Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) categorizes human body constitutions into nine types. Excluding 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, namely: Yang Xu Tizhi (阳虚体质, Yang Deficiency Constitution), Yin Xu Tizhi (阴虚体质, Yin Deficiency Constitution), Qi Xu Tizhi (气虚体质, Qi Deficiency Constitution), Tan Shi Tizhi (痰湿体质, Phlegm-Damp Constitution), Shi Re Tizhi (湿热体质, Damp-Heat Constitution), Xue Yu Tizhi (血瘀体质, Blood Stasis Constitution), Te Bing Tizhi (特禀体质, Special Constitution), and Qi Yu Tizhi (气郁体质, Qi Stagnation Constitution).
【Today we will discuss two】
Shi Re Tizhi (湿热体质, Damp-Heat Constitution)
【General Characteristics】Damp-heat accumulation, oily complexion, bitter mouth, yellow greasy tongue coating, and other damp-heat manifestations.
【Physical Characteristics】Medium build or slightly thin.
【Psychological Characteristics】Prone to irritability and restlessness.
【Common Manifestations】Oily complexion, prone to acne, bitter and dry mouth, heavy and fatigued body, sticky and difficult bowel movements, short and yellow urine, men may experience dampness in the scrotum, women may have increased vaginal discharge, red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and slippery rapid pulse.
【Predisposition to Illness】Prone to sores, jaundice, and heat dysuria.
【Adaptability to External Environment】Difficult to adapt to damp-heat climates, especially in late summer and early autumn.
Management of Shi Re Tizhi (湿热体质, Damp-Heat Constitution)
Environmental and Lifestyle Adjustments: Avoid heat and humidity, maintain a dry and ventilated environment, avoid staying up late and overexertion, and protect against damp-heat invasion during long summers.
Physical Exercise: Engage in vigorous exercises such as middle-distance running, swimming, hiking, and ball sports to dispel dampness and heat. Exercise should be done in cool conditions during summer.
Mental Adjustment: Participate in cheerful and relaxing activities to relieve stress.
Dietary Regulation: Consume more tomatoes, cucumbers, mung beans, celery, and bitter melon. Avoid spicy, warming, and greasy foods, limit alcohol intake, and reduce seafood consumption. Alternatively, use red adzuki bean and coix seed tea, steeping two bags daily for health maintenance!
Herbal Regulation: Use herbs that are sweet, bland, bitter, cold, clear heat, and drain dampness, such as Huang Qin (黄苓, Scutellaria baicalensis), Huang Lian (黄连, Coptis chinensis), and Zhi Zi (栀子, Gardenia jasminoides). Formulas may include Long Gan Xie Dan Tang (龙肝泻胆汤, Longan and Gallbladder Decoction) and Yin Chen Hao Tang (茵陈蒿汤, Artemisia Decoction).
Xue Yu Tizhi (血瘀体质, Blood Stasis Constitution)
【General Characteristics】Gums prone to bleeding, red streaks in the eyes, dry skin, etc.
【Physical Characteristics】Mostly thin individuals.
【Psychological Characteristics】Prone to irritability, forgetfulness, and impatience.
【Common Manifestations】Skin often develops purple spots (subcutaneous bleeding) without notice, skin is often dry and rough, frequent pain, dull complexion or pigmentation, dark circles under the eyes, and red streaks in the eyes (congestion). Gums bleed easily when brushing teeth.
【Predisposition to Illness】Prone to bleeding disorders, stroke, and coronary heart disease.
【Adaptability to External Environment】Sensitive to wind and cold pathogens.
【Management of Xue Yu Tizhi (血瘀体质, Blood Stasis Constitution)
Environmental and Lifestyle Adjustments: Ensure adequate sleep, but do not become overly complacent.
Physical Exercise: Engage in activities that promote the circulation of Qi and blood, such as Tai Chi, Tai Chi sword, dance, and walking. Health massage can help open the meridians, relieve pain, stabilize emotions, and enhance bodily functions. Individuals with blood stasis constitution should seek medical attention if they experience chest tightness, difficulty breathing, or significantly increased pulse during exercise.
Dietary Regulation: Consume more black beans, seaweed, kelp, nori, carrots, kumquats, oranges, grapefruits, peaches, plums, hawthorn, rose flowers, and green tea, which have blood-activating, mass-dissolving, Qi-moving, and liver-soothing properties. Limit fatty pork intake. Alternatively, use red adzuki bean and coix seed tea, steeping two bags daily for health maintenance!
Maintain a healthy lifestyle from every moment.
