Module Five
METAL
“I am in ceremony with life.
The Metal element represents virtue, discipline and is very precise, just like the acupuncturist with their needles. Metal looks to make systems work better, it is strongly principled and loves to learn. Rituals and ceremony are important to the Metal, as is meditation, prayer, simplicity and time for solitude.
Autumn is the season of Metal medicine, a time for releasing what no longer serves, and breathing in new life. It is a time to allow grief to move through, and to acknowledge any disappointments and let go of the story you attached to these. If the energy is not allowed to flow through surrender and acceptance, Metal can tend towards feeling defensive or guarded, holding on to regrets or holding onto tears so that they turn to anger.
The energy of Metal has the ability can transmutate lower vibrations. It is the alchemist. Like Qi Gong, Metal has a controlled yet powerful energy which raises the vibration. Connect with the Metal medicine through breath-work and become the noticer. Notice what inspires you, and that which can now be released. Turn your old wounds into wisdom”.
Emma Cannon - You are the medicine
The Lungs and Large Intestine – The Warrior
The lungs and large intestine are the organs linked with the METAL element. The colour is white and the taste is pungent.
The Metal element always reminds me of a warrior with shield and armour. Orderly and stoic, with emotions rarely revealed. The warrior is guarded and, although capable of joy and happiness, they are unlikely to openly express this.
When the Metal element is balanced, you feel positive, uplifted, able to problem-solve and think clearly. However, when imbalanced or weak, it can lead to depression, negativity, catastrophising and hopelessness. These mental states rob the Qi from the lungs and can cause complications such as breathing issues. Grief is the main emotion attributed to the Metal element – it is a time of letting go, of more introspection, and of preparing for the winter months ahead.
Foods and Cooking for Metal
The Metal element loves pungent flavours that are warming and help disperse stagnation and move Qi. It craves foods that support circulation and break down mucus – things like garlic, ginger, and spices. Its preferred cooking style is slow cooking – broths, soups, and casseroles.
Because Metal is yin in nature and has a tendency to stagnate, it benefits from the balance of yang flavours (heat and expansive tastes) which stimulate the body, move energy upwards and outwards, and prevent stagnation.
Signs of Imbalance
When the Metal element is out of balance you may experience:
Lungs: emphysema, asthma, breathing issues, coughing, dryness, throat/sinus infections, grief weighing down the Lung Qi
Large Intestine: constipation, bad breath
Other Signs: skin problems, changes in the hair, fuzzy or clouded thinking
Emotions: grief, sadness, chronic depression, hopelessness
Smoking in particular overheats the lungs and burns out the Jing in the body.
Functions of the Lungs
Descend Qi to the kidneys
Move and adjust the water channels and body fluids
Rule the exterior of the body (skin, pores, surface immunity)
Keep pores open or closed when needed
FOODS FOR METAL -
WHITE FOODS – onions, mooli, garlic, cauliflower, horseradish, turnips and parsnips. Root veg is good as well – potatoes, garlic, onions, yams.. things that grow out of the soil
GRAINS
LARGE INT - Amaranth, buckwheat, corn, jobs tears, oats, sourgam
LUNGS - amaranth, jobs tears, oats, sweet rice, sorghum
NUTS AND SEEDS
LARGE INT - almonds, coconut, flax, pine kernel, pumpkin seed,
LUNGS - almonds, cashew, ginko, peanut, pine kernel, pistachio, walnut
BEANS
LARGE INT - kidney beans, pea, black soy bean, yellow soy bean, tofu
LUNGS - lemma bean,
FISH
LARGE INT -
LUNGS - eel, herring, white fish
DAIRY
LARGE INT - cheese, yoghurt
LUNGS - cheese, all milk, yoghurt
MEAT
LARGE INT - quail, rabbit
LUNGS - duck, goose,
FRUIT – apples and pears are wonderful for the metal element - fruits with a thick skin, citrus, bananas and mangos (but don’t eat too much as cooling, so occasionally are ok)
CHINESE HERBS -
Pungent herbs – citrus peel, ginger, diakon, horseraddish, mustard greens
Warming pungents – garlic, onions, chilli, horseradish, fennel, anise, dill, mustard greens, cinnamon, nutmeg, basil, rosemary, spring onions and cayenne pepper, cloves, ginger, black pepper.
Cooling Pungents – radishes, cabbage, marjoram, white pepper, taro root and turnip
DAIKON
In TCM the daikon raddish is heralded as being an incredible vegetables for many things, but especially for strengthening the metal element. It's known to work on all 12 meridian points of the body - it can help balance the digestive system, boost the immune system and gently cleanse. It can also be useful for clearing Phlyem in the body, which can often accumulate in the time of Metal. It has a downwards action to it, making it great for issues with food stagnation such as bloating and indigestion.
Why not try grating Daikon in to soups, stir frying it or even pickling it.
