Reviving Humoral Medicine
with Dr. Hani El Batal
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The Four Qualities and the Four Elements
In humoral medicine, there are fundamental concepts that form the basis for understanding the body's balance and health. Among these concepts are the four qualities, which describe the characteristics of the body, and the four elements, which are the primary constituents of the physical world.
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Defining the Qualities
What Is a Quality?
In Humoral Medicine, a quality is defined as a characteristic or property of the body. This system recognizes four fundamental qualities: hotness, coldness, wetness, and dryness.
These qualities form the foundation for understanding the causes of disease, diagnosing illnesses, and determining appropriate treatments. The same four qualities are also central to what is known today as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, where diseases are likewise understood to be associated with these four fundamental qualities.
It is said that, in ancient times, there was a single medical tradition known as Humoral Medicine. Following the colonization of our region and the Far East, different schools of medicine emerged under various names. However, according to this view, they all originate from the same humoral tradition, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, what is now called Ayurveda, and Greek Medicine.
The Four Elements
Definition of the Elements
The elements are the primary constituents from which all composite things in the world are formed. There are four elements:
The two light elements:
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Fire, whose qualities are hot and dry.
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Air, whose qualities are hot and moist.
The two heavy elements:
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Water, whose qualities are cold and wet
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Earth, whose qualities are cold and dry.
The Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda
The four elements described above belong to Humoral Medicine.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the system consists of five elements: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth.
Likewise, what is known today as Ayurveda recognizes five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether.
The Revival of Humoral Medicine After Colonialism
Following the end of colonial rule in our region and in the Far East, Humoral Medicine was not revived in our lands.
In China, it was revived under the name Traditional Chinese Medicine, but with the addition of many beliefs and concepts rooted in traditional Chinese religious and philosophical doctrines.
In India, it was revived under the name Ayurveda, which, according to this perspective, also incorporates later alterations.
Among Muslims, it was revived under the name Greek Medicine (Unani Medicine), which is regarded as the closest to the original humoral tradition.