Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) categorizes individuals into nine constitutions: Pinghe Zhi (平和质), Qi Xu Zhi (气虚质), Yang Xu Zhi (阳虚质), Yin Xu Zhi (阴虚质), Tan Shi Zhi (痰湿质), Shi Re Zhi (湿热质), Xue Yu Zhi (血瘀质), Qi Yu Zhi (气郁质), and Te Bing Zhi (特禀质). Each constitution has distinct characteristics and manifestations, let us explore them one by one.1. Pinghe Zhi (平和体质)
Physical Characteristics:Well-proportioned and robust physiqueCommon Manifestations:Complexion and skin are moist and radiant, hair is thick and shiny, eyes are bright, normal sense of smell and taste, lips are rosy, energy is abundant, not easily fatigued, good sleep, normal bowel and bladder functionConstitutional Tendencies:Rarely falls illRecommended Foods:A balanced diet of both animal and plant foodsTongue Appearance:Pale red tongue with thin white coating 2. Qi Xu Zhi (气虚体质)
Physical Characteristics:Muscles are not well-developedCommon Manifestations:Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, prefers quiet, speaks softly, dislikes exercise, often experiences spontaneous sweatingConstitutional Tendencies:Prone to colds, difficulty recovering from illness due to weak resistance, prone to various organ prolapsesRecommended Diet:Yam juice, white lentils, chicken stewed with Astragalus (Huang Qi)Tongue Appearance:Fat and tender tongue, pale red or pale white, often with thin coating. 3. Yang Xu Zhi (阳虚体质)
Physical Characteristics:Muscles are not well-developedCommon Manifestations:Cold hands and feet, fear of cold, prefers quiet, discomfort after consuming cold foods or drinks, prone to loose stools, clear urineConstitutional Tendencies:Prone to cold intolerance, diarrhea, etc.Special Note:Keep the body warm to generate Yang Qi; avoid prolonged exposure to air conditioning and excessive consumption of cold foodsRecommended Diet:Angelica (Dang Gui) lamb soup, Eucommia teaTongue Appearance:Fat and tender tongue, with tooth marks on the edges, moist coating. 4. Yin Xu Zhi (阴虚体质)
Physical Characteristics:Thin and elongated physiqueCommon Manifestations:Heat sensations in the body and face, dry skin, frequent feelings of heat in palms and soles, flushed cheeks, dry eyes, dry mouth and throat, prone to insomnia, often experiences dry stools, irritable moodConstitutional Tendencies:Prone to cough, dry syndrome, hyperthyroidism, etc.Health Tips:Sleep is the best method to nourish Yin; maintaining smooth bowel movements is crucial for nourishing Yin; engage in light physical activitiesRecommended Diet:Wood ear mushrooms, lily, soft-shelled turtleTongue Appearance:Red or crimson tongue, little coating and dry 5. Tan Shi Zhi (痰湿体质)
Physical Characteristics:Obese physique, soft and full abdomenCommon Manifestations:Excessive sticky sweating, dampness in palms and soles, feelings of heaviness and discomfort in limbs, oily facial skin, often experiences a sticky or sweet taste in the mouth, tends to have phlegmConstitutional Tendencies:Prone to obesity, coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, etc.Health Tips:Improve dietary habits to reduce phlegm and dampness; avoid alcohol, get more sunlight, and exerciseRecommended Diet:Winter melon soup, radishTongue Appearance:Fat tongue with a thick white coating 6. Shi Re Zhi (湿热体质)
Physical Characteristics:Medium or slightly thin physiqueCommon Manifestations:Oily facial skin, prone to acne, bitter and dry mouth, bad breath, feelings of heaviness and fatigue, sticky or hard stools, short and red urine, men prone to dampness in the scrotum, women prone to increased vaginal discharge, red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse.Constitutional Tendencies:Prone to sores, jaundice, etc.Health Tips:Watch your diet, avoid alcohol to eliminate dampness, change your living environment, and get more sunlightRecommended Diet:Mung beans, cucumberTongue Appearance:Red tongue with yellow greasy coating 7. Xue Yu Zhi (血瘀体质)
Physical Characteristics:Often thin physiqueCommon Manifestations:Skin often develops purple spots (subcutaneous bleeding) without notice, skin is often dry and rough, dull complexion, pigmentation or brown spots, dark circles under the eyes, often has red veins in the eyes (congestion), gums bleed easily when brushing teeth.Constitutional Tendencies:Prone to bleeding/stroke, coronary heart disease, etc.Health Tips:Drink more water, keep warm – the simplest method to prevent and treat blood stasisRecommended Diet:Hawthorn, black beans, rose teaTongue Appearance:Thin and moist coating, dark tongue with purple spots or patches, and varicose veins under the tongue. 8. Qi Yu Zhi (气郁体质)
Physical Characteristics:Often thin physiqueCommon Manifestations:Often feels gloomy, low mood, easily tense and anxious, sentimental, emotionally fragile, easily frightened or startled, often experiences breast or side pain, feelings of chest tightness, often sighs for no reason, prone to palpitations, often feels a lump or foreign body sensation in the throat, prone to insomniaConstitutional Tendencies:Prone to insomnia, depression, etc.Health Tips:Regulate your mindset, say goodbye to depression, and get more sunlightRecommended Diet:Radish, kelp, kumquat teaTongue Appearance:Thin white coating, pale red tongue, with liver Qi stagnation lines, yellow greasy coating on both sides of the tongue 9. Te Bing Zhi (特禀体质)
Physical Characteristics:No special physiqueCommon Manifestations:Allergic constitution, nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, asthma, allergies to drugs, food, odors, pollen, seasonal allergies, skin allergies, skin often turns red and shows scratch marks upon contactConstitutional Tendencies:Prone to various allergiesSpecial Reminder:Will react quickly to specific allergens; TCM refers to this special reaction to certain substances as Te Bing Zhi (特禀体质).Health Tips:Avoid allergens, regulate immunityRecommended Diet:Red dates, citrus fruits
