The Four Temperaments are the basic constitutional body-mind types of Traditional Greek Medicine.
Each one is named after a certain humour and can be recognised by certain traits of physique, physiology, digestion, metabolism and personality.
The Traditional Medicines of China, Tibet, Middle East (Unani-tibb) and India (Ayurveda), also have parallel systems of temperaments, types or “doshas”.
Sanguine Temperament – Warm and Moist
Faculty of judgment well-developed and good social skills, has an optimistic, positive outlook which is rather conventional and conformist.
Therapeutic food, drink and herbs for this temperament should be mostly cooling and drying, i.e. of Melancholic temperament.
Melancholic Temperament – Cold and Dry
An analytical intellect, usually efficient, realistic, practical and pragmatic, with a reflective, studious and philosophical bent. Thinking can be too rigid and dogmatic, cautious or pessimistic.
Therapeutic food, drink and herbs for this temperament should be mostly warming and moistening, i.e. of Sanguine temperament.
Choleric Temperament – Hot and Dry
The rugged individualist and pioneer, who thrives on challenge, tending to be bold, courageous, audacious; confrontational, dramatic and contentious. Prone to anger and extremism.
Therapeutic food, drink and herbs for this temperament should be mostly cooling and moistening, i.e of Phlegmatic temperament.
Phlegmatic Temperament – Cool and moist
At their best they are patient, devoted, faithful and empathetic, tending to be sensitive and sentimental, with a calm, good-natured and benevolent outlook. They are quite passive and slow, even sluggish with an aversion to exertion or exercise.
Therapeutic food, drink and herbs for this temperament should be mostly warming and drying, i.e. of Choleric temperament.