9 Body Constitutions
Have you heard of someone benefiting greatly from certain herbs but is damaging for some others?
Every body is different. One man’s meat can be another man’s poison. It goes back to one’s body constitution.
Congenital (先天禀赋) and acquired gradually (后天逐渐形成) and differs with gender, age, personality, living environment.
What is your body constitution(s)?
In TCM, we classify the body constitutions into 9 types. Some may have a mixture of body constitutions.
These are the traits of each body constitution.
NEUTRAL 平和质:
Physically fit, emotionally stable, energetic, have good sleep habits and healthy appetite, adaptable to environmental changes.
QI DEFICIENT 气虚质:
Prone to panting, easily fatigued, susceptible to the common cold or flu bug, perspires easily with little physical activity, easily affected by changes in weather. These individuals usually take a longer time to recover from illness.
YANG DEFICIENT阳虚质:
Aversion to cold and humidity, often complain about feeling cold at the hands, feet and abdomen, often feel unwell after eating cold food.
YIN DEFICIENT 阴虚质:
Often complain about feeling warm at the palms of the hand and soles of the feet especially in the night, dry mouth and nose, dry stools or constipation, aversion to hot and dry weather.
PHLEGM AND DAMPNESS 痰湿质:
Prone to excessive sebum secretions on the face and scalp, excessive phlegm production, chest tightness, often have cravings for food high in fat and sugars, aversion to humid and wet weather.
DAMP HEAT 湿热质:
Prone to have acne on the face and neck area, often complains of a bitter taste in the mouth, feeling fatigued and heaviness in the body, sense of incomplete defecation or dry stools, excessive secretions or dampness at the reproductive organs, aversion to warm and humid weather.
BLOOD STASIS 血瘀质:
Prone to forgetfulness, irritable, often have dull complexion and pigmentation on the skin, dark-coloured lips, unknown bruising, aversion to cold weather, prone to bleeding disorders and abnormal growths in the body.
QI STAGNATION 气郁质:
Copes poorly to stress, prone to mood swings, anxiety and depression, excessive sighing, palpitations, aversion to autumn, winter and rainy seasons.
SPECIAL CONSTITUTION 特禀质:
Inherent sensitivity to certain drugs, foods, scents, or other allergens. Often have allergies that affect the respiratory system and skin. Often sensitive to changes in temperature, weather and seasons.
Note: These are general observations for simple self-care, for eductional purpose. Do not self-diagnose. Consult a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to have a better understanding of your condition and advise appropriately.
More in the E-Book: Learn About Wellness with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 30 Minutes
Body Constitutions Questionaire
Answer the questions below based on your experiences in the past 1 year.
There are 9 sets of questions. 1 set for each body constitution.
Tabulate the points for each set of questions to determine your body constitution(s).
Neutral 平和质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is A.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (A-8)/32 x 100%
Unlikely: Less than 60
Definite: More than 60
Qi-Deficient 气虚质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is B.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (B-8)/32 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Yang-Deficient 阳虚质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is C.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (C-7)/28 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Yin-Deficient 阴虚质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is D.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (D-8)/32 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Phlegm Dampness 痰湿质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is E.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (E-8)/32 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Damp Heat 湿热质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is F.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (F-7)/28 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Blood Stasis 血瘀质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is G.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (G-7)/28 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Qi Stagnation 气郁质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is H.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (H-7)/28 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Special 特禀质
Add up the points. Let’s say the total is I.
Calculate your tendency to be this body constitution: (I-7)/28 x 100%
Unlikly: Less than 30
Somewhat: 30 to 40
Likely: More than 40
Find out self-care tips for the respective body constitutions in E-Book: Learn About Wellness with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 30 Minutes