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Constitution refers to the relatively stable characteristics exhibited in the morphology, physiological functions, and psychological state of an individual, based on both congenital inheritance and acquired factors throughout life.
According to the “Classification and Identification of TCM Constitutions” standard released by the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine on March 26, 2009, and implemented on April 9, 2009.
Based on the characteristics of different constitutions in terms of morphology, physiological functions, and psychological activities.
The TCM constitutions are classified into:
Balanced Constitution, Qi Deficiency Constitution, Yang Deficiency Constitution,
Yin Deficiency Constitution, Phlegm-Damp Constitution, Damp-Heat Constitution,
Blood Stasis Constitution, Qi Stagnation Constitution, Special Constitution
These are the nine basic types.
Damp-Heat Constitution
Representative Figure: Bull Demon King
【Characteristics】: Yellowish and dull complexion, oily skin; dry mouth, bitter taste, bad breath, body heat; prone to acne, redness, and pain; yellowish teeth, red gums; constipation or sticky stools; easily tense, anxious, and irritable.【Prone to Diseases】Seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, acne, etc.; or fungal infections of the lower body skin, such as athlete’s foot; muscle fatigue; gastrointestinal diseases; liver and gallbladder system diseases; urinary and reproductive system infectious diseases.
1. What is Damp-Heat Constitution?
The issue of Damp-Heat Constitution is related to the relative dysfunction of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach, especially poor liver and gallbladder drainage function, usually manifested as unclean, sticky skin, prone to acne, and a quick temper.
2. How is the Damp-Heat Constitution formed in modern individuals?
1. Smoking, drinking, and staying up late harm the liver, which in turn damages the spleen and stomach, easily promoting the formation of Damp-Heat Constitution.2. Long-term irregular eating habits, binge eating, and late-night snacks can lead to dysfunction of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach, easily promoting Damp-Heat Constitution.3. Long-term emotional repression can also harm the liver and gallbladder, leading to the inability to discharge internal Damp-Heat; if one resorts to alcohol to relieve sorrow, it easily promotes Damp-Heat Constitution.4. Excessive tonification, or if there is already a tendency for internal heat, further tonification can easily lead to Damp-Heat Constitution.5. Individuals living in a damp and hot environment are more likely to develop Damp-Heat Constitution than others.
3. Daily exercise and adjustment recommendations for individuals with Damp-Heat Constitution.
Individuals with Damp-Heat Constitution have two main characteristics: one is excessive Yang energy, and the other is sticky dampness. Excessive Yang energy leads to hyperfunction. Therefore, exercises with higher intensity and volume are suitable, such as various ball games, martial arts, long-distance running, fitness, cycling, strength training, and hiking, which can disperse excess heat evil from the body and eliminate dampness through sweating, achieving the goal of removing heat and dampness.In daily life, attention should be paid to combining movement and rest; one should not seek comfort excessively, as stagnation can worsen Qi and blood stasis.
4. Dietary and lifestyle adjustment recommendations for individuals with Damp-Heat Constitution
【Dietary Health】Recommended foods:Foods that clear and eliminate damp-heat, such as coix seed (Yi Yi Ren), lotus seeds (Lian Zi), poria (Fu Ling), red beans (Hong Xiao Dou), broad beans (Can Dou), mung beans (Lu Dou), rabbit meat, duck meat, crucian carp, mung bean sprouts, winter melon, loofah, bitter melon, cucumber, watermelon, cabbage, celery, bok choy, lotus root, water spinach, etc.Avoid:Spicy and dry foods, such as chili, ginger, scallions, garlic, etc. Quit smoking and drinking, and avoid binge eating and excessive drinking.【Lifestyle and Mental Health】Ensure adequate sleep and calm the mind. Good sleep has the effect of eliminating dampness and clearing heat, so one should pay attention to calming the mind. Calmness can generate water to clear heat, and calmness helps the liver and gallbladder to be unblocked. Listening to soothing and melodious music can also help.
Phlegm-Damp Constitution
Representative Figure: Seventh-Rank Sesame Official
【Characteristics】: Significantly less sweating or excessive sweating; cloudy and foamy urine; slow and dull reactions; drowsiness, laziness, chest tightness, dizziness; constipation or sticky stools; prone to obesity, lack of enthusiasm for exercise; abdominal fat accumulation, physically overweight; facial puffiness, swelling of hands and feet.【Prone to Diseases】Obesity, fatty liver; hypertension, diabetes; arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia; coronary heart disease; stomach diseases.1. What is Phlegm-Damp Constitution?The formation of Phlegm-Damp Constitution is closely related to lifestyle, commonly seen in individuals with a wealthy lifestyle and lack of exercise. Here, phlegm refers to waste produced due to the obstruction of water metabolism, which circulates throughout the body with Qi and blood, causing various diseases.2. Formation and Harm of Phlegm-Damp Constitution1. Congenital predisposition towards Phlegm-Damp Constitution, inherited from parents..2. Preference for greasy and heavily flavored, salty foods.3. Excessive drinking, leading to an overload of alcohol that cannot be effectively metabolized.4. Lack of exercise, losing motivation to be active.3. Daily exercise and adjustment recommendations for individuals with Phlegm-Damp ConstitutionSuitable methods:Should avoid dampness, participate in various outdoor activities, and listen to light music to nourish the spirit through movement. It is best to maintain long-term physical exercise, such as walking, jogging, ball games, Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), Wuqinxi (Five Animal Frolics), and various dances, gradually increasing the intensity of activity to strengthen and tighten the loose flesh.Precautions:Individuals with Phlegm-Damp Constitution tend to be overweight and are prone to hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary heart disease, etc., which are often related to metabolic disorders. To enhance internal metabolism, one should engage in longer durations of aerobic exercise. Almost all moderate-intensity, longer-duration full-body exercises qualify as aerobic exercise.4. Dietary and lifestyle adjustment recommendations for individuals with Phlegm-Damp Constitution1. Principle: Strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, transform phlegm and reduce turbidity (the spleen is the source of phlegm; TCM believes that phlegm-dampness is often caused by spleen deficiency, where the spleen fails to function properly, leading to the accumulation of dampness and phlegm). Therefore, the most important principle for the health of individuals with Phlegm-Damp Constitution is to “strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness”;2. Avoid sweet, sticky, and greasy foods, and limit alcohol consumption;3. Consume more light foods that strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, transform phlegm, such as white radish, scallions, ginger, ginkgo, red beans, etc.;4. Individuals with Phlegm-Damp Constitution should limit their salt intake;5. Try to avoid late-night snacks.
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Submitted by: Preventive Treatment Department
Edited by: Du Qingqing
Responsible Editor: Wang Bo
Reviewed by: Bai Chunxia
Source: Jingbian County Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital