Standardization Administration Issues China's First National Standard on TCM Body-Constitution Classification

On January 15, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration of China) approved and issued the recommended national standard Classification and Determination of Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution (GB/T 46939—2025). Drafted under the organization of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the standard will come into force on April 1.

Classification and Determination of Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution specifies the characteristics of nine basic TCM body-constitution types: balanced constitution, qi-deficiency constitution, yang-deficiency constitution, yin-deficiency constitution, phlegm-dampness constitution, damp-heat constitution, blood-stasis constitution, qi-stagnation constitution, and inherited-special (allergy-prone) constitution.

Among them, balanced constitution is the healthy, balanced type, characterized by harmony of yin, yang, qi, and blood, a moderate build, a rosy complexion, and abundant energy. Qi-deficiency constitution features insufficiency of primordial qi, fatigue, shortness of breath, and spontaneous sweating. Yang-deficiency constitution features insufficient yang qi, aversion to cold, and cold hands and feet. Yin-deficiency constitution features depleted yin fluids, dry throat and mouth, and heat in the palms and soles. Phlegm-dampness constitution presents with an obese build, a full abdomen, and a sticky mouth with greasy sputum. Damp-heat constitution presents with internal accumulation of damp-heat, a greasy, shiny face, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a yellow greasy coating. Blood-stasis constitution presents with impaired blood circulation, a dull complexion, and a purplish dark tongue. Qi-stagnation constitution presents with stagnation of qi movement, a depressed mood, and anxious, fragile feelings. Inherited-special constitution is congenital, marked mainly by physical defects and allergic reactions.

The release of this standard provides an important reference for TCM clinical practice and TCM health-care work, marking a new, more standardized phase in the development of TCM constitution studies, and offering strong support for raising the health literacy of the whole population and optimizing health-service models.