The differences in constitution are reflected in various aspects of daily life, with the body conveying signals to us in various ways. For example, individuals with a normal constitution typically have healthy skin color, good mental state, and stable eating and sleeping habits. They rarely get sick and have strong adaptability to the environment.
Individuals with a cold constitution often feel cold in their hands and feet, dislike cold environments, are prone to diarrhea and joint pain, and are suitable for consuming warm foods such as mutton and ginger to dispel cold.
A deficient yang constitution manifests as cold intolerance, preferring warmth, insufficient physical strength, a preference for hot foods, and is suitable for consuming foods that warm and tonify yang, such as sea cucumber and ginseng, to enhance the constitution.
Individuals with deficient yin constitution often feel dry and hot, experience dryness in the mouth, poor sleep, and are suitable for consuming ingredients that nourish yin and reduce fire, such as lily bulbs and wolfberries.
Excessive yang heat constitution is characterized by a ruddy complexion, heat intolerance with excessive sweating, a preference for cold foods, and susceptibility to internal heat. Suitable foods include bitter melon, lotus seeds, and other heat-clearing foods.
Individuals with deficient qi constitution have a pale complexion, experience fatigue, weak resistance, and can consume foods such as Chinese yam and astragalus to tonify qi.
Those with deficient blood constitution have a pale complexion, are prone to dizziness and palpitations, and are suitable for consuming blood-nourishing ingredients such as Chinese angelica and rehmannia.
Individuals with blood stasis constitution require promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis, with hawthorn and peach kernel being good choices.
Individuals with phlegm dampness and damp-heat constitutions tend to be overweight, experience heaviness and fatigue. The former requires Coix seed and Poria to remove dampness, while the latter should avoid pungent foods and focus on dampness dispelling.
Those with a propensity for emotional stagnation need to adjust their mood and can benefit from rose and finger citron to regulate qi.
After understanding one’s own constitution, proper regulation becomes particularly important, especially when the constitution is weak. For those with weak spleen and stomach, nurturing can be achieved through lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and other mild ingredients; for those with deficient kidney qi, rehmannia and eucommia bark can be used for tonification; for weak lung qi, astragalus and ginseng can help tonify qi.
In conclusion, identifying and properly nurturing one’s individual constitution is key to maintaining health. When facing weakness in constitution, taking appropriate regulatory measures can effectively enhance physical fitness and reduce the occurrence of diseases.
