What is Your Health Constitution?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each person has a different type of health constitution dependent on congenital and acquired factors. You have an underlying constitution that you were born with (congenital). This however can be changed depending on lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and environment (acquired factors). Within each constitution type, there are different levels hence the wide range of characteristics. Having a single constitution does not you will or must develop the tendencies and possible conditions.

Here are 5 main types: Hot, Cold, Damp, Dry and Neutral.

1. Hot (Excess Yang) type

The Hot body constitution type is generally someone tends to more hot in temperature.

Typical characteristics of Hot constitution:

· Feels hot/feverish

· Fears or dislike hot temperature

· Attracted to cold (cold drinks, foods, climates, etc.)

· More easily agitated or irritable

· Tends to have a stocky build

· Tends to be more red (redness in the whole face, eyes, etc.)

· Tends to have dark urine, hard (smelly) stools

· May have high blood pressure, inflammation, rashes, skin eruptions, sores, swellings

2. Cold (Excess Yin) type

The Cold body constitution type is generally someone who always feels cold.

Typical characteristics of Cold constitution:

• Feels cold, get chills

• Fears or dislike cold and windy climates

• Attracted to heat (hot drinks, food, climates, etc.)

• Tend to have a smaller build

• Tend to tire easily

• Tends to have copious clear urine and softer stools

• May lack exercise

• May be a vegetarian or eats excessive cold nature foods

3. Damp (Phlegm) type

The Damp body constitution type is generally someone who retains body fat or water. However this is not always physically apparent.

Typical characteristics of Damp constitution:

• Sensitive to damp weather

• Experience heaviness in their body

• Tire easily, low energy

• Slow metabolism

• Poor digestion

• Tend to crave sweets

• Tend to be overweight or easily bloated

• May have excessive mucus, cyst, parasites, edema, yeast, tumors

4. Dry (Deficient Yin and/or Dry) type

The Dry body constitution type has two types: dryness only and Yin deficient.

Typical traits of Dry constitution:

Dryness only

• Sensitive to dry climates

• Have dry symptoms (dry skin, nose, throat, eyes)

• Is often thirsty

• Tend to be constipated

Yin deficient

• Dry symptoms

• Tend to be thin

• Tend to have flush red cheeks

• May have insomnia, irritability, excessive worrying, anxiety, insomnia, stress

• May eat an excess of rich, hot/spicy foods, alcohol, coffee

• May be on many or long term medication(s)

5. Neutral

The Neutral body constitution type does not have any of the above characteristics. They tend not to be sensitive to temperature or health complaints.

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment.

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