Sasang Body Type: Your Friend's "Holy Grail" Product Broke You Out. Here's Why.
Sasang constitutional medicine (Korean body type system) has known for 130 years what Western wellness is just discovering: the same food, herb, or skincare that heals one person can harm another. Your body type isn't just about shape - it's about which ingredients your unique system thrives on.
π Jump to What You Need
What Is Sasang Body Type? (Korean Constitutional Medicine Explained)
The 130-year-old Korean system that treats the person, not the disease
Sasang body type (also called Sasang constitutional medicine or μ¬μ체μ§μν in Korean) is a traditional Korean medical system that classifies people into four distinct body types based on their innate organ characteristics, emotional patterns, and physical traits. If you've ever searched for "Korean body type test" or "what is my constitution" - this is the system you're looking for.
Developed by Korean physician Lee Je-ma (μ΄μ λ§, 1837-1900), Sasang typology was first published in 1894 in his foundational text Donguisusebowon ("Longevity and Life Preservation in Eastern Medicine"). Unlike Western medicine's one-size-fits-all approach, Sasang recognizes a truth that anyone who's tried their friend's "holy grail" skincare already knows: what works for one body fails completely for another.
The Core Principle: Your constitution is determined at birth and remains constant throughout your life. It shapes which foods nourish you, which diseases you're vulnerable to, and which treatments will actually work.
The word "Sasang" (μ¬μ) literally means "four forms" - referring to the four constitutional archetypes that arise from the interplay of Yin and Yang energies. Today, Sasang medicine is taught in Korean medical universities, practiced in hospitals across South Korea, and increasingly researched for genetic correlations. Korean researchers have developed validated tools like the QSCC (Sasang Constitutional Classification Questionnaire) with 51-70% accuracy rates for constitutional diagnosis.
Why This Matters for You
Have you ever wondered why:
- Ginseng gives you headaches but your friend swears by it?
- The keto diet made your coworker glow but made you exhausted?
- That viral K-beauty serum broke you out when it cleared everyone else's skin?
- You gain weight eating the same foods your partner eats with no problem?
Sasang medicine has the answer: you're not doing anything wrong - you're using the wrong constitution's playbook.
The 4 Korean Body Types: Tae-Yang, Tae-Eum, So-Yang & So-Eum
Each Sasang type has unique organ balances, personality patterns, and health vulnerabilities
The rarest type. Visionary, charismatic, intense. Large head, developed upper body, weak lower body. Needs cooling foods, must avoid alcohol.
Full Guide βThe most common type. Enduring, patient, reliable. Solid build, tendency to gain weight. Needs vigorous exercise and must sweat regularly.
Full Guide βThe action-takers. Quick, decisive, energetic. Wide chest, slim hips. Tends to run hot. Must avoid heating foods like ginseng and spicy dishes.
Full Guide βThe thoughtful ones. Careful, detail-oriented, sensitive. Slender build, often cold hands/feet. Weak digestion needs warming foods and gentle care.
Full Guide βWhich Type Are You?
Your constitution affects everything from your ideal diet to your perfect skincare. Find yours in 3 minutes.
Take the Free Quiz βGinseng Side Effects: Why Korean Red Ginseng Might Be Harming You
The "king of herbs" isn't for everyone - and taking it wrong can cause headaches, insomnia, and worse
Ginseng (μΈμΌ) is marketed as universally beneficial - a miracle root that boosts energy, immunity, and longevity. But Sasang medicine has known for over a century what many discover the hard way: ginseng is medicine for some constitutions and poison for others.
β οΈ Warning Signs You're Taking the Wrong Herb
If ginseng causes you headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, skin flushing, or makes you feel "wired but tired" - stop. These aren't signs it's "working." They're signs it's wrong for your constitution.
Ginseng Is Warming Energy
In Korean and Chinese medicine, ginseng is classified as warming and tonifying - it adds heat and energy to the system. For So-Eum types who run cold with deficient energy, this is exactly what they need. Ginseng can transform their health.
But for So-Yang and Tae-Yang types who already have excess internal heat, adding more fire is like pouring gasoline on flames. Instead of gaining energy, they deplete faster. Instead of glowing skin, they get inflammation. Instead of calm focus, they get anxiety and insomnia.
Who Should Avoid Ginseng
- So-Yang types: Already running hot with strong Spleen energy. Ginseng accelerates heat accumulation.
- Tae-Yang types: The hottest constitution. Any warming herb can be dangerous.
- Anyone with heat symptoms: Red face, feeling hot, insomnia, irritability, inflammation.
Who Benefits from Ginseng
- So-Eum types: Cold, deficient, with weak digestion. Ginseng is ideal.
- Tae-Eum types: Can handle moderate ginseng, especially red ginseng for circulation.
- Anyone with cold symptoms: Cold hands/feet, fatigue, pale complexion, loose stools.
The Alternative: If you're a hot constitution wanting ginseng-like benefits, try American ginseng (which is cooling, not warming) or adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha that are more constitutionally neutral.
Hot vs Cold Constitutions
The fundamental split that determines your ideal foods, herbs, and skincare
Hot Constitutions
Common Signs
Feels warm easily, dislikes summer heat, prone to inflammation and redness, tends toward constipation, often thirsty, skin flushes easily, impatient temperament.
Beneficial Foods
Foods to Avoid
Best Skincare Ingredients
Cold Constitutions
Common Signs
Feels cold easily, prefers warm environments, cold hands and feet, tends toward loose stools, low energy, pale complexion, cautious temperament.
Beneficial Foods
Foods to Avoid
Best Skincare Ingredients
Why Temperature Matters
This isn't about feeling literally hot or cold - it's about your internal metabolic tendency. Hot constitutions generate and hold heat easily, so they need cooling influences. Cold constitutions struggle to generate warmth, so they need support to stay energized.
This is why the same "superfood" has completely different effects. Ginger tea? Healing for cold types, inflammatory for hot types. Ice-cold smoothies? Refreshing for hot types, digestive disaster for cold types.
K-Beauty Ingredients by Skin Type: What Works for YOUR Constitution
Why your friend's miracle product doesn't work for you - and which Korean skincare will
The K-beauty industry is built on powerful ingredients: ginseng, snail mucin, centella, fermented extracts. But here's what most beauty guides miss: your constitution determines which "hero" ingredients will actually be heroic for your skin.
Hot constitutions with reactive, inflammation-prone skin using ginseng serums? That's adding fire to fire. Cold constitutions with dull, sluggish skin using only cooling centella? That's not addressing the root cause.
𧴠K-Beauty Ingredient Compatibility
Which popular ingredients work best for each constitution type
| Ingredient | Tae-Yang | So-Yang | Tae-Eum | So-Eum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΏ Centella (Cica) | β | β | ~ | ~ |
| 𧧠Ginseng | β | β | β | β |
| π Snail Mucin | β | β | β | β |
| π΅ Green Tea | β | β | ~ | ~ |
| π Rice Ferment | ~ | ~ | β | β |
| π― Propolis | ~ | ~ | β | β |
| πΎ Mugwort | β | β | ~ | ~ |
| π§ Hyaluronic Acid | β | β | β | β |
Get Your Personalized Skincare Guide
Find out exactly which K-beauty ingredients match your constitution - and which ones to avoid.
Discover Your Skin Type βKorean Diet by Body Type: Foods for Each Sasang Constitution
The same meal can heal one person and harm another - here's your personalized food list
In Sasang medicine, food is the first line of treatment. Eating according to your constitution isn't about restriction - it's about optimization. When you eat right for your type, digestion improves, energy stabilizes, and chronic issues often resolve on their own.
Tae-Yang Foods (νμμΈ)
The rarest type needs cooling, light foods to balance their intense upper-body heat. Best: Seafood (especially shellfish), buckwheat, grapes, persimmons, cool vegetables. Avoid: Beef, sugar, heavy fats, alcohol, radish.
Tae-Eum Foods (νμμΈ)
The most common type tends to accumulate and needs foods that move and clear. Best: Beef, cod, brown rice, radish, mushrooms, nuts, pears, plums. Avoid: Chicken, excessive sugar, greasy fried foods.
So-Yang Foods (μμμΈ)
Hot constitutions need cooling foods to balance their internal fire. Best: Pork, duck, crab, barley, cucumber, watermelon, strawberries, most seafood. Avoid: Ginseng, chicken, lamb, garlic, ginger, spicy foods, alcohol.
So-Eum Foods (μμμΈ)
Cold constitutions need warming, nourishing foods to support weak digestion. Best: Chicken, goat, ginseng, ginger, cinnamon, garlic, dates, honey, black pepper. Avoid: Cold raw foods, ice cream, cold beverages, watermelon, beer.
