What is Constitutional Medicine?

I will start out here by saying that not all herbalists practise constitutional medicine - but I am deeply indebted to my mentors for passing on this revered and ancient practise. It has dramatically improved my learning, and my work and far improved the results for my clients.

And wherever you are in the world, if you are looking for a herbalist, it is definitely worth asking if they work with the constitution and seeking out one who does.

So what’s is Constitutional Medicine?

Constitutional medicine is based on the simple fact that people’s bodies and personalities are not all the same.

And therefore people respond quite differently to different herbs and medicines.

Just like your body works best with certain foods - your body will also respond better to some herbs that others.

Therefore the path to health is not the same for each person - even if they suffer with the same condition!

Our remedies and prescribing should take these differences into account. The best results occur when the medicine and lifestyle changes match not just the symptoms but the person’s body/personality type too.

For example, giving a hotter type person a hot herb like ginger or cayenne probably won’t suit them. It will probably make them feel internally hotter and more irritable!

Constitutional medicine isn’t just a Western herbal medicine concept. Ayurveda (Indian medicine) and Traditional Chinese Medicine plus lots of other traditional medicine systems all work on these basic fundamental human differences.

Ayurveda is based on constitutional medicine.

Where do we start?

Generally, we start by looking for whether your body runs hotter or colder than others around you - and also if your body is generally running damper or dryer?

Everybody knows someone who runs hotter. You know the type: they are happy wearing shorts all year around even in winter!

Other people though run cooler. These people will rug up in bed with layers of blankets and a hot water bottle 6 months of the year. They’re also more likely to take a jacket with them to the movies and like their coffee or tea served extra hot.

What about damp and dry? Dryer people will often have dryer skin, dryer hair and more trouble with nervous conditions and insomnia. Damper types may wake with a mucousy throat in the mornings, sweat more easily and struggle with damper chesty coughs in winter.

No constitution is “better” than any other. The studying of the temperaments helps you learn that each has their strengths and weaknesses both in personality type and tendencies toward illness. And each constitution has a different path and learning journey to go through illness and out the other side - both physically and emotionally.

The Four Constitutions (Also known as the Four Temperaments)

In Western herbal medicine the different body types can be classified under the Four Temperaments that were first outlined in Ancient Greek medicine by Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine.

They are: Sanguine (optimistic and social), Choleric (action-focussed and short tempered), Melancholic (sensitive and analytical) and Phlegmatic (relaxed and slower-paced).

There is now also a symbolic interpretation of the Four Temperaments - which was expanded and developed by the great herbalist Richard Whelan:

• The Tiger (Sanguine)

• The Eagle (Choleric)

• The Elephant/ Butterfly (Melancholic)

• The Bear (Phlegmatic)

The Four Constitutions in Action:

The Tiger (Sanguine)

The Tiger type runs hotter and damper.

They usually have stronger body types and an air of power about them. They make good people managers and are often in positions of responsibility. Generally happy and optimistic but can get sulky and withdrawn if they lose their purpose. They don’t like to be alone. They generally love their food - a little too much. They are the type who can swing into excess. The hotter, damper body type is prone to skin issues like fungal infections, also menstrual problems and issues of the heart and circulation. Also joint issues like arthritis and joint pain. To get back into balance and good health they often need vigorous exercise and “Cleansing”.

The Eagle (Choleric)

The Eagle type is hotter and dryer.

They are focussed individuals who like to excel at what they do. Often with piercing eyes and a sharp intellect. I often found the Eagle type is also the one who “exercises to relax”. They don’t like to stand still. They are less emotional than other types and quite practical. Though they are known to become irritated and angry if they don’t make time to relax and rest. If you need something done, give it to an Eagle. They like to fly high - but often don’t know how to rest. They are prone to allergic skin conditions, allergies, nervous disorders, depression and anxiety, insomnia and thyroid issues. To get back into balance an Eagle often needs to learn how to rest and needs herbs to help the body into “Relaxation”.

The Elephant/Butterfly (Melancholic)

The Elephant/ Butterfly is dryer and cooler.

Unusually, they have two very different sides to their constitution - the elephant and the butterfly. The elephant side is expressed by their ability to carry positions of deep responsibility for others - sometimes carrying a lot of weight on their backs. Just like a mother or father elephant, they look after their herd and manage to take on heavy loads with grace that others would buckle under. These people have incredible endurance. Yet the other side to them is their incredibly sensitive nature (the butterfly). They are literally able to read others with their sixth sense. However this sensitivity also makes them sensitive to the food they put into their bodies, chemicals and their environment. EB’s usually have the best diets of any constitution. They suffer from fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, gut issues, skin and hair problems. To get back into balance the EB usually needs time for oneself and “Nourishment”.

The Bear (Phlegmatic)

The Bear is cooler and damper.

Bears are usually of a stronger body type. They are marked by a peaceful, contented countenance. The Bear moves slowly and is mostly happy just where he is. Bears love to sleep and you probably won’t find a bear with insomnia! They love being at home and you will find them happiest indulging in books and study - or too much TV. The upside to being a Bear is you bring stability and peace to situations. Bears are often known as “Care Bears” as they often find themselves in careers where they care for others. They have a quiet, deep and wise strength. They are wonderfully grounding people to have as friends or in a family. Bears can suffer with health problems like poor immunity, chest infections, recurrent colds and flus, excess menstruation in women, slow metabolism and lymphatic conditions. To get back into balance Bears often need “Activation” or herbs to get them moving in life again.