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 with the 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 when we discuss each type of body constitution.

The judgment standard determines the balanced body constitution as the normal constitution and the other eight constitutions as deviations from the norm. The judgment results are then quantitatively graded.

The balanced constitution is divided into three levels: yes, basically yes and no. Thus, we may say that yes, we definitely have a balanced constitution, or, yes, we basically have a balanced constitution, or, no, we do not have a balanced constitution.

If we do not have a balanced constitution, then we have one of the constitutions that are deviations from the balanced constitution.

Likewise, the deviated constitution is divided into three levels: yes, inclinationally yes and no. Thus, we may say that, yes, we have a type B constitution, or, yes, we inclinationally have a type B constitution, or, no, we do not have a type B constitution.

Relevant maintenance guidance programs have been formulated according to various body constitutions. Thus, once we have determined which type of body constitution we have, we will be able to do regular maintenance to our constitution to return it back to the balanced one.

Maintenance guidance for a Type I intrinsic 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.

First of all, we 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 I intrinsic body constitution, this is the guidance plan for it.

If we have a type I body constitution, it means that we are allergic to many factors. What does it mean and what can we do about it?

01 Overview

01 Definition

A type I intrinsic body constitution is also referred to as a special body constitution. It refers to those with some congenital endowments or congenital hereditary diseases, including allergies, congenital malformations or physiological defects.

The intrinsic body constitution includes three sub-types:

01 Allergies

Most people with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, allergic purpura, eczema, urticaria and other allergic diseases fall into this category.

02 Genetic disease

Those with a family history of hereditary diseases or congenital diseases are mostly difficult to cure.

03 Fetal constitution

It is a kind of constitution caused by the adverse effects suffered by the mother during pregnancy and transmitted to the fetus. Some people have familial allergies, which start at a young age and last a lifetime; some people may not discover it until they are thirty or forty years old. In other words, this kind of person has special congenital conditions, and when the disease occurs is affected by the environment.

02 Causes

In a broad sense, an intrinsic body constitution is a special constitution caused by factors such as insufficient innate endowment and endowment inheritance.

The causes are mostly closely related to insufficient innate endowment, genetic factors, environmental factors, disease factors, drug factors, etc.

03 Visible physical characteristics

Overall characteristics: congenital abnormalities, with physiological defects, allergic reactions, etc.

Physical characteristics: People with allergies generally have no special symptoms. People with abnormal congenital endowments may have deformities or physical defects.

Common symptoms: People with allergies often experience symptoms such as asthma, wheals, itchy throat, nasal congestion, and sneezing.

Common symptoms of idiosyncrasies often have congenital and familial characteristics.

People suffering from hereditary diseases have vertical inheritance, congenital, and familial characteristics.

Those suffering from fetal-transmitted diseases have the characteristics of maternal effects on the individual growth and development of the fetus and related diseases.

What we often call an intrinsic constitution in a narrow sense refers to an allergic constitution. The overall characteristics of allergic constitution are congenital deficiency of essence and different endowments, and acquired manifestations under the influence of various factors, such as asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria, allergic enteritis, allergic purpura and other diseases. Allergy symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, asthma, rash, skin scratches, etc.

Psychological characteristics: vary with different temperaments.

Incidence tendency: People with allergies are prone to asthma, urticaria, hay fever and drug allergies, and hereditary diseases such as hemophilia.

Fetal-transmitted diseases are characteristics of maternal effects on the individual growth and development of the fetus and related disease characteristics.

Diseases that people with intrinsic body constitution are prone to include: (1) those with allergies are prone to drug allergies and hay fever, and (2) hereditary diseases such as hemophilia, congenital stupidity, and the so-called five lates, five softnesses and craniolysis identified in traditional herbal medicine.

Fetal-borne diseases include fetal fever, fetal cold, fetal convulsions, fetal obesity, fetal epilepsy, and fetal weakness.

People with an intrinsic body constitution are a group of people with special constitution, so they need special care.

We often describe spring as warm with blooming flowers, but some people are particularly afraid of the arrival of spring because spring pollen can make them allergic and bring them a lot of trouble. When pollen floats in the air in spring, these people sneeze constantly and shed tears.

