can be addictive, poisonous or damaging to Liver.

The Wood Personality

Wood Personality
Wood type people have a greenish complexion, small hands and long face with a pointed chin and wide shoulders. They are seldom overweight  due to their fast-working metabolism. These people are very organized and logical. They plan things well and get frustrated if they go wrong. They are thinkers, their mind is always on the go so they tend to always be doing something. They seek challenges and push to the limit. They love action, movement and adventure and like to be the first and the best.(Discovering The 5 Personality Types – Which one are you?by ICOM_admin | Sep 6, 2018)
When anger predominates, a person becomes easily upset by frustration and obstacles and unable to appropriately restrain their feelings. They get angry easily and are prone to shouting. These unstable emotions result in the uneven circulation of Qi (energy) and Blood, creating a generalized state of tension and stress.
Usually they exert tremendous self-discipline in order to maintain self-control and composure. Wood types prefer mornings to afternoons. They benefit form meditation. Yoga or Thai Chi helping them to modulate their intensity and encouraging their bodies to stay flexible, as they tend to have tight muscles and suffer from cramp. It is important to them to eat slowly, while relaxed. Climatic wind can cause them headaches as can drugs, alcohol and irregular sleep.  They are prone to nervous disorders, eye strain, allergy type disorders (often products), sinusitis, hay fever and to ailments such as ulcers, hemorrhoids and migraine headaches.

The Pioneer (Wood Archetype) (Jing J)
You’re bold, driven, confident, ambitious, assertive, decisive and competitive. You’re also likely to be committed, focused, and determined.
You love action and adventure, and perform well under pressure. Curious about the uncharted territory, you’re eager to innovate, reform and revolutionize.
Metamorphosis is your organizing principle, and action compels you.
On the other hand, you have a tendency to overdo, over-perform and over-direct.
When you push yourself too far and spread yourself too thin, you may have a tendency to either discharge the pent-up energy thorough emotional outbursts, overindulgence, erratic and compulsive behaviors, or become overwhelmed, uptight and exhausted.
Physically, the wood archetype may develop headaches, cramps and muscle spasms, high blood pressure, nerve inflammations, and migratory pain.
Recommendations
If you are a wood archetype, you may need to watch your tendency toward extremism.
Give yourself permission to rest and relax, and establish some level of regularity and stability in life, such as regular diet, sleep and exercise. It’ll help you go the distance, and enjoy your adventure even more.

Horary AcuPoints that support Wood Element …Spring Season
To strengthen element and organ stimulate these points at time of day or season.

Wood – Spring (horary acupoints pictured below)
Gall Bladder 41 – 11 pm-1 am pinky toe well

Liver 1 – 1-3 am Tip Big Toe

FIRE/Summer

Heart/Small Intestine  Pericardium/Triple Warmer

Fire Supporting Foods

Bitter Greens, Swiss Chard, Black Beans, Red Lentils. Bitter Dark Chocolate, Pistachio Nuts, Corn, Asparagus, Dandelion, Escarole, Okra, Apricot, Guava, Loquat, Persimmon, Raspberry, Strawberry, Sesame, Hops, Tomato.

Craving (Excitants/Electrolytes): Popcorn, Shrimp, Chocolate, Coffee, Liquor, Tobacco.

FIRE Personality

Fire Personality
Fire type people have a red complexion and a skinny face. They are full of muscles in the back and have a small head. They have a stable step and sway their shoulders while walking. Fire people are energetic, they believe in the power of charisma and desire. The have creative potential, are intuitive and passionately emphatic.
They love sensation, drama and sentiment. Fire types are unconcerned about material wealth. They tend to have little confidence, plenty of worries, are sharp and fond of beauty.
Joy is the emotion associated with the Fire element; therefore pleasure is the main focus of these people’s lives. They seek gratification at every turn and can become jaded, driven to seek still more stimulation. They appear fun-loving and romantic but in fact may be unable to sustain their interest and excitement without external props and other people’s attention.
They dislike being alone — by themselves they feel lifeless; in company they come alive. Their easy excitability manifests as giggling and talkativeness. When they are not up, they are down. When they are not filled with  excitement, they feel empty and hopeless.
Hot weather exhausts Fire people, as they are hot by nature (Heat is the climate associated with the fire element). They should live on a low salt, natural food diet. They should not smoke or consume excess alcohol. Regular and gentle exercise, as well as relaxation techniques and stress management will help them relax. Fire type people are prone to anxiety, insomnia and depression. They are subject to physical problems of cardiovascular nature such as hypertension, palpitations, arrhythmia, arterial circulation problems and ailments such as sweating, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and high cholesterol.

