In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), human constitution is classified into nine types: Pinghe Zhi (平和质 – Harmonious Constitution), Qi Xu Zhi (气虚质 – Qi Deficiency Constitution), Yang Xu Zhi (阳虚质 – Yang Deficiency Constitution), Yin Xu Zhi (阴虚质 – Yin Deficiency Constitution), Tan Shi Zhi (痰湿质 – Phlegm-Damp Constitution), Shi Re Zhi (湿热质 – Damp-Heat Constitution), Qi Yu Zhi (气郁质 – Qi Stagnation Constitution), Xue Yu Zhi (血瘀质 – Blood Stasis Constitution), and Te Bing Zhi (特禀质 – Special Constitution).
1. Pinghe Zhi (平和质 – Harmonious Constitution)
Characterized by good innate endowment and proper postnatal nourishment, individuals have a rosy complexion, healthy skin, thick and shiny hair, normal bowel movements, a pale red tongue with thin white coating, and a soft, strong pulse. They are not easily fatigued or prone to illness, have an optimistic personality, and adapt well to social and natural environments.
Nourishment Method: Prevent illness before it occurs, engage in physical exercise.
Mnemonic:
Full of energy, never tired, sleep soundly until dawn.
Good memory, not forgetful, strong adaptability to the outside world.
2. Qi Xu Zhi (气虚质 – Qi Deficiency Constitution)
Characterized by a soft voice, shortness of breath, frequent spontaneous sweating, and persistent fatigue. Individuals are less inclined to exercise and are prone to colds, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, coronary heart disease, and neurasthenia.
Nourishment Method: Consume foods that tonify Qi and strengthen the spleen, such as red dates (Hong Zao), yam (Shan Yao), soybeans (Huang Dou), and chicken. Engage in gentle exercises like walking, Tai Chi, and Qigong, and regularly massage the Zu San Li (足三里 – Stomach 36) point.
Mnemonic:
Prone to colds and fatigue, short of breath, heart palpitations, and dizziness.
Prefer quiet, reluctant to speak, weak in body, sweat easily with slight activity.
3. Yang Xu Zhi (阳虚质 – Yang Deficiency Constitution)
Characterized by a fear of cold, always having cold hands and feet, and an aversion to cold foods; dislikes air conditioning in summer and cold drinks. Prone to colds, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and chronic bronchitis.
Nourishment Method: Follow the principle of warming Yang and tonifying Qi, consuming warming foods like ginger (Sheng Jiang), leeks (Jiu Cai), and chili peppers (La Jiao). Avoid cold foods like pears (Li), bananas (Xiang Jiao), and watermelons (Xi Gua). Limit green tea consumption. Regularly soak feet in hot water.
Mnemonic:
Fear of cold, cold limbs, prone to colds, dislike cold wind and air conditioning.
Clothing and diet must be warm; feel unwell with slight cold.
4. Yin Xu Zhi (阴虚质 – Yin Deficiency Constitution)
Characterized by dry mouth, dry skin, dry eyes, and dry stools, with a constant feeling of thirst. Individuals are often slender, intolerant of heat, and prone to insomnia. They experience heat in the palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, slightly dry nose, prefer cold drinks, often suffer from constipation, have a red tongue with little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. They tolerate winter but not summer heat or dryness.
Nourishment Method: Consume cooling and moistening foods like mung beans (Lu Dou), winter melon (Dong Gua), sesame (Zi Sha), lily bulbs (Bai He), sweet potatoes (Di Guo), and yam (Shan Yao). Eat more aquatic foods like lotus root (Lian Ou), water chestnuts (Bi Li), and arrowhead (Ling Jiao). Avoid warm and dry foods. Avoid staying up late and intense exercise; control sweating during workouts, replenish water promptly, and avoid “sweat steaming.” Walk and play in places rich in negative ions like beaches, forests, and rivers.
Mnemonic:
Fear of cold, cold limbs, prone to colds, dislike cold wind and air conditioning.
Clothing and diet must be warm; feel unwell with slight cold.
5. Tan Shi Zhi (痰湿质 – Phlegm-Damp Constitution)
Characterized by a large abdomen, tendency to feel drowsy, excessive sweating that is sticky, puffy eyes, frequent sensation of phlegm in the throat, a sticky or sweet mouth, preference for rich and sweet foods, thick and greasy tongue coating, and a slippery pulse. Individuals do not adapt well to the rainy season or humid environments.
Nourishment Method: Maintain a light diet, consume lotus leaves (He Ye) and white radish (Bai Luobo), and focus on light foods like winter melon (Dong Gua). Control intake of sweet and greasy foods.
