Constitution refers to the inherent traits formed during human life, based on innate endowment and acquired factors, encompassing morphological structure, physiological functions, and psychological state. Understanding your body constitution and physiological state can help you better comprehend your health and take proactive steps toward wellness.

People with a healthy constitution have a balanced body shape, with men having well-developed muscles and women having moderate subcutaneous fat—neither too thin nor too heavy. Their complexion is moist, neither too red nor too pale, with a delicate and lustrous appearance, exuding vitality. They have a good appetite, neither picky nor gluttonous; they don’t feel hungry too easily or full too quickly. They adapt well to seasonal changes, tolerating both cold winters and hot summers.

So, how do different constitutions interact with tea consumption, and what effects or tips might arise? Different tea properties correspond to various body constitutions. Adjusting your tea intake can be more beneficial for health.

Note: The descriptions in this article are simplified and for reference only.

1. Balanced Constitution

These individuals are in excellent health, with good sleep and a cheerful personality. They adapt well to society and nature. Their body shape is proportionate, with radiant skin, thick and shiny hair, bright eyes, and red lips. They rarely feel fatigued, have abundant energy, and normal bowel movements. They are easygoing and outgoing.

Disease predisposition: Rarely falls ill.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Avoid overeating or undereating; refrain from consuming overly cold or hot foods.

2. Eat more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and less greasy or spicy foods.

3. For exercise, younger individuals can opt for running or ball games, while older adults may prefer walking or tai chi.

Tea recommendation:

All types of tea are suitable. In spring, drink green tea; in summer, white or green tea; in autumn, oolong tea; and in winter, black tea, ripe pu-erh, aged raw pu-erh, or dark tea.

2. Qi-Deficient Constitution

These individuals often feel weak, sweat easily, and experience shortness of breath. They prefer quiet environments and dislike cold foods or drinks. They are prone to loose stools and clear, abundant urine. Their personality tends to be introverted. They catch colds easily and recover slowly, with a higher risk of conditions like gastroptosis.

Disease predisposition: Susceptible to colds and slow recovery; prone to organ prolapse (e.g., gastroptosis).

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat qi-nourishing foods like soybeans, white hyacinth beans, mushrooms, jujubes, longan, and honey.

2. Engage in gentle exercises like walking or tai chi; massage the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint regularly.

3. Those prone to spontaneous sweating or colds can take Yupingfeng San as a preventive measure.

Tea recommendation:

Avoid or limit unfermented or lightly fermented teas. Opt for fully fermented teas like Keemun black tea, Dianhong black tea, roasted oolong teas (e.g., rock tea or dancong), and ripe pu-erh.

3. Damp-Heat Constitution

These individuals often have oily skin on the face and nose, are prone to acne, and may have bad breath. They frequently experience a bitter taste in the mouth, sticky stools, and warm, yellowish urine. Women may have yellowish vaginal discharge.

Disease predisposition: Prone to boils, jaundice, etc.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat light, cooling foods like mung beans, water spinach, amaranth, celery, cucumber, winter melon, lotus root, and watermelon. Avoid spicy and warming foods.

2. Quit smoking and alcohol; avoid staying up late or overexertion.

3. Suitable exercises include long-distance running, swimming, hiking, ball games, and martial arts.

Tea recommendation:

Opt for teas that clear heat and detoxify, such as traditional Tieguanyin or Wuyi rock tea. Alternatively, try homemade blends like lemon black tea, goji black tea, or coix seed tea.

4. Yin-Deficient Constitution

These individuals often feel heat intolerance, with warm palms and soles, flushed cheeks, dry skin, thirst, and insomnia. They are usually thin and struggle with hot weather, experiencing dry eyes and a preference for cold drinks. They tend to be irritable.

Disease predisposition: Prone to coughs, dry syndrome, or hyperthyroidism.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat moistening foods like mung beans, winter melon, sesame, and lily. Avoid warming and drying foods.

2. Take midday naps and avoid staying up late.

3. Control sweating during exercise and stay hydrated.

Tea recommendation:

Drink refreshing teas like yellow tea or white tea, such as Mengding Huangya or Junshan Yinzhen yellow tea, or Baihao Yinzhen and Baimudan white tea. For variety, try blends like white fungus tea, mulberry tea, or goji and jujube tea.

5. Qi-Stagnation Constitution

These individuals are often thin, melancholic, and prone to sighing, palpitations, or insomnia. They are emotionally sensitive and easily startled, with frequent chest or rib-side distension and a sensation of throat obstruction.

Disease predisposition: Prone to depression, neurosis, or breast hyperplasia.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat qi-moving foods like wheat, kelp, seaweed, radish, kumquat, and hawthorn.

2. Avoid tea or coffee before bed.

Tea recommendation:

Choose fragrant teas like jasmine tea, osmanthus oolong, chrysanthemum pu-erh, or Phoenix dancong. Herbal teas like goji tea or tangerine peel tea are also good. Avoid tea before bedtime.