The Key Insight: Notice how chicken is great for So-Eum but harmful for Tae-Eum? How watermelon is medicine for So-Yang but damaging for So-Eum? This is why generic "healthy eating" advice fails so many people.
Sasang vs Ayurveda vs TCM: Korean Body Types Compared
How Korean constitutional medicine compares to Ayurvedic doshas and Chinese medicine
If you've explored Ayurveda (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), you might wonder how Sasang compares. While all three systems recognize constitutional differences, they approach typing differently.
| Aspect | Sasang (Korean) | Ayurveda (Indian) | TCM (Chinese) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Types | 4 fixed types | 3 doshas (+ combinations) | 5 elements / Pattern-based |
| Permanence | Fixed from birth - never changes | Prakriti fixed, Vikriti can change | Patterns change over time |
| Basis | Organ strength/weakness ratios | Elemental energies | Yin-Yang, 5 elements, Qi flow |
| Food as Medicine | Central, strictly type-specific | Important, dosha-balancing | Important, less individually specific |
| Clinical Use | Practiced in Korean hospitals | Practiced in Indian clinics | Practiced in Chinese hospitals |
| Scientific Research | Active genetic studies in Korea | Some modern research | Extensive research in China |
The key difference: In Sasang, your type is fixed at birth and never changes. In Ayurveda, your Prakriti (birth constitution) is fixed but your Vikriti (current state) fluctuates. In TCM, constitutional patterns can shift throughout life.
This permanence makes Sasang particularly practical: once you know your type, you have a lifelong guide for diet, lifestyle, and treatment that doesn't require constant reassessment.
Famous Faces by Constitution Type
Recognizing constitutional types in public figures and celebrities
While we can't definitively type someone without proper diagnosis, Korean practitioners often discuss how public figures appear to fit certain constitutional patterns based on their physical characteristics, temperament, and health histories. This isn't diagnosis - it's pattern recognition that helps illustrate how types manifest in real people.
Tae-Yang Archetype: The Visionary Leaders
Tae-Yang types are exceptionally rare (<0.1%), but when they appear, they're unmistakable. They tend to have large, prominent heads, developed upper bodies, and thin legs. Their energy is intense and forward-driving. Historically, revolutionary thinkers and bold leaders often fit this profile. They're the people who seem to run on pure vision - often forgetting to eat or rest because they're so consumed by their ideas.
Physical tells: Wide forehead, strong neck, narrow hips, may walk with head slightly forward. Voice tends to be clear and projecting.
Tae-Eum Archetype: The Steady Powerhouses
As the most common type (~50%), Tae-Eum individuals are everywhere. They typically have solid, substantial builds with well-developed waists and strong frames. Many successful athletes, business executives, and entertainers who project warmth and reliability fit this profile. They're the people who can work for hours without complaint and who others instinctively trust.
Physical tells: Round face, thick waist, large hands, sturdy lower body. Voice tends to be deep and resonant. Often sweats easily.
So-Yang Archetype: The Dynamic Performers
So-Yang types (~30%) are the natural entertainers and action-takers. They typically have well-developed chests that taper to narrow hips - the classic "inverted triangle." Quick-witted comedians, dynamic performers, and charismatic speakers often fit this profile. They're the life of the party but may struggle to sit still.
Physical tells: Pointed chin, bright eyes, broad shoulders, slim hips. Fast talkers with animated expressions. May flush easily when excited.
So-Eum Archetype: The Thoughtful Artists
So-Eum types (~20%) are often found among writers, analysts, and detail-oriented creatives. They typically have slender, delicate builds with refined features. Their power isn't in physical presence but in depth of thought and careful observation. Many beloved authors and musicians who create deeply emotional work fit this profile.
Physical tells: Oval face, small hands and feet, narrow shoulders, soft voice. Often has cold hands even in warm weather. May have a slight forward lean when seated.
Remember: These are archetypes, not diagnoses. Real people are complex, and only proper constitutional assessment can determine your true type. Use these descriptions as illustrations, not as a typing method.
Best Exercise for Your Body Type: Sasang Fitness Guide
Why your workout might be working against you - and what exercise each constitution actually needs
In Sasang medicine, exercise isn't just about moving - it's about balancing your constitutional tendencies. The wrong exercise can actually make your weaknesses worse. Here's what each type needs to know.
