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We know that there are nine basic constitutions in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Apart from the relatively healthy Pinghe Tizhi (平和体质, Harmonious Constitution), there are eight other types that fall into the so-called sub-healthy states (偏颇体质, Deviated Constitution).
Why do some people pay great attention to health preservation but see no improvement in their physical condition? The reason may lie in unclear judgment of their constitution, leading to incorrect methods. Different constitutions require different focuses in health preservation and conditioning. Only by recognizing one’s constitution and addressing it accordingly can one achieve better results! In the previous two articles, we discussed Qi Xu Tizhi (气虚体质, Qi Deficiency Constitution), Yang Xu Tizhi (阳虚体质, Yang Deficiency Constitution), Yin Xu Tizhi (阴虚体质, Yin Deficiency Constitution), and Tan Shi Tizhi (痰湿体质, Phlegm-Damp Constitution). Today, we will continue to learn about Damp-Heat Tizhi (湿热体质, Damp-Heat Constitution) and Blood Stasis Tizhi (血瘀体质, Blood Stasis Constitution).
Damp-Heat Constitution
Self-assessment for Damp-Heat Constitution
Damp-heat rising—oily skin, acne, oral bitterness, sticky mouth, bad breath, bleeding gums, etc. Damp-heat descending—affecting the bladder’s qi transformation function, leading to symptoms of unsatisfactory urination and defecation, yellow urine, sticky stools, and increased frequency of bowel movements. Young men may experience frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, and incomplete urination due to prostatitis, mostly caused by Damp-Heat Constitution.
Damp-Heat Constitution is characterized primarily by the internal accumulation of damp-heat. It is often referred to as the “Acne Type”.
Causes of Constitution:
Dampness mainly comes from two aspects: external dampness and internal dampness.
External dampness: moisture from the environment invading the body.
Internal dampness: a phenomenon caused by pathological factors, closely related to one’s digestive function. For example, a preference for fried, grilled, and spicy foods; excessive smoking and drinking; and prolonged states of depression and worry.
If there is already dampness in the body or if dampness is externally contracted, it can transform into damp-heat.
Tongue Diagnosis Characteristics: The tongue body is red or purplish-red, and the tongue coating is yellow and greasy, difficult to scrape clean.
Shā Diagnosis Characteristics: Red color, many shā spots, with stasis, odor, and oily sweating.
Teacher Jingjing’s Comment: Currently, the Damp-Heat Constitution is relatively rare. People who often work outdoors, such as street cleaners and vegetable farmers, tend to have more of this constitution, while office workers who sit for long periods have it less frequently.
How to Regulate:
Dietary therapy: soothe the liver and benefit the gallbladder, clear heat and eliminate dampness. Attention should be paid to improving living conditions and dietary adjustments. Avoid overeating, excessive drinking, and consuming greasy and sweet foods. Regularly consume Yi Yi Ren (薏仁, Coix Seed) and Chi Xiao Dou (赤小豆, Adzuki Bean).
Acupuncture points: Recommended points include Zhong Wan (中脘, Middle Cavity), Zu San Li (足三里, Three Miles of the Foot), and Yin Ling Quan (阴陵泉, Yin Mound Spring). Stimulating Yin Ling Quan, the meeting point of the spleen channel, helps regulate the water pathways and can promote the function of the spleen and stomach, aiding in dampness elimination, weight loss, and reducing swelling.
Blood Stasis Constitution
Self-assessment for Blood Stasis Constitution
1. Do you notice unexplained purple bruises (subcutaneous bleeding) on your skin?
2. Do you have fine blood vessels on your cheeks?
3. Do you experience pain anywhere in your body?
4. Is your complexion dull or do you easily develop brown spots?
5. Do you often have dark circles under your eyes?
6. Do you tend to forget things?
7. Are your lips dark in color?
Common Manifestations of Blood Stasis Constitution:
Typically, the complexion is dark, the skin is dull or pigmented, and there is a tendency to experience pain. The lips may appear dull or purplish. There may be dark circles around the eyes, spotted complexion, nasal congestion, hair loss, and dry skin or brittle nails. Blood Stasis Constitution is often referred to as the “Spotty Type”.
Causes of Constitution:
1. Insufficient congenital endowment;
2. Long-term emotional imbalance, especially repression and stagnation of emotions, affecting the liver and causing liver qi stagnation. There is a saying in TCM: “Qi is the commander of blood; when qi flows, blood flows; when qi stagnates, blood stasis occurs.”
3. Acquired injuries, such as from car accidents, where significant external injuries heal but lead to a blood stasis constitution, evident in tongue diagnosis.
4. Chronic painful diseases, often in cold environments, where prolonged illness leads to obstruction of capillary circulation.
5. Working in cold environments, where blood vessels constrict due to cold.
Tongue Diagnosis Characteristics: The tongue body is pale purple or bluish-purple, dark purple with stasis spots (or stasis patches), or accompanied by varicose veins under the tongue.
Shā Diagnosis Characteristics: Dark purple shā, dark colors, purple, blue, dull, clotted shā, light dark shā, small areas of stasis spots, and grayish discoloration.
Teacher Jingjing’s Comment: Long-term consumption of cold drinks or older individuals tend to have more Blood Stasis Constitution. Young people should not think that Blood Stasis Constitution is exclusive to the elderly; those who frequently consume cold drinks, stay up late, or suffer from insomnia are prone to cold-induced stasis. This constitution must be addressed by a physician; otherwise, over time, it can lead to serious diseases.
How to Regulate:
Maintenance focuses on nourishing the liver, as blood stasis is primarily related to the liver and its inability to disperse. “When qi stagnates, blood stasis occurs.” The liver is responsible for storing blood, and if liver qi is often stagnant, it gradually forms a blood stasis constitution. Foods such as Shan Zha (山楂, Hawthorn), Dang Gui (当归, Angelica Sinensis), and San Qi (三七, Notoginseng) are beneficial.
Acupuncture points: Xin Bao Jing (心包经, Pericardium Meridian), San Yin Jiao (三阴交, Three Yin Intersection), and Xue Hai (血海穴, Sea of Blood). The Xue Hai point is located on the inner thigh, 2 inches above the inner side of the patella, at the bulge of the inner head of the quadriceps; locate the point with the knee bent. Regularly massaging this point can nourish the skin, relieve dryness, prevent skin itching, regulate qi and blood, and reduce brown spots, freckles, and pigmentation.
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