Are You The Wood Type?
We will close out our deep dive into Chinese five element theory with a look at what it means when someone is governed by the Wood element (not sure which element governs you? Check out THIS post)
When someone is governed by Wood, they are strongly influenced by goals, motivation, and action.
WOOD TYPE - EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wood is perhaps the easiest of the five elements to understand as Western society is greatly influenced by the Wood element. Wood people are highly motivated and ambitious. They are confident, assertive, bold, and direct. Wood types are highly competitive and love proving themselves. Wood types seek out challenge and perform well under pressure. Does this sound like anyone you know?
In Chinese medicine, Wood is the element that governs growth, vision, and decision making. Springtime is Wood season, when the world is full of new starts, growth, and possibilities. As opposed to those governed by Water, who enjoy tranquil introspection and philosophizing, those governed by Wood like to set thoughts into action in order to achieve a goal.
Wood types tend to be leaders and visionaries. Wood types make excellent entrepreneurs and decision-makers, as they can act quickly on a plan and bring ideas into fruition.
WOOD TYPE - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Physically speaking, Wood types have thin, lean bodies that move gracefully. Their faces are long and slender with a long nose, broad forehead, squared brow, and slender cheeks. The complexion has a subtle shade of green (or olive).
Celebrity Wood types include Natalie Portman, Sigourney Weaver, and Hilary Swank
WOOD TYPES - IN BALANCE
When Wood people are balanced, they display excellent qualities of planning, vision, and leadership. Wood types use their great capacity to see the ‘big picture’ in order to make decisions and actualize their plan. Like a tree branch that can bend and sway without breaking, Wood types are resilient and can use stress to their advantage. In balance, Wood type's great capacity for leadership and goal achievement is charismatic and attractive.
In balance Wood types are:
Planners
Visionaries
Actualizers
Leaders
Resilient
WOOD TYPES - OUT OF BALANCE
Imbalanced Wood is similar to an over-stressed tree branch that is at its breaking point. This means Wood types can be easily stressed, bottle up emotions, then “snap” over something seemingly minor by becoming angry, irritable, frustrated, and impatient when out of balance (don’t hurt your neck nodding your head so vigorously in agreement - you know who you are!)
Imbalanced Wood can be described as being “wound too tight” and this imbalance usually manifests as anger - either outward in the form of aggression, tyranny, and confrontation; or inward in the form of depression and indecisiveness.
Those governed by Wood can become emotionally addicted to winning. This can lead to Wood types seeming callous, overly-competitive, and willing to reach their goal at all costs.
When out of balance, Wood types tend to suffer red complexions, acne between the eyebrows, and tension headaches. Imbalanced Wood types are prone to PMS, high blood pressure, and overly tense muscles, especially in the neck and shoulder area.
Out of balance Wood types are:
Irritable
Stubborn
Workaholic
Impatient
Angry
Indecisive
WOOD TIPS FOR BETTER HEALTH
If you are governed by Wood, avoid excessive stress and notice when you dig in your heels and are overtaken by stubbornness.
The Wood element is associated with the Liver and the sour flavor. Be kind to your Liver by watching alcohol intake and incorporating fun, playful activities to help keep you feeling balanced, light, and flexible. Adding sour foods such as lemon and deep leafy greens will also be of benefit.
Treatments that help balance the Wood element include Acupuncture to help you feel cooler and less stressed, cupping to relax tense muscles, as well as herbal medicine to help soothe your Liver and keep you feeling calm.
ABOUT SCOTTSDALE INTEGRATIVE ACUPUNCTURE + SHELLEY O’DELL-BROCK, L.AC.
Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture was created to help clients look and feel their best, naturally. Owner, Shelley O’Dell-Brock, LAc, offers a holistic approach to stress reduction, pain management, and natural beauty. She uses ancient solutions for modern healing, empowering her patients to take charge of their own health. Offering cosmetic acupuncture, Gua Sha, and essential acupuncture, Scottsdale I.A. is Scottsdale’s preferred choice for natural healthcare. Your holistic health journey begins, and continues at Scottsdale Integrative Acupuncture.