The Wizard (Fire Archetype)
You’re lively, intuitive, communicative, charismatic, optimistic, and enthusiastic. You’re also likely to be devoted, tender and empathetic.
A natural salesman, you believe in the power of charisma and desire. You love sensation, drama, and sentiment, and you relish excitement and delight in intimacy.
Fusion and love are your organizing principles in life.
However, if your fire energy goes to the extreme, you may feel anxious and agitated. You may also experience nervous exhaustion, or bizarre perceptions and sensations.
Physically, the fire archetype may develop cystitis, hot flashes, canker sores, hives, thirst, swollen hands and feet, and insomnia.
Recommendations
If you are a fire archetype, you may consider tempering your excitement, conserving your energy, and allowing yourself moments of quietness and solitude. (Jing J)

Horary AcuPoints that support Fire Element… Summer Season
To strengthen element and organ stimulate these points at time of day or season.

Fire – Summer (horary acupoints pictured below)
Heart 8 – 11 am -1 pm where pinky finger touches on palm when making a fist.

Small Intestine 5 – 1 pm-3 pm Outside wrist crease in line with pinky finger

Fire – Summer
Pericardium 8 – 7-9 pm Center Palm where middle finger in fist position

Triple Warmer 6 (top arm) – 9-11 pm 3 cun from top wrist crease between ligaments

EARTH/ Late Summer

Spleen/Stomach

Earth Supporting Foods

Almonds, Yams, Chick Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Pecans, Millet, Mango, Pumpkin Seeds, Healthy Fats — Flax Seed Oil, Evening Primrose, Borage Oil, Olive Oil, Fenugreek, Anise, Licorice, Marjoram, Vanilla, Pine Nut, Macadamia, Anchovy, Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Bamboo Shoot, Collards, Squash, Eggplant, Parsnip, Pumpkin, Spinach, Corn on the Cob, Tapioca, Coconut, Fig, Dates, Grapes, Melon, Orange, Papaya, Pineapple, Plantain, Prune, Raisin, Cherry.

Craving Sugar, Ice Cream, Fruit Juice, Quail, Pheasant, Honey, Maple Syrup, Pero, Relish.

EARTH Personality

Earth Personality Type
Earth type people have a yellowish complexion, round faces and big heads, big abdomens, small hands and feet and plenty of muscles. They have a sing-song voice. They are calm in temperament, fond of helping people and like to be involved and needed.
They love to associate with other people, seek harmony and togetherness and insist upon loyalty, security and predictability. They have a dislike of power. The emotion associated with the Earth element is Rumination. When a person is overly pensive and contemplative, he/she can easily become fixated on worrisome thoughts and ideas.
Earth type people can therefore often be tormented by their over-concern for details and can become caught up in circular thinking from which there is no escape. Other people can depend on this type of person because they are reliable, sympathetic, and good caretakers.
Without the demands of work or responsibility to others, they can become inert, dropping back into the well-worn trails of their own mind. In this state, their energy becomes stagnant and leads to poor digestion, heaviness and flabbiness. They need to balance their devotion to relationships with solitude and self-expression, developing self-reliance as well as building community.
They have a tendency for excess eating and good living that leads to obesity, stomach ulcers and diabetes. They may suffer from disorders of the joints, particularly arthritis, and especially involving the wrists and ankles. Woman often have irregular menstruation with weight gain from cycle to cycle and men are prone to early prostatitis.

The Peacemaker (Earth Archetype)
You’re nurturing, attentive, considerate, supportive, agreeable, sympathetic and sociable. You’re also likely to be relaxed and poised.
You have a gift for establishing and sustaining relationships, and the ability to nurture and promote our connectedness with each other and our world.
Harmony, togetherness and unification are your guiding principles.
When you’re out of balance, you may overextend yourself in order to be all things to all people. You may also doubt yourself and become worried and obsessed, or become meddling and overprotective.
Physically, the earth archetype may develop lethargy, indigestion, unruly appetite, water retention, and muscle tenderness.
Recommendations
If you are an earth archetype, you may consider balancing your devotion to relationships with solitude and self-expression, and strive to develop self-reliance while building relationships and community.(Jing. J.)

Horary AcuPoints for Earth Element….Late Summer Season
To strengthen element and organ stimulate these points at time of day or season.

Earth – Late Summer (horary acupoints pictured below)
Stomach 36 – 7-9 am 3 cun below kneecap outside shin

Spleen 3 (inside foot) – 9-11 am base big toe

METAL/Autumn

Lung/Large Intestine

Metal Supporting Foods

Sulphur Veggies—Radish, Leek, Celery, Watercress, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Daikon, Garlic, Ginger, Iceberg Lettuce, Kolrabi, Lotus Root, Onion, Mustard Green, Rapini, Turnip, Tempeh, Rice, Taro, Great Northern Bean, Navy Bean, White Potato, Peach, Pear.

