The Melancholic Body Type

The Melancholic Body Type is considered to be the opposite of our natural balance (warm and moist), but with proper care, it can be healthy, too, Insha’Allah. Digestion varies according to the mental, nervous, or emotional state. With a poor appetite and a slow, erratic metabolism, this body type struggles to eat in general. Improving digestion will improve elimination, which will, in turn, improve appetite.

Constitution: Cold & Dry

Other names used: Sawda (Islamic medicine), Vata (Ayurveda) - there is no equivalency in Traditional Chinese medicine.

It is not uncommon for Melancholic Body Types to not feel hunger, not have any cravings, and show little interest in food. This Body Type struggles with properly emptying of the bowels because of its cold and dry nature. Constipation is a common issue with Melancholic Body Types and requires a conscious effort to keep the body healthy.

The dominating system for Melancholics is the nervous system which can put their vagus nerve into overdrive.

You can easily identify a person with a Melancholic Body Type by their physical characteristics:

• Rectangular face, prominent cheekbones
• Tendency to be thin and lean with a boyish figure (means that the breasts and buttocks are very small)
• Long fingers and long palm
• Tiny wrists
• Inability to gain weight (5kg/12lbs is the range if they were to gain weight)
• Difficulty building muscle mass 
• Little or no sweat, even when active

Melancholic Body Types are prone to developing the following conditions when out of balance but this is not an exhaustive list of diseases they can develop (and it's possible for other body types to also develop some of these diseases):

• Anemia
• Poor appetite
• Nervous colicky digestive disorders
• Blood sugar problems
• Depression
• Arthritis
• Rheumatism
• Hypoglycaemia (dizziness, vertigo, ringing in ears)
• Dehydration

Sometimes it helps to visualize people with this Body Type in order to really understand its physical attributes. Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton, Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, Celine Dion, Zoe Saldana, Carrie Anne Moss, Nicole Kidman and Charlie Heaton all have a Melancholic Body Type.

To learn more about your Body Type, be sure to click here to take the Body Type Quiz