The Four Body Types

In Greek Medicine, it is believed that there are four body temperaments that determine our constitution, and thus how we metabolize food. Although all four humors (or temperaments)—blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm—exist in all of us, in different quantities, there is usually one that is the dominating humor and which affects what we crave and how we respond to food. Whichever humor is dominant within a person reflects their body type. The four body types are:

Sanguine  |    Choleric    |     Phlegmatic    |     Melancholic

Choleric Temperament (Yellow Bile – Safra)

Choleric is considered to be the most catabolic, the hottest and most active of all temperaments. Choleric is already off balance by its nature and thus diet and lifestyle are instrumental in creating balance.

Humor: Yellow Bile

Constitution: Hot and Dry

Traits:

• Broad jaw, sharp nose, high cheekbones, angular facial structure
• Compact, lean, small frame and build
• Sharp, ravenous appetite
• Strong, fast metabolism
• Cast iron stomach / digestion when in balance
• Short transit time for elimination (stool), tends to be loose stool
• Sweats profuse in heat or physical activity

Predisposition: If out of balance, the following health concerns arise

• Fevers
• Hives
• Inflammation
• High cholesterol
• Cardiovascular disorders
• High blood pressure
• Headaches / migraines
• Infections
• Middle GI tract conditions (hyperacidity, ulcerative etc)

Foods that aggravate:  salt and salty foods, fats and cholesterol, fried foods, vinegar, alcohol, excessive sour or fermented foods, aged cheeses, excessive hot spices and chillies, excessive beef and red meat.

www.greekmedicine.net/b_p/Four_Temperaments

What does Islam say about body constitution?

There is no direct mention of body types/constitutions in the Qur’an or Sunnah, however the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did eat foods together that had opposite energetics – which was accepted medicine of that time – as a method of balancing foods. Energetics does not refer directly to types of foods, but rather to their composition and their effect on the moisture, dryness, heat and coldness of the body. It is important to note that the doctor of the Prophet ﷺ was Al Harith Ibn Kalada. He was a companion and the oldest known Arab physician who was educated in and practiced Greek Medicine. (Body constitutions were part of their medical practice).

Reference: Sh. Omar Suleiman’s lecture on the Prophet’s Doctor