To remedy the imbalance, five-element 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 of 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 and dry cough and asthma. It can be counteracted by the addition of salty foods. Earth is associated with sweet. Sweet is harmonizing and retarding.