Among the general signs for understanding the body’s nature — whether it is hot or cold, wet or dry — is the color of the body

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The color of the body is considered one of the general indicators that reveal the body’s nature.What is meant by “body color” is the color of the outer surface of the body — the skin. Originally, the skin is a nervous organ, and its natural color is white. This is why we notice it becomes whiter when washed thoroughly with hot water. This is the natural color of the skin, whereas any other changes in color are considered acquired.

Skin Color and Its Significance

The color of the body—meaning the color of the body’s surface—is the skin. Originally, the skin is a nervous organ with a white color, which is why we notice it becomes even whiter when it’s washed well with hot water. This is the skin’s natural color. Any other color seen on the skin is acquired, not original.

Whiteness and Its Relationship to Coldness and Phlegm

Whiteness is a sign of coldness and the predominance of phlegm, because phlegm itself is white in color. Sometimes, the skin may appear white even without an actual excess of phlegm. However, when whiteness occurs alongside phlegm, it is due both to coldness and to the dominance of phlegm. This is clear, but it’s important to distinguish this from cases where the whiteness is not caused by phlegm.

Softness and Wetness of the Skin-A soft and wet texture of the skin together with whiteness indicates the presence of phlegm.

Sagging of the Body Sagging flesh (flaccidity) is also a sign that phlegm predominates in the body—or at least one of its clear indications.

Additionally, whiteness can sometimes be due to the natural color of the nerves, since nerves are originally white and the skin contains a high concentration of nerves.

Redness and Its Relationship to Hotness and Blood

Redness is an indication of hotness and the predominance of blood. The skin is naturally white, so if it becomes red, this redness must be due to an excess of blood. If the blood were not dominant in the body, it would not appear on the surface, because if the amount of blood were small, it would not be sufficient to cover both the interior and the exterior of the body.

Therefore, redness of the skin color is a sign of hotness and an abundance of blood.

Here, we are speaking about a natural temperament—one that a person is born with (inherent constitution)—and later, the discussion would cover acquired (temporary) conditions.

The redness of the skin is a clear sign of hotness and blood predominance, because the skin becomes red only through the blood; and if blood were not abundant, it would not reach the surface of the body.

The Balance Between Whiteness and Redness

A skin color that is intermediate between whiteness and redness indicates a balanced state between hotness and coldness, because neither phlegm nor blood predominates over the other. This balanced complexion reflects a temperament of moderation, where no single humor overwhelms the rest.

Brownness and Its Relationship to Hotness

A brown skin tone is a sign of hotness. As previously mentioned, the skin is originally white because the nerves are white. Therefore, for the skin to turn brown, hotness must affect and “burn” the skin, leading to this darker shade.

This brown color results from a mixture of whiteness and the effect of hotness.

However, for this hotness-related brownness to occur, there must also be a predominance of blood to some degree. If blood is not sufficiently present, the color would tend toward dullness.

Dullness of color (كمودة) refers to a slight, non-luminous darkness—a shade that leans toward black and lacks clarity and brightness.

Yellowness and the Predominance of Yellow Bile or Lack of Blood

A yellowish or fair skin tone indicates either a predominance of yellow bile (ṣafrā’) or blood mixed with yellow bile.

Yellowness is not always due solely to the excess of yellow bile; it can also result from a deficiency of blood, as seen in people who are recovering from illness (convalescents).

Who Is the Convalescent (Nāqih)?

The convalescent is a person who has recovered from an illness but still remains physically weak. He has emerged from the disease and begun to heal, yet his strength has not fully returned—this is what is meant by “nāqiḥ.”

In such a person, even if there is not a large amount of yellow bile, the yellowness of the skin appears because of the reduction of blood. During illness, a significant amount of blood is consumed and broken down, since blood is the substance that undergoes dissolution (taḥallul). When the amount of blood decreases, the body becomes yellowish, not necessarily due to an excess of yellow bile, but because of post-illness weakness and diminished blood volume.

The difference between yellowness caused by excess yellow bile and yellowness caused by a lack of blood is the following:

• When yellowness is due to yellow bile, it is accompanied by obvious hotness.

• When it is due to lack of blood, it appears with little or no hotness, alongside weakness of the body.

This is often observed in people with blood deficiency, fatigue, and bodily weakness, where their skin shows a yellowish hue—not because of yellow bile excess, but because of the body’s weakness and reduced blood.

Dullness (Kamūdah) and Excess Coldness and Black Bile

Kamūdah (dullness of color) occurs due to excess coldness and black bile (sawdā’) predominance. The natural color of black bile is dull and tends toward black.

This dullness also indicates the stagnation of blood caused by coldness. When the blood stagnates and thickens due to excessive cold, the skin loses its brightness and becomes darkened. Coldness causes congealing, and when blood congeals, its color turns blackish, reflecting the dominance of cold.

Additionally, if the skin takes on an eggplant-like color (dark purplish), this also points to coldness and dryness, as this color is associated with the influence of black bile as well.

A dull skin tone (kamūdah) indicates excess coldness and the predominance of black bile (sawdā’), as previously explained. In addition to this, other specific shades have further diagnostic significance

• 🏺 Plaster-like Color (jissī) – resembling the color of plaster:This indicates coldness and moisture, and is a sign of phlegm.

• 🌫 Grayish Color (raṣāṣī) – resembling lead:This reflects coldness and moisture mixed with some black bile. It indicates phlegm combined with a degree of black bile, which gives the skin this particular dull grayish shade.

• 🦴 Ivory Color (‘ājī) – a white color with a slight yellow tint:This points to a phlegmatic coldness mixed with a small amount of yellow bile. The light yellowish hue over the white reflects this subtle mixture.

  
  
  
  

Conclusion

From what has been presented, it becomes clear that skin color is not merely an external appearance, but rather an important indicator that contributes to understanding the body’s overall nature and temperament—whether coldness or hotness, wetness or dryness predominates.

These signs have long been, and continue to be, among the fundamental diagnostic tools used by physicians in humoral medicine for both diagnosis and prevention.

Recognizing the meanings behind different skin colors enables us to connect external appearance with the body’s internal state, opening a broader path to understanding the health balance that every person needs in daily life

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