6. Yang-Deficient Constitution

These individuals often have cold hands and feet, dislike cold foods, and have loose stools and clear urine. They tend to be quiet and introverted.

Disease predisposition: Prone to cold-related illnesses or diarrhea.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat warming foods like Sichuan pepper, chili, and pepper.

2. Avoid cold foods like cucumber, lotus root, pear, and watermelon.

3. Massage or moxibustion at Qihai (CV6), Zusanli (ST36), or Yongquan (KI1) acupoints.

Tea recommendation:

Avoid cold teas. Opt for warming teas like aged Fu brick tea, Qianliang tea, or roasted oolong. Blends like ginger black tea or longan and jujube black tea are also suitable. For pu-erh, choose ripe over raw.

7. Phlegm-Damp Constitution

These individuals are often overweight with soft bellies, oily skin, excessive sweating, and puffy eyes. They tend to feel lethargic.

Disease predisposition: Prone to diabetes, stroke, or chest congestion.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat light foods like seaweed, kelp, winter melon, radish, kumquat, and mustard.

2. Avoid sweet, sticky, or greasy foods.

Tea recommendation:

Drink mild aged oolong or dark tea sparingly. Focus on overall health调理.

8. Blood-Stasis Constitution

These individuals often have bleeding gums, visible eye veins, dry or rough skin, and are prone to pain, irritability, or forgetfulness.

Disease predisposition: Prone to tumors, stroke, or chest congestion.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat blood-activating foods like black beans, kelp, seaweed, radish, carrot, hawthorn, vinegar, or green tea.

2. Ensure adequate sleep.

Tea recommendation:

Drink refreshing teas like green tea (e.g., Taiping Houkui, Biluochun, or Huangshan Maofeng) or jasmine tea (e.g., Jasmine Silver Needle or Bitan Piaoxue). Non-tea options include hawthorn or lemon tea.

9. Allergic Constitution

These individuals are sensitive to pollen or certain foods, often experiencing nasal congestion, sneezing, or runny nose even without a cold. They are prone to asthma.

Disease predisposition: Prone to asthma or skin conditions.

Lifestyle tips:

1. Eat a balanced, light diet with varied whole grains and合理搭配.

2. Avoid spicy or allergenic foods.

Tea recommendation:

Opt for moderately fermented or roasted teas like black tea, dark tea, or ripe pu-erh. Due to high sensitivity, drink in moderation.

Matching Table for Nine Constitutions and Six Tea Types:

1. Cold-Natured Green Tea

Green tea (e.g., West Lake Longjing, Anji white tea, Dongting Biluochun, or Liuan Guapian) is cold-natured, suitable for those with heat-prone constitutions, strong stomach fire, or high energy. Its clear, greenish-yellow liquor offers a refreshing feel in hot or agitated moments. It also helps counteract computer radiation.

Contraindications: Avoid for liver patients (caffeine strains the liver), pregnant women (inhibits angiogenesis), or those with胃寒 (may cause discomfort). Insomniacs should avoid it before bed.

2. Cold-Natured Yellow Tea

Yellow tea (e.g., Junshan Yinzhen, Mengding Huangya, or Huoshan Huangya) shares green tea’s properties but with a mellower taste.

Contraindications: Not for those with胃部不适 (stimulates胃酸) or孕妇 (reduces iron absorption).

3. Cool-Natured White Tea

White tea (e.g., Baihao Yinzhen, Moonlight White, or Baimudan) suits similar groups as green tea. Aged white tea is prized for its health benefits.

Contraindications:空腹饮用 may discomfort胃寒者; limit to 5g/day, especially for seniors.

4. Neutral-Natured Oolong Tea

Oolong tea (e.g., Dahongpao, Wuyi Shui Xian, or Phoenix Dancong) suits most. Aged oolongs may exhibit fruity acidity, which中医 links to liver-soothing effects. Rock tea calms躁动, while Dancong aids qi circulation.

Contraindications: Avoid空腹 (may cause茶醉) or睡前饮用 (disrupts sleep). Reheat cooled tea to protect the stomach.

5. Warm-Natured Black Tea

Black tea (e.g., Lapsang Souchong, Jinjunmei, Keemun, or Dianhong) suits those with胃寒, cold limbs, weakness, or older age. Adding milk or honey enhances its气血-nourishing, energy-boosting effects. Its red liquor uplifts moods.

Contraindications: Avoid for结石,贫血,失眠, or敏感者.胃热,舌苔厚,口臭,易痘,上火, or经期/孕期/哺乳期女性 should limit intake.

6. Warm-Natured Dark Tea

Dark tea (e.g., Pu-erh, Anhua dark tea, or Liubao tea) aids digestion, lowers血脂, and improves with aging. It suits肾经 issues like dull skin, sore throat, or腰痛. Its dark-red liquor can be drunk hot, cold, or boiled.

Contraindications: Avoid for severe动脉硬化,高血压 (may trigger血栓),贫血, or低血糖患者.