If they recognize that they are allergic, then they can change their allergic constitution instead of blocking the allergen, leading to a fundamental change in the allergic state.

Adaptability to the external environment: Poor adaptability. For example, people with allergies have poor adaptability to the allergy season and are prone to relapses.

People with an intrinsic body constitution are very sensitive and prone to allergic reactions and allergic diseases.

For example, when they smell a strange smell or flower pollen, they will sneeze constantly; when the seasons change, the cold will be like a good friend who comes to visit whenever they have nothing to do.

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 the right way.

01 Basic principles

With a type I intrinsic body constitution, our lifestyle should be simple.

We should (1) replenish qi and strengthen the surface, (2) regulate and nourish the spleen and stomach, (3) nourish blood and nourish yin to cool down blood, (4) clear heat and detoxify, (5) relieve qi to reduce asthma.

We should seek replenishing qi and strengthening the surface, nourishing blood and eliminating wind.

“Once good qi is stored, evil will not interfere.” —–Huangdi Neijing

By replenishing qi and consolidating the surface, we enhance our ability to build up our disease resistance.

“To treat wind, first treat blood. When blood circulates smoothly, wind will destroy itself.”

We may treat our blood to ensure sufficient qi and blood. The purpose is to strengthen our body, improve our body constitution, prevent internal wind from arising, and prevent external wind from invading our body. Thus we may then resist external evil such as allergens and bad environment factors.

With an allergic constitution, we should maintain the functions of the spleen, lungs and kidneys on the basis of syndrome differentiation and treatment, regulating and improving our physical body, and gradually adjusting their allergic status.

The principle of dietary maintenance for people with allergies is to replenish qi and consolidate the surface, regulate qi and blood, coordinate nutrition and health, and adjust and improve the body’s immune function.

Commonly used traditional herbal medicines for respiratory allergies include astragalus, atractylodes, saposhnikovia, scutellaria baicalensis, houttuynia cordata, xinyi, xanthium, bombyx, cicada, and lithospermum.

02 Living environment

As practitioners of life cultivation, we pay great attention to our living environment, especially the seasonal changes.

Avoid allergens in daily life.

The room should be well ventilated. Keep the room clean. Wash and dry bedding and sheets frequently to prevent allergies to dust mites.

It is not advisable to move in immediately after interior decoration. Windows should be opened to allow formaldehyde to evaporate before moving into a new home.

When there is a lot of pollen outdoors in spring, we should reduce our outdoor activity to prevent allergies to pollen.

It is not advisable to keep pets to avoid allergies to animal fur.

Our daily life should be regular and get enough sleep.

Environmental adjustment: Avoid contact with allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, cotton wool, pollen, paint, cold air, etc.

Do not stay in noisy, unclean or cold environments for a long time, and pay attention to keeping warm.

Daily life should be regular and maintain adequate sleep time.

With an intrinsic body constitution, we are prone to acclimatization. When we move into a new environment, we should pay special attention to our diet and daily life. We should understand the local natural and social environment in advance, and make necessary preparations.

03 Body movement

We should actively participate in various physical exercises to enhance our physical fitness. When exercising when the weather is cold, we should pay attention to keeping warm in order to prevent catching a common cold.

We should not choose high-intensity activities. We should avoid prolonged outdoor exercise in spring or when the seasons change.

We should pay attention to avoid wind and cold when exercising. If asthma or depression occur, we should stop exercising in time.

04 Mental Adjustment

We should cultivate optimism and achieve a happy spirit.

With an intrinsic body constitution, we are sensitive to allergens and we are prone to nervousness, anxiety and other emotions. Therefore, while avoiding allergens as much as possible, we should also avoid nervousness.

Some of us will be highly influenced by emotional factors. Therefore, we should maintain our mind in such a condition that we are free from psychosomatic, physical and mental illnesses.

05 Dietary technique

With an intrinsic body constitution, we have to actively avoid certain harmful factors, so our lifestyle should be simple.

When it is necessary to avoid allergenic foods, the diet should be light and balanced, with a reasonable mix of meat and vegetables. We should eat more fruits and vegetables and be sure to drink more water.

Foods that have been identified as allergenic must be avoided at all cost. We should avoid raw, cold, spicy, fatty and greasy foods, especially during the prevalent season.

