Generally this means our genetic make-up, the strengths and weakness we brought into this life. It is the belief of many Asian cultures that merit accumulated from correct practices and behavior can effect this pre-disposition in a positive way. Very much like the practice of prayer and religious services offered for the ill in our western culture.

We can also view karmic causes by examining basic constitutional types. In the Chinese system constitutional types are based on associations to the Five Elements. In Tibetan Medicine our genetic pre-disposition to distress is based on the associations of the Three Humors and are broken to seven categories; wind, bile, phlegm, wind/bile combined, phlegm/wind combined, phlegm/bile combined and a parity of all three.

The Chinese Five Elements and Constitution

Wood

• Rising Yang
• Darkish face
• Tall, slender body type with broad shoulders
• Strong bones and sinews
• Strong straight back
• Hard workers
• Often very creative
• Tendency to over plan
• Tendency to anger and frustration
• Likes moderate temperature

Fire

• Most Yang
• Reddish face with small pointed head and chin
• Curly hair and/or not much hair
• Small hands
• Walks and talks fast, quick, energetic & active
• Often unconcerned about material wealth
• Often have a short life
• Often very social and out going
• Tendency to hyperactivity and/or depression
• Tendency to mental illnesses
• Likes hot, dry climate

Metal

• Rising Yin
• Strongly built body
• Broad, square shoulders
• Triangular, white face
• Walks and moves deliberately and slowly
• Often are meticulous, rational, independent and strong willed
• Tendency towards over attachment
• Tendency towards boundary issues
• Likes cool, dry climate

Earth

• Yin/Yang Most Balanced
• Darkish complexion
• Somewhat fat body, large head, large belly, strong thighs and wide jaw
• Walks without lifting feet very high
• Often calm, generous and non-ambitious
• Often very nurturing
• Tendency to reminisce
• Tendency to over worry
• Tendency to over eat or under eat
• Adjusts well to change of seasons

Water

• Most Yin
• Round face and body
• Spine is often longer than usual
• Soft white skin
• Often love movement
• Often sympathetic (good listeners), aware, sensitive
• Often have psychic abilities
• Often good negotiators
• Loyal to colleagues
• Tendency to be lazy
• Tendency to sexual issues (over or under indulgence)
• Tendency to neurotic behavior
• Likes cool temperature

The Tibetan Three Humors and Constitution

Predominance of Wind

• Stooped, thin and short stature
• Dark complexion
• Talkative
• Short lifespan
• Sleeps lightly
• Do not become wealthy
• Creaking sounds in joints
• Little physical strength
• Prone to desire
• Often not well liked by others
• Prone to singing, laughing
• Like to hunt
• Prone to a belligerent nature
• Prefer sweet, sour, bitter and hot foods
• Do not withstand cold and wind well
• Combine traits of the vulture, crow & fox

Predominance of Bile

• Frequently feel hunger and thirst
• Yellowish skin and hair
• Sharp minded
• Tend to be very proud
• Often enterprising
• Abundant perspiration with odor
• Overage lifespan
• Medium wealth
• Prefer sweet, bitter, astringent and cool foods
• Combine traits of the tiger, monkey and Yaksha (semi divine beings, generally benevolent but at times malignant spirits)

Predominance of Phlegm

• Cool, portly body
• Fair complexion
• Stature almost curves backwards
• Easily endure hunger and thirst
• Mind is calm and difficult to irritate
• Prone to be powerful without malice
• Slow and stable character
• Great wealth
• Long lifespan
• Heavy sleep
• Prefer hot, sour, astringent and harsh foods
• Combine traits of the lion and head of Bison herd

People whose are a combination of wind/bile have small bodies. Those who combine phlegm/wind have a medium stature and those with phlegm/bile are large. The other physical and behavioral characteristics also reflect the mixture of the humors. People who are an equal combination of all Three Humors exhibit the best physical traits and personality, and have few illnesses.

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