Five elements theory is an important theory in foundation of Chinese Medicine, originally the ancient Chinese philosopher used this conception to explain the component of the universe.
The Chinese Medicine practitioner also applied to understand the characters/functions and their relationship, for example, the "earth" related with Spleen and stomach function, "metal" related with Lung system function, "water" related with kidney system function, "fire" related with heart system function and "wood" related with liver system function. actually "the liver" system in Chinese medicine also included the functions with mental and endocrine system, and same as we look after the trees and garden, we need to follow their natural role to regulate , not just simply suppressed or "pruning". in Chinese Medicine practice, we called as "regulate Qi" to help with emotional disorders, such as "depression" related symptoms ,also can be applied in some woman health problems to regulate the menstruation cycle.
The five elements also related with different natural seasons, different colors and even different rhythm. for example, the autumn related with "metal" and so closely linked with lung system functions, as the weather getting cold and "Yang" energy starting to getting hold into inner-side rather than spread to out side, some people can starting to feel tried, for lung system weak individuals , with weather change, may having risk getting cold and sick. so that better keep warm and take care the lung system functions.