I am a self confessed 'book-aholic' and when I first started in the field of natural medicine, there was no Mr Google and I would browse the shelves of specialist bookshops like Watkins in London or at the annual Mind Body Spirit festivals and had so much pleasure discovering different authors, especially those that wrote about the 5 Elements. I'm often asked by students to recommend a good 5 Element book and it very much depends on your budget and the depth you want to dive into on this subject. Here are just a few of my favourites from my library - check them out on Amazon, many have free previews which will give you a real feel of what they are about.
THE PROFESSIONAL ‘BIBLE’ – and costs a lot – is A MANUAL OF ACUPUNCTURE by Peter Deadman and Mazin Al-Khafaji with Kevin Baker
This is heavy duty so only invest in it if you want to take it to a different level!
I also have the online version - useful
THE FIVE ELEMENTS
Dondi Dahlin is Donna Eden's daughter (The Eden Method) and has been brought up with the Elements, she has a deep connection to them, gained from actually 'living' the philosophy, her book shares insights and wisdoms in a truly engaging way - it will help you understand the personalities of the Elements and therefore yourself, and those around you, bringing more understanding to your relationships, be it your spouse, parent, child, boss or friends.
Check out her website too and try her quiz.
NOURISHING DESTINY – the Inner Tradition of Chinese Medicine by Lonny S Jarrett
Expensive but packed with info
THE CLINICAL PRACTICE OF CHINESE MEDICINE
Lonny S. Jarrett
FIVE ELEMENT CONSTITUTIONAL ACUPUNCTURE
Angela Hicks, J Hohn Hicks and Peter Mole
Heavy duty reference book
Angela and John Hicks have also written HEALING YOUR EMOTIONS – discover your element type and change your life – a lighter, easier to digest book
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH – a guide to Chinese Medicine
Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold
A real staple, set out well with good, concise info
POWER OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS – The Chinese medicine path to healthy ageing and stress resistance - Charles A Moss
This is a relatively new one to my shelf and am enjoying it
If still in print, 2 books by Daniel Reid, that I found useful in the early 90’s but hey, the 5 Elements has been around more than a couple of decades!:
GUARDING THE THREE TREASURES
THE TAO OF HEALTH SEX AND LONGEVITY
CHINESE MEDICINE FOR MAXIMUM IMMUNITY – understand the 5 Elemental Types for Health and well-being
Jason Elias and Katherine Ketcham
I find this useful reference. It was formerly titled the 5 Elements of self healing
Two books by Jennifer Harper – lightweight but interesting as an introduction:
BODY WISDOM – Chinese and natural medicine for self healing
NINE WAYS TO BODY WISDOM – blending natural therapies to nourish body, emotions and soul.
STAYING HEALTHY WITH THE SEASONS
Elson M Haas
probably out of print, my copy is from 1994. You'll find it with one of the specialist online book sellers I'm sure. I found it useful all rounder with an interesting focus on foods
ACUPRESSURE WAY OF HEALTH: Jin shin do
Iona Teeguarden
One of the original books written by a Westerner – the hippy in me loves it!
TRADITIONAL ACUPUNCTURE – THE LAW OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS
Dianne M Connelly
The first book I ever bought – a little dry but I still love it
ARCHETYPAL ACUPUNCTURE – healing with the Five Elements
Gary Dolowich
TOUCH FOR HEALTH POCKET BOOK with Chinese 5 Element Metaphors
John and Matthew Thie
I studied with John Thie in Santa Monica and this little book has been invaluable over the years
WOOD BECOMES WATER Chinese medicine in everyday life
Gail Reichstein
Recommended for an easy read
THE WAY OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS
John Kirkwood
THE WAY OF THE FIVE SEASONS
John Kirkwood
POWER OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS
Charles A Moss MD
FIVE SPIRITS
Lorie Eve Dechar
KEEPERS OF THE SOUL
Nora Franglen
Good reference books for acupoint location ...
Great value from Amazon [on offer at £12 ‘ish for hardback book] – Pictorial Atlas of Acupuncture – an illustrated manual of acupuncture points
By Yu Lin Lian, Chun-Yan Chen, Michael Hammes, Berard Kolster – edited by Hans Ogal and Wolfram Stor
Colour Atlas of Acupuncture – Hecker, Steveling, Peuker, Kastner and Liebchen
A practical guide to Acupoints by Chris Jarmey and Ilaira Bouratinos