What is Body Constitution?

Introduction

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Body Constitution is a framework that describes general physical, functional and psychological characteristics experienced by 9 body types.

Each Constitution displays different sensitivities towards diet and environmental factors (including weather changes); as well as a tendency to display certain patterns of physical symptoms and mental characteristics.

Understanding your Constitution is key for understanding your body, with diet and lifestyle recommendations suited for each Constitution. Just like the popular MBTI personality quiz, it’s not a be all and end all, but a good first step in understanding yourself to optimise your mind and body wellness.

What affects Body Constitution?

Before we dive into the 9 body types, it’s key to understand what affects Body Constitution. One’s Constitution could be attributed to a mix of these two factors:

Inborn factors

This refers to genetics and inherited traits that make us susceptible to certain diseases. These inherited traits cannot be easily changed.

Acquired factors

Acquired factors refer to controllable conditions such as diet, environment, emotional state and lifestyle. As compared to inborn factors which are genetic and cannot be changed easily, the emphasis of learning about one’s Body Constitution is therefore to tweak acquired factors in order to optimise body and mental wellness.

The 9 Body Constitution Types

There are 9 main Body Constitution types in total. You can be a mixture of the following:

Qi-Deficiency

Qi deficiency is a lack of vital energy in the body, impacting overall health and vitality. It often results from poor diet, stress, and overexertion.

Symptoms: Fatigue, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, weak immune system, poor digestion, mental fog, low mood, lack of motivation​

Damp-Heat

Damp-heat is an accumulation of moisture and heat in the body, often due to dietary habits or environmental conditions, affecting digestion and skin health.

Symptoms: Feeling of heaviness, sticky stools, urinary difficulty, yellow or greasy tongue coating, skin issues like acne, irritability

 

Yin-Deficiency

Yin deficiency is a lack of the body's cooling and moistening elements, often due to chronic illness or prolonged stress, affecting overall moisture and balance.

Symptoms: Night sweats, dry mouth and throat, red tongue with little or no coating, restlessness, insomnia, hot flashes​

 

Qi Stagnation

Qi stagnation is the blockage or sluggish movement of energy within the body, often caused by stress, poor diet, or lack of exercise, impacting emotional and physical health.

Symptoms: Emotional stress, irritability, depression, sensation of distension or pain in the chest and abdomen, frequent sighing

Yang-Deficient

Yang deficiency is characterised by a lack of warming energy in the body, leading to feelings of cold and sluggishness, often seen in chronic illnesses.

Symptoms: Cold limbs, aversion to cold, pale complexion, fatigue, loose stools, low libido​.

Phlegm-Damp

Phlegm-damp involves excessive dampness and mucus in the body, affecting the respiratory and digestive systems, leading to blockages and sluggishness

Symptoms: Feeling of heaviness, phlegm in the throat, digestive issues, swollen tongue with a sticky coating, nausea​​.

Blood stasis

Blood stasis is the poor circulation of blood within the body, leading to stagnation and blockages, often resulting from trauma or chronic illness.

Symptoms: Sharp, fixed pain, dark or purplish complexion, varicose veins, menstrual irregularities, bruising easily​​

Special/sensitive

This category includes individuals with specific sensitivities or conditions that cause varied symptoms, often requiring tailored dietary adjustments.

Symptoms: Vary greatly depending on the specific sensitivity but can include digestive upset, skin reactions, fatigue, and general discomfort

Neutral

Neutral type represents the most “balanced” Body Constitution type; it is a healthy benchmark we can all strive for. Some of us might fall into this category.

 

Conclusion

Body Constitution is a key belief in TCM that has a long history. Understanding the 9 different constitutions and your current constitution is key, as it helps with understanding yourself, tuning into your body and understanding what it needs. It also helps with understanding what one needs to combat imbalance in life.

As Body Constitution changes all the time and goes through different phases in life, it is key to customise daily habits and efforts towards health accordingly. 

 

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