Body constitution in traditional herbal medicine refers to the comprehensive and relatively stable inherent characteristics of the human body in terms of morphological structure, physiological function and psychological state formed on the basis of innate endowment and acquired characteristics during the life process of the human body.
It is the human personality characteristics formed during the growth and development process of human beings that are adapted to the natural and social environment.
Thus if we know our body constitution now, we may make proper maintenance to our body constitution to achieve perfect health. We may even repair our body if the damage is still relatively small.
Thus let us find out what our body constitution is, and how we may start a maintenance program to achieve perfect health. Then we will be far away from the doctor, medication, surgery, and hospital. Furthermore, we will be able to live actively and independently without nursing care.
01 Uses of the classification
We will start with the identification of our body constitution. Then we will go into the maintenance guidance plan aimed at the prevention, treatment, and health management of illnesses related to the body constitution thus identified.
The plan embodies the idea of “treating the illness before it is too late” prevalent in traditional herbal medicine thinking. The guidance plan is a proven effective way to “treat the illness before it is too late.”
Methods and important approaches are conducive to the implementation of individualized diagnosis and treatment, conducive to improving the health quality of the person, and play an important role in the prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases
02 The classification types
The body constitution identification and maintenance guidance specifically refers to determining the physical attributes of an individual through body constitution identification, and then aiming at a completely balanced constitution as the objective of health preservation.
Thus, as practitioners of life cultivation, if we practice daily on body identification and maintenance as a guidance, then we will be able to routinely perform maintenance of health on ourselves, adjusting our body constitution to its ideal norm through routine maintenance techniques.
In the year 2009, the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine released the “Classification and Determination of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution” and formulated the “Classification and Determination Table of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution”, which provides methods, tools and evaluation systems for the quantitative identification of traditional Chinese medicine constitution.
The body constitution is divided into nine basic types.
Type A, balanced constitution
Type B, qi-deficiency constitution
Type C, yang-deficiency constitution
Type D, yin-deficiency constitution
Type E, phlegm-dampness constitution
Type F, damp-heat constitution
Type G, blood-stasis constitution
Type H, qi-stagnation constitution
Type I, special constitution
Each body constitution has its own unique characteristics which we will explore later.
The judgment standard determines the balanced body constitution as the normal constitution and the other eight constitutions as deviations. The judgment results are quantitatively graded.
The balanced constitution is divided into three levels: yes, basically yes and no. Likewise, the deviated constitution is divided into three levels: yes, inclinationally yes and no. Relevant maintenance guidance programs have been formulated according to various physical constitutions.
Maintenance guidance for a Type D yin-deficiency body constitution
As practitioners of life cultivation, we only focus on our own body constitution, and learn how to adjust our body constitution so that it will become a balanced body constitution resulting in a healthy and happy state. We do not pretend to be a professional practitioner who can take care of many people with different types of body constitution.
First of all, we try to determine what type of body constitution we have, then we will follow a maintenance guidance plan to do the necessary adjustment so that we will have a balanced body constitution. The guidance plan is proposed by a Board of Professional Herbal Medicine Practitioners.
If we have a type D yin-deficiency body constitution, this is the guidance plan for it.
If we have a type D body constitution, it means that we are deficient in yin-energy. What is it?
01 Overview
01 Definition
By definition, a type D body constitution is a physical state characterized by a lack of body fluid, essence, blood and other substances in the body. The main symptoms are dystrophy of relevant tissues and organs and relatively higher level of internal heat (inflammation).
02 Causes
The usual causes are (1) congenital deficiencies, (2) long-term illness and blood loss, (3) indulgence in sexual desire consuming essence, or (4) overwork damaging yin-energy.
If many family members are thin, it may be because (1) the parents were weak at the time of conception, (2) children were conceived at an older age, (3) babies were born prematurely, or (4) persons suffered from diseases.
03 Visible physical characteristics
Overall characteristics: Include (1) deficiency of yin fluid, (2) dryness of the mouth and throat, (3) heat in the palms and feet, and (4) heat in the heart.
Physical characteristics: Thin body shape.
Common symptoms: Include (1) heat in the hands, feet, and heart, (2) dry mouth and throat, (3) slightly dry nose, (4) preference for cold drinks, (5) dry stool, (6) red tongue with little fluid, and (7) thready and rapid pulse.
Psychological characteristics: Include (1) impatient, (2) outgoing, (3) active, and (4) lively.
Incidence tendency: Include (1) prone to fatigue, (2) infertility, (3) insomnia and (4) other diseases. Pathogenic factors are easily transformed by heat (chronic inflammation).