Goal: Strengthen weak lower body, avoid overheating
Best: Swimming, walking, light yoga, tai chi, lower body strength training
Avoid: Intense cardio, hot yoga, competitive sports that trigger anger
Key insight: Your upper body is already strong. Focus on grounding exercises that build your legs and calm your intense energy.
Goal: Move stagnation, promote sweating, boost metabolism
Best: Running, HIIT, hiking, cycling, any exercise that makes you sweat heavily
Avoid: Sedentary activities, gentle yoga only (need intensity)
Key insight: You MUST sweat regularly. Your body accumulates and stagnates - vigorous exercise is medicine, not optional.
Goal: Cool down, strengthen kidneys, build patience
Best: Swimming, cycling, golf, hiking in nature, strength training
Avoid: Hot yoga, saunas, extremely intense cardio, overexertion
Key insight: You already have plenty of fire - don't add more. Water-based and outdoor exercises that disperse heat work best.
Goal: Gently warm the body, build stamina gradually
Best: Walking, gentle yoga, pilates, light dancing, warm-up focused routines
Avoid: Cold water swimming, exhausting HIIT, exercising when hungry
Key insight: Don't push to exhaustion - your energy reserves are limited. Consistent moderate exercise beats occasional intense sessions.
β οΈ The Tae-Eum Sweating Rule
If you're Tae-Eum type and you're not sweating regularly, you're likely accumulating toxins and dampness that will eventually manifest as weight gain, skin problems, or metabolic issues. For this type especially, daily exercise isn't about fitness - it's about fundamental health maintenance.
Health Vulnerabilities by Type
What each constitution is predisposed to - and how to prevent it
Each constitution has specific organ weaknesses that create predictable health vulnerabilities. Understanding your risks isn't about fear - it's about prevention. These patterns have been observed over 130 years of clinical practice.
| Type | Weak Organ | Common Vulnerabilities | Prevention Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tae-Yang | Liver | Leg weakness, lower body issues, liver problems, vomiting, difficulty gaining weight | Protect liver (avoid alcohol), strengthen legs, eat cooling foods, manage anger |
| Tae-Eum | Lung | Respiratory issues, skin problems, obesity, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure | Daily sweating, avoid overeating, respiratory care, weight management |
| So-Yang | Kidney | Kidney/bladder issues, lower back pain, constipation, insomnia, hypertension | Cooling foods, avoid overwork, protect kidneys, manage stress and anger |
| So-Eum | Spleen/Digestive | Digestive disorders, cold sensitivity, chronic fatigue, anxiety, poor circulation | Warming foods, protect digestion, avoid cold/raw, regular small meals |
The Prevention Principle: In Sasang medicine, the goal isn't to treat disease after it appears - it's to live according to your constitution so disease never develops. Your weak organ is like a warning light on a dashboard: pay attention to it before problems escalate.
Seasonal Living by Constitution
How to adjust your lifestyle as the seasons change
Summer Adjustments
Hot Types (Tae-Yang, So-Yang)
Your most challenging season. Stay cool at all costs - seek air conditioning, eat cooling foods (watermelon, cucumber, barley tea), avoid midday sun, and watch for heat-related symptoms like insomnia, headaches, and irritability.
Cold Types (Tae-Eum, So-Eum)
Your easiest season! Enjoy the warmth but don't overdo cold foods and drinks just because it's hot. So-Eum: Still avoid excessive ice and raw foods. Tae-Eum: Great time to sweat - take advantage of it.
Winter Adjustments
Cold Types (So-Eum, Tae-Eum)
Your most challenging season. So-Eum: Bundle up, drink warm teas, eat warming soups, keep extremities covered. Tae-Eum: Keep exercising even when it's cold - don't let stagnation build up indoors.
Hot Types (Tae-Yang, So-Yang)
Your easiest season! The cold helps balance your internal heat. Don't overcompensate with too many warming foods and hot drinks - you don't need them as much as cold types do.
The Transition Seasons: Spring & Fall
Spring and fall are adjustment periods for everyone. Spring is when Yang energy rises - hot types should start cooling protocols earlier, cold types can gradually reduce warming practices. Fall is when Yin energy increases - cold types should begin warming protocols before they feel cold, hot types can ease off cooling measures.
The key is anticipation: adjust before symptoms appear, not after.
