The wind element (ธาตุลม): personality, health and diet in Thai medicine
The wind element (ธาตุลม, วาโยธาตุ) is one of the four ธาตุเจ้าเรือน of traditional Thai medicine. Here is how to recognise it, what it needs day to day and the treatments tradition pairs with it.
- ธาตุลม · วาโยธาตุ
Quick, creative, on the move
Work out your own element
Your date of birth
The constitution quiz
Twelve questions based on how Thai practitioners assess a patient. Answer for what has been true of you for a long time, not just this week.
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Explore an element
Windธาตุลม
วาโยธาตุ · วาตะ · Quick, creative, on the move
Wind sets everything in motion: breathing, circulation, movement, digestion and thought. Wind people are quick and imaginative; according to tradition they tend to suffer from bloating, dizziness, aches and light sleep.
wind element months: April, May and June
Body
- Slim, tall build, gains little weight
- Dry skin, fine hair, joints that crack
- Hands and feet often cold
- Irregular appetite, belly bloats easily
Temperament
- Lively, curious, full of ideas
- Talks fast and a lot
- Changes their mind often
- Easily worried or nervous
Typical imbalances according to tradition
- Bloating, gas, tight belly
- Dizziness, headaches, sudden tiredness
- Aches, stiff neck and shoulders
- Light sleep, trouble falling asleep, anxiety
Tastes (รสยา)
- Favourเผ็ดร้อนHot and spicyRelieves wind, warms, helps circulationGalangal, ginger, lemongrass, pepper, holy basil
- In moderationฝาดAstringentTightens and settles the gut, helps healingUnripe guava, green banana, guava leaves
- In moderationหวานSweetNourishes the tissues, restores energyPumpkin, taro, sweet potato, sugar cane
- In moderationเมาเบื่อToxin-clearing bitterMostly a medicinal taste, used against toxins and parasitesKept for practitioners' remedies
- In moderationขมBitterCools, stimulates appetite, supports bileBitter gourd, cassia flowers, neem shoots, pea eggplant
- In moderationมันOilyNourishes tendons, joints and bonesSesame, peanuts, coconut, beans
- In moderationหอมเย็นFragrant and coolingSoothes the heart, cools, relaxesPandan leaves, jasmine, lotus flower
- In moderationเค็มSaltyPenetrates the skin, preserves, warms slightlySalt, sea purslane, dried fish
- In moderationเปรี้ยวSourThins mucus, calms coughs, helps the bowelsLime, tamarind, Indian gooseberry
- In moderationจืดBlandCools, helps elimination through urineIvy gourd leaves, winter melon, cucumber, morning glory
The table follows the most widely used version of the element and taste pairings; manuals differ on some details.
Thai foods and herbs
- Galangal, ginger, lemongrass
- Holy basil, Thai basil, lemon basil
- Black pepper, fingerroot (กระชาย)
- Garlic, shallots
Everyday dishes
- Holy basil stir-fry (ผัดกะเพรา)
- Clear tom yam
- Chicken galangal soup
- Ginger stir-fry
Drinks
- Hot ginger infusion
- Lemongrass tea
- Warm water rather than iced drinks
Habits
- Keep regular meal and bed times
- Eat warm, cooked food, avoid raw and iced food at night
- Breathe slowly, meditate, practise ฤๅษีดัดตน (Thai hermit stretching)
- Protect yourself from wind and draughts
Suitable massage and treatments
Traditional Thai massage with hot herbal compresses (ลูกประคบ) is the treatment most often suggested for wind: it relaxes the muscles, warms the body and calms the nerves.
For a personal assessment or a treatment, see a qualified practitioner near you.
Traditional Thai massage →Traditional medicine clinic →
The wind element (ธาตุลม): personality, health and diet in Thai medicine →This information comes from the tradition of Thai medicine and is given for guidance only. It is neither a diagnosis nor a treatment. See a doctor for any lasting symptom, and ask a professional before taking herbs if you are pregnant, on medication or living with a chronic condition.
Who belongs to the wind element?
Under the majority convention, you belong to the wind element if you were born in April, May and June. Manuals that count in Thai lunar months use months 5, 6 and 7, which comes to almost the same. The tool's quiz tells you whether your current constitution confirms it.
Wind sets everything in motion: breathing, circulation, movement, digestion and thought. Wind people are quick and imaginative; according to tradition they tend to suffer from bloating, dizziness, aches and light sleep.
Body
- Slim, tall build, gains little weight
- Dry skin, fine hair, joints that crack
- Hands and feet often cold
- Irregular appetite, belly bloats easily
Temperament
- Lively, curious, full of ideas
- Talks fast and a lot
- Changes their mind often
- Easily worried or nervous
Typical imbalances according to tradition
- Bloating, gas, tight belly
- Dizziness, headaches, sudden tiredness
- Aches, stiff neck and shoulders
- Light sleep, trouble falling asleep, anxiety
Tastes (รสยา)
According to tradition, favour: hot and spicy (เผ็ดร้อน). No taste is ruled out, only kept in proportion.
The table follows the most widely used version of the element and taste pairings; manuals differ on some details.
- Hot and spicy (เผ็ดร้อน) · Favour: relieves wind, warms, helps circulation
Thai foods and herbs
- Galangal, ginger, lemongrass
- Holy basil, Thai basil, lemon basil
- Black pepper, fingerroot (กระชาย)
- Garlic, shallots
Everyday dishes
- Holy basil stir-fry (ผัดกะเพรา)
- Clear tom yam
- Chicken galangal soup
- Ginger stir-fry
- Hot ginger infusion
- Lemongrass tea
- Warm water rather than iced drinks
Habits
- Keep regular meal and bed times
- Eat warm, cooked food, avoid raw and iced food at night
- Breathe slowly, meditate, practise ฤๅษีดัดตน (Thai hermit stretching)
- Protect yourself from wind and draughts
Suitable massage and treatments
Traditional Thai massage with hot herbal compresses (ลูกประคบ) is the treatment most often suggested for wind: it relaxes the muscles, warms the body and calms the nerves.
For a personal assessment or a treatment, see a qualified practitioner near you.
This information comes from the tradition of Thai medicine and is given for guidance only. It is neither a diagnosis nor a treatment. See a doctor for any lasting symptom, and ask a professional before taking herbs if you are pregnant, on medication or living with a chronic condition.
Frequently asked questions
- Which birth months belong to the wind element?
- April, May and June under the majority convention; Thai lunar months 5, 6 and 7 in the manuals.
- Which tastes suit the wind element?
- According to tradition, favour: hot and spicy (เผ็ดร้อน). No taste is ruled out, only kept in proportion.
- What are the typical imbalances of the wind element?
- Bloating, gas, tight belly; dizziness, headaches, sudden tiredness; aches, stiff neck and shoulders; light sleep, trouble falling asleep, anxiety. These tendencies do not replace medical advice.
- Which massage suits the wind element?
- Traditional Thai massage with hot herbal compresses (ลูกประคบ) is the treatment most often suggested for wind: it relaxes the muscles, warms the body and calms the nerves.
- Can your element change?
- Your birth element does not change, but the body's balance shifts with age, season and habits. That is why the tool also offers a constitution quiz.