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| Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) |
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| Basis |
| Basic application | Im et al. [53]: The outwardly visible symptoms due to external pathogen invasion are not the most important factor when treating. The most important factor in understanding that patient’s zang and fu organs are congenital weaknesses and strengths
Chae et al. [8]: Sasang typology offers temperament-based guidelines for the safe and effective use of herbal medicine, including even herbs with significant adverse effects such as ma huang (Ephedra sinica) [54] and aconite (Aconitum carmichaelii) [55] |
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| Restore the Original Balance |
| Song [56]: Water-Food (nutrient) metabolism drawing in and sending out of nutrient material is related to the physiology, pathology, and therapeutics of Soyang and Soeum types (in the superior-inferior dimension). The Energy-Fluid metabolism, the exhaling and inhaling of energy and fluid, is related to the physiology, pathology, and therapeutics of Taeyang and Taeeum types (in the interior-exterior dimension) |
| Principles | Song [57]: Pathogenesis of disease has an emotional dimension that effects the mind effecting the body. To control the mind and to prevent the mind from declining into vices, one must nurture one’s understanding of others and rectify oneself. Nurturing an “understanding of others and rectifying oneself” is having proper knowledge and actions through the rejection of the inattentive mind and rejection of indolent conduct. By developing wisdom, one is able to prevent external diseases of Seong in oneself: by rectifying oneself, one is able to prevent internal diseases of Jeong in relationships with others
Shim et al. [34]: A disease occurs when the inherent imbalance between body and mind are triggered by a certain external condition. Under this view, the physical constitution of a patient is diagnosed in advance, and then an understanding of the inherent imbalance of the patient should be the next step to be undertaken for treatment. Food and medicine to complement these imbalances can be prescribed while the mental state of the patient is maintained or treated |
| Comprehensive Management of Constitution-Based Complications |
| Song [57]: Constitutional pathology is based upon diagnosing and treating each patient’s symptoms according to his constitution type and from the perspective of that constitution. This is different from western diagnosis and treatment because instead of treating a specific disease, SCM is treating the presenting symptoms and underlying constitutional weaknesses |
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| Control and Containment of the Seong-Jeong of Sorrow, Anger, Joy, and Pleasure |
| Self-cultivation | Song [58]: Control and containment of one’s mind and one’s disease is one of the unique foundational medical philosophies of SCM
Kim and Song [59]: In SCM preventative medicine, more focus is placed upon a healthy mind over a healthy body |
| Chae et al. [8]: The principle of SCM treatment is based on the reinforcement of the hypoactive visceral groups. Thus, medicinal herbs of SCM are divided into four groups which correspond to the four constitutions. Under this rule, medicinal herbs and herbal remedies belonging to a certain constitution cannot be used for others: otherwise, this can result in no effect or an adverse effect
Song et al. [17]: Resolution and overcoming personal or social conflict is largely dependent on the degree of self-cultivation that the afflicted individual accomplishes, and this self-cultivation is accomplished through interaction with others and rectifying the self. This process of self-cultivation is de facto regulation of the mind that results in control and containment of the Seong-Jeong of sorrow, anger, joy, and pleasure |
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| Balancing the Healthy Qi |
| Goal | Chae et al. [8]: Sasang typology also employs the same herbs and acupuncture points, but is different from conventional traditional Chinese medicine, since it encompasses stable biopsychological temperaments alongside with sociological facets emphasizing development of one’s character |
| Lee [26], and Lee et al. [27]: Wellness is when the lesser organ’s function is optimal. The physiological signs for determining optimal function of the weaker lesser organ are when sweat, digestion, urination and bowel movements are normal |
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| Innovation beyond TCM therapeutics | Taeeum Person and Taeyang Person Pathology and Therapeutics |
| Choi [19]: Zhang Zhongjing had barely grasped the concept of the Taeeum person pathology and therapeutics, while the Song, Yuan, and Ming physicians had revealed them partially: Zhu Zhenheng (1281–1358) had barely grasped the concept of the Taeyang person pathology and therapeutics and miscellaneous herbology texts carry only fragments of them |
Song et al. [17]: When extrapolating the six meridian diseases narrated by Zhang to the SCM pathology, the great yin meridian pattern, lesser yin meridian pattern, and reverting yin meridian pattern in TCM most closely describes the Soeum person disease pattern in SCM. The lesser yang meridian pattern in TCM most closely describe the Soyang person disease pattern in SCM. The great yang meridian pattern and Yang brightness meridian pattern most closely describe the Soyang person, Soeum person, and Taeeum person disease patterns, especially the Soeum person disease pattern. It can be seen here that Zhang’s theory of the six meridian diseases includes most of the Soeum person and Soyang person disease patterns, which are based on the Water-Food metabolism, but lacks explanations for most of the Taeeum person and the Taeyang person disease patterns, which are based on the Qi-Humor metabolism
Constitutional Approach of SCM and Tailored Medicine
Kim et al. [12], Kim and Pham [13], and Kim et al. [14]: SCM shares the same vision with tailored medicine—that individuals are not only can be cared for with individualized therapy, which takes into account entirely their distinctive factors, but individuals also can prevent specific susceptible chronic diseases and live healthily by personalized self-regulation. The shortcomings of an individual due to the hypoactive visceral group should be controlled by specific constitutional medication, diet, physical training and psychological caution
Pharmacology
Leem and Park [18]: Initially pharmacological theory focused on using materia medica such as the four qi’s and five tastes for supporting the associated lesser hypoactive organ. Later, this theory was fine tuned and expanded into a pharmacological theory which stated that materia medica should be chosen specifically according to the constitution of the patient support not only the lesser hypoactive organ but also the greater hyperactive organ as well. Pharmacological scope was broadened to treat both constitutionally significant organs
Seo et al. [60]: Pharmacological theory focused on the functional health of the organs over the pharmacological qualities and characteristics of the herbs. This was because Lee Jema emphasized the conservative use of herbs. Lee Jema viewed that herbs were secondary to the body’s own ability to recover. It was highly important to be able to evaluate the state of the organ. Other characteristics used were identifying whether the disease was recent or chronic and whether the disease was severe or mild |
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