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What are the Temperaments?
Monday 11th September 2023
Liverpool Iridology
In Unani Medicine, the Temperament describes the qualities of the mixture of elements that make up the human body and can be used to describe the quality of the body, a single organ and even the behavioural profile of a person.
So, the temperament is a quality that results from the interaction of opposite qualities that are present in elements.
An individual acquires their temperamental physical characteristics, and these can change during the stages of a person’s life and are affected by the lifestyle choices and environment – understanding the theory of temperaments is important in understanding and identifying associated diseases and conditions and its deviation from the norm.
The four basic temperaments are Hot, Cold, Wet and Dry. Most things that exist in the universe are usually a combination of 2 of these temperaments with one usually dominating but in balance. When one or more of these is out of balance, this is where ill health and disease begin.
The 4 basic individual temperaments combine to create 4 dominant temperament types and are as follows:
• Hot and Dry = Choleric temperament with yellow bile dominance
• Cold and Dry = Melancholic temperament with black bile dominance
• Hot and Moist = Sanguine temperament with blood humor dominance
• Cold and Moist = Phlegmatic temperament with phlegm dominance
When a Unani practitioner assesses a client, they attempt to determine the clients temperament using a variety of means such as age of the client, complexion and body features, pulse, body heat as well as information derived from the lifestyle of the client.
From this, they identify what the clients temperament should be and based on this, can determine how lifestyle factors have impacted their health through deviation from this temperament.
Other than any form of congenital defect, the changes in humor are the causes of disease and this is based on changes within the clients lifestyle factors. The lifestyle factors cover:
A. Environment
B. Food and drink
C. Movement and rest
D. Sleep and wakefulness
E. Retention and evacuation
F. emotions
From here measures are put in place to address and rectify the clients deviations and return them to their original state through changes in their lifestyle factors.
Every organ in the human body has its own temperament and within them, there are degrees of temperament, for example, breath is the hottest and in nature with the skin of the palms and soles being the least hot.
See below table – the first of each is the most dominant, i.e.: the first organ will be the most hot, or dry with the final one containing the least.
Heat
Cold
Moisture
Dryness
breath Phlegm Phlegm Hair
blood Hair Blood Bone
Liver Bones Oil Cartilage
Flesh Cartilage Fat ligaments
Muscles Ligaments Brain Tendons
Spleen Tendons Spinal cord Serous membranes
Kidneys Membranes Breasts and testicles Arteries
Walls of the arteries Nerves Lungs Veins
Walls of the veins Spinal cord Liver Motor nerves
Skin of the palms and soles of feet Brain Spleen Heart
Fat Kidneys Sensory nerves
Oil of the body Muscles skin
skin skin
(Source: Hakim Chistis Traditional healer handbook)
The four temperaments are also a psychological concept that categorizes personality types; they are:
1. Sanguine: Sanguine individuals are typically sociable, outgoing, and enthusiastic. They tend to be optimistic and have a positive outlook on life.
2. Choleric: Choleric individuals are often assertive, ambitious, and goal oriented. They are natural leaders and can be dominant and decisive.
3. Melancholic: Melancholic individuals are often introspective, thoughtful, and detail oriented. They tend to be sensitive and may experience deep emotions.
4. Phlegmatic: Phlegmatic individuals are usually calm, easy-going, and have a balanced temperament. They are good listeners and strive for harmony and stability.
These temperaments are general categories and can vary in individuals. They provide insight into behavioural tendencies and can help understand different personality traits.
The connection between temperaments and the four humors lies in the ancient Greek medical theory that associates specific personality traits with the predominant bodily fluids, or humors, in an individual. According to this theory, each temperament is linked to an excess or deficiency of one or more humors, influencing one's disposition and behaviour.
This excess or deficiency is most commonly the reason for disease and ill health.
For instance, the sanguine temperament is associated with an excess of blood, leading to sociability and a cheerful outlook. The choleric temperament is linked to an excess of yellow bile, associated with assertiveness and ambition. The melancholic temperament is connected to an excess of black bile, resulting in introspection and sensitivity. The phlegmatic temperament is associated with an excess of phlegm, leading to calmness and emotional stability.
These connections suggest that the balance or imbalance of humors in an individual's body influenced their temperament and personality traits according to Unani Tibb.
Therefore, the proper balance of the humors within the body determines the health state of the body and mind, that is, the humors that determine the physiological state of health.