Traditional Chinese medicine classifies the average person's constitution into nine categories, each with different characteristics and dietary restrictions. Among them, people with Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, and phlegm-dampness constitutions are not suitable for drinking large amounts of water. Otherwise, they may experience symptoms such as bloating, loss of appetite, and diarrhea due to spleen deficiency and internal retention of dampness. In severe cases, they may also experience dizziness, vomiting, bland taste in the mouth, and drooling of clear, thin saliva, indicating that water retention is affecting the upper body.
People with these three body types should not drink too much water
1. Symptoms of Qi deficiency include: fatigue, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, easy sweating, bland taste in the mouth, and lack of thirst. The tongue is pale with teeth marks on the sides.
2. Manifestations of Yang deficiency constitution include: being sensitive to cold, with hands and feet often feeling cold, especially in cold weather; preferring warm foods and drinks and disliking cold drinks and foods, or experiencing discomfort after eating them, and possibly diarrhea; having loose, unformed stools; frequent, clear urination, with some people experiencing frequent urination at night; a pale, swollen tongue with teeth marks on the edges, a moist tongue coating, and in some cases, a coating that appears to be covered with water.
3. Phlegm-dampness constitution is characterized by a pale yellow and dull complexion, slight puffiness around the eyes, and oily facial skin. People with this constitution sweat excessively, with sticky sweat, and their mouths feel sticky or have a sweet taste. A key identifiable characteristic is that people with this constitution often feel very tired and fatigued, with a heavy feeling in their body, especially in the lower back and legs. They also experience chest tightness and are prone to coughing up phlegm. Their urine is also more likely to be cloudy.
The common characteristic of these three body types is that
1. I don't like to drink water, and even when I do, I prefer hot water.
2. I usually like to eat slightly warming foods. Many people like to eat ginger, or feel comfortable after eating ginger soup or fried ginger rice.
3. Boil it into a soup and drink it as a substitute for water; it replenishes fluids and nourishes the body.
People with Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, or phlegm-dampness constitutions can drink some water if they feel thirsty, but they should drink small amounts at once and sip slowly in several small sips. However, they might not feel thirsty throughout the day. In this case, they shouldn't completely abstain from water; they can consider drinking tea instead. Those with Yang deficiency can drink Pu-erh tea or ginseng soup; those with Qi deficiency can drink a decoction of Atractylodes macrocephala or Codonopsis pilosula; and those with phlegm-dampness can drink a decoction of Job's tears or hyacinth bean. Of course, for people like Aunt Wang who experience significant stomach symptoms after drinking water, it's essential to consult a doctor first and adjust their water intake plan only after their condition has improved.