Constitutional Compatibility
How different types interact in relationships, work, and friendships
Sasang types don't just affect health - they shape personality, communication style, and interpersonal dynamics. Understanding constitutional patterns can transform how you relate to partners, colleagues, and friends.
Communication Styles
Tae-Yang: Direct, visionary, can seem dismissive of details. They communicate big ideas and expect others to fill in the gaps. May overlook emotional nuance.
Tae-Eum: Steady, patient, sometimes slow to speak but reliable when they do. They process internally before responding. May frustrate faster types with their pace.
So-Yang: Quick, enthusiastic, may interrupt or change topics rapidly. They communicate through energy and action. May overwhelm quieter types.
So-Eum: Thoughtful, careful, may need time to warm up in conversations. They communicate through depth rather than breadth. May seem reserved initially.
Natural Pairings
Complementary pairs often work well: Tae-Eum's stability grounds So-Yang's energy. So-Eum's carefulness balances Tae-Yang's intensity. Similar types understand each other intuitively but may amplify each other's weaknesses.
Challenging pairs require more awareness: So-Yang may find So-Eum too slow; So-Eum may find So-Yang exhausting. Tae-Eum may frustrate Tae-Yang with their methodical pace. These pairings work when both parties understand their constitutional differences.
The Golden Rule: Don't try to change someone's constitutional nature - work with it. A So-Eum partner will never become a So-Yang party animal, and that's not a flaw to fix. Constitutional understanding replaces judgment with compassion.
Alcohol & Coffee by Constitution
Why your friend can drink espresso at midnight while you're wired from green tea
Few substances reveal constitutional differences as clearly as alcohol and caffeine. What's a pleasant nightcap for one type is a health disaster for another. Here's the breakdown.
β Coffee & Caffeine
Tae-Yang: Avoid or limit severely. Coffee adds heat and rises upward - exactly what this already-hot, upper-body-dominant type doesn't need. Can trigger headaches, insomnia, and agitation.
Tae-Eum: Moderate amounts OK. Coffee can help move stagnation and boost metabolism. Best taken before exercise. Watch for dependency and don't use it to replace actual rest.
So-Yang: Limit or avoid. Already has plenty of internal fire and quick energy. Coffee can push into anxiety, heart palpitations, and insomnia. If you must, stick to one cup before noon.
So-Eum: Can be beneficial. The warming, stimulating nature of coffee can actually help this cold, low-energy type. Best taken warm (not iced) with food to protect sensitive digestion.
π· Alcohol
Tae-Yang: Strongly avoid. The weak liver of Tae-Yang types makes alcohol processing difficult. Even small amounts can cause significant damage over time. This is the one type that should genuinely abstain.
Tae-Eum: Moderate with caution. Can handle alcohol better than most but tends toward excess. The risk here is quantity - their tolerance can mask how much damage is accumulating. Beer especially can add dampness.
So-Yang: Limit significantly. Alcohol adds heat to an already-hot constitution. May seem to handle it well socially but will pay the price with sleep disruption, inflammation, and kidney strain. Cooling drinks like beer are slightly less harmful than warming spirits.
So-Eum: Small amounts can help. A small amount of warming alcohol (like a bit of rice wine or whiskey) can actually aid circulation and digestion for this cold type. The key word is small - their sensitive systems can't handle excess.
β οΈ The Tolerance Trap
Just because you can drink a lot doesn't mean you should. Tae-Eum types especially can develop high tolerance while still accumulating damage. Constitutional medicine looks at long-term organ health, not just next-day hangovers.
Why Keto, Intermittent Fasting & Vegan Diets Fail Your Body Type
The Korean medicine perspective on which popular diets actually work for each constitution
Every few years, a new diet takes over: Atkins, paleo, keto, intermittent fasting, plant-based. Each has passionate advocates who swear it changed their lives - and equally passionate critics who say it ruined their health. They're both right. The diet probably did work for one constitution and fail for another.
