|
| SCM | TCM | Ayurveda |
|
| Philosophical
background | Neo-Confucianism | Taoism | Vedic philosophy |
|
| Approach to
patient | Constitution-based medicine | Syndrome-based medicine | Constitution-based medicine |
|
| Basic principles | Sasang (four Images) theory (SE, TE,
SY, TY) | Yin-Yang theory, five elemental-phases
theory: (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) | Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), five
elements: (ether, air, fire, water, earth) |
|
| Physiological
equilibrium
model | (1) Spleen-kidney seesaw: (the strong state
of the spleen and the weak state of the
kidney predetermines the SY type, is
inversed in the SE type).
 | (1) Balance between Yin and Yang (follows
the principle of waxing and waning,
mutual restraining and mutual nourishing
of Yin and Yang).
 | Balance among the tridoshas means
that all of the doshas are functioning
correctly in appropriate proportions to
each other and in the right positions.
 |
| (2) Lung-liver seesaw (the strong state of
the lung and the weak state of the
liver predetermines the TY type, is
inversed in the TE type).
 | (2) Balance among the five elements
 | - Vatta governs communication,
transportation and movements.
-Pitta governs digestion,
transformation and metabolism.
-Kapha governs connecting
structure, cohesion and
lubrication. |
|
| Pathological
model | Diseases and illnesses are caused
by the aggravation of hypoactive
visceral functions; the four
constitutional types of SE, SY, TY
and TE types each have different
hypoactive viscera or weak organ,
namely the spleen, kidney, lung,
and liver, respectively.
 | (1) Abnormal relationships that can cause
illnesses:
(2) The four-fold criteria in syndrome
differentiation and the resultant eightprinciples
of disease patternization:
 | Ayurvedic etiology [11]
 |
|
| Therapeutic
principles | Principles based on the internal balance
within each constitutional type. | Principles based on the present syndrome
and the temporary health condition. | Principles based on the state of the
doshas and the temporary health
condition. |
|
| Medicinal
materials | Same as TCM. | Medicinal herbs distributed mainly in the
East Asian region. | Medicinal herbs distributed mainly in
the West Asian region. |
|
