"West generates the dryness that produces Metal, which causes the pungent, which nourishes the Lungs" Nei Jing.

Metal is a movement of descent and interiorization. Purification. Maturation: fruits fall from the tree when they are ripe.

• The associated season is autumn.
• Functions of retraction, interiorization.
• Climate: Dryness. Dehydrates, withers, dries.
• Color: White.
• Flavor: Pungent.
• Emotion: Sadness. Tension, self-control, containment of the emotions.
• Belong to Metal LU and LI.
• Metal is the minister: administers and distributes the resources. It relates to the survival instinct and the sense of justice.

Relationships

• "Mother" of: Water
• "Child" of: Earth
• Controls: Wood
• Controls it: Fire

Pathology

• Pathology according to the five elements

Excess

1. Fire insufficient, little expansion, does not dominate the interiorization of Metal.
2. An excess of Metal injures Wood, does not let it expand.

Insufficiency

1. Excessive draining of Wood insults Metal.
2. Excessive expansion, dispersion of Fire injures Metal. It has difficulty restraining.

Both cases will present patterns of heat or ascending of Yang.