Classification and determination of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine usually studies people's physical constitution, because it is necessary to observe and study the human constitution before choosing methods to supplement the body's nutrition. When a person becomes ill, Chinese medicine practitioners will first diagnose the person's physical constitution. For example, we will be able to classify human physical constitutions, so we should be able to master scientific methods. So how is constitution classified and determined in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

1. How to classify constitution in traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that according to the human body's physiological, psychological and disease-prone characteristics, it can be divided into 9 types of constitutions, namely Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, phlegm-dampness, damp-heat, blood stasis, Qi stagnation, special constitution and peaceful constitution. Among them, the balanced constitution is a symbol of health, and the other eight are biased constitutions.

2. How to determine TCM constitution

2.1. Peaceful quality

The complexion and skin are moist, the hair is thick and shiny, the eyes are bright, the nose is bright, the sense of smell is good, the lips are rosy, not easily fatigued, full of energy, tolerant to cold and heat, good sleep, good appetite, normal bowel movements, light red tongue, thin white fur, and a gentle and strong pulse.

2.2 Yin Deficiency

The body is thin. Hot palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, slightly dry nose, preference for cold drinks, dry stool, red tongue with little fluid, and thin and rapid pulse. He has an impatient, extroverted, active and lively temperament. It is easy to suffer from diseases such as fatigue, loss of semen, insomnia, etc.; the evil pathogens are easily transformed into heat.

2.3 Phlegm-damp constitution

The body is obese, with a fat and soft abdomen. The facial skin is oily, sweaty and sticky, there is chest tightness, excessive phlegm, a sticky or sweet mouth, a preference for fatty, sweet and sticky food, a greasy tongue coating, and a slippery pulse.

2.4. Damp-heat quality

The face is dirty and oily, prone to acne and blackheads, the body feels heavy and drowsy, the stool is sticky and uncomfortable, the scrotum is wet in men, and the discharge is yellow and smelly in women, the tongue is red with yellow and greasy coating, and the pulse is slippery and rapid. It is easy to suffer from acne, jaundice, gonorrhea, fever and other diseases.

2.5. Yang Deficiency Constitution

The muscles are soft and flaccid. He usually fears cold, has cold hands and feet, likes hot food, is listless, has a pale, plump and tender tongue, and a deep and slow pulse. They are usually calm and introverted, and are prone to diseases such as phlegm, swelling, diarrhea, etc.; they are easily affected by cold when they are infected by pathogens.

2.6. Blood Stasis

The complexion is often dull, the lips are dull or purple, the eye sockets are dark, the skin is rough, or there are masses, stabbing pain, and the pain is fixed. The tongue is dark purple with petechiae, and the pulse is thin and wiry or irregular. It is easy to suffer from bleeding, abdominal mass, stroke, chest pain (coronary heart disease) and other diseases.

2.7. Qi stagnation constitution

Most of them are thin. Depressed expression, fragile emotions, irritability, pale red tongue, thin white fur, and stringy pulse. He is introverted, unstable, sensitive and worrying. It is easy to suffer from visceral agitation, plum pit qi, lily disease and depression, etc.

2.8. Special qualities

People with allergic constitution often suffer from asthma, wheals, itchy throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, etc.; people with hereditary diseases have vertical inheritance, congenital, and familial characteristics; people with fetal-transmitted diseases have characteristics of the mother's influence on the fetus' individual growth and development and related diseases.

2.9. People with allergies

Prone to asthma, urticaria, hay fever and drug allergy, etc.; hereditary diseases such as hemophilia, congenital idiocy, etc.; fetal-transmitted diseases such as the five delays (delayed standing, delayed walking, delayed hair growth, delayed teething and delayed speech), the five softnesses (soft head, soft neck, soft hands and feet, soft muscles, soft mouth), craniosynostosis, fetal shock, etc.

3. What is the reason for poor physical fitness?

3.1 Genetic

Some people are born with poor physical fitness due to the influence of their parents' genes.

3.2 Environmental factors

The influence of the natural environment, such as environmental pollution, unclean diet, noise, etc., also has a great impact.

3.3 Social factors

Such as work stress, high psychological pressure, irregular life, such as insufficient sleep and irregular diet.

3.4. Unreasonable diet structure

A monotonous diet and unbalanced nutrition lead to nutritional deficiencies and low resistance.

Can the human body be changed?

Physical fitness can be adjusted. Physical constitution is both innate and acquired. The stability of physique is formed by similar genetic background, and factors such as age and gender can also make the physique show a certain stability. However, the stability of physical constitution is relative. During the life process of growth, maturity and aging, an individual's physical constitution will change due to the influence of many factors in the internal and external environment, such as the environment, spirit, nutrition, exercise, disease, etc. Physical constitution is only relatively stable, but also dynamically changeable. This characteristic is the basis for adjustable physique.

How to regulate human body constitution

1. Diet adjustment

People with poor physical fitness can consume more protein, vitamins, etc. in their diet to help enhance the body's immunity. In addition, you can also eat foods that have the effect of replenishing qi and nourishing blood to help improve poor physical condition.

2. Poor physical fitness due to exercise

People with poor physical fitness can improve their physical fitness by persisting in aerobic exercise. It should be noted that when choosing sports, gentle walking, jogging, yoga, Tai Chi, etc. are appropriate. People with poor physical fitness can only withstand limited exercise intensity. Aerobic exercise is more in line with the physical condition of people with poor physical fitness and can also effectively help enhance physical fitness.

3. Seek medical treatment for poor physical condition

Poor physical condition may be caused by certain diseases. Conversely, poor physical condition may also affect the normal functions of body organs. Therefore, seeing a doctor for a physical examination can help you detect any discomfort in your body in a timely manner. In addition, you can also use health-care drugs under the guidance of a doctor to help regulate poor physical condition and enhance physical fitness.

4. Sufficient sleep can improve poor physical condition

People who often stay up late or have poor sleeping habits can easily damage their body's vitality and cause their physical condition to deteriorate. Getting enough sleep and having good sleep quality can help consolidate the body's vitality. The body can also repair itself during sleep, and your physical condition will get better and better.