Adaptability to the external environment: (1) tolerant to winter but not summer, (2) intolerant to summer heat, high temperature and dryness.
02 Guidance plan
The general guidance plan is offered by a Board of Professional Herbal Medicine Practitioners for the general public. Each individual is advised to seek professional help at the beginning to make sure he is following the right plan.
01 Basic principles
The basic principles for maintenance of a yin-deficiency body constitution are (1) avoiding fatigue, (2) food should be sweet and moisturizing, and (3) medicine should nourish yin-energy.
01 Avoiding fatigue
With a type D yin-deficiency body constitution, we should learn to live a life of leisure so that we will not be overly fatigued. We will do as much physical or mental work as possible in our daily life, and we will work and study to promote the circulation of energy and blood, but not to be overtired and strain our yin-energy.
We should try our best to “walk without hurriedly walking, hear without hearing too much, look without straining our eyes, sit only for a short while, and not to lay down for a long time. “
In short, don’t overdo it.
02 Food should be sweet and moisturizing
With a type D yin-deficiency body constitution, we should eat more foods that are sweet and moisturizing.
Every food has the function of regulating energy and blood flow.
“The five flavors are taken into the mouth and stored in the stomach and intestines to nourish the energy of the five internal organs.”—–Huangdi Neijing, Suwen: Different Treatise on the Five Internal Organs
Each food has the natural properties of heat (inflammation), warmth, coolness and coldness, and the five flavors of sour, bitter, sweet, pungent and salty.
Different properties and tastes of foods will affect our body differently.
“These five flavors are pungent, sour, sweet, bitter, and salty, and each has its own benefits for our body. It may help to scatter, collect, slow down, accelerate, harden, or soften. The four seasons and five internal organs are thus affected, and the disease depends on the five tastes.”—–Huangdi Neijing, Suwen·Zang Qi Dharma Shi Lun
Most of the sweet and moisturizing foods nourish the spleen and stomach and transform energy, blood and body fluids.
“Food energy enters the stomach, disperses semen in the liver, and obscene energy circulates in the tendons. Food energy enters the stomach, turbid energy returns to the heart, and obscene energy returns to the pulse. Spleen energy disperses semen, and returns to the lungs.” —–Huangdi Neijing, Su Wen·Meridians
03 Medicines should nourish yin
With a type D yin-deficiency body constitution, if we take medicine, we should choose medicines that nourish yin and clear away heat.
Products for nourishing yin are further divided into lung yin-deficiency, stomach yin-deficiency, and liver and kidney yin-deficiency. The medicines used are different for each and should be used accordingly. We will consult a professional practitioner if we are not sure ourselves.
02 Living environment
As practitioners of life cultivation, we pay great attention to our living environment and seasonal changes.
The living environment should be quiet.
We try to go to bed early and get up early in spring. Go to bed late and get up early and take a nap appropriately in summer. Go to bed early and get up early in autumn. Go to bed early and get up late in winter.
In the hot summer, we would pay attention to avoid the heat and avoid strong ultraviolet radiation.
We would travel to the seaside and high mountains if possible.
We will wear light-colored cotton and silk clothes with good heat dissipation and breathability.
Sexual intercourse will be moderate.
We will try to sleep and lay down in accordance with the four seasons. We will adjust our maintenance routines according to the changes of yin and yang in the four seasons, and follow the laws of nature to obtain nourishment from heaven and earth.
The biological clock in the human body is consistent with the day and night laws of nature. We will arrange work and rest in accordance with the laws of nature to benefit the health of our body. That is, we will work in the day time, and sleep in the night time.
The four seasons are characterized by warm spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and cold winter. Organisms also have corresponding changes in spring sprout, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage. The work and rest time of the four seasons should be different according to the relationship between yin and yang in the seasons.
“Nourish yang in spring and summer” means that we should go to bed early and get up early in spring, and go to bed late and get up early in summer. Because the days are long and the nights are short in summer, we should take an appropriate nap.
“Nourish yin in autumn and winter” means that we should go to bed early and get up early in autumn, and go to bed early and get up late in winter.
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, we are able to tolerate coldness in the winter but not the heat in summer. In general, we are averse to heat in the summer, high temperature, and dryness in the air. Therefore, we should try to escape the heat and avoid strong ultraviolet radiation in the hot summer. We may spend our summer vacations by the seaside, with trees in the forest, and clean air in the mountains.
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, we usually suffer from chronic inflammation (inner heat) with hot flashes in our hands, feet, and heart, and dry mouth and throat. Thus, we should keep our home quiet and we should wear light-colored cotton and silk clothes with good heat dissipation and breathability.
As to sexual intercourse, it should be moderate and under control. Indulgence can easily consume kidney yin-energy. With a yin-deficiency body constitution, it is wise not to squander whatever is meager in the first place.
