![]() Energetics Review We recently wrapped up our class on Energetics and I thoght it would be fun to circle back and review humoral theory and relate it to physiology. The above watercolor is a graph that I made to help me remember the humoral temperaments, a medical concept of humorism that suggests there are four fundamental personality types that correspond to the four elements- air, water, fire and earth. According to history, the ancient four humors theory may have origins in ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia but it was the Greek physician Hippocrates (460 - 370 BC) who developed it into a medical theory. He believed that certain behaviors, emotions, and moods were caused by an excess or lack of body fluids (called "humors"). The humors being blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. Galen came along (AD 129-c. 200) and started to search for physiological reasons for different behaviors in humans and classified them as hot/cold and dry/wet. He believed that there could also be a sweet balance between the qualities, yielding a total of nine temperaments. By the way, the word "temperament" comes from Latin "temperare," "to mix." Galen believed that in a balanced human, the complementary characteristics of warm-cool and dry to moist were divinely balanced. In four less ideal types, which we now call the temperaments, one of the four qualities was dominant over all the others. Galen named these types "sanguine", "choleric". "melancholic", and "phlegmatic" after the bodily humors. Each type was the result of an excess of one of the humors that produced the imbalance. An excess of yellow bile resulted in a temperament believed to be warm/hot and dry, and associated with the element of fire [Choleric]. An excess of red bile resulted in a temperament believed to be warm/hot and wet, and associated with the element of air [Sanguine]. An excess of white bile resulted in a temperament believed to be cool/cold and wet, and associated with the element of water [Phlegmatic]. An excess of black bile resulted in a temperament believed to be cool/cold and dry, and associated with the element of earth [Melancholy]. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) and various other folks who came after Galan theorized on the four temperaments and greatly shaped our modern theories of temperament. While stodgy "modern science" has rejected the theories of the four temperaments, many herbalists today are doing some exciting work with it and I think it has an important place in our human consciousness. The following is a brief overview of the four types: Sanguine The sanguine temperament is traditionally associated with blood, air, springtime and childhood. People with this temperament tend to be lively, sociable, talkative and pleasure-seeking. Warm-hearted, optimistic, imaginative, artistic and friendly are all works associated with this type. They can be flighty and changeable and can struggle with following tasks all the way through. Some muse that they can be best reached through awakening their love for a subject and admiration of people. Choleric The choleric temperament is traditionally associated with yellow bile (choler), fire, summer and youth. People with this temperament tend to be extroverted, excitable, impulsive, restless and with reserves of aggression, energy and/or passion. They try to instill their aggression, energy or passion in others. Words that come to mind: task-oriented, efficiency, "do it now", ambition, strong-willed and they like to be in charge. They can be strong leaders, are good at planning and are often practical and solution-oriented. They appeciate receiving respect and esteem for their work. Some muse that cholerics can be best reached through mutual respect and appropriate challenges that reconize their capabilities. Melancholic The melancholic temperament is traditionally associated with black bile (melancholy), earth, autumn and maturity. People with this temperament may appear serious, introverted, cautious or even suspicious. They can become preoccupied with the tragedy and cruelty in the world and are susceptible to depression and moodiness. Focused, conscientious and loners. Melancholics tend to prefer to do things themselves, both to meet their own standards and because they are not inherently sociable. This type is so sensitive and experience pain so deeply that they tend to be the most deeply compassionate. Some muse that melancholics can be best met by awakening their sympathy for others and the suffering of the world. Phlegmatic The phlegmatic temperament is traditionally associated with phlegm, water, winter and old age. People with this temperament may be inward, private, thoughtful, reasonable, calm, patient, caring and tolerant. They tend to have a rich inner life, seek a quiet, peaceful atmosphere and be content with themselves. They tend to be steadfast, consistent in their habits and thus steady and faithful friends. Phlegmatics may appear somewhat ponderous or clumsy and their speech can be slow or appear hesitant. Some muse that their interest is often awakened by experiencing others' interest in a subject. Temperament Story: My friend Ashley worked at a Camphill Community called Heart Beet in Hardwick, Vermont and this community, based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, did a lot of work around temperaments. I heard this story from Ashley who heard it from her friend Seneca. I love it and thought it would be helpful to share here: The four temperaments are hiking along together when they come to a giant rock in the middle of the trail. They all respond to this obstacle in different ways. The phlegmatic sits down and starts mapping out a plan, considering all the options to deal with the rock - a pros and cons list, a sketch of the terrain, GPS points, etc. The sanguine spies some wild flowers off the trail and decides to go off and pick them, completely forgetting about the rock problem. The choleric says "we're going to do this now!" and climbs straight up over the rock, without a plan, just wanting to get it done. The melancholic shuts down, wailing "this is the worst thing that could happen" and in their pain, feels into the rock and the suffering of the world and empathizes with everyone. The phlegmatic continues to plan and strategize while the other temperaments go on with their day. Hehe. Why the Temperaments are Important: I really enjoy thinking and musing about the temperaments because it helps me feel more at peace with myself and those around me. Understanding that we're not all programmed the same, an obvious conclusion but sometimes difficult to accept, is comforting and takes the pressure off living up to others' standards. For example, learning about the sanguine personality type allowed me to take a deep sigh of relief. For one, I really identify as a sanguine and sometimes I can get really hard on myself for being flightly and not following through with projects. I'm an experiential learner and sometimes it takes starting a project to realize it's not something that I want to fully commit to AND, there are so many positives to the sanguine personality that when taken as a whole, as a fully vital and beautiful pie piece in the slice of life, it's OK. And now, when I'm out and about in my life, and someone irritates me or wants to do something a