To remedy the imbalance, Five Phases diet therapy advocates the addition of counterbalancing flavors, and each has special powers to restore balance. Wood is associated with sour. Sour is astringent and gathering. A diet that has an excess of sour is associated with weakening of the Spleen, overproduction or saliva by the Liver and injury to the muscles. It can be counteracted by the addition of metal-pungent foods.
Fire is associated with bitter.
Bitter is drying and strengthening. A diet that has an excess of bitter is associated with Spleen energy dryness, congestion of Stomach energy and a withering of the skin. It can be counteracted by the addition of salty foods. Earth is associated with sweet. Sweet is harmonizing and retarding.