Sasang constitutional medicine

The Sasang constitutional medicine (Hangul: 사상의학. Hanja: 四象醫學) or Sasang typology is a typological constitution medicine of Traditional Korean medicine. It was systematized by Yi Je-ma in his book Longevity and Life Preservation in Eastern Medicine (東醫壽世保元, 동의수세보원) in 1894.[1] It divides people into four body types based on their biopsychosocial traits. The classification was derived from the five body types of Traditional Chinese medicine described in an ancient Chinese medical book Lingshu Jing of Huangdi Neijing.[2]

Classification system

Sasang typology divides people into four types based on their biopsychosocial traits with a combination of yin/yang and greater/lesser: tae-yang ( 태양, 太陽) or "greater yang"; so-yang (소양, 小陽) or "lesser yang"; tae-eum (태음, 太陰) or "greater yin"; and so-eum (소음, 小陰) or "lesser yin".

Each type consists of a classification of pathology, medicine and hygiene depending on personality, psychological status and organ functionality. It is considered that one cannot escape the category of biological body type, and the strengths and weaknesses of organs, both major and minor, depend on the type.

Body Types

Tae-yang

Tae-yang have large lungs and a small liver. They have superiority in function, and often have feelings of inferiority.

Tae-eum

Tae-eum have a large liver and small lungs. They are tall and the majority gain a lot of weight. They are patient and have a reserved personality. Therefore, if they are given a task, they will not give up, no matter what task it is. Because of this personality, they are prone to gambling.

So-yang

The so-yang type has a large spleen, and small kidneys. They have whitish skin. Like so-eum, many of this type are skinny.

So-eum

The so-eum type have large kidneys and a small spleen. They are short, and many are skinny. Due to weak intestines, they very often have digestive problems. Many enjoy a meat diet.

References
  1. Lee, Jae-Ma (1894). Dong-Yi-Soo-Se-Bo-Won (Longevity and life preservation in oriental medicine). Seoul.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. Yoo, Junghee; et al. (2012). "Sasang Constitutional Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Comparative Overview". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012: 1–17. doi:10.1155/2012/980807. PMC 3176432. PMID 21941592. Lee Jema stated among the five body types, Greater Yang type, Lesser Yang type, Greater Yin type, Lesser Yin type, and Yin-Yang balanced type, described in the Inner Classics, that the Yin-Yang balanced type, a perfect human type, did not exist. Table 1: TCM and SCM philosophical foundations.

Further reading
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