Craving Mint, Mochi, Spirulina, Tofu, Beef, Turkey, Soybean, Spices.

METAL Personality

Metal Personality Type
Metal type people have a white complexion, square faces, small heads, small shoulders that tend to be bent forwards, small abdomens and small hands and feet. Often they have excess body hair.
They are hasty in temperament, able to adjust to different environments, often choose official duties and tend to be surrounded by an aura of sadness, often seeming close to tears. Metal people like definition, structure and discipline; they seek to live according to reason and principle.
The emotion associated with the metal element is Grief or sadness. When sadness pervades, a person may isolate and defend him/herself from the pleasure of attachment and the pain of loss. Metal type people arrange their lives for the purpose of avoiding risks and the vagaries of passion. They can become possessive, acquisitive, and domineering in an effort to control their environment.
Their striving for self-protection may keep them too detached and inaccessible, fearful of true intimacy. They tend to be pleasant but cool. Their lives are designed to keep their feelings in.
They should refrain from eating mucous forming foods (dairy products, bananas, oranges and peanuts). They should not smoke and benefit from deep breathing exercises. Over-control is their theme and can manifest as asthma, constipation or frigidity. They often suffer from ligament and joint problems such as tennis elbow, arthritis in the shoulder and deforming rheumatism. Metal types need to compensate for their rationality, self-control and meticulousness with passion, spontaneity and social involvement.

The Alchemist (Metal Archetype)
You’re reserved, disciplined, discerning, scrupulous, methodical and honorable. You’re also likely to be calm and neat.
You like definition, structure and system, and respect virtue, discretion and authority. You seek to live according to reason and principle and hold yourself and others to the highest standards.
Seeking the perfection of form and function, transmutation is your guiding principle.
When you’re out of balance, you tend to become autocratic, strict, formal, distant and unnatural. Or you may become indifferent and inhibited. You may also have a tendency for self-righteousness and disillusionment.
Physically, the metal archetype may develop stiff joints and muscles, dry skin and hair, shallow breathing, a sensitive to climate, and poor circulation.
Recommendations
If you are a metal archetype, you may consider balancing your rationality, self-control and meticulousness with passion, spontaneity and social involvement.(Jing. J)

Horary AcuPoints for Metal Element…Autumn Season
To strengthen element and organ stimulate these points at time of day or season.

Metal – Autumn (horary acupoints pictured below)
Lung 8 – 3-5 am 1 cun from wrist crease in line with thumb

Large Intestine 1 – 5-7 am Index Finger Tip

WATER/Winter

Kidney/Bladder

Water Supporting Foods 

Seaweed, Eggs, Kelp, Pinto Beans, Aduki Beans, Kidney Beans, Buckwheat, Beets, Water Chestnut, Cranberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Purple Grapes, Watermelon, Shellfish, Dulse, Kale, Mushroom.

Craving  Duck, Pork, Ham, Cafix, Miso, Pickles, Salt, Tamari, Soy Sauce, Tea, Gomasio, Water.

WATER Personality

Water Personality Type
Water type people have a grayish complexion, dark rings under their eyes, big heads, small shoulders, big abdomens, active hands and feet, and back longer than average. Their movement is fluid but can appear difficult.
Water types are articulate, clever and introspective, self-contained and self-sufficient. They are penetrating, critical and scrutinizing, seeking knowledge and understanding. They like to remain hidden, enigmatic and anonymous.
Fear is the emotion related to the Water element. Someone who is in the grip of fear can think of only escapes. Their life is dominated by the expectation of threat, so they tend to isolate themselves and hide from the world. They refer to be left alone. They often anticipate the worst, imagining calamity and disaster lurking around every corner. Critical and cynical, they believe the world is fundamentally harsh, unsafe and unfriendly.
Their isolation may eventually cut them off from life, leaving them cold and as hard as stone, impenetrable and devoid of spirit. They need to offset their toughness, bluntness and detachment with tenderness, sensitivity and openness, risking softness and contact, exposure and attachment. Because of their hardening, Water types are prone to develop arthritis, deafness and senility. They often feel tired and suffer from lower back pain, especially if standing is too long. Urinary diseases are common, such as cystitis, frequent need to urinate and kidney or bladder stones.

