Page 22 - Hani Times April 2019

22 Academics April 1, 2019 Vol. 1 Hani Times

What is Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM)?

By Namwook Cho, L.Ac.

kidney, liver and spleen groups. the lung group is in charge of whereas the liver of this type is
The lung group includes lungs, process of consuming Qi and body hyperactive. As such, the TE type
tongue, esophagus region, ears, fluid, whereas the liver group is characterized by a state of weak
brain and skin. The spleen group is responsible for the process of consumption and strong storage
consists of spleen, stomach, breasts, producing and storing these inner of Qi and body fluid. The SY type
eyes and tendon. The constituents substances. has a hyperactive spleen group and
of the liver group are the liver, According to the perspective of hypoactive kidney group, which
small intestine, nose, lumbar region SCM, most of humans have a leads to a consistent state of strong
and muscle. The kidney group has tendency of skewed state in terms raw material intake and weak waste
the kidney, large intestine, urethra, of the seesaw balance between the discharge.
bladder, mouth and bones. visceral groups of the specific pair: In contrast, the SE type has a state
Physiological Functions of the lung-liver pair and the spleen- of weak raw material intake and
Visceral Groups and the Key kidney pair. strong waste discharge due to its
Features of constitutional Based on a skewed equilibrium of congenital hypoactive spleen group
△ SCM is unique Korean Medicine With Different View of Human Types these visceral group pairs, SCM and hyperactive kidney group.
Body As Independent Being from Nature. photoⓒAdobeStock_
MarekPhotoDesign.com According to SCM, the spleen classifies human beings into four Such differences in physiological
group is in charge of the intake constitutions: TaeYang type (Greater patterns result in a series of
of raw materials such as food Yang person-TY), SoYang type typically distinct characteristics
SCM is a unique traditional Korean and body in a whole as the crucial and drink, whereas the kidney (Lesser Yang person-SY), TaeEum of each constitution, including
therapeutic alternative form of point of human physiology and group regulates the process of type(Greater Yin person-TE), external appearance, personality
medicine. Based on the Yin and pathology. Lee, Jema created SCM waste discharge, including bowel SoEum type(Lesser Yin person-SE) traits, manifestation of healthy and
Yang theory and on Confucianism, theory, classifying human beings movement and urination. The TY type has a hyperactive lung unhealthy state and response to
humen are classified into four into four constitutional types and The functions of the lung and group and a hypoactive liver group medicine and treatment.
constitutions. developed systematically unique liver groups are described as that manifests a state of strong (This is summary of a article “Sasang
These differ in terms of ① physiological, pathological, herbal dealing with the critical bodily consumption and weak storage of Constitutional Medicine as a Holistic
Tailored Medicine”, published online
Sensitivity to certain group of pharmacological, dietary and mind- substances including the Qi and Qi and body fluid. In contrast, the
by Evidence-based Complementary and
herbs and medicines ②Equilibrium body-related theories. body fluid. Within this perspective, lungs of the TE type are hypoactive, Alternative Medicine 9/19/2011.)
among internal organic functions Constitutional Physiological
③Physical features and ④ Principles of SCM
CHARACTERISTICS TY type SY type TE type SE type
Psychological characteristics. SCM excludes the theory of the five
HYPERACTIVE Lung-process of con- Spleen-process of raw Liver-process of pro- Kidney-process of
Historical Background elements and considers the human VISCERA AND suming of Qi and body material intake ducing and storing Qi waste discharge
FUNCTIONS fluid and body fluid
Lee, Jema, a devout Neo-Confucian, internal visceral system differently.
HYPOACTIVE VIS- Liver-process of pro- Kidney-process of Lung-process of con- Spleen-process of
the mind-body interaction concept Even though the visceral theory of CERA AND FUNC- ducing and storing Qi waste discharge suming of Qi and body raw material intake
in SCM. Lee, Jema was based on SCM uses the same terminology TIONS and body fluid fluid
Creative Positive Unstable/Easily get Gentle Neat/Mild/Negative
the four Neo-Confucianism moral found in TCM, they have different
Progressive bored/Sacrificing Commercial Selfish/Organized
concepts Benevolence, Rightness, meanings. PERSONALITY Charismatic Righteous/Easily Endurable Jealous/Persistent
Propriety and Wisdom. SCM regards the heart as the TRAITS Heroic Rash mind acceptable Humorous Nervous mind
Coward
Hot temper/Anxious
His observation implied that the king among the viscera, which is mind Fearful mind
adverse response of the human equivalent to the mind. Departing Developed nape of the Developed chest Thick waist Developed hip
EXTERNAL AP-
body to a specific medicinal herb from the visceral theory in TCM PEARANCE neck Small hip Weak nape of the neck Weak chest
Existence of perspi-
Good digestion
Slender waist
Good bowel movement
was not temporary but congenitally where viscera are assigned in HEALTHY SIGN Smooth urination ration
influenced. He also emphasized pairs, zang and fu, SCM assumes a Musculoskeletal weak- Existence of consti- Absence of perspiration Indigestion
UNHEALTHY SIGN ness, emesis pation
the mutual interaction of mind theory of visceral groups: The lung,