Implication of temperament in Ilāj Bi’l-Ghidhā

Abstract

As we all know about the unique concept of USM "Temperament", and its importance as well. But what are its implications and how one should keep it in mind while dealing with any aspect of the human being is also important. The aspect could be as simple as "the temperament of ages" and as complicated as "the temperament of disease". By this statement, it also need to be made clear that how temperament is related with each and every facet of human being. Temperament helps in deciding regimens for prevention purpose, advising diet, to stay healthy, advising medicine in case of any disease etc. The modes of treatment described in USM are basically four in number. According to the need they can be applied either singly or in combination. Among them, the one which is most friendly to Ṭabī'at is Ilāj Bi'l-Ghidhā (dieto-therapy). Diet is the basic need of all the living beings in different forms. One should try to keep it Mu'tadil in quality as well as quantity so that moderate and equable temperament of an individual could be achieved and if lost can be revert back. Qualitative management is suitable to drug administration as by changing the quality of diet, we can change the temperament of the human body. However diet has its specific rules that deal with quantity as well because food may be held back from the patient, reduced, modified, or increased. Hence Ghidhā, by changing its quality and quantity, can be implemented in correcting Sū'-i-Mizāj. The relation of the temperament and diet on the state of human body (health and/or disease) and its constituents (Umūr Ṭabī'yya) shall further be discussed in this paper.