Temperament  an important principle for health preservation in Tibb an-Nabawi and Unani-Tibb

Mujeeb Hoosen

doi:10.3329/bjms.v16i4.33600

Abstract

Many prominent Greco-Arab (Unani-Tibb) physicians contributed to the advancement of medicine with their observations, practice, experience and experiments which gave priority to the preservation of health over the curing of ailments. Tibb an-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine), the foundation of Islamic medicine placed great emphasis on preventative measures relating to lifestyle incorporating the spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of man. The key component to linking mans inter-relationship with his environment was understood through the concept of temperament. This concept remains at the core of Unani-Tibb up until today in terms of research and practical application within the clinical setting. Central to the understanding of temperament are the associated qualities of heat, cold, moisture and dryness, the combination of which describes each individuals unique constitutional make-up including personality traits, physical appearances and disease predispositions. Historically this formed the basis to the understanding of pathology and up until today it continues to guide physicians on individualized treatment regimes. All classical references of Tibb an-Nabawi attribute the onset of illnesses to the disturbance or imbalance of ones temperament. This paper aims to shed light on the concept of temperament as explained in the classical texts of Tibb an-Nabawi and Unani-Tibb and its practical application for health promotion and disease prevention.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(4) 2017 p.487-495

Highlights

The World health organisation (WHO) health strategy for traditional medicine 2014-2023 recognises the important role that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) plays in the healthcare of patients in developing countries[1]
The traditional Islamic medical knowledge that focused on the Quran teachings and the Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) is called Tibb an-Nabawi written by famous authors like Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jauziyah, Jalalu’d Din as-Suyuti and Imaam Dhahabi, their writings formed the basis to the Islamic medicine of Correspondence to: Dr Mujeeb Hoosen (Coordinator of Unani Tibb) School of Natural Medicine, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa, E-mail: mahoosen@uwc.ac.za, mujeebh786@gmail.com today[3,4]
This paper aims to briefly discuss how the concept of temperament is practically applied by Unani-Tibb practitioners as an indispensable component to all treatment regimes

Summary

Introduction

Today[3,4]. Tibb an-Nabawi is based on the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) referring to medical matters with emphasis on preventative measures relating to lifestyle incorporating the spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of man. Identification of the differences between the four temperaments includes physical observational features, skin texture and temperature, speech, appetite, sleep patterns, methods of learning, mental activity, personality traits, emotional and behavioral tendencies as well as possible disease predispositions with common associated signs and symptoms. The following lifestyle factors are best suited for the Bilious temperament for health preservation: Environmental air and breathing: Increased heat affects them the most, excess sun exposure/hot climate should be avoided. The concept of temperament can be clinically significant due to its potential in predicting disease predispositions based on morphological, physiological and psychological characteristics This has relevance to chronic lifestyle disease prevention for obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease as early detection can provide intervention and modification in terms of diet, exercise, emotions and the elimination of bodily wastes[34]

Conclusion

Findings

WHO traditional medicine strategy