The world of Korean traditional medicine based on my experience!

Ever since I was young, I’ve been treated with acupuncture and traditional herbal medicine by my mother and grandfather, who are both licensed Korean medicine doctors. Whenever I had indigestion or stomach pain, acupuncture always brought fast and noticeable relief. In 9th grade, I was part of a hip-hop dance team, and after performances, I often dealt with muscle soreness or minor injuries. My mom would treat me with acupuncture for things like thigh pain or a twisted ankle, and every time, the pain would disappear almost immediately.
For me, acupuncture is not just pain relief; it’s a source of healing and emotional comfort.
It became more than just a remedy; it became a place of calm.

These experiences sparked my deep interest in Eastern medicine, particularly in the concept of individual constitutions, a core idea in Korean and Chinese medicine — that people are born with unique physical and emotional tendencies. Just like MBTI categorizes personality types, Eastern medicine identifies constitution types that describe how a person functions physically and emotionally. According to my family, all of whom are experienced practitioners, understanding your constitution helps you choose the right foods and avoid those that don’t suit your body. Eating in harmony with your constitution can dramatically improve your health.

Inspired by this, I began researching the five major constitutional types and their matching food recommendations. I’m now working on a chart that connects each constitution type to a set of typical personality traits and dietary guidelines, hoping to make this knowledge more accessible to others, especially young people like me.

Constitution Type Personality Traits Physical & Health Characteristics Recommended Foods

Metal (金)Metal Constitution – Logical and disciplined- Reserved and self-controlled- Values structure and cleanliness – Prone to muscle stiffness and blood stasis (poor circulation)- Tends to sweat very little, leading to toxin accumulation- Must avoid excessive supplements or medication due to sluggish detox pathways – White rice- Radish- Lotus root- Pear- Tofu- Sweating through sauna/light exercise is helpful

Wood (木)Wood Constitution – Energetic and creative- Ambitious and goal-oriented- Strong leadership qualities – Energy flows upward like a tree, causing coldness in the lower body (abdomen to feet)- Higher risk of high blood pressure or stroke- Needs to warm and stabilize lower body – Glutinous rice- Beef- Pork- Spinach- Green tea

Water (水)Water Constitution – Calm and introspective- Emotionally sensitive- Deep thinkers, often quiet – Naturally cold constitution, prone to swelling and weight gain- Weak bones, frequent inflammation or cysts- Warming the body and promoting sweat helps health – Chicken- Ginger- Seaweed- Black beans- Walnuts

Fire (火)Fire Constitution – Passionate and expressive- Social and emotional- Easily excited or stressed – Nervous system is overstimulated- Prone to anger, anxiety, and skin issues (e.g., dermatitis)- Needs cooling and hydrating foods to regulate heat – Cucumber- Watermelon- Lettuce- Leafy greens- Bitter melon

Earth (土)Earth Constitution – Grounded and nurturing- Patient and dependable- Seeks routine and stability – Heavy, damp internal condition- Tends to develop chronic skin problems- Avoids wheat, potatoes, and damp-producing foods- Benefits from herbal teas like rosemary – Sweet potatoes- Brown rice- Pumpkin- Carrots- Rosemary tea