HISTORICAL PRESPECTIVE OF TEMPERAMENT IN UNANI MEDICINE: A REVIEW

Abstract

Unani Medicine or Tibb system is based on classification of humans personalities into four different mizaj based on dominance body fluids. The fundamentals of Unani medicine are mainly based upon the temperament (Mizaj) and Humours (Akhlat). It was described by various eminent Graeco-Arab physicians Jalinoos. Abu bakr Mohammad bin Zakaria Razi, Ali Ibne Abbas Majoosi , Rabban Tabri , Ibne Rushd and other eminent Unani scholar in their literatures.. According to them the specific temperament is present in every individual. In healing drugs as well as diseases are also classified according to the four humors. The four humors correspond to four bodily fluids ie blood (Dam), phlegm (Balgham), black bile (sauda) and yellow bile (safra). A typical diagnosis of a patient would take the balance of these humors into consideration, before giving any treatment. It is also very important to keep the temperament in mind while diagnosing a disease. The Mizaj (temperament) is a notion (concept) and a way by which physicians evaluate the deviation of the body or any of its organs from normal homeostasis in comparison to the patient’s population, race, and species. Merely, it is the appearance that Unani physicians use to tell whether the whole body or one of its organs has the right temperature and has the right amount of moisture. There is no absolute temperament, that is, there is not one universal temperament to which we compare the health of an individual. Moreover, there is not one temperament that is the best or the optimum for all types of geographical locations. The dominance of one or more humours in the body vitiates humour itself and causes disease. Temperament (Mizaj) is also importance in the treatment of diseases with natural remedies derived from Herbo-animo-mineral sources. It is also taken into consideration for identifying the most suitable diet and lifestyle for promoting good health.