In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), human constitution is classified into nine types: Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu), Yang Deficiency (Yang Xu), Qi Deficiency (Qi Xu), Phlegm-Dampness (Tan Shi), Damp-Heat (Shi Re), Qi Stagnation (Qi Yu), Blood Stasis (Yu Xue), Special Constitution (Te Bing), and Balanced Constitution (Ping He). Whether for health maintenance or disease treatment, understanding one’s constitution type is one of the most fundamental and important considerations.
However, many people are “lost” in their pursuit of health, not even knowing which constitution they belong to. This is naturally why the same methods may work for others but not for you.
Identify your TCM constitution! Which one are you?
1. Yang Deficiency Constitution (Yang Xu)
Definition: Insufficient Yang Qi leads to a lack of warmth, characterized by cold limbs and easy sweating.
Physical Characteristics: Often plump and soft muscles.
Main Symptoms: Cold hands and feet, sensitivity to cold in the back and abdomen, preference for warm foods, low energy, excessive sleep, pale and swollen tongue with teeth marks, and a deep, slow pulse (only detectable with deep pressure, and pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute).
Other Symptoms: Pale complexion, dull eyes, pale lips, hair loss, excessive sweating, loose stools, and clear, frequent urination.
Regulation Method: Consume more warming and Qi-nourishing foods such as scallions, ginger, garlic, Sichuan pepper, leeks, chili peppers, and black pepper.
2. Yin Deficiency Constitution (Yin Xu)
Definition: Insufficient body fluids and blood, characterized by Yin deficiency and internal heat.
Physical Characteristics: Slim and elongated.
Main Symptoms: Warm palms and soles, dry mouth and tongue, slightly dry nose, preference for cold drinks, dry stools, and a red tongue with little moisture.
Other Symptoms: Flushed complexion, feeling of heat, dry and blurry vision, slightly dry lips, dry skin prone to wrinkles, dizziness, tinnitus, poor sleep, short urination, and a thin, rapid pulse.
Regulation Method: Eat more cooling and moistening foods such as mung beans, winter melon, sesame, and lily bulbs.
3. Qi Deficiency Constitution (Qi Xu)
Definition: Insufficient Qi throughout the body, characterized by weak breath and low organ function.
Physical Characteristics: Soft muscles.
Main Symptoms: Shortness of breath, low voice, fatigue, easy exhaustion, excessive sweating, pale red tongue with teeth marks, and a weak, slow pulse.
Other Symptoms: Pale or sallow complexion, lack of spirit, bland mouth, dry lips, dull hair, dizziness, forgetfulness, normal stools, or constipation without hard stools, and normal or slightly increased urination.
Regulation Method: Qi tonics such as ginseng, astragalus, and codonopsis can be used.
4. Phlegm-Dampness Constitution (Tan Shi)
Definition: Overconsumption of fatty and sweet foods (high in fats and sugars, such as eggs, milk, and cakes) leads to internal accumulation of fluids and phlegm.
Physical Characteristics: Overweight, with a soft and full abdomen.
Main Symptoms: Oily skin, excessive sweating, chest tightness, and phlegm production.
Other Symptoms: Slightly swollen eyelids, tendency to feel drowsy, enlarged tongue with a white greasy coating, heavy body, slippery pulse, preference for fatty and sweet foods, and normal or loose stools.
Regulation Method: Eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, such as scallions, garlic, kelp, winter melon, radishes, kumquats, and mustard.
5. Damp-Heat Constitution (Shi Re)
Definition: Prolonged exposure to damp environments, preference for fatty and sweet foods, or long-term alcohol consumption leads to internal damp-heat.
Physical Characteristics: Slightly overweight.
Main Symptoms: Oily skin, prone to acne, red tongue with a yellow greasy coating, tendency for bitter mouth and dry mouth, and heavy body with fatigue.
Other Symptoms: Irritability, red eyes, dry or constipated stools, short and dark urination, men may experience dampness in the scrotum, and women may have excessive vaginal discharge.
Regulation Method: Eat light foods, favoring cooling and neutral foods such as mung beans, water spinach, celery, cucumbers, winter melon, and lotus root.
6. Qi Stagnation Constitution (Qi Yu)
Definition: Long-term emotional distress leads to Qi stagnation, characterized by an introverted and unstable personality, depression, and sensitivity.
Physical Characteristics: Often thin.
Main Symptoms: Depressed mood, frequent irritability. Representative figure: Lin Daiyu.
Other Symptoms: Chest and rib fullness or pain, frequent sighing, belching, sensation of a lump in the throat, breast tenderness, poor sleep, reduced appetite, palpitations, forgetfulness, phlegm production, dry stools, normal urination, pale red tongue, thin white coating, and a thin, wiry pulse.
Regulation Method: Eat foods that promote Qi flow and relieve stagnation, such as wheat, scallions, garlic, kelp, seaweed, radishes, kumquats, hawthorn, and rose tea.
7. Blood Stasis Constitution (Yu Xue)
Definition: A tendency for poor blood circulation or pathological basis of blood stasis, characterized by blood stasis.
Physical Characteristics: Often thin.
Main Symptoms: Dull complexion, dark skin or pigmentation, easy bruising, dark or purplish lips, dark tongue with stasis spots, and varicose veins under the tongue.
Other Symptoms: Dark circles under the eyes, nasal congestion, hair loss, dry skin or brittle nails, women may experience dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, or dark menstrual blood with clots.
Regulation Method: Eat foods that invigorate blood circulation and resolve stasis, such as black beans, kelp, nori, carrots, hawthorn, vinegar, green tea, and notoginseng powder.
8. Special Constitution (Te Bing)
Definition: A special constitution caused by congenital deficiencies and genetic factors, including congenital and hereditary physiological defects and allergic reactions.
Physical Characteristics: No specific features, or may have deformities or congenital physiological defects.
Common Symptoms: Due to various causes, external manifestations vary widely. Allergic individuals often show excessive sensitivity to certain substances. Hereditary diseases may have vertical inheritance and familial characteristics.
Regulation Method: Drinking reishi mushroom tea, maintaining a light and balanced diet, with appropriate combinations of coarse and fine foods, and reasonable meat-vegetable pairings. Avoid foods like buckwheat, fava beans, lentils, eggplant, and strong tea.
9. Balanced Constitution (Ping He)
Definition: Good congenital endowment, proper postnatal care, moderate body shape, rosy complexion, abundant energy, and strong organ function.
Physical Characteristics: Well-proportioned and robust.
Common Symptoms: Rosy complexion and skin, thick and shiny hair, clear nasal color, normal sense of smell and taste, rosy lips, abundant energy, resistance to fatigue, tolerance to cold and heat, peaceful sleep, good appetite, normal bowel and bladder function, pale red tongue, thin white coating, and a harmonious pulse.
After reading this, you might wonder why you have characteristics of several constitutions.
Don’t be surprised; TCM tells us that within each person, there often exists not just one constitution but multiple types simultaneously. Therefore, when maintaining health, it is essential to adjust according to your constitution.
Source: Joint Medication