We should also try to eat less buckwheat, goose meat, crab, shrimp, wine, peppers, pineapple, grapefruit, strong tea and coffee. They are known to enemies of an intrinsic body.

We should follow certain principles in the selection of our foods. Based on the common manifestations of an intrinsic constitution, it is appropriate to choose food that is cold, cool, flat, warm in nature, and sour, bitter, sweet, and pungent in taste. They should be kind to our liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. They should replenish our qi and strengthen our surface.

Medicinal ingredients that harmonize nutrition and health, regulate spleen and stomach, dispel wind and rash, nourish blood and nutrients, nourish yin and nourish blood, clear nutrients and cool blood, cool blood and stop bleeding, clear away heat and detoxify, relieve qi and relieve asthma, etc.

With an intrinsic body constitution, we want to choose foods that are cold or cool. They will help to (1) clear away heat and help to detoxify our body, and (2) cool our blood and nourish yin.

We may also choose foods that are flat in nature, because that kind of food is suitable for all kinds of constitutions and will alleviate any deviation from a balanced constitution.

We may also choose foods that are warm in nature, because that kind of food is reputed to help to replenish healthy qi.

Among the five flavors, the sour taste will help to stabilize our surface (skin) due to its astringent property. The bitter taste, with its clearing and draining functions, will help to clear away nutrients, cool the blood, clear away heat and detoxify. The sweet taste, with its nourishing and replenishing qi functions, will help to strengthen the spleen and qi. The pungent taste, with its functions of releasing, dispersing wind and promoting qi, will help to dispel wind and rash.

Among the meridians, the liver meridian serves to nourish blood and dispel wind. The spleen meridian serves to strengthen the spleen and replenish qi. The lung meridian serves to nourish the body and strengthen the exterior. The kidney meridian serves to nourish the innate nature and nourish vitality.

With the above-mentioned reasons, preferred foods include pumpkin, spinach, celery, coriander, mushrooms, fungus, dates, grapes, mulberries, longan, lychee, black sesame seeds, walnut kernels, silky chicken, pork skin, rabbit meat, eggs, duck eggs, cooked rehmannia glutinosa, American ginseng, and so on.

We may also choose alternative foods such as japonica rice, millet, glutinous rice, corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, sweet potato, potato, taro, coix kernel, yam, black beans, mung beans, mung bean sprouts, soybeans, soybean sprouts, peas, cowpeas, anemarrhena, mulberry leaves, gecko, bamboo ru, deer antler, lotus leaf, gorgon Fruit, psoralen, atractylodes, lotus seed, and so on.

We choose the following foods with caution: buckwheat, broad beans, white lentils, beef, goose meat, strong tea and other spicy products, fishy foods and foods containing allergenic substances.

In normal times, we will eat more warm and tonic foods, especially in winter. They include foods such as corn, black rice, glutinous rice, radish, yam, sweet potato, chestnut, mutton, red dates, and so on.

It is appropriate to add polygonum multiflorum, astragalus, raw sun-dried ginseng, ophiopogon japonicus, adenophora, wolfberry, and so on, to our soup or porridge.

Recommended medicinal foods include

01 Anti-allergic porridge

Prepare with nine grams each of ebony plum, schisandra chinensis, white peony root, silver bupleurum root, fangfeng, and xanthium seed, one hundred grams of japonica rice, and eight pieces of jujubes.

It is reputed to nourish blood, disperse wind, and resist allergies.

It is suitable for allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

02 Solid surface porridge

Prepare with fifteen grams of black plum, twenty grams of astragalus, ten grams of fangfeng, thirty grams of winter melon peel, and twelve grams of angelica root.

It is reputed to nourish blood, eliminate wind, strengthen the surface and strengthen the body.

It is suitable for people with allergies such as allergic urticaria.

03 Poria meat buns

Prepare with thirty grams of poria cocos, two hundred fifty grams of flour, appropriate amounts of lean pork, green onions, and ginger.

It is suitable for people with allergic rhinitis who have yellow and fat complexion and loose stools.

04 Eel and pork kidney pot roast

Prepare with two hundred fifty grams of eel and one hundred grams of pig kidney.

It is reputed to help to replenish the kidneys, nourish the essence and is anti-allergy.