03 Body movement
Although we have been advised not to overdo physical work, we must still exercise our body.
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, it is advisable for us to choose an exercise that combines movement and stillness. We may choose from traditional stretching exercises such as taiji, 8-brocade, wuqinxi, and other exercises that we have discussed on this website. They combine breathing with movement. They are good for both body and mind. They are simple and easy to perform and have good fitness effects. Therefore, we strongly recommend that we practice them on a daily basis.
We may choose the one that fits our personality and our personal physical strength. We usually choose the one that we feel comfortable doing. We may also choose the one that our friends are doing.
Some of us prefer swimming. In that case, we try to make sure the water temperature is between twenty six to twenty eight degrees.
Some of us prefer the air blowing technique. It involves blowing air from our lungs. There are six ways to blow the air from the lungs. In this particular case, we choose to blow the air out in the form of the sound “hu”.
The air blowing technique is reputed to treat aches and pains in the waist and knees, night sweats and spermatorrhea, impotence, uterine cold and other kidney yin deficiency illnesses. Read more about this in another article on this website.
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, we try not to engage in physical activities that will lead to profuse sweating which will consume yin fluid. If we do, we will try to replenish water in time. We should not engage in strenuous activities in the first place, as excessive activities can easily consume our vital energy and damage yin at the same time.
04 Mental Adjustment
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, we should (1) develop a calm and collected character, (2) maintain a stable mentality, (3) avoid impatience, (4) reduce anger by fighting less with others, (5) participate less in competitive recreational activities and (6) other activities that will upset our peaceful mind.
People with yin-deficiency usually have a more impatient temperament and are often upset and irritable. This is due to a combination of yin-deficiency and excessive fire in the heart which disturbs the spirit residing within our body.
In order to deal with this, we should follow the principles of “tranquility and nothingness” and “keeping the spirit within” as advised in Huangdi Neijing, a medical classic. This practice will help to strengthen ourselves at all times.
We should consciously develop the habit of being calm and collected. Frequent arguments with others can easily cause irritation, surging energy and blood flow, and depleting yin fluid. Therefore, we should participate less in recreational activities that involve competition for victory.
05 Music adjustment
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, we should listen to soothing music more often.
People with a yin-deficiency body constitution usually are nervous, and listening to soothing music will relax their nervousness. When they listen to melodious music such as Lullaby and Serenade, their mood may become stable, relaxed and quiet, which helps to put out the heart fire due to yin-deficiency.
Wu Shangxian, a medical scientist in the Qing Dynasty, once said: “For diseases of the seven emotions, looking at flowers is boring, and listening to music to relieve sorrow is better than taking medicine.”
06 Mustang dietary technique
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, we should eat more sweet, cool and nourishing foods, such as white fungus, chrysanthemum, pear, papaya, fig, duck, rock sugar, lily, spinach, and so on. We should eat less spicy and pungent foods such as onions, ginger, garlic, peppers and so on.
People with yin deficiency should eat more sweet, cool and nourishing foods.
Tremella has the functions of strengthening essence, tonifying kidney, moistening lungs, promoting fluid production, relieving cough, clearing away heat, nourishing stomach, replenishing qi, harmonizing blood, strengthening heart, strengthening body, tonifying brain and refreshing spirit.
Chrysanthemum has a sweet and astringent taste and enters the liver and kidney meridian. It has the functions of nourishing the liver and kidneys, reducing defecation, and regulating energy flow.
Snow pear is cold in natural properties and sweet in taste. It contains malic acid, citric acid, vitamins B1, B2, C and carotene. It has the effects of promoting body fluids and moisturizing, clearing heat and reducing phlegm, and is especially suitable for consumption in autumn.
Papaya is warm in natural properties and sour in taste. It enters the liver and spleen meridians. It has the effects of nourishing yin, clearing away heat, digesting food, repelling parasites, and dispelling wind.
Figs are cool in natural properties and sweet in taste. They belong to the lung, stomach and large intestine meridians. They have the functions of clearing away heat and promoting fluid production, strengthening the spleen and appetizing, detoxifying and reducing swelling.
Duck meat is slightly cold in nature and sweet and salty in taste. It has the effects of nourishing yin and nourishing the stomach, clearing the lungs and nourishing blood, diuresis and reducing swelling.
Rock sugar is slightly cool in natural properties and sweet in taste. It has the effects of nourishing qi, nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, relieving cough and reducing phlegm.
Lily is cold in natural properties and sweet in taste. It helps to moisten the lungs and relieves cough, clear the heart and calm the nerves, replenish vital energy, clear away heat and diuresis, clear away heat and detoxify, cool blood and stop bleeding, strengthen the spleen and stomach.
