Have you ever stopped to think how much the composition of the human body and planet earth are the same? This realization gives deeper meaning to the phrase “you are what you eat.” Fruits and vegetables grown in earth’s bountiful soil are merely the method of delivering the many elements, minerals and microbes our bodies need to thrive and survive.

There are over 120 elements that make up the earth, many in minute traces. Approximately 20 are found in the human body; they make up our cells, DNA, organs and tissue. Approximately 98% of our bodies are comprised of six elements: calcium, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Many ancient practices, including Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, teach that the human body also shares five fundamental elements of nature with our planet: earth, water, fire, air and space (ether). These five elements are believed to be the building blocks of the human system and by purifying and balancing them, we can transform the body towards ultimate wellbeing.

The five fundamental elements each have specific jobs in our body and differ in proportions: approximately 72% water, 12% earth, 6% air, 4% fire and 6% space. Maintaining this balance results in optimal wellbeing, while imbalance can result in disease as such:

Air (6%) is responsible for all movement including expansion, contraction, vibration and suppression. Imbalance of “air” element leads to skin dryness, blood pressure issues, bloating, constipation, dry coughs, lethargy, lung disorders, insomnia, muscular spasms and depression to name a few.

Earth (12%) forms solid structures such as teeth, nails, bones, muscles, skin, tissues and hair and gives strength and structure to the body. Imbalance of “earth” appears as a general weakness in the body from loss of calcium in bones, obesity, cholesterol, weight gain, muscular diseases and more.

Fire (4%) forms hunger, thirst, sleep, vision and complexion of skin. Imbalance of “fire” appears as fever, skin diseases, inflammation, increased coldness or heat in the body, excessive sweating, hyper acidity, slow digestion and absorption of nutrients, toxicity and diabetes.

Space (6%) is the place where everything happens. In its most subtle form, it is the place before everything happens. Balancing the space element can offer your highest self-healing powers. The qualities of space reflect stillness: it lacks movement of wind and cold; it lacks heat/fire and dryness; it lacks moistness of water and light because it lacks the weight of earth. It is the place that is nowhere, so it is expansive, pervasive and has no center. Imbalance in “space” appears in the body as thyroid disorders, throat problems, speech disorders, epilepsy, madness and ear diseases to name a few.

Water (72%) forms saliva, urine, semen, blood and sweat. An imbalance of “water” element appears as excess mucus, a cold, sinusitis, swelling of glands, edema of tissues and blood thinning or clotting.

A central way to balance air, earth, fire, space and water inside the body is to practice yoga regularly. “Bhuta Shuddhi” is a yoga practice designed specifically to help purify internal elements. Another way is through healthy nutrition to ensure you receive the vital elements, minerals and microbes our planet has to offer.

Candice Nicole is a health advocate and founder of HUmineral food derived mineral nutrients. She can be reached at [email protected] or (888) 765.0087. For more information visit www.HUmineral.com.

Sources available upon request.