The Philosopher (Water Archetype)
You’re candid, introspective, ingenious, curious, sensible, and objective. You are also likely to be modest, careful, thrifty, self-contained and self-sufficient. You yearn for meaning that transcends the daily existence.
Revelation propels you, and a relentless quest for truth is your motivational force in life.
However, if your tenacity, prudence, introspection and solitary independence go to the extreme, you may become emotionally inaccessible and undemonstrative, or tactless, unforgiving and suspicious. You may also cut yourself off from the warmth of human bonding, and suffer from isolation and loneliness.
Physically, the water archetype may develop hardening of the arteries, deterioration of teeth and gums, backache, chilliness or loss of libido.
Recommendations
If you are a water archetype, you may consider balancing your introspection, self-sufficiency and independence with tenderness, openness, social contact and bonding.
So which archetype resonates with you?
Again, the five archetypes are meant to be a tool for self-understanding. They are not cast in stone. You may find that your archetype changes according to seasons or at different stages of your life. (Jing J.)

Horary AcuPoints that support Water Element….Winter Season
To strengthen element and organ stimulate these points at time of day or season.

Water — Winter (horary acupoints pictured below)
Bladder 66 – 3-5 pm small toe

Kidney 10 – 5-7 pm inside knee crease

Horary Points For 5-Elements

When you stimulate these points in time you strengthen the element and organ.

Place a fulcrum (curved pull, smile,comma) into a point for 2 minutes each side.

METAL = LU =LUNG  LI= LARGE INTESTINE

EARTH = SP = SPLEEN  ST = STOMACH

FIRE = HT=HEART, SI=SMALL INTESTINE, PC=PERICARDIUM, TW=TRIPLE WARMER

WATER = KI = KIDNEY, BL = BLADDER

WOOD = LV = LIVER  GB = GALL BLADDER

Time/ Point Locations:

3 a.m. to 5 a.m.: (LU8 Metal) On the forearm, one thumb-width proximal to the radial aspect of the wrist crease (see picture below)

5 a.m. to 7 a.m.: (LI1 Metal ) On the index finger, at the base of the radial side of the nail bed (see picture below)

7 a.m. to 9 a.m.: (ST36 Earth ) On the lower leg, just below the head of the tibia, one thumb-width lateral from midline (see picture below)

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: (SP3 Earth) On the medial arch of the foot, proximal to the joint connecting the big toe to the foot (see picture below)

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: (HT8 Fire) On the palm of the hand, where the tip of the little finger rests when making a loose fist (see picture below)

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: (SI5 Fire) On the ulnar end of the wrist crease distal to the ulna (see picture below)

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: (BL66 Water) On the lateral side of the foot, proximal to the joint connecting the little toe to the foot (see picture below)

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: (KI10 Water) On the medial side of the leg, just above the end of the popliteal crease (see picture below)

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: (PC8 Fire) At the center of the palm, where the tip of the 3rd finger rests when making a loose fist (see picture below)

9 p.m. to 11 p.m.: (TW6 Fire) On top of the forearm, 3 thumb-widths proximal to the wrist, between the bones (see picture below)

11 p.m. to 1 a.m.: (GB41 Wood) On top of the foot, between the 4th and 5th toes, where the bones meet (see picture below)

1 a.m. to 3 a.m.: (LV1 Wood) On the big toe, at the base of the lateral side of the nail bed (see picture below)

About the Horary Point Authors

Susan Popiel RN, BSN, CST graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and has served as a nurse for over 25 years. She is a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association AHNA. Her interest in natural, integrative healthcare led her to study Clinical Acupressure, Process Acupressure, Craniosacral Therapy, Zero Balancing, Insight Dialogue Meditation, guided imagery and journaling. She holds certification in Clinical Acupressure and Craniosacral Therapy and teaches the Acupressure Seva Stress Release Protocol Course. Susan has a private practice in Pisgah Forest, N.C.

Cathy Miller MM, LMT, ABT is an acupressure therapist, licensed massage therapist and Diplomate of Asian Bodywork Therapy (NCCAOM). She sees clients at Crossings: a center for the healing traditions in Silver Spring, Md., and is an affiliated practitioner 

Alvina Quatrano LMT is a colleague of Susan and Cathy who lives and practices in Naples FL.  She teaches acupressure which is approved for CEU’s by FL Board of Health and NBTCMB.  Alvina also teaches many classes and offers an online and hands-on Art of Holistic Massage (AOHMassage) Class approved for 34 FL CEU credits.  See www.AOHMassage.com for more information.

RELATED CLASSES:

Values & 5-Elements

Art of Holistic Massage (AOHMassage) Foundation 1: Subtle Body Continuing Education for Massage Therapists NCBTMB & FL

5-Element Module AOHMassage Foundation 1: Subtle Body

5-Element Foods: For a document of this info please contact Alvina at alvinaq@me.com