It is suitable for people with various allergic diseases.

05 Silver bupleurum pig trotter soup

Prepare with thirty grams of silver bupleurum, and one piece of pig trotter.

It is reputed to help to clear away heat and reduce allergies.

It is suitable for urticaria, rubella, skin itching and other symptoms caused by wind-heat.

06 Chicken porridge with green onion, white and red dates

Prepare with one hundred grams of japonica rice, ten pieces of red dates (pitted), and one hundred grams of bone-in chicken. Season with ginger, coriander and green onions.

It is suitable for allergic rhinitis with nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.

06 Medication technique

The information of 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.

07 Music adjustment

This does not apply to a type I body constitution.

08 Mustang Tuina Technique

With an intrinsic body constitution, it helps to massage certain acupoints including (1) chize acupoint, (2) zhangmen acupoint, and (3) xuehai acupoint.

01 Chize acupoint

It is located on the elbow of the arm. To locate the acupoint, first raise the arm. There is a thick tendon in the center of the inner side of the arm, and the acupoint is on the outside of the tendon. This point is located on the side of the blood hole, and we also massage it to promote blood circulation.

Traditional herbal medicine believes that when treating wind, we must first treat the blood, and when the blood moves, wind will simply disappear.

To massage this acupoint, we use our thumb or index finger to rub and press the acupoint, for ten to fifteen minutes.

02 Zhangmen acupoint

It is located on the side of the human body, below the free end of the eleventh rib. The name of this acupoint means that the strong wind of the liver meridian stops here.

Traditional herbal medicine believes that all kinds of allergies are related to wind, so massaging the zhangmen acupoint can calm the wind.

To massage these acupoints, we use the meaty part of our palms to rub the acupoints until we feel swelling and pain. We may rub the acupoints on the left and then the right sides for about one to three minutes each time. We may also massage the acupoints on both sides at the same time.

03 Xuehai acupoint

It is located on the inner edge of the thigh, two inches above the patella.

The name of the acupoint refers to the fact that the blood produced by the spleen meridian gathers here, and the area filled with qi and blood substances is as huge as the sea, hence the name.

The function of this acupoint includes turning blood into qi and transporting and transforming spleen blood. Therefore, it is an important acupoint for promoting blood circulation and hence removing blood stasis. It can activate blood circulation and dredge meridians, dispel wind and relieve itching.

To massage this acupoint, we use our fingertips to press and rub the acupoints on each side for three minutes every day. The force used in massaging should not be too strong, just enough to feel soreness and swelling at the acupoints. The basic principle is to be gentle.

With an intrinsic body constitution with allergies, we should avoid contact with allergens in all seasons, but the season of jixiong is often the season when allergic reactions occur most frequently.

For example, in spring, when the weather is windy and plants start to sprout, catkins and pollen fly away with the wind. We often have trouble guarding against them, so we should wear masks when going out.

Wind evil often carries moisture, warmth, dryness, and epidemic and violent air. Therefore, we tend to have allergic reactions in spring when sweating occurs and the skin is exposed when we are outdoors. Therefore, we should prevent exposure to wind and try to avoid outdoor activities.

Furthermore, we should avoid eating spicy, fishy and tangy foods, and eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and replenish qi to enhance immunity and adaptability.

In addition to avoiding allergens, in summer, we should pay attention to mental self-care, communicate more with others, adjust our emotions, and ignore our allergies to prevent inferiority complex. We should avoid sweating too much doing exercise. If it hurts body fluids and consumes energy, replenish water in time.

In autumn and winter, we can use the method of treating winter diseases in summer to take advantage of the weather to get rid of stubborn diseases.

As the weather turns cooler in autumn, symptoms such as allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are prone to occur. Then we should pay attention to adding clothes in time and avoid outdoor activities in the early morning and night.

In autumn, we may take food supplements in a timely manner, mainly foods that strengthen the spleen and qi or nourish yin and moisturize dryness, to facilitate the coming of winter.

We may then start to extend our sleep time appropriately, or practice taiji or other stretching exercise.

03 A brief summary

In fact, there is not much you can do for a type I intrinsic body constitution. If you have an allergic constitution, you will try not to come into contact with the allergens.

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