As you start to walk on the way, the way appears. -- Rumi

Do you want to learn the secrets of longevity, which are the foundation of most traditional diets? Are you a health care practitioner, or an individual, who is seeking modern tools combined with ancient wisdom to achieve greater results? Or are you a culinary artist who wants a deeper understanding of the healing power of food and herbs?

In Chinese medicine the idea of flavor corresponding to the elements, seasons, and organ systems is seen as creating the healthy functioning of body, mind, and spirit. This class will help individuals and health care practitioners alike, to align and attune with the seasons through Flavor Energetics. You will learn how to apply the therapeutic uses of the Five Flavors through food, herbs, and cooking methods. We will focus on a diet for all seasons, and eating practices that bring us into harmony with the cycles of nature where we begin to hear the voice of our own inner nature.

Through content rich course materials and resources : PDFs, webinars, exercises, assignments, mentoring, discussion group, and a private students only Facebook Group, you will empower self and others to greater health and well-being.

Note: Upon completion of all assignments for this course you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion in Five Flavor Energetics. This is a required course for Five Element Certification.


Course Curriculum

  Lesson 1: Alchemy of the Five Flavors
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  Lesson 2: Flavor Energetics, Cycles & Seasonal Attunement
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  Lesson 3: The Salty Flavor
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  Lesson 4: The Sweet Flavor
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  Lesson 5: The Sour Flavor
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  Lesson 6: The Pungent Flavor
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  Lesson 7: The Bitter Flavor
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  Lesson Eight: Culinary Alchemy
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Hi, I am Thea Summer Deer


I am an herbal practitioner in the Energetic model aligned with the Wise Woman and European Herbal Traditions, and draw from the wisdom of Chinese Medicine and Five Element Theory. A graduate of BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies, I also earned a doctorate in Philosophy and Shamanic Psychospiritual Studies from Venus Rising University. I am a clinical herbalist who has been teaching Five Element online for over 10 years, and at various herbal medicine schools and conferences.

Teaching Five Element is my passion. It is my personal vision for the future that this knowledge will be taught to our children so they can live healthy lives connected to, and aligned with, natural laws. I also envision a day when this knowledge will be incorporated into our hospitals and global health care systems.

My involvement in Alternative Medicine spans 45 years as a nutritionist, midwife, childbirth educator, herbalist, owner of MindBody and Evolutionary Press, and as Executive Director of Resources for World Health. My articles have appeared in numerous magazines, books and publications, and I am the author of Wisdom of the Plant Devas: Herbal Medicine for a New Earth. Please visit my website: Thea Summer Deer

Select a pricing plan and sign up

Varieties and Sources of Salt
Varieties and Sources of Salt


Examples of foods and herbs for each of the Five Flavors along with resources.

Salty, Sour, Bitter, Sweet and Pungent
Salty-Sour-Bitter-Sweet-Pungent


Learn how the Five Flavors are in relationship with each other and their therapeutic uses.

Discover New Recipes
Discover New Recipes


Thea's Kitchen Blog shares recipes categorized by Element & Season