Spinach is cool in natural properties and sweet in taste. It helps to nourish blood, stop bleeding, astringe yin, and moisturize dryness. It is good at clearing heat and toxins in the human gastrointestinal tract.
With a yin-deficiency body constitution, the suitable medicinal foods can include (1) adenophora porridge, (2) lily porridge, (3) wolfberry porridge, and (4) mulberry porridge.
We should eat less oil and salt too.
01 Adenophora porridge
Prepare with 15 grams of adenophora, 100 grams of japonica rice, and 5 pieces of rock sugar.
02 Lily porridge
Prepare with 100 grams of japonica rice, 15 grams of lily, and 10 to 20 grams of white sugar.
03 Wolfberry porridge
Prepare with 20 grams of wolfberry and 100 grams of japonica rice.
04 Mulberry porridge
Prepare with 30 grams of mulberry and 60 grams of japonica rice.
Among them, adenophora porridge tends to nourish lung yin, lily porridge tends to nourish spleen and stomach yin, wolfberry porridge and mulberry porridge tend to nourish liver and kidney yin.
07 Mustang tuina technique
With a type D yin-deficiency body constitution, we will generally massage (1) taixi acupoint, (2) sanyinjiao acupoint, and (3) zhaohai acupoint. We will gently rub (4) yongquan acupoint.
01 Taixi acupoint
It is located on the inside of the foot, behind the medial malleolus, in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon.
This acupoint is not only a great tonic acupoint for the kidney meridian, but also an important acupoint for nourishing yin throughout the body.
It is mainly used to treat cough, excessive phlegm, heartache, yellow urine, dense stool, fatigue, impotence, irregular menstruation, neurasthenia, paralysis of the lower limbs, nephritis, and bladder.
02 Sanyinjiao acupoint
It is located three inches above the medial malleolus, it is the intersection point of the three yin meridians of the liver, spleen and kidney. It affects the liver, the spleen, and the kidneys in our maintenance of the body.
The sanyinjiao acupoint should be regularly pressed and rubbed, which can regulate and nourish the energy and blood flow related to the three meridians of the liver, spleen, and kidney. If the energy and blood flow of the three meridians are harmonious, the innate essence will be strong, and the acquired energy and blood will be sufficient, thus achieving the goal of regulating and replenishing the essence and blood, and achieving a healthy and long life.
03 Zhaohai acupoint
It is the intersection point of the eight meridians. It is located on the inside of the foot, in the depression below the tip of the medial malleolus. It is mainly used to treat dry throat, epilepsy, insomnia, sleepiness, restlessness, red and swollen eyes, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, red and white vaginal discharge, vaginal erectness, vaginal itching, hernia, frequent urination, insomnia, and athlete’s foot.
04 Yongquan acupoint
It is part of the kidney meridian. It is located in the depression in the front third of the sole of the foot when the foot is plantarflexed and curled.
The yongquan acupoint is a major longevity acupoint in the human body.
Regular massage of this acupoint will yield sufficient kidney essence resulting in normal body development, abundant energy, strong sexual function, strong waist and knees, sharp ears and eyes.
It is usually used to treat a variety of illnesses and symptoms such as fainting, headache, shock, heat stroke, hemiplegia, tinnitus, nephritis, impotence, spermatorrhea, various gynecological diseases and reproductive system diseases.
08 Medication technique
The information on this part of the guidance plan is intentionally left blank for general public reading. Those who want to read it may request the information by email.
03 A brief summary
Check what type of body constitution you are. If you have a yin-deficiency body constitution, the first thing you want to do is to watch out what you eat. You have to eat in any event, so you might as well eat what will adjust your body constitution back to normal.
Then you should pay attention to your environment and dwelling. You should change your sleeping time according to seasonal changes. You should guard against environmental factors such as coldness and heat.
Then you should put your mind at peace in order to calm down and cultivate a smooth flow of vital energy.
You should also engage in some physical activities to raise your yin-energy, although you should not engage in strenuous exercises because you have low yin-energy to start with to support you. Some forms of stretching exercises are highly recommended.
You should try certain tuina (message) techniques to help the flow of yin-energy along.
If you feel that herbal medication may help, you should consult a professional practitioner. As practitioners of body wellness, we always regard medication as the last resort. We do not take it unless we need it.
All in all, once you follow the guidance plan here, you will adjust your body constitution from yin-deficiency type back to the balanced type.
In our next article, we will focus on Type E phlegm-dampness body constitution, on its classification and maintenance. Stay tuned.
If you wish to be notified of new publications by email, give us your email below.