Understanding The Eight Constitutions

Understanding The Eight Constitutions

According to the Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM), our body has different makeup (constitution). This is why when it comes to treatment, all are individualized. There is no single treatment that will work with all patients. The treatments are based on each person’s specific constitution. This is also the same as acupuncture. Since the 8 constitutional medicine was discovered in the 1960s and the constitution diagnosis and treatment formula was established, the ECM has become more popular all throughout the world.

The Eight Constitutions

Your constitution will be the one to dictate what kind of foods do you need to eat to help your body heal itself, and also what food to avoid.  Aside from that, it is also important to identify your constitution before your acupuncture session. To give you an idea, here are the eight constitutions that make up our body are the following:

8 constitutional medicine

  1. Cholecystonia (Wood Yin).

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Gallbladder, Small Intestines, Stomach, Bladder, Large Intestines

Personality. They are often charitable and can easily socialize with others. They have an overall soft characteristics and very gentle to others.

  1. Colonotonia (Metal Yin)

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Large Intestines, Bladder, Stomach, Small Intestines, Gallbladder

Personality. These individuals tend to have a strong character. They are good leaders and are easily sociable and can be very talkative. They are also very talented and are great in music.

  1. Gastrotonia (Earth Yin).

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Stomach, Large Intestines, Small Intestines, Gallbladder, Bladder

Personality. These people are rare. They get sick all the time and are not really sociable. They can also be very sensitive but can be frank and strict. They are also very impatient but very cheerful, positive, and honest, even if they don’t interact with others. 

  1. Hepatonia (Wood Yang).

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Liver, Kidney, Heart, Pancreas, Lungs

Personality. This person is usually quiet and reserved. They can easily understand an accept forgiveness from other people. 

  1. Pancreotonia (Earth Yang).

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Spleen, Heart, Liver, Lungs, Kidney

Personality. They can be very sensitive towards others but are also very positive, active, straightforward, and sociable.

  1. Pulmotonia (Metal Yang).

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Lungs, Spleen, Kidneys, Liver

Personality. They are introverts but very creative. 

  1. Renotonia (Water Yang).

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Kidneys, Lungs, Liver, Heart, Spleen

Personality. They are generally patient and very good listeners but can be a perfectionist and won’t trust anybody easily too. 

  1. Vesicotonia (Water Yin).

Health. (Strongest to Weakest): Bladder, Gallbladder, Small Intestines, Large Intestines, Stomach

Personality. They are usually detail-oriented and very patient.

The  Eight Constitution Medicine Acupuncture

According to the Eight Constitution Medicine together with Traditional Medicine, your body is a system of organs that are connected by different pathways (meridian). Your health will depend on the smoothness of energy flor (Qi or Chi) through these meridians. If the Qi is blocked, it can result in pain and discomfort. The ECM acupuncture will help restore the flow of your Qi. This is done by inserting a hair-like needle at specific points. The flow of Qi will return to normal and your health and overall wellbeing are restored.