In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), everyone is born with a unique body constitution that shapes how we feel, how we respond to the environment, and our susceptibility to imbalances. By understanding your body type, you can make more mindful choices around diet, lifestyle, and self-care practices.

Here’s a breakdown of the 9 main TCM body constitutions – including signs, tongue and pulse clues, health tips, and acupressure points you can use at home.

1. Balanced Type (Neutral Constitution)

Prevalence: ~30% (most desirable type).
Characteristics: Good energy, stable emotions, strong immunity, healthy digestion, good sleep, resilient to seasonal changes.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue pink with thin white coating; pulse moderate, even.
Health Tips: Maintain balance with seasonal eating, regular exercise, meditation, and consistent sleep. Avoid extremes.
Acupoints:

• ST36 (Zusanli): Strengthens overall Qi and immunity.
  
  
• CV6 (Qihai): Supports core vitality.
  
  

2. Yang Deficiency Type

Prevalence: ~10–15%.
Characteristics: Feels cold easily, prefers warmth, pale face, fatigue, loose stools, water retention, low libido.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue pale, swollen with teeth marks, moist coat; pulse deep, weak, slow.
Health Tips: Favor warming foods (ginger, lamb, cinnamon), avoid raw/cold foods, keep warm, practice gentle yang-boosting movement like brisk walking or qigong.
Acupoints:

• DU4 (Mingmen): Warms kidney Yang.
  
  
• KD3 (Taixi): Tonifies Kidney Yang.
  
  

3. Yin Deficiency Type

Prevalence: ~8–10%.
Characteristics: Tends to feel warm/hot, night sweats, dry throat, restlessness, thin body type, irritability, insomnia.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue red with little or no coat; pulse thin, rapid.
Health Tips: Nourish Yin with cooling, moistening foods (pear, watermelon, goji, sesame), avoid spicy and alcohol, prioritize rest and calm.
Acupoints:

• KD6 (Zhaohai): Nourishes Yin and soothes throat.
  
  
• SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Tonifies Yin and Blood.
  
  

4. Qi Deficiency Type

Prevalence: ~13%.
Characteristics: Low energy, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, weak digestion, frequent colds, soft voice.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue pale with thin white coating; pulse weak, empty.
Health Tips: Eat easily digestible, warm foods (rice, oats, chicken, sweet potato), avoid overwork, focus on breathing exercises and light activity.
Acupoints:

• ST36 (Zusanli): Boosts Qi and vitality.
  
  
• CV6 (Qihai): Strengthens core Qi.
  
  

5. Phlegm–Damp Type

Prevalence: ~9–10%.
Characteristics: Heaviness in body, sluggishness, prone to weight gain, chest oppression, excessive mucus, greasy skin, edema.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue swollen with greasy white coating; pulse slippery.
Health Tips: Limit dairy, sugar, greasy foods. Favor light, aromatic foods (barley, adzuki beans, ginger, green tea). Move daily to reduce stagnation.
Acupoints:

• SP9 (Yinlingquan): Resolves dampness.
  
  
• ST40 (Fenglong): Transforms phlegm.
  
  

6. Damp–Heat Type

Prevalence: ~8%.
Characteristics: Prone to acne, eczema, UTIs, foul odor, bitter taste, irritability, oily skin, yellowish complexion.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue red with yellow greasy coating; pulse rapid, slippery.
Health Tips: Avoid spicy, fried, and alcohol. Eat cooling foods (cucumber, bitter melon, mung beans). Stay hydrated and reduce stress.
Acupoints:

• LI11 (Quchi): Clears heat.
  
  
• LR3 (Taichong): Moves Liver Qi and heat.
  
  

7. Blood Stasis Type

Prevalence: ~7%.
Characteristics: Prone to sharp or fixed pain, dark under-eyes, purplish lips, varicose veins, clots, poor circulation.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue dark purple or with spots; pulse choppy, wiry.
Health Tips: Encourage circulation with movement (yoga, tai chi), eat blood-invigorating foods (dark berries, turmeric, saffron), manage stress.
Acupoints:

• SP10 (Xuehai): Moves and nourishes Blood.
  
  
• BL17 (Geshu): Influences Blood circulation.
  
  

8. Qi Stagnation Type

Prevalence: ~9–12%.
Characteristics: Stress-related symptoms, frequent sighing, mood swings, PMS, chest or rib-side tightness, tendency toward depression or irritability.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue slightly purple or dusky; pulse wiry.
Health Tips: Practice relaxation (breathwork, meditation, dance), avoid overeating, eat mood-soothing foods (mint, citrus, chamomile).
Acupoints:

• LR3 (Taichong): Moves Liver Qi.
  
  
• GB34 (Yanglingquan): Relieves tension and stagnation.
  
  

9. Special Sensitivity Type (Allergic/Constitutional)

Prevalence: ~2–3%.
Characteristics: Prone to allergies, sneezing, asthma, hives, easily affected by environment, nervous system highly sensitive.
Tongue & Pulse: Tongue pale with thin coat or red tip; pulse floating, soft.
Health Tips: Avoid triggers, strengthen immunity, practice gentle routines, focus on calm mind and balanced diet.
Acupoints:

• LI4 (Hegu): Releases exterior, supports immunity.
  
  
• BL13 (Feishu): Supports Lung Qi.

Understanding your TCM body type is the first step toward more personalized self-care. While everyone has a “primary” constitution, life changes, stress, diet, and environment can shift it over time.

 If you’re curious which type you are, try observing your energy, digestion, mood, and tongue in the mirror. Working with a licensed TCM practitioner can help refine your self-care and choose the right acupoints, herbs, or treatments for your unique constitution.