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What is Sasang Constitution and 8-Constitution Medicine? — Summary of Core Points First
For those curious about constitutional medicine, we'll organize the essentials first.
• Sasang Constitution is a theory established by Lee Je-ma, a medical scholar from the late Joseon period, in his work "Donguisusebowon" (1894), classifying people into 4 constitutions: Tae-yang, So-yang, Tae-eum, and So-eum. • 8-Constitution Medicine is based on a theory presented by Dr. Kwon Do-won at the 1965 Tokyo International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Conference, further subdividing into 8 constitutions based on the congenital arrangement of strength and weakness of the five organs and six bowels—a personalized medical system unique to Korea. • Both constitutional medicine systems begin with the premise that "each person has different innate physiological and pathological characteristics," and aim to apply diet, lifestyle habits, and treatment methods individually based on this.
One important point is that constitution must be judged comprehensively considering external appearance, personality, dietary response, and medical history, making self-diagnosis alone difficult to confirm. According to clinical data, even the same symptoms require different appropriate prescriptions and lifestyle guidance depending on constitution, so consultation with a professional Korean medicine doctor is recommended.
Sasang Constitutional Medicine — Lee Je-ma's 4-Constitution Theory and Characteristics by Constitution
Sasang constitutional medicine starts from the premise that organ balance and function, personality, vulnerable diseases, and suitable diet are set differently for each constitution. According to the Wikipedia article on Sasang Medicine, the 4 constitutions are not merely personality classifications but comprehensive medical systems where psychology, organ function, pathology, pharmacology, health preservation, and food are all applied differently by constitution.
In a 2016 systematic literature review published on PubMed, statistically significant differences in prevalence of 6 diseases including hypertension prehypertension, general obesity, abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were confirmed according to Sasang constitutional type. This suggests that constitutional health tendencies show certain patterns clinically.
Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the 4 constitutions.
| Constitution | Organ Characteristics | Main Tendencies | Vulnerable Disease Patterns | Dietary Tendencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tae-yang | Strong lung function, weak liver function | Creative, enterprising | Upper heat-related symptoms, digestive system | Bland food suitable |
| So-yang | Strong spleen function, weak kidney function | Active, extroverted | Heat-related inflammation, kidney and urinary system | Cool and light food suitable |
| Tae-eum | Strong liver function, weak lung function | Strong endurance, conservative | Metabolic diseases (obesity, hypertension, diabetes) | Diverse food digestion, caution against overeating |
| So-eum | Strong kidney function, weak spleen function | Delicate, introverted | Cold-type qi deficiency symptoms, weak digestion | Warm and easily digestible food suitable |
However, vulnerable disease patterns by constitution are at best general tendencies with large individual differences. According to clinical data, even within the same constitution, symptom manifestations can vary depending on living environment and health status, making it appropriate to use this as a reference indicator.
8-Constitution Medicine — Dr. Kwon Do-won's 8-Classification Theory and Diagnostic and Treatment Principles
8-Constitution Medicine is a theory that further subdivides Sasang Constitution. According to Han-ui Times reporting, Dr. Kwon Do-won classified people into 8 constitutions: Metal-yang, Metal-yin, Earth-yang, Earth-yin, Wood-yang, Wood-yin, Water-yang, and Water-yin according to the congenital arrangement of strength and weakness of the five organs and six bowels, establishing constitutional pulse diagnosis, constitutional acupuncture, and constitutional nutrition as the three core pillars.
Notable research accumulation is also noteworthy from a clinical evidence perspective. According to a 2025 study published on PMC, 8-Constitution Medicine is defined as Korea's unique personalized medical system integrating constitutional acupuncture (ECA) and constitution-specific lifestyle intervention (ECLI). Furthermore, the same study published on PubMed (2025) reported that in a real-world retrospective study targeting 163 musculoskeletal pain patients, meaningful improvements in quality of life indices (EQ-5D-5L) and pain scores were observed. However, a 2024 scoping review published on Sage Journals also notes that this is an area where clinical evidence accumulation is in progress, with the need for further development of standardized measurement tools.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic provides careful guidance on diet habits and lifestyle precautions suited to each patient's constitution through constitutional judgment based on 8-Constitution Medicine.
