Which Element Are You? Discover the Five Elements in Chinese Medicine

Find Your Inner Balance With the Five Elements

Ever felt wired but tired? Bloated after every meal? Emotionally reactive for no clear reason? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these aren’t random occurrences — they’re signs that one of your Five Elements may be out of sync.

The Five Elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — shape everything from your emotions and energy levels to digestion, sleep, and skin. This isn’t a vague philosophy; it’s a practical, ancient framework that can help you understand your body and mind on a deeper level.

Take our quiz, explore your dominant element, learn which symptoms match which imbalance, and find the perfect herbs to support your body and emotions. Let’s dive in.

What Are the Five Elements?

In TCM, the Five Elements represent nature’s forces and the organ systems in your body. Each one is linked to specific traits, symptoms, and healing tools:

Element	Organs	Season	Emotion	Taste
Wood	Liver / Gallbladder	Spring	Anger/Frustration	Sour
Fire	Heart / Small Intestine	Summer	Joy/Excitement	Bitter
Earth	Spleen / Stomach	Late Summer	Worry	Sweet
Metal	Lungs / Large Intestine	Autumn	Grief	Pungent
Water	Kidneys / Bladder	Winter	Fear	Salty

Discover Your Element: Quiz

Answer honestly and keep track of your most frequent letter:

1. Your emotional go-to when stressed? A. I get irritated easily B. I feel scattered or anxious C. I overthink or worry D. I feel heavy or sad E. I retreat inward or freeze

2. What’s your biggest body complaint lately? A. Headaches or tight muscles B. Insomnia or racing heart C. Bloating or sugar cravings D. Dry skin or constipation E. Low back pain or fatigue

3. When are you most alive? A. Spring — I feel recharged B. Summer — I love energy + fun C. Late summer — I slow down + ground D. Autumn — I love crisp air + reflection E. Winter — I enjoy solitude + calm

4. Which food feels healing to you? A. Fresh greens + citrus B. Light, cool salads C. Soups and cooked grains D. Spiced pears or radishes E. Seaweed or bone broth

Results:

• Mostly A: WOOD – You’re driven, easily frustrated, and benefit from liver-soothing herbs.

• Mostly B: FIRE – You’re passionate and vibrant, but burn out fast.

• Mostly C: EARTH – You're nurturing and steady, but overthinking drains you.

• Mostly D: METAL – You’re introspective, neat, and sensitive to grief.

• Mostly E: WATER – You’re deep, wise, and need strong energy reserves.

⚠️ Signs You’re Out of Balance

Element	Emotional Signs	Physical Signs
Wood	Anger, irritability	Headaches, muscle tension
Fire	Anxiety, restlessness	Insomnia, palpitations
Earth	Worry, overthinking	Digestive issues, fatigue
Metal	Grief, sadness	Skin problems, shallow breathing
Water	Fear, insecurity	Back pain, urinary problems

How to Support Each Element

Wood
Foods: Sour foods, leafy greens

• Herbs: Chai Hu, Xiao Yao San

• Lifestyle: Movement, emotional expression

Fire 

• Foods: Cooling veggies, bitter greens

• Herbs: Reishi, Suan Zao Ren

• Lifestyle: Calm evenings, laughter, rest

Earth 

• Foods: Root veggies, warming stews

• Herbs: Bai Zhu, Dang Shen

• Lifestyle: Routine, grounded habits

Metal 

• Foods: Pears, white radish, onions

• Herbs: Bai He, Xing Ren

• Lifestyle: Breathwork, journaling, decluttering

Water 

• Foods: Black beans, bone broth

• Herbs: Shu Di Huang, He Shou Wu

• Lifestyle: Deep rest, warm clothes, quietude

Herbal Matches by Element

Element	Key Herbs	Best Form
Wood	Bupleurum, Dang Gui	Powder or capsule
Fire	Suan Zao Ren, Reishi	Tea or tincture
Earth	Bai Zhu, Fu Ling	Powder or soup
Metal	Bai He, Huang Qin	Tea or extract
Water	He Shou Wu, Eucommia, Shu Di Huang	Decoction or pills

 Seasonal Tips + Lifestyle Hacks

Season	Element	Focus
Spring	Wood	Liver detox, fresh greens
Summer	Fire	Stay cool, protect your Heart
Late Summer	Earth	Digestive balance, warm food
Autumn	Metal	Let go, breathe, support Lungs
Winter	Water	Rest deeply, kidney tonics

❓ FAQs

Q: Can I be a mix of elements?
A: Yes! Most people are a blend, with one dominant and one secondary.

Q: How often should I retake the quiz?
A: Every season or after major emotional/life changes.

Q: Are these herbs safe to combine?
A: Yes, especially when used in traditional formulas — or speak with a TCM herbalist.

Q: What if I scored evenly across two types?
A: Focus on the symptoms you’re experiencing most right now.

Q: Can I shift my element over time?
A: Absolutely. Life stages, health events, and lifestyle changes can shift your pattern.

Testimonials 

Wood Element Testimonial

“I used to get tension headaches every week. Once I found out I was a Wood type and started using Chai Hu and doing daily stretches, everything changed. My energy flows so much smoother now.”
— Jasmine T., Portland, OR

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Fire Element Testimonial

“I never realized my insomnia and racing thoughts had a root in my element. Suan Zao Ren and some cooling herbs helped me finally sleep through the night — and I feel emotionally more balanced too.”
— Marco L., Denver, CO

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Earth Element Testimonial

“I’ve always been a caretaker, but I didn’t realize how much my own energy was depleted. Identifying as Earth helped me shift my diet and start a Spleen-supporting formula. Now I feel grounded and steady instead of drained.”
— Angela M., Austin, TX

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Metal Element Testimonial

“After a loss, I had lingering sadness and shallow breathing. Learning I’m a Metal type gave me insight into what I was holding onto. Bai He and breathwork were the emotional and physical support I needed.”
— Reggie K., New York, NY

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Water Element Testimonial

“I was constantly tired, with back pain and fear about my future. Turns out I was Water type, and nourishing my Kidney energy with He Shou Wu and deep rest made a huge difference. I feel stronger and more secure.”
— Mei L., Seattle, WA

✨ Final Thought: Which Element Will You Nurture Today?

The Five Elements aren’t just an idea — they’re your body’s language. When you understand your element, you unlock insight into how you eat, think, feel, and heal.

Ready to bring your system into balance? Try our Five Elements quiz, explore our curated herbs, and begin aligning with nature — from the inside out.