Move Liver Qi, stabilize emotions

Chai Hu, Bo He, Bai Shao (Xiao Yao San)

LR3, PC6, Yintang, GB34

Journaling, breathwork, creativity, stress management

Aromatic herbs: mint, basil, orange peel

Liver-focused support in spring; avoid emotional suppression

Qi-Stagnant Type
(气郁质)

Regulate immunity and avoid triggers

Fang Feng, Bai Zhu, Huang Qi (Yu Ping Feng San)

BL13, LU9, ST36, LI4

Avoid allergens, keep warm, moderate exercise

Avoid raw/cold foods, potential allergens (e.g. dairy, shellfish)

Pre-seasonal strengthening (especially spring/autumn)

Inherited/Allergic Type
(特禀质)

Strengthen Lung/Spleen

Huang Qi, Ren Shen, Bai Zhu (e.g. Si Jun Zi Tang)

ST36, CV6, SP3, LU9

Adequate sleep, rest, avoid overexertion

Warm, easy-to-digest food: rice, oats, sweet potato

Use Yu Ping Feng San and moxa ST36 in autumn/spring to boost Wei Qi

Qi Deficiency Type

Warm and tonify Yang

Rou Gui, Fu Zi, Shu Di Huang (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan)

GV4, CV4, KI3, BL23 + moxibustion

Keep warm, avoid cold food/drinks and late nights

Warm, nourishing foods: lamb, black beans, walnuts, bone broth

Focus on winter protection with moxa and warm foods

Yang Deficient Type (阳虚质)

Constitutional assessment (体质辨识, tǐ zhì biàn shí) and early intervention (早期干预, zǎo qī gān yù) are critical pillars of preventive medicine (预防医学, yù fáng yī xué). These practices are part of Yang Sheng (养生 – Nourishing Life) and the classical concept of "Zhi Wei Bing" (治未病) – Treating before illness arises. They allow practitioners to detect and correct subtle imbalances and predispositions before they manifest as full-blown disease.

Constitution (体质, tǐ zhì) refers to a person's inherited and acquired physical, emotional, and energetic tendencies. It affects:

Susceptibility to disease
Recovery capacity
Response to climate, food, and emotional stress
Aging process

In TCM, constitution is assessed through observation (complexion, body type, tongue, posture), inquiry (digestion, sleep, temperature sensitivity, emotional tendencies) and palpation (pulse diagnosis, body tone).

Common TCM Constitutional Types

Balanced (平和质)

Harmonious Qi, good digestion, stable emotions

Resistant to disease

Qi-deficient (气虚质)

Fatigue, spontaneous sweating, weak immunity

Colds, fatigue, prolapse

Yang-deficient (阳虚质)

Cold limbs, dislike of cold, frequent urination

Hypothyroidism, infertility, diarrhea

Yin-deficient (阴虚质)

Dry mouth, night sweats, warm hands and feet, insomnia

Heat signs, anxiety, dry cough

Phlegm-Damp (痰湿质)

Heaviness, greasy tongue coat, overweight, lethargy

Obesity, diabetes, joint stiffness

Damp-Heat (湿热质)

Oily skin, bitter taste, acne, thirst, irritability

Inflammatory skin and GI conditions

Blood Stasis (血瘀质)

Dark complexion, cold hands and feet, fixed pain

Menstrual disorders, cardiovascular issues

Qi-stagnant (气郁质)

Emotional sensitivity, sighing, mood swings

PMS, depression, digestive issues

Allergic/Fragile (特禀质)

Allergies, asthma, eczema, inherited conditions

Recurrent immune or autoimmune issues

Tailored Prevention Plan Elements by Constitution

Tailor Prevention Plan by Constitution

Tailoring a prevention plan by constitution means creating a personalised health-preservation strategy based on a person's inherited and acquired constitutional type (体质, tǐ zhì). This is part of the Zhi Wei Bing (治未病) preventive philosophy, aiming to strengthen the body’s weaknesses, avoid triggering imbalances, and optimise health according to individual tendencies. Each constitutional type reflects a predisposition to certain patterns and diseases. Rather than using a "one-size-fits-all" approach, TCM prevention works by:

Strengthening the body’s weak points
Avoiding triggering conditions (emotional, climatic, dietary)
Supporting organ systems prone to dysfunction
Adapting treatment by season, age, and lifestyle

Nourish Yin and fluids

Sheng Di Huang, Mai Dong, Gou Qi Zi (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)

SP6, KI6, HT6, LU9

Avoid late nights, overwork, and excessive stimulation

Moistening foods: pear, tofu, sesame, spinach

Avoid Heat and dryness; use Sheng Mai San in summer to protect fluids

Yin Deficient Type (阴虚质)

Transform Damp and strengthen Spleen

Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Fu Ling (Er Chen Tang)

SP9, ST40, CV12, ST36

Exercise regularly, avoid damp environments and naps after meals

Light and warm: barley, adzuki beans, ginger, avoid dairy and greasy food

Protect from humidity in late summer; avoid iced drinks

Phlegm-Damp Type (痰湿质)

Clear Heat and resolve Damp

Huang Qin, Long Dan Cao, Zhi Zi (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang)

LV2, GB34, LI11, SP9

Avoid alcohol, spicy and greasy foods, regulate emotions

Bitter cooling: celery, cucumber, green tea, mung beans

Support cooling and detox in summer; avoid heavy meals

Damp-Heat Type
(湿热质)

Invigorate Blood and remove stasis

Dan Shen, Chuan Xiong, Hong Hua (Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang)

SP10, BL17, LR3, PC6

Encourage movement, avoid long sitting, regulate sleep

Blood-moving foods: turmeric, dark berries, hawthorn

Stay active in winter to prevent stagnation

Blood Stasis Type (血瘀质)

Maintain balance

Gentle seasonal adjustments, regular sleep, and meals

ST36, LI4, SP6 as needed for minor imbalances

Maintain moderate work-life balance, avoid extremes

Follow seasonal dietary guidance

Use mild tonics or harmonizing formulas as appropriate

Qi-Stagnant Type (气郁质)

Inherited/Allergic Type (特禀质)