Mnemonic:
Oily face, big belly, chest tightness, abdominal distension, discomfort.
Easy sweating with slight movement, puffy eyelids, excessive phlegm, sticky throat.
6. Shi Re Zhi (湿热质 – Damp-Heat Constitution)
Characterized by frequent bad breath, bitter mouth, and tendency for acne on the face and nose. Individuals are easily irritable, feel heavy and drowsy, have sticky or constipated stools, and yellowish urine. Men may experience dampness in the scrotum, while women may have increased vaginal discharge. The tongue is red with a yellow greasy coating, and the pulse is slippery and rapid. They do not adapt well to humid and hot climates, especially in late summer and early autumn.
Nourishment Method: Focus on clearing heat and eliminating dampness, maintain a light diet, and consume cooling and neutral foods like mung beans (Lu Dou), water spinach (Kong Xin Cai), amaranth (Xian Cai), celery (Qin Cai), cucumber (Huang Gua), winter melon (Dong Gua), lotus root (Lian Ou), and watermelon (Xi Gua). Avoid spicy and warming foods. Quit smoking and drinking. Avoid staying up late and overexertion. Suitable exercises include middle-distance running, swimming, hiking, and various ball sports.
Mnemonic:
Oily face, acne, bitter mouth, bad breath, yellow urine.
Sticky stools that are hard to pass, dampness in the genital area, increased yellow discharge.
7. Qi Yu Zhi (气郁质 – Qi Stagnation Constitution)
Characterized by introverted and unstable personality, prone to sentimentality, depression, and emotional fragility. Individuals often feel gloomy, have a pale red tongue with thin white coating, and a wiry pulse. Generally, they are slender, often melancholic, and easily experience heart palpitations and insomnia. They are prone to insomnia, depression, anxiety, and neurosis, and do not adapt well to mental stimulation or rainy weather.
Nourishment Method: Soothe the liver and relieve stagnation, regularly consume foods like kelp (Hai Dai) and hawthorn (Shan Zha) that promote Qi circulation, relieve stagnation, aid digestion, and invigorate the mind. Avoid tea and coffee before bed. Aerobic exercises like Qigong, Tai Chi, and yoga are beneficial; combine with psychological counseling, maintain an optimistic outlook, and simplify life choices.
Mnemonic:
Gloomy and suspicious, anxious and tense.
Sentimental and emotionally fragile, often sighing and disappointed.
8. Xue Yu Zhi (血瘀质 – Blood Stasis Constitution)
Characterized by bleeding gums while brushing teeth, red veins in the eyes, dry and rough skin, frequent pain, irritability, forgetfulness, and a quick temper. Individuals may have bruises, dull skin color, dark lips, a dark or purplish tongue with stasis points, and a purple or thickened sublingual vein, with a choppy pulse.
Nourishment Method: Consume foods that invigorate blood, disperse masses, promote Qi circulation, and soothe the liver, such as black beans (Hei Dou), kelp (Hai Dai), seaweed (Zi Cai), radishes (Luobo), carrots (Hu Luo Bo), hawthorn (Shan Zha), vinegar (Cu), and green tea (Lu Cha). Limit fatty meats and ensure adequate sleep. Engage in aerobic exercise.
Mnemonic:
Dull complexion, yellow-brown spots, unexplained bruises.
Dark lips, forgetfulness, dark circles under the eyes, frequent pain and discomfort.
9. Te Bing Zhi (特禀质 – Special Constitution)
Commonly referred to as allergic constitution, individuals are prone to allergies from medications, foods, odors, and pollen. Common diseases include measles, allergic purpura, allergic cough, and asthma.
Individuals with allergic constitution are prone to asthma, urticaria, hay fever, and drug allergies; hereditary diseases like hemophilia and congenital mental retardation; and fetal transmission diseases like the five delays (delayed standing, walking, speaking, teething, and development) and five soft conditions (soft head, neck, hands and feet, muscles, and mouth), as well as fetal fright and fetal shock.
Nourishment Method: Strengthen the exterior, nourish blood, and dispel wind. Consume foods that tonify Qi and strengthen the exterior; limit buckwheat (which contains allergenic substances) and fava beans (Cai Dou). Maintain indoor cleanliness, and regularly wash and sun-dry bedding and sheets to prevent dust mite allergies.
Mnemonic:
Cold, hot, and strange smells easily cause coughing and wheezing, sneezing, and runny nose.
Skin scratches lead to hives, or skin may show bruises.
