Introduction for Chinese Medicine Constitutions

When the yang energy is insufficient, it can lead to the body not being warm or sunny enough, feeling lethargic, havinglow morale, and slowing down of life activities due to a lack of driving force.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• Cold hands and feet
• Feeling tired often
• May experience symptoms such as diarrhea, painful periods, delayed menstruation, impotence, infertility, edema, obesity, stiff and painful joints, and sensitivity to cold

Foods that help to nourish yang energy
Lamb, chicken, shrimp, sea cucumber, ginger, chili peppers, pumpkin, Chinese yam, carrots, lychee, longan, durian, jujube, walnuts, and cashews.

Yin deficiency refers to a condition where there is insufficient yin components in the body, which mainly includes blood, body fluids, essence, and other liquid components.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• Dry mouth and throat, dry skin
• Difficulty passing dry stools, reduced urine output
• Dry and irritated eyes, blurry vision
• Soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus
• Poor sleep quality, insomnia and excessive dreaming
• Feeling hot and bothered in the palms, soles of the feet, and chest area

Foods that help to nourish yin energy
Sesame, glutinous rice, honey, dairy products, Chinese cabbage, winter melon, tofu, pear, watermelon, lily bulbs, lotus roots, duck, goose, sugarcane, and fish.

Qi deficiency refers to a constitution where a person feels that they do not have enough qi, resulting in easy fatigue and a tendency to be quiet and speak softly.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• Excessive sweating
• Small appetite and average eating habits
• Pale complexion
• Soft and low-pitched cough
• Prone to prolapse of rectum or uterus
• Sore and weak lower back and knees
• Men are more likely to experience premature ejaculation, while women may experience thin, white vaginal discharge

Foods that help to supplement the spleen and boost qi energy
Soybeans, white kidney beans, chicken, loach, jujube, longan, strawberries, figs, honey, sweet potatoes, and other similar foods.

The flow of qi and blood in the human body needs to be smooth, with qi playing a dominant role in driving this process. When qi cannot flow smoothly, it can become qi-stagnant.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• Mostly thin body shape
• Grayish or yellowish complexion
• Often feeling depressed and sighing frequently
• Prone to abdominal bloating and pain
• Women are more likely to experience breast swelling and abdominal distension
before menstruation

Foods that help to promote the flow of qi
White radish, barley, buckwheat, bitter melon, turnip, onion, fennel, orange, and other similar foods.

Damp-heat constitutionrefers to a constitution in Chinese medicine where a person has both dampness and heat in their body, resulting in characteristic symptoms.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• Feeling of heaviness in the body
• Dry and bitter mouth
• Eyes often have red bloodshot veins, and the person may be irritable
• Yellow and reduced urine output
• Dry or loose stools

Foods that help to clear heat and dampness
Coix seed, Poria cocos, adzuki beans, mung beans, kidney beans, duck, carp, winter melon, gourd, bitter melon, cucumber, celery, Chinese cabbage, water spinach, cabbage, lotus root, and other similar foods.

Phlegm dampness constitution is a Chinese medical term that refers to a constitution where a person's organs and bodily functions are out of balance, leading to a dysregulation of the metabolism of fluids in the body. As a result, fluids that should circulate in the body become stagnant and accumulate, eventually forming phlegm and resulting in a phlegm dampness constitution.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• A tendency towards obesity
• Rarely feeling thirsty
• Poor appetite
• Easily sweating
• Tendency towards fatigue and a feeling of heaviness in the body

Foods that help to dispel dampness and transform
phlegm
Ginger, chili pepper, Chinese yam, white radish, water chestnut, seaweed, jellyfish, onion, ginkgo nuts, jujube, loquat, white kidney beans, coix seed, adzuki beans, dragon fruit, cherries, papaya, and other similar foods.

The various organs, tissues, and structures in the human body all rely on blood to provide nutrients and energy. When the circulation of blood and qi is not smooth, it can lead to corresponding physical discomfort.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• Easily developing dark or dull lips, freckles, dark circles under the eyes, and scars
• Prone to headaches, stomachaches, menstrual pain, and joint pain
• In women, those with a blood stasis constitution often experience painful menstruation, heavy clots during menstruation, and irregular menstruation

Foods that help to promote the circulation of qi and blood
Beef, carp, shrimp, Chinese yam, black fungus, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, bitter melon, peanuts, hawthorn, longan, banana, peach, apple, milk, honey, and other similar foods.

This refers to the sensitive constitution, which is often associated with allergies. People with this constitution may exhibit the following symptoms:

Nasal sensitivity
They may experience nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing even if they do not have a cold.

Skin sensitivity
They may be prone to hives, rashes, and other skin irritations.

Gastrointestinal sensitivity
They may experience diarrhea from minor disturbances, and in severe cases, they may develop irritable bowel syndrome.

Foods that help to tonify qi
Astragalus, fuzzy peach, Chinese yam, codonopsis, longan, walnuts, chestnuts, and other similar foods.

Please consult Chinese medicine practitioner.

People with a balanced constitution have a harmonious body and mind, with a balance of yin and yang, harmony of qi and blood, and sufficient positive energy.

They have a stronger ability to adapt to changes in the external environment and do not often experience physical discomfort or significant mood swings.

Because they are physically and mentally healthy, they are more likely to have a longer lifespan and higher quality of life.

Characteristic traits of this constitution
• A healthy and clear complexion
• A proportionate body, neither too thin nor too fat
• Quick reflexes and stable emotions