CONSTITUTIONS & HERBS

In the module, How Herbs Work For Us, we briefly discussed constitutions. In this module, we’ll break it down a little more and share recommended herbs for each constitutional symptom. Having an understanding of this form of elemental self-care can really help you hone in on what herbs and plants can work best for you or others.

Cold Constitution

Those with a cold constitution have a tendency towards poor circulation, cold hands and feet, slow digestion, sluggishness, low energy, lack of sensation, prefers warm weather, difficulty in thinking clearly, prone to depression, and tends to have inactive states of body and mind.

Dry Constitution

Those with a dry constitution have a tendency towards dehydration, dry or rough skin, scant urine, nervousness, decreased adaptability, overactive mind, atrophy, constipation, and prefers humid climates.

Hot Constitution

Those with a hot constitution have a tendency towards lots of energy, extroversion, running warm, face redness, stimulation, excessive and hyperactive states of mind and body, prone to inflamed and swollen tissues, hot to the touch, and feverish.

Moist Constitution

Those with a moist constitution have a tendency towards mucus, runny nose, congestion, oil skin and hair, poor immune functions, poor metabolism, water retention, sweaty, prefers drier climates.

Now that you have an understanding of constitutions, lets take a look at what some of these symptoms can include and the suggested herbs for those that fall into these categories.

Symptoms of Heat

Symptoms: Redness, quick to anger, physical or mood related irritation, racing thoughts, inflammation, swelling, and pain.

Herbal Suggestions: Burdock root, chamomile, calendula, elder, hawthorn, marshmallow, hibiscus, nettle, motherwort, meadowsweet, passionflower, oats, skullcap, rose petals, peach leaf, and hips.

Symptoms of Cold

Symptoms: Deficiency, decreased function, depression, underactive, cold hands and feet, poor circulation

Herbal Suggestions: Bee balm, ashwagandha, cayenne, catnip, garlic, ginger, elecampane, damiana, fennel, holy basil, kava, gotu kola, tulsi, lemon balm, valerian, thyme, turmeric, and rosemary.

Symptoms of Moist

Symptoms: Clamminess, poor immune function, brain fog, stagnation, mucus, phlegm, water retention.

Herbal Suggestions: Burdock, bee balm, dandelion, calendula, echinacea, elderflower, elderberry, elecampane, pine, plantain, nettle, sage, reishi, red clover, thyme, yarrow.

Symptoms of Dry

Symptoms: Bloating, gas, constipation, loss of function, decreased adaptability, dryness, trouble focusing, anxiety, cracking, brittleness.

Herbal Suggestions: Catnip, fennel, ashwagandha, gotu kola, lemon balm, holy basil, violet leaf, licorice, marshmallow root, oat, seaweed, and skullcap.

Now individuals can have multiple constitutions. These can easily change from day to day, monthly, because of changes in environment, changes in hormones, changes in weather, etc. Understanding these constitutions helps you understand the individual better and allows you to select an herbal remedy that best suits that person’s needs for the time being. Just like you take different medicines for different ailments, you can adapt the herbal remedies used based on a person’s constitutions and ailments during the present time.