Body constitutions

The primary goal of Traditional Mongolian Medicine is the prevention and later treatment of diseases. To prevent diseases, we must first understand what constitutes health and well-being. Health is determined by a balance and harmony of the body and mind. A state of equilibrium among the seven bodily constituents (plasma, blood, muscle tissue, adipose tissue, bone, bone marrow, and reproductive fluid), three humors (wind, bile, phlegm), and waste products indicates a healthy body, while a healthy mind is characterized by detachment from the three mental poisons: desire, anger, and ignorance.

To maintain health and balance, we should determine our body constitution, which refers to the dominant energy of the three humors in our body, and support it with a suitable diet and lifestyle. Each person has a unique body constitution depending on the percentage combination of the three energies. Body constitution generally shapes our personality, mental and emotional state, talents, physical strength, and health. This individual body constitution is formed in the womb and is influenced by the body constitution of one’s parents, as well as the food and lifestyle of the mother during pregnancy. Our body constitution is fully formed at birth and remains unchanged throughout life.

There are seven body constitutions:

1. Wind
2. Bile
3. Phlegm
4. Wind/Bile
5. Wind/Phlegm
6. Bile/Phlegm
7. Wind/Bile/Phlegm
8. Among them, the triple constitution is considered the most favorable.

Here are the main aspects of the body constitutions:

Wind:

• General aspect: Enjoys talking, singing, and dancing. Known for being energetic, creative, and thinking out of the box, but easily distracted. Their mood can change easily depending on the weather, the people around them, and the food they eat.
• Physical aspect: Wind-dominant people are often described as slim with a bent stature, dry skin and hair, darker complexion, and cracking joints.
• Strengths: Quick learners, highly creative, multitaskers, kind-hearted, flexible, and naturally slim.
• Weaknesses: Forgetful, anxious, moody, easily tired, very sensitive to cold, poor sleep, unstable appetite, digestive problems, prone to flatulence, and poor blood circulation.
• Advice: Warm and nutritious diet including bone soup, vegetable soup, hot milk, aged ghee, sesame oil, and molasses. Lifestyle tips include dressing warmly, getting enough sleep, sharing emotions with trusted friends, and practicing yoga and meditation.

Bile:

• General aspect: These people have a strong leadership character, are goal-oriented, and competitive. However, their aggressive and persistent nature can lead to conflict.
• Physical aspect: Bile-dominant people are muscular, athletic, and medium-sized. They sweat easily, have strong body odor, yellowish skin, and warm bodies.
• Strengths: Smart, goal-oriented, fast learners, independent decision-makers, strong, natural leaders, fast metabolism, and good circulation.
• Weaknesses: Aggressive, quarrelsome, always hungry, mood swings when hungry, prone to acne and diarrhea, and sensitive to hot temperatures.
• Advice: Light and cool quality foods such as green and black tea, vegetables, and fresh yogurt. Lifestyle tips include staying in shaded and cool places and swimming.

Phlegm:

• General aspect: Helpful and able to keep others in harmony. Calm, thoughtful before acting, and prone to feeling cold, and has slow movements.
• Physical aspect: Phlegm-dominant people have big body shapes, soft, cool, and smooth skin.
• Strengths: Compassionate, caring, confident, patient, enduring, calm, intelligent, happy, romantic, with strong bones and joints, and good immunity.
• Weaknesses: Obesity, slow metabolism, slow to act, excessive sleeping, respiratory problems (e.g., asthma, allergies), high risk of heart disease, prone to depression, and mucus issues.
• Advice: Light, rough, and hot-natured foods such as pepper, fiber-rich foods, fish, mutton, honey, and warm tea. Lifestyle tips include dressing warmly and engaging in regular walking and exercise.