Elemental Balance - Fire

Our understanding of the body;
the diagnostic techniques that we use;
the individualization of the diet, supplements and treatments;
are unique to HNNH.


No other clinic,
naturopathic, alternative or otherwise, does what we do.

We have a 3-stage model of how the body works that guides us in understanding you. This model is a result of my experience over the last 20 years, combining my training and experience as a naturopathic doctor, a licensed acupuncturist, and various constitutional systems, BioPhenotype (blood type markers), Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

At the core is your Constitution, a combination of the BioPhenotype and Elemental Balance– who you are when you’re healthy, and therefore what we’re aiming for in your healing. We are not all the same, and without an understanding of what your core needs are, and where you’re heading towards, it’s impossible to know what the body needs to get healthy. Historically there were many healthy cultures that did different, almost contradictory things to stay healthy – how do we know which one should be your guide?

Fire is the source of heat and light, as well as being the agent of transformation, the driving force behind change. Fire lights the way; it is indispensable. Yet, at the same time, there is no other element with such potential for destruction and ruin. How to Recognize the Effect of Fire on Your Physique: The Fire-dominant person has a medium build, with smooth contours to the trunk and limbs. In youth, the Fire person is lithe, flexible and agile. The Fire may put weight on later in life, but loses weight rapidly if they exercise and watch food intake. The face is shaped like a heart, rather more full than the long face of the Air person, but not as round or heavy as the Water and Earth types. The eyes are piercing and bright, and may seem to have the uncomfortable ability to look within you. The voice is sharp, loud, and penetrating, commanding attention. The appetite for food, experiences, adventures, and excitement can be ravenous.

How to Recognize the Effect of Fire on the Mind and Emotions: Just as Fire in the outer world is both a boon and bane, so too is Fire in the inner realms of mind and emotion. Fire is enlightenment, illumination, and radiant brilliance. It also can be rage, hatred, greed, envy, and the desire for revenge. Tending to your inner Fire, maintaining its warmth and illumination without letting its destructive, rapacious aspect control your life is of the utmost importance for the Fire person. Fire will always burn to the limit of its fuel and oxygen supply. Learning to regulate and temper your inner Fire is your task.

Fire is desire. It is motivation, ambition, and zest for living. It’s the spark that ignites your passions. Fire is fun. It’s the "Fire in the belly" that wants to win. It’s the "Fire in the eye" that sees the prize and wants it. It spurs athletes to greater heights. It spurs leaders to want positions of power and authority. Anger, irritability, impatience, and frustration are common indicators of the Fire within. The Fire person wants action, wants to make things move and change. Bureaucracy, red tape and cautious proceedings are anathema to them. Under stress their head turns red, the veins on the temple bulging and the blood pressure shooting up.

The Fire mind is capable of clear, perceptive, and discriminating judgment. It can digest and synthesize large amounts of material. The words "bright" and "brilliant" as used to describe intellect are Fire references. Fire can be extremely focused as it acquires knowledge and works inexorably toward its goals. If tempered and balanced, the Fire intellect can produce a noble presence. Often, however, The Fire’s judgments are harsh and critical, especially of themselves. They deliver their judgments in scathing attacks, and love to argue and win. They are articulate and excel at persuasion. This type of intellect dominates in the fields of law, science, and engineering.
Fire people are iconoclastic. They reject traditions that don’t serve them. They want to blow up the old and bring on a new, better way. They see change as progress, especially if it helps them attain a goal.

Where Air is theory, Fire is practice. Air has the visions and dreams; Fire makes them reality. Fire loves the process of planning and doing, as long as things move smoothly along. Fire loves to mix it up in the world, to do things better and faster, and has the ability to pull it off. They invent new technology if the old doesn't work or gets in the way. Fire wants to be the center of attention, and often is. They love awards and prominence and making speeches. They wants notoriety for their achievements and gifts. Fire wants to be seen and talked about, and dresses in a way to draw attention.They want to lead, and indeed, are well-suited to it.
Career Choices for Fire People: Fire people enjoy material gain, action, and recognition. They excel as leaders, administrators, and directors. They can make tough decisions, love to argue and are persuasive, making them ideal for politics and also for leadership in the armed forces. As scientists, designers, architects, and engineers, they can make use of their focus and intellect. They are the courageous pioneers who excel as entrepreneurs. They excel also at research into new technologies and applications for science. Since they enjoy competing and debating, they do well in the practice of law.

When Fire is Balanced: Fire becomes balanced when the flames of passion are cooled, and the radiance of the light emerges. This often requires maturity, discipline, and hard work on the part of the Fire person. Balanced Fire people possess focus, judgment, understanding, and reason. The Fire element comprises the Divine Fire that produces spiritual illumination and enlightenment. It is also the brilliance of scholarship and erudition.

What Causes Fire Imbalances: Fire people slip out of balance most easily in the Fire season – summer. Hot spicy foods, sour and salty foods can contribute to imbalance. Coffee, alcohol (FireWater) and recreational drugs aggravate the internal Fire. Conflict and competition bring out the Fire in the Fire person, as does praise and reward for winning.

How to Recognize Fire Imbalances: When the inner Fire becomes too hot, predictable consequences follow. The appropriately named heartburn is probably the most common physical symptom. Ulcers are another condition of excess Fire in the belly. Red, angry rashes, fevers and all inflammatory conditions come under the Fire heading. High blood pressure often results from prolonged excesses of Fire.

How to Remedy Fire Imbalances: In some ways, Fire is the hardest element to balance, because Fire often enjoy the way they are. Fire people love to excel in what they do and . activities, foods and practices that balance Fire may seem boring. Fire people should seek cooling of their Fire on all levels. Non-competitive swimming is an excellent exercise for Fire. All exercise should be done for "burning off" excess energy, and not for competition or getting a runner’s high. Foods should be cooling, especially green vegetables and appropriate fruits. Fire people are balanced by quiet and contemplative activities. They need to consciously gear down in the evening, and avoid the temptation to get an edge by working zealously into the night.