FIRE

Heart & SMALL Intestine

The Fire element also referred to as the Shen in TCM, is our expression of joy, it radiates, expands, it is outgoing and full of warmth like a Summer’s day. The heartfelt expression can be deeply transforming that enlivens our movement, our speech, thoughts and emotions. From the Fire element, we get our consciousness, intuition, spirit, wisdom and guidance. The Heart organ is delicate and resides in the centre of the body, protected by the rib basket and other organs like the Lungs. The Heart circulates life force and blood to organs, muscles, to the entire body. The Small Intestine’s role in digestion is to separate the nutritional material into waste products, sending fluid by-products to the Kidneys and the solid by-product to the Large Intestines. This function then allows the Spleen to extract and assimilate the nutrients into the blood. The Small Intestine represents pure power and strength as the meridian runs through the body’s strongest muscles. The Fire element becomes stagnant when there is a shocking surprise, overwhelming joy, trauma or deep sorrow.  This emotional heartache physically blocks the blood flow to the Heart organ and continues to cause more disturbances to circulation and sleep. Excessive spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol can all disrupt the healthy functioning of the Fire element.