Keto / Low-Carb / Atkins
Works for: Tae-Eum (helps reduce dampness and stagnation)
Fails for: So-Eum (too cold and hard on weak digestion)
Mixed for: So-Yang (depends on fat sources - too much meat adds heat)
Intermittent Fasting
Works for: Tae-Eum (helps move stagnation, reduces overconsumption tendency)
Fails for: So-Eum (destabilizes already-weak digestion, drops energy)
Caution for: So-Yang (may increase heat and irritability if taken too far)
Plant-Based / Vegan
Works for: So-Yang (cooling, reduces heat)
Fails for: So-Eum (too cold, lacks warming protein)
Mixed for: Tae-Eum (can work with warming plant foods, but may lack protein for active types)
Paleo / Whole30
Works for: Most types if food temperature is considered
Fails for: So-Yang if too meat-heavy (excess heat)
Best for: So-Eum when emphasizing warming proteins
Raw Food / Juice Cleanses
Works for: So-Yang (cooling, detoxifying for hot types)
Fails for: So-Eum (devastating for cold digestion - avoid entirely)
Caution for: Tae-Eum (short-term OK, long-term may weaken digestion)
Mediterranean Diet
Works for: Most types - its balanced approach accommodates constitutional differences
Best for: Tae-Eum (olive oil and fish support metabolism without excess)
Adjust for: So-Eum (add more warming spices and cooked dishes, less raw salads)
The Real Rule: Any diet that makes you feel consistently worse - more tired, more digestive issues, worse skin, lower mood - is wrong for your constitution, no matter how many testimonials it has. Your body is telling you the truth.
Stop Guessing, Start Knowing
Find out your constitutional type and finally understand which diet approach will actually work for your body.
Discover Your Type βSasang Body Type FAQ: Common Questions Answered
Quick answers to frequently asked questions about Korean constitutional medicine
Can my constitution change over time?
No. Your constitutional type is determined at birth and remains constant throughout your life. However, your health within that constitution can improve or decline based on how well you live according to your type's needs. Think of it like height - it doesn't change, but you can be healthy or unhealthy at any height.
Is Sasang medicine scientifically validated?
Sasang medicine has 130+ years of clinical application in Korea and is taught in accredited medical universities and practiced in hospitals. Modern research, particularly in Korea, is exploring genetic correlations with constitutional types. While not fully validated by Western double-blind trial standards, it represents a well-developed system with extensive empirical support and growing scientific interest.
Is this only for Korean people?
No. Constitutional types exist across all ethnicities. While developed in Korea, the underlying organ patterns are universal human variations. People of all backgrounds have successfully used constitutional medicine principles for diet, health, and skincare.
How accurate is an online quiz vs. a practitioner?
Our quiz is based on traditional Sasang diagnostic principles and provides a good indication of your likely constitution. For definitive diagnosis, practitioners in Korea use pulse diagnosis, facial analysis, voice analysis, and detailed health history. Our quiz serves as an excellent starting point - most people find it accurately reflects their constitutional tendencies.
What if I seem like more than one type?
Everyone has characteristics of all four types - but one type is dominant and shapes your fundamental health patterns. If you're unsure, focus first on the hot/cold distinction (this is usually clearer) and then narrow down from there. Sometimes people have adapted their behavior over time, masking their innate tendencies. The quiz questions are designed to get at your baseline, not your adapted self.
How is this different from blood type personality?
Unlike blood type theories (which lack scientific support), Sasang is a comprehensive medical system used for actual clinical treatment in accredited hospitals. It's based on observable organ function patterns with clear therapeutic applications - not just personality descriptions. The four types correlate with measurable physiological differences including body composition, metabolic patterns, and disease susceptibility.
Can I see a Sasang medicine practitioner outside Korea?
Sasang medicine is primarily practiced in South Korea, where it's part of the formal Korean traditional medicine system. Outside Korea, some Korean medicine or acupuncture practitioners may have Sasang training. In the US, look for practitioners who trained at Korean medical schools or who specifically mention Sasang constitutional medicine. Major Korean communities in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta sometimes have practitioners with this expertise. Online consultations with Korea-based practitioners are also increasingly available.
Ready to Discover Your Type?
Stop guessing. Find out which constitutional type you are - and finally understand why certain foods, herbs, and products work (or don't) for your unique body.
Take the Free Quiz Now βKey Takeaways: Sasang Body Type Summary
Quick reference guide to Korean constitutional medicine
The 4 Sasang Body Types at a Glance:
β οΈ Who Should Avoid Ginseng?
So-Yang and Tae-Yang types should avoid Korean red ginseng. These hot constitutions already have excess internal heat. Ginseng's warming properties can cause headaches, insomnia, heart palpitations, and inflammation. Cold types (So-Eum, Tae-Eum) benefit from ginseng.