Parameters of Temperament (Mizaj) & Their Significance to Determine Human Temperament

Abstract

The concept of Mizaj (temperament) is existent for centuries. In Unani System of Medicine, temperament has a pivotal role in determination of the status of the individuals. An individual's temperament is determined via the somatic parameters relating to the individual's bone structure, muscle/fat mass and distribution, complexion, emotional profile, response to climatic conditions, dietary preferences, and a number of other features¹. Temperament has combining features of a person's physical and psychological attributes. So, it is responsible for personality features, and the tendency/risk factors towards particular disorders. Accordingly, temperament has significant role to assess the predisposition, diagnosis and treatment of innumerable diseases. Also, the individuals with diverse temperaments definitely differ in their physical and psychological features. Thus, their characterization is primarily based on these two things and their related attributes. In the present article the parameters of mizaj (temperament) according to different Unani scholars has been described in detail. Keywords: parameters of mizaj; temperament; Unani System of medicine; diagnosis of disease.