Poor Constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different poor constitution patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Poor constitution refers to a state of reduced physical strength and vitality, often characterized by a thin, frail body. This condition goes beyond mere physical appearance, indicating deeper health concerns such as an impaired ability to resist illness and recover from fatigue. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses a range of symptoms and underlying health issues, reflecting the body's weakened state.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives poor constitution as a manifestation of imbalances and deficiencies within the body's fundamental systems. Unlike Western medicine, which may focus on specific physical ailments, TCM looks at poor constitution as a sign of disharmony in the body's Qi (energy), Blood, and organ systems.
This holistic approach aims to identify and correct the underlying imbalances that contribute to a weakened constitution, often involving a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, herbal remedies, and acupuncture.
TCM Patterns for Poor Constitution
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Poor constitution, Thin body lacking strength
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Poor constitution
Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones
Lung Yin Deficiency
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Thin body lacking strength
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Lackluster complexion and nails, Muscle tension, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor constitution, Irregular periods, Amenorrhea, Lower abdominal pain
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Thin body lacking strength
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Thin body lacking strength
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Blood Stasis
Causes: Thin body lacking strength
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Lackluster complexion and nails, Muscle tension, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor constitution, Irregular periods, Amenorrhea, Lower abdominal pain
Heat
Causes: Thin body lacking strength
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones
Dryness
Causes: Thin body lacking strength
Dryness in Large Intestine
Thin body lacking strength
Along with: Constipation, Thirst, Dry stools, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor constitution, Dizziness, Bad breath, Irritable bowel syndrome, Hemorrhoids
Herbal Formulas for Poor Constitution
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address poor constitution
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Causes Fire to descend
- Eliminates irritability
- Calms the spirit
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Ba Zhen Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and augments Qi
- Tonifies and augments Blood
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Drains Fire
- Stabilizes the Exterior
- Stops sweating
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Restores the pulse
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Lackluster complexion and nails, Muscle tension, Insomnia, Palpitations...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Lackluster complexion and nails, Muscle tension, Insomnia, Palpitations...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Poor constitution
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Zeng Ye Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and Essence
- Lubricates Dryness
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Dryness in Large Intestine
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Constipation, Thirst, Dry stools, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor constitution...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Poor constitution
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yin
- Drains Fire
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Poor constitution
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Poor constitution
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Poor constitution
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Improves throat
- Resolves toxicity
- Clears the Lungs
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Controls coughing
- Stops bleeding
- Tonifies the Lungs
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Jiu Xian San
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these poor constitution patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Poor Constitution Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Thin body lacking strength
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest