Table 1.

General characteristics of Sasang typology in temperament, physical shape, pathophysiological symptoms and type-specific treatment.

Sasang type (prevalence)	Tae-Yang () (<0.1%)	So-Yang () (30%)	Tae-Eum () (40%)	So-Eum () (30%)
Origin of the nature	Sorrow () by benevolence ()	Anger () by righteousness ()	Gladness () by courtesy ()	Enjoyment () by wisdom ()
	They feel sad when they realize their self-transcendent idea is obstructed.	They become angry when they are blocked. The anger can be regulated by fairness.	Social approval can be obtained with courtesy. They are glad when they get what they want.	Worries can be relieved with wisdom. They enjoy what they have now.
Pathophysiological characteristic	Large Pae (lung) system, small Gan (liver) system ()	Large Be (spleen) system, small Shin (kidney) system ()	Large Gan (liver) system, small Pae (lung) system ()	Large Shin (kidney) system, small Be (spleen) system ()
	Strong sympathetic activation, weak anabolism and energy-storing	Strong intake and digestion, weak with waste discharge.	Strong anabolism and energy-storing, weak sympathetic activation	Strong with waste discharge, weak intake and digestion
	Low threshold in sympathetic activation.	In the middle of Tae-Eum and So-Eum as for the autonomic reactivity. In the middle of Tae-Eum and So-Eum as for the SDFI.	Low threshold in parasympathetic activation. High SDFI and low FDQOL. High insulin resistance. high Triglyceride, cholesterol concentration, and blood pressure	Low threshold in sympathetic activation. Low SDFI and high FDQOL. Low immune function
Personality or temperament	Masculine, move forward, originative	Active, externally oriented, talented for business.	Still, withdrawn, conservative	Feminine, internally oriented, self-centered.
	High SPQ	High SPQ High Novelty-Seeking and low Harm-Avoidance (TCI). High Extraversion (NEO-PI).	In the middle of So-Yang and So-Eum as for the SPQ, Novelty-Seeking, Harm-Avoidance and Extraversion Low in Trait Anxiety (STAI).	Low SPQ. Low Extraversion. Low Novelty-Seeking and high Harm-Avoidance. High in Trait Anxiety.
Body shape or constitution	Similar to the So-Eum type	Short and little	Tall and big (not fat or obese)	Short and little
		Similar to the So-Eum type, but more muscular than So-Eum type	High PI, BMR, BMI, body fat mass, bone density and Waist-hip ratio. High width-height ratio of face. Bigger neck and chest circumference	Low PI, BMI and Waist-hip ratio. Low width-height ratio of face. Smaller neck and chest circumference
Concerns for the good health	Enough urination	Easy with defecation	Enough perspiration	Good digestion
	Avoid dehydration and overexertion of mental and bodily resources	Avoid over-activation and overloads of bodily functions	Maintain adequate level of catabolic, sympathetic and circulatory system	Maintain healthy digestive function, peristalsis, and body heat
Frequent symptoms or disease	Emesis, nervousness/neurasthenia, sudden weakness in lower extremities	Constipation, gastroesophageal (laryngopharyngeal) reflux disease, affective disorder, insomnia, heat on chest	No perspiration, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, stroke, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome	Indigestion or dyspepsia, upper respiratory infection, neurotic symptoms
Type-specific medical herbs	Chaenomelis Fructus, Acanthopanacis Cortex, Phragmitis Rihizoma	Rehmanniae Radix, Corni Fructus, Hoeoen, Alismatis Rhizoma, Osterici Radix, Angelicae Pubescentis Radix	Ephedrae Herba, Liriopis Tuber, Schisandrae Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Platycodi Radix, Coicis Semen, Puerariae Radix	Ginseng Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Cinnamomi Cortex, Citri Pericarpium, Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus
Type-specific acupuncture points	HT8(+), LR3(+) and LU9(−)	HT3(+), KI3(+) and SP3(−)	HT4(+), LU9(+) and LR3(−)	HT7(+), SP3(+) and LI4(−)

BMI, body mass index; FDQOL, functional dyspepsia-related quality of life; NEO-PI, NEO Personality Inventory; PANAS, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; PI, Ponderal Index; SDFI, Sasang Digestive Function Inventory; SPQ, Sasang Personality Questionnaire; STAI, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory; TCI, Temperament and Character Inventory.