There are five body types that we work with at Eagle Herbs. These are roughly the same as the three body types (or “somatotypes”) used in Western medicine:
1. The ectomorph (fragile and “delicate”)
2. The mesomorph (“balanced”)
3. The endomorph (round and fleshy, or “hearty”)
For more on your body type, take the body typing test or click on one of the types listed in the menu in the left hand column of this page.
Your body type will guide your choices for the Chinese herbal formula that works best for you. This is hugely important and helps keep herbal formulas both safe and effective. Estimated time necessary to complete this self-test: 5 minutes.
Delicate
Slightly Delicate
Balanced
Slightly Hearty
Hearty
The slightly hearty body type isn’t limited to only men. A woman can be as hearty as a man, and a man can be as delicate as a woman. [What's your body type?]
With the slightly hearty body type we find mostly signs of having a hearty constitution, but with some delicate attributes as well.
Slightly hearty individuals tend to suffer more intensely with short-term problems like the hearty type, but not quite as intensely since they also have a few delicate attributes. Problems of “too much” will be more common than those due to “not enough” which is more common among the delicate types.
An example of “too much” includes constipation. When you’ve got too much poop stuck in your large intestine, the delicate body type will barely notice, but the slightly hearty body type will feel more discomfort. Not surprisingly, Chinese and Kampo medicine favor the use of Da Huang (Rx. Rhei, rhubarb root) in many of the formulas for the slightly hearty body type.
Da Huang (Rx. Rhei, rhubarb root) is a purgative, it empties that large intestine, but when one isn’t constipated, it should be used cautiously. Da Huang also has other functions that still make sense for the slightly hearty body type, but these formulas should only be used for the types that are listed for each individual formula.
Formulas for acute problems (short-lived but intense) are best taken with a higher dosage. A high dosage depends on how much you weigh, but a typical high dosage would be something like 6 capsules or a teaspoon of the powder, 4 times daily.
For chronic problems (long-term, low-grade) that have been around for a while, don’t expect the herbs to work overnight. However, with a slow, low dosage, you can see improvement. A typical low dosage is 1-2 capsules or 1/2 teaspoon of the extract powder, 3 times daily.
For more on how long it may take for your herbs to work, please see the prognosis self-test.
A man can be as delicate as a woman, and a woman can be as hearty as a man. [What's your body type?]
The slightly delicate body type has more delicate attributes than hearty, but a few hearty all the same.
Delicate attributes include being sensitive to weather changes, drafts, and having somewhat “thin skin” in both emotional and physical terms. However, the slightly delicate body type is less sensitive than the purely decliate person.
Slightly delicate can benefit from formulas for both long-term low-grade conditions as well as short-lived intense issues.
Formulas for acute problems (short-lived but intense) are best taken with a higher dosage. A high dosage depends on how much you weigh, but a typical high dosage would be something like 6 capsules or a teaspoon of the powder, 4 times daily.
For chronic problems (long-term, low-grade) that have been around for a while, don’t expect the herbs to work overnight. However, with a slow, low dosage, you can see improvement. A typical low dosage is 1-2 capsules or 1/2 teaspoon of the extract powder, 3 times daily.
For more on how long it may take for your herbs to work, please see the prognosis self-test.
The hearty body type isn’t limited to only men. A woman can be as hearty as a man, and a man can be as delicate as a woman. [What's your body type?]
The hearty body type is called the endomorph body type in biomedicine.
Hearty individuals tend to suffer more intensely with short-term problems. Or, problems of “too much” will be more common than those due to “not enough”.
An example of “too much” includes constipation. When you’ve got too much poop stuck in your large intestine, the delicate body type will barely notice, but the hearty body type will feel severe discomfort. Not surprisingly, Chinese and Kampo medicine favor the use of Da Huang (Rx. Rhei, rhubarb root) in many of the formulas for the hearty body type.
Da Huang (Rx. Rhei, rhubarb root) is a purgative, it empties that large intestine, but when one isn’t constipated, it should be used cautiously. Da Huang also has other functions that still make sense for the hearty body type, but these formulas should only be used for the types that are listed for each individual formula.
Formulas for acute problems (short-lived but intense) are best taken with a higher dosage. A high dosage depends on how much you weigh, but a typical high dosage would be something like 6 capsules or a teaspoon of the powder, 4 times daily.
For chronic problems (long-term, low-grade) that have been around for a while, don’t expect the herbs to work overnight. However, with a slow, low dosage, you can see improvement. A typical low dosage is 1-2 capsules or 1/2 teaspoon of the extract powder, 3 times daily.
For more on how long it may take for your herbs to work, please see the prognosis self-test.
A man can be as delicate as a woman, and a woman can be as hearty as a man. One’s body type is genetic and more reflects one’s parents than their gender. [What's your body type?]
The delicate body type is called the ectomorph in biomedicine.
Note the sensitivity that this delicate man has to the windy weather. He is “afraid of wind” as they say in Chinese medicine. This means that he is sensitive to drafts or temperature changes. Delicate individuals can be said to have “thin skin” meaning that they’re both emotionally and physically sensitive.
Delicate types can be larger, even obese, however, the muscles and fat of the delicate person will be very soft and flaccid, not firm or rigid as may be seen in those with the hearty body type.
Those with delicate body types tend to have long-lasting but low-grade illnesses. Perhaps you have come looking for a formula for a chronic condition. If so, be prepared to use the herbs for a period of weeks to months. Take a lower dosage (1-2 capsules, 3x daily, or 1/2 teaspoon of the powder, 3x daily) but keep it going for a while because that is what will be required. For more on how long it may take, please see the prognosis self-test.
The balanced body type or “constitution” includes a somewhat even number of delicate and hearty attributes. [What's your body type?]
This body type is described as the mesomorph in biomedicine.
Although a man is posing in this image, this body type arises equally in both genders.
The balanced body type people are shapely and muscular. They are often cast as the male or female lead in romantic movies. They’re balanced between thin and wide, heavy and light, hearty and delicate, etc.
Notice the full chest and muscles. These are decathletes and sprinters. A women with this physique might also be athletic or have a well-developed upper chest, either in the form of muscle, or breast development.
Formulas for acute problems (short-lived but intense) are best taken with a higher dosage. A high dosage depends on how much you weigh, but a typical high dosage would be something like 6 capsules or a teaspoon of the powder, 4 times daily.
For chronic problems (long-term, low-grade) that have been around for a while, don’t expect the herbs to work overnight. However, with a slow, low dosage, you can see improvement. A typical low dosage is 1-2 capsules or 1/2 teaspoon of the extract powder, 3 times daily.
For more on how long it may take for your herbs to work, please see the prognosis self-test.
