Nine TCM constitutions, nine ways of eating. Pick the one that sounds like you and see its practical diet plan at a glance.
Eat a varied diet: grains as the base, fruits as support, animal foods in moderation, and vegetables in abundance. Stop at 70–80% fullness. Adjust lightly with the seasons: lighter in spring and summer, warmer and moister foods in autumn and winter.
Read the full profileThe diet should focus on strengthening the Spleen and tonifying Qi. Regularly eat Chinese yam, lotus seed, fox nut, red dates, astragalus, codonopsis, hyacinth bean, millet, rice, beef, and chicken. Prefer stewing, boiling, and steaming; avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods. Eat smaller, more frequent meals and chew thoroughly.
Read the full profileThe diet should focus on warming and tonifying Yang. Regularly eat lamb, beef, chicken, chives, longan, walnuts, chestnuts, ginger, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, Chinese yam, and glutinous rice. Prefer stewing, boiling, and braising, and add warming spices such as ginger, scallion, and garlic. A warm ginger and red-date tea in the morning helps Yang rise.
Read the full profileThe diet should focus on nourishing Yin and moistening dryness. Regularly eat white fungus, lily bulb, lotus seed, snow pear, water chestnut, lotus root, Chinese yam, goji berry, mulberry, black sesame, duck, pork, turtle, and sea cucumber. Prefer steaming, boiling, and stewing; minimize frying and grilling. Drinks such as麦冬-玉竹 tea, dendrobium tea, and sour plum soup help generate fluids and cool internal heat.
Read the full profileThe diet should be light, Spleen-strengthening, and dampness-draining. Regularly eat Job's tears, adzuki beans, winter melon, cucumber, celery, white radish, kelp, nori, Chinese yam, poria, dried tangerine peel, lotus leaf, and corn silk. Prefer steaming, boiling, and stewing; minimize frying and sweets. Drinks such as tangerine-peel-poria tea and Job's tears-red-bean soup can replace plain water.
Read the full profileThe diet should focus on clearing heat, draining dampness, and being light. Regularly eat mung beans, adzuki beans, Job's tears, winter melon, bitter melon, cucumber, celery, lotus root, purslane, dandelion, capillary wormwood, corn silk, poria, and lotus leaf. Prefer steaming, boiling, stewing, and light salads; minimize frying, grilling, and spice. Drinks such as chrysanthemum tea, honeysuckle tea, lotus-leaf tea, and mung bean soup help clear heat.
Read the full profileThe diet should focus on activating blood, resolving stasis, and warming the channels. Regularly eat hawthorn, brown sugar, rose buds, saffron, angelica sinensis, peach kernel, black fungus, onion, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and small amounts of red wine. Add warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and Sichuan pepper when cooking. Rose tea and hawthorn-brown-sugar water are excellent daily choices.
Read the full profileThe diet should focus on soothing the Liver, regulating Qi, strengthening the Spleen, and harmonizing the Stomach. Regularly eat rose buds, jasmine, finger citron, dried tangerine peel, hawthorn, white radish, celery, daylily, kumquat, orange, pomelo, cilantro, and mint. Rose tea, jasmine tea, and tangerine-peel-hawthorn drink can replace regular tea. Avoid overeating or extreme dieting.
Read the full profileThe diet should focus on strengthening Qi, consolidating the exterior, tonifying the Spleen, and nourishing blood. Regularly eat Chinese yam, lotus seeds, euryale seeds, red dates, astragalus, codonopsis, white hyacinth bean, coix seed, goji berries, black fungus, white fungus, carrots, and pumpkin. Keep meals light, warm, and easy to digest; avoid cold, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. Keep a food diary to identify and avoid trigger foods.
Read the full profileNot sure which one? Take the TCM constitution test (about 8 minutes)
Dietary suggestions come from Traditional Chinese Medicine wellness theory and are not medical advice. If symptoms are persistent or severe, please consult a licensed doctor first.