The influence of each element has a tendency to help make a particular form owing to the peculiar nature of their manifestation and direction they take. The earth element spreads and takes a straight course, while the water has a tendency to flow downwards. Fire rises upwards while air moves in a zigzag direction, ether blurs. All these elements make different forms according to their nature and direction, and all forms of the universe show one or more element in their formation to the eye of the seer. It is this which has guided the ancient discoverers of healing properties in herbs and drugs.