different way I pause. I stop and think "okay, this is such a melancholic approach- and it's different than how I do things but I can work with it." Understanding the humoral theory has helped me become more tolerant of others' differences. Being able to visual all of humanity bundled up into various manifestations of air, fire, earth and water takes the pressure off. We're different and it's juicy and exciting and sometimes annoying but at the end of the day it's OK and it's our duty to be fully the manifestation of we're deeply called to be. Yee haww! If you're thirsty for more on the temperaments, check out herbalist Rebecca Altman's work: http://www.cauldronsandcrockpots.com/2015/12/temperaments-part-1/ OKAY, so.... The Four Tissue Types! WHAA??? In physiology, we're studying the four human tissue types and I thought it would be interesting to consider these types within the context of humoral theory. Tissues are groups of cells that perform the same general function and there are four basic types. These tissues respond to and interact with body fluids (humors) in different ways and perhaps, PERHAPS there is a resonance with the temperaments. Let's explore: Epithelial Tissue- the Phlegmatic Tissue of the Body: Epithelial tissue is the continuous cellular sheet that covers the body's surface, lines cavities and forms certain glands. The primary functions of epithelial tissues are: (1) to protect the tissues that lie beneath it from radiation, toxins, invasion by pathogens and physical trauma; (2) the regulation and exchange of chemicals between the underlying tissues and body cavity; (3) the secretion of hormones into the blood vascular system, and/or the secretion of sweat, mucus, enzymes, and other products that are delivered by ducts; and (4) to provide sensation. Epithelial tissue forms glands to secrete, covers our body like a giant tissue ocean, lines our lymphatic vessels and helps provide us with sensation to experience the world beyond our body. Epithelial tissue resonates with the phlegmatic temperament due to this tissue's connection to water but also because it helps keep parts of us inward, private and calm. This tissue type helps us thrive by having a separate, rich inner life. Steadfast, consistent and calm, this tissue type thrives on keeping us inward and private yet sparking an interest through sensation, the brush of a feather or the hand of a love interest.... Connective Tissue - the Melancholic Tissue of the Body Connective tissue is the bone, cartilage, and fatty issue (adipose) that binds together and supports our body structure. This includes loose connective tissue- the large spaces that separate the fibers and cells and contain inter-cellular fluid and dense connective tissue - tightly packed fibers arranged in various patterns (regular or irregular) to provide structural support including tendons, ligaments and fibers found in the dermis, submucosa of the GI tract and fascia. Connective tissue is melancholic- it's the earth of our body, the fat and bone and bulk of who we are. Melancholics are heavy and deep feelers and it is connective tissue that encircle the bases of the pulmonary trunk, aorta and heart valves. This tissue provides structure and support for the heart, the guiding force of melancholics. Melancholics are deep, slow and feeling. Their wounds cut deep, and the melancholic, like the collagen that supports our heart or the fatty tissue on our hips that act as insulation to conserve body heat or a cushion for internal organs, strives to self-protect on a deep level. Muscle Tissue - the Sanguine Tissue of the Body Muscle tissue is a soft tissue that composes muscles and gives rise to its ability to contract. This tissue varies with function and location in the body and there are three types: skeletal or striated, smooth or non-striated and cardiac muscle. Smooth and cardiac muscle contract involuntarily, without conscious intervention and may be activated both through interaction of the central nervous system as well as by receiving innervation (WOAH - cool word) from peripheral plexus or endocrine (hormonal) activation. Striated or skeletal muscle only contracts voluntarily, upon influence of the central nervous system. Due to this tissue receiving a generous blood supply compared to other tissues, I associate the muscle tissue with the sanguine temperament. Muscles allow us to be lively, pleasure-seeking and active. Muscles love movement, imagination, artistic expression and being friendly. Muscles can be flighty, just like sanguines, and they're changeable - this tissue varies greatly with function and location in the body just like sanguine bouncing between social gatherings, activities, projects and inspiration. Muscles awake when they're presented with something they love - a hike, a dance, an embrace just as the sanguine ignites with heart centered connection for people, experiences, and places. Nervous Tissue - the Choleric Tissue of the Body
The nervous tissue's main function is communication. It's primary properties are - irritability and the capacity to react to various physical and chemical agents and conductivity - the ability to transmit the resulting reaction from one point to another. Neurons are nervous tissue specialists- they generate and conduct nerve impulses. Neuroglia support structure of the nervous tissue, insulating and protecting neurons. Nervous tissue is all about irritability, conductivity and transmitting impulses. ELECTRICITY. It is this spark and fire and conductivity that align nervous tissue with the fiery choleric temperament. This tissue is comprised of highly specialized cells that generate and conduct nerve impulses much like the choleric person who channels their fire into energy, accomplishments, reactions and passion. Under stress, cholerics frequently respond by wanting to fight against it (I'm going to beat this!), and may fall into patterns of anger and frustration if they're not easily able to do so just like the nervous tissue response to physical and chemical agents on the body. Hot-tempered, quick thinking, active, practical, and strong-willed choleric communication impulses surge through our system via the nervous tissue. How this relates to Herbal Medicine: Understanding the Whole Person Picture We've talked a lot about how it is important to understand the whole person rather than just a disease or an issue when working as a herbalist- understand the whole person and use a whole plant to treat the whole disease. Herbal medicine uses systems to recognize and describe patterns that we see- these patterns can include Traditional Chinese Medicine and an understanding of ying and yang and the five elements or Ayurvedic medicine and the three doshas and the five elements. Greek/Arabic medicine uses the four elements, the four qualities, the four temperaments and the two tissue states. Nineteenth century Western herbalism uses a system of six "tissue states." Understanding the underlying physiology and tissue types of the human system helps us have a better sense of what's happening within the specific lens pattern system we're using to get the whole person picture.
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AuthorThe adventures, studies, and musings of a student at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism.
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