Reflexology: The 5 Elements and their 12 Meridians: A Unique Approach. Inge Dougans

the past decade, reflexology has carved a respected niche for itself in the realm of holistic healing techniques. People of all ages and from all walks of life have discovered the positive effects to be derived from foot manipulation. The increasing demand for reflexology is proof of its escalating popularity and the pace at which reflexology has been, and is, expanding throughout the Western world is proof of its efficacy. In South Africa, the profession has gained statutory recognition and is now a registered modality within the health professions. The main objective of reflexology is to help people attain and maintain a better state of health and well-being. It does not promise to be a magic panacea for all ills, but there is no longer any doubt that reflexology has an important role to play in the future of health care worldwide.

      The remarkable results attained through reflexology stem from the amazing therapeutic potential present in the feet. Some schools of thought recommend stimulating hand reflexes, as well as foot reflexes. Reflexes of body parts are mapped out on the hands in a fashion similar to those on the feet. Massaging the hands may elicit some positive effect, but nothing as powerful as the effect of foot massage. The reason for this is that the six larger meridians – those that actually penetrate major organs, the stomach, spleen/pancreas, liver, gall bladder, kidney and bladder meridians – all begin or end in the toes. The external pathways of the meridians represented in the hands – the heart, small intestine, triple burner, circulation, large intestine and lungs, although associated with specific organs (apart from the triple burner and circulation), do not actually penetrate any major organs.

      Hands, like feet, may be afflicted by deformities, but this is due largely to arthritic complaints. Often the same fingers on both hands will be afflicted – for example, the index fingers. All problems on the hands, such as warts, eczema and nail disorders should be assessed as an imbalance along a meridian. As the external pathways of the six hand meridians do not penetrate any major organs – only sensory organs in the facial area – the imbalances, which manifest on the hands, should be weighed up as the result of congestions relating to the major organs and their meridians.

      When the concept of the Five Elements is introduced, the scenario becomes even more interesting. The six meridians in the hands are related to two elements – fire and metal. The fire element is represented in the heart, small intestine, circulation and triple burner meridians; and the metal element in the large intestine and lung meridians. The six meridians in the feet represent the wood element in the liver and gall bladder meridians; the water element in the kidney and bladder meridians; and the earth element in the stomach and spleen/pancreas meridians.

      When we correlate the elements with body functions and nutrition, the importance of correct nourishment becomes more evident. The earth is central to our physical existence. We derive all physical nourishment from Mother Earth. Internally, the stomach and spleen/pancreas are the equivalent of the Earth. To more fully understand this theory, see figure

       Fig. 1 A new look at the five element theory

      1. You will notice that I have placed the earth element in the centre to relate to the yin/yang symbol of perfect balance. The stomach and its meridian control digestion, and the spleen and pancreas and their combined meridian control the distribution of Chi energy released from food when it is digested. If the stomach does not hold and digest food, the spleen/pancreas cannot transform it and transport its essence (see here). They are interdependent meridians, and work together more closely than any of the other meridians.

      Earth is special among the elements, because it is the source of them, the centre from which they arise – as is the planet Earth to our physical existence. Each of the elements is in constant relationship with the earth element, coming to life and dying within her realm. It has been written that the earth is womb and tomb, the beginning and the end in the never-ending cycle of life, death and rebirth.

      Within earth we find water – the rivers, seas, springs; metal in the forms of minerals, gems and fuel (coal); and wood in the plant life. Relating this to meridians – the stomach meridian (earth) penetrates the liver (wood), the kidneys (water) and the lungs and large intestine (metal).

      If you refer back to figure 1 you will observe that the wood element is placed on one side of the earth element, and the water element on the other. To balance the earth element (stomach and spleen/pancreas), we must obtain the correct nutrition from the plant kingdom – the wood element. Plants, which have absorbed nutrients from the earth and flourished in sunlight, are saturated with vital Chi energy. This energy is easy to distribute by our meridians into our body organs and cellular systems. In addition to this, we must also have the correct quantity and quality of liquid – the water element – for the digestion and absorption of the food.

      The earth element – our stomach and spleen/pancreas – may be related to a compost heap in the garden. If we add plastic, glass or concrete to the compost, these will not metabolize and so be recycled once more as nourishment for the earth. Rather, they add to the pollution of the earth and become non bio-degradable objects. For many, these processes are obvious, but surprisingly few take notice that the food types (wood element), as well as liquids (water element) that we consume daily contain many non bio-degradable chemicals that congest our cells, tissues and organs, as well as our meridians. The additives in many modern foods and liquids combine to form a lethal cocktail. Man and earth are not intended to metabolize inorganic foodstuffs. If we continue at this rate we will soon be positively non-biodegradable. Some additives found in commercially produced food-stuffs include:

       Piperonal – used in place of vanilla – is a chemical used to treat lice.

       Diethyl glucol – a cheap chemical used as an emulsifier instead of eggs – is used in antifreeze and paint removers.

       Butyraldehyde – used in nut-flavoured foods – is one of the ingredients in rubber cement.

       Amyl acetate – used for banana flavour – is also an oil-paint solvent.

       Ethyl acetate – used for pineapple flavour – is also used as a cleaner for leather and textiles.

       Aldehyde C17 – flavours cherry ice-cream – is an inflammable liquid used in aniline dyes, plastic and rubber.

      In chapter 4 you will learn that amongst others the stomach and spleen/pancreas preside over the fatty connective tissues of the body. It is probable that the non-biodegradable chemicals, which the body does not metabolise nor eliminate, are stored in these fatty connective tissues. It is no coincidence that modern society is having an epidemic with both weight problems and diabetes and does not seem to find the correct life-style or understanding in dealing with these global issues.

      Apart from adding foods to our stomach (earth element) we also add liquids (water element); however, it is known that too much added water to compost heaps creates an unpleasant rotting effect that invites parasites, rather than a good ecosystem of earthworms. We do not always appreciate that we add plenty of liquids to our digestive system in the form of natural foods. These natural fluids contain many of the minerals that keep the sodium and potassium salt balance of the tissue fluid in our cellular system intact. (See the section on the cell below.) Nonetheless, if we eat mainly processed foods our cells will dehydrate and the cellular system will become imbalanced, the effect being felt in the form of congestions and signs of thirst.

      During the first phase of the digestive process – oxygen and carbon dioxide are released (gases: metal element). These processes happen in all cells, but the lungs and large intestine (metal element) are the organs where the main exchanges occur, hence in figure 1 the lungs (metal element) are shown above and the large intestine (metal element) below the stomach, as an image of the body. The second phase in the digestive process is the creation of energy, which in the compost heap can be related to heat (fire element) and in the body to our Chi or zest for life (fire element).