Category Archives: fire

Fire – Understand Innate Immunity

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Understand Innate Immunity Innate immunity is your body’s built-in, immediate defense system. Unlike adaptive immunity, which takes time to recognize specific invaders, innate immunity is active from the moment you are born. It acts as a 24/7 security guard, responding instantly to injuries and foreign pathogens. Let’s consider both scientific and elemental perspectives of innate immunity.   The First Line of Defense From the Western scientific perspective, our innate immune system relies on physical and chemical barriers to keep threats out. The Skin: Forms a tough, waterproof shield against bacteria. Mucous Membranes: Trap dust and microbes in your … Continue reading →

Fire – Sacred Connect

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Sacred Connect   According to elemental wisdom, the Fire element connects humans, consciousness and the Divine. Also know as Shen, it is the vital spark of human consciousness, the essence of spirit and mental awareness that animates the physical body. Fire expresses itself through intimacy, emotional warmth and affection as well as in gatherings and rituals of the heart.   Shen is the most subtle, immaterial asset within the Three Treasures (San Bao), which dictate human health and longevity:  Jing (Essence): Your physical foundation, genetics, and constitutional fluid stored in the Kidneys. Qi (Energy): The functional breath and … Continue reading →

Fire- Fulfill your Fantasy

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Fulfill your fantasy The fire element asks you transform your deepest, most intense desires into concrete reality through bold action and raw passion. Fire does not wait, wish, or daydream; it consumes and transforms. The Fire energy brings: Unapologetic Desire: Fire demands that you acknowledge what you truly want without shame or hesitation. Bold Execution: It represents the shift from passive imagination to aggressive pursuit and execution. Creative Catalyst: Your “fantasy” serves as the fuel, and your willpower acts as the spark that ignites change. Total Transformation: It requires burning away self-doubt and past limitations to step into … Continue reading →

Fire – Discover Divine Purpose

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Discover Divine Purpose. True alignment with your divine purpose is not a permanent state of calm, nor is it an escape from the grit of the human experience. Traditional wisdom from ancient cultures teaches us that purpose is not a destination, but a way of moving through the entire spectrum of human emotion.   We often mistake spiritual alignment for endless positivity, yet the oldest traditions view grief, anger, fear, and joy as equally sacred messengers.   In the crucible of daily life, full-spectrum living means allowing yourself to feel deeply without losing your center.   Traditional wisdom … Continue reading →

Fire – Cool down with cucumbers or watermelon

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Cool down with cucumbers or watermelon   Balancing Your Heat: Top Cooling Foods for Vitality In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), optimal health relies on the balance of Yin (cool, moistening) and Yang (warm, activating) energies. When your body accumulates excess heat—whether from stress, hot weather, or spicy foods—you might experience symptoms like acne, irritability, dry mouth and skin, or constipation. To restore harmony, TCM recommends consuming “cooling” (Han) and “cool” (Liang) foods to clear internal heat and generate fluids. Here are five essential TCM cooling foods to add to your diet: Cucumber: Clears heat, detoxifies, and promotes fluid … Continue reading →

Fire – Hug heart to heart

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Hug heart to heart   The hug Next time you go in for or are receiving a hug, take note.  Do you lean in left shoulder to left shoulder, right shoulder to right shoulder or reach for the waist with a side hug? Are you comfortable with a hug? Were you raised with hugs? How long is your natural hug? Do you want to practice hugging?   Word Origin Etymologically, “hug” is thought to come from the Old Norse word hugga, which translates to “to comfort or console”.   A lesson from one of my clinical mentors in … Continue reading →

Fire – Laughter is therapy

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Laughter is therapy     The summer season belongs to the Fire element in Chinese Medicine. This vibrant energy governs the Heart, the organ responsible for circulation, mental clarity, and housing our spirit, known as the Shen.   When Fire is balanced, we feel joyful, connected, and full of life. When it burns too hot, it manifests as anxiety, insomnia, or restlessness.   Laughter is the ultimate medicine to keep this seasonal Fire in perfect harmony. In TCM, every organ system associates with a specific sound and emotion.   The sound of the Heart is laughter, and its … Continue reading →

Fire – Seek South

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Fire – Seek South Each element is associated with a cardinal direction.   Why? Perhaps the ancients were linking the human experience to the natural world. We use directions as guideposts: the north star, the compass, the map. Directions anchor us to place. The south is the direction of fire, the heart. It marks innocence, transformation, passion, the noon day sun, the zenith of our days, seasons, and lives. Summer is the lucky time of year. Feng Shui places reputation and fame in the south sector of our home.  Take a look at your home with curiosity. More than just … Continue reading →

Fire – Schedule mid day Siestas

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Schedule mid day Siestas.   Summer is the apex of the seasons. Temperatures run hot. Energy requirements run high for travels, social gathers, family & friend time. Making time for a mid day pause is a habit that recharges and regenerates for the adventure packed day and fun filled evening ahead. How to spend that currency of quiet is custom designed by you. 15 minute power nap 10 minutes of following your breath 20 minute body scan guided meditation zoning out, eyes closed, falling into the quiet choiceless awareness yoga nidra legs up the wall for lymph support   There … Continue reading →

Fire – bittersweet

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

A fare the well to the summer/fire season and a teacher along the way. UWA has lost a good one while MSU is gaining some serious talent! The taste of summer (fire) is bitter; the taste of earth (transition) is sweet. Tomorrow we move into the 18 days around the equinox (transition earth season). People come for a brief moment or may stay a lifetime. The taste is bittersweet as life in all of its glorious beauty moves people in and out of our small and infinite worlds. Time is not linear and does not measure the impact of a … Continue reading →