Frequently Asked Question — How is 8-Constitution Diagnosed?
The core of 8-constitution diagnosis is constitutional pulse diagnosis. It is difficult to confirm constitution based solely on questionnaires or external observation, requiring a process where a professional Korean medicine doctor comprehensively judges the form and strength/weakness of the pulse.
Before Constitutional Diagnosis, Please Check These Points
Before receiving constitutional diagnosis, briefly check your condition. If any of the following items apply to you, consultation with a professional Korean medicine doctor may be even more beneficial.
• Eating certain foods for a long time makes your body feel uniquely good or bad • Even with similar lifestyle patterns, only you among family members repeatedly experience certain symptoms • You've had experiences where the same medicine or health functional foods had different effects • You were curious about your constitution and tried self-tests, but results differ each time, causing confusion • You have repeatedly occurring symptoms like chronic fatigue, indigestion, and frequent colds without clear causes • You previously received constitutional diagnosis but found prescriptions or lifestyle guidance ineffective
According to clinical data, the officially recognized discrimination method for 8-constitution is constitutional pulse diagnosis, with limitations in confirming constitution based solely on self-questionnaires or body type-focused judgment. Because even the same symptoms require different prescriptions depending on constitution, comprehensive diagnosis by a professional Korean medicine doctor becomes the starting point for accurate constitutional understanding.
If you reside near Suyu Station, Mia, or Dobong, consider getting constitutional diagnosis at a nearby Korean medicine clinic. Residents from nearby areas such as Suyu Station Korean medicine clinic, Mia Korean medicine clinic, and Dobong Korean medicine clinic can also conveniently visit.
How to Start Constitution-Tailored Management in Gangbuk?
According to the Korean Medical Association, Sasang constitutional medicine is a constitution-tailored discipline encompassing preventive medical health preservation and treatment, with constitution-matched diet and lifestyle adjustment as its core. This means going beyond treating symptoms after they appear to understanding one's constitution and managing health independently in daily life.
Constitutional diagnosis doesn't stop at simply "knowing what constitution I have." Substantial changes in health management can only be expected when diagnosis results are accompanied by diet and lifestyle guidance matched to them.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic provides both individual constitutional diagnosis based on 8-Constitution Medicine and lifestyle-focused constitution-specific management guides. Those wishing to start constitutional management near Suyu Station are welcome to conveniently book an initial consultation through Naver Reservation. We will carefully find the right health management direction for your constitution by examining symptoms, lifestyle patterns, dietary responses, and more.
Constitutional Diagnosis, Were You Curious About These Points?
Q1. What is the difference between Sasang Constitution and 8-Constitution?
Sasang Constitution is a theory established by Lee Je-ma, classifying into 4 constitutions: Tae-yang, So-yang, Tae-eum, and So-eum. 8-Constitution Medicine further subdivides this, dividing into 8 constitutions according to the arrangement of strength and weakness of the five organs and six bowels by Dr. Kwon Do-won. There are differences in classification criteria and diagnostic methods (pulse diagnosis methods, etc.), but both systems commonly aim for diet and treatment suited to individual constitution.
Q2. Is constitution determined at birth or can it change?
Both Sasang Constitution and 8-Constitution Medicine regard constitution as something inherent from birth. The basic premise is that even as one ages or living environment changes, constitution itself does not change. However, symptom manifestations and health status according to constitution can change depending on lifestyle habits and dietary management, making knowing one's constitution itself an important starting point for health management.
Q3. How can constitutional diagnosis be received? Is self-testing possible?
Online self-tests or questionnaires can be helpful for understanding constitution but are not officially recognized discrimination methods. The officially recognized method is comprehensive diagnosis including pulse diagnosis by professional Korean medicine doctors. Because the same symptoms require different prescriptions and lifestyle guidance depending on constitution, direct diagnosis through Korean medicine clinic visits is recommended for accurate constitutional understanding.
⚠️ The possibility of procedure side effects can vary depending on individual skin condition.