Let’s Compare the Famous Herbal Medicinal Schools…Part 2 of 2

Evidence that the 4 tempers are the inclusive principle regarding the diagnosis of the cause of the disease in the 3 schools Ayurveda is concerned with thehe acquaintance of the dis disequilibrium among the doshas namely the temperaments. By knowing what is exceeding and lacking the normal limit, to identify the cause of the disease, by their used mechanism of diagnosis. Chinese medicine is concerned with the acquaintance of the disequilibrium between the Yin and Yang by knowing what is exceeding and lacking the normal limit, to identify the cause of the disease through their used mechanism of diagnosis. Unani medicine is concerned with the acquaintance of the disequilibrium in the humors by knowing what is exceeding and lacking the normal limit, to identify the cause of the disease through their used mechanism of diagnosis. Now this has become clear that it has been substantiated by comparison, that each of the 3 schools is focused regarding diagnosis upon the equilibrium and disequilibrium, namely the moderation and non-moderation in the ratios of the 4 tempers (hotness, coldness, wetness, and dryness). Evidence that the 4 tempers are the inclusive principle regarding the classification of herbs and foods in the 3 schools Ayurveda specifies four tempers for herbs and foods which are the cold, hot, dry or wet tempers. As it specifies six main tastes which lead to identify the tempers of herbs: sweetness, sourness, saltiness, acridity, bitterness te and contraction. Ch Chinese medicine specifies four tempers fo for herbs and foods which are described as co cooling or warmer temper and humidifier or dr dry temper. As it specifies five basic tastes w which lead to identify the tempers of herbs: sa saltiness, bitterness, sourness, sweetness an and piquancy. U Unani medicine specifies four tempers for he herbs and foods which are: hotness, coldness, ne wetness and dryness. As it specifies ni nine basic tastes that lead to identify the tempers of herbs: sweetness, fattiness, saltiness, bitterness, piquancy, astringency, contraction, sourness, pettiness. It has become clear that it has been substantiated by comparison, that each of the three schools classifies herbs and foods according to the principle of four tempers: hotness, coldness, wetness, and dryness. Evidence that the 4 tempers are considered the common principle in the basic treatment according to the 3 schools Ayurveda treats diseases which are caused by the increase of pittha, or vata, or kapha or by the increase or decrease of their combination, with foods and herbs which have a counteractive temper to the cause of the disease. The hot herbs which increase pittha are given to the cold disease (vata or kapha); the cold herbs which increase vata or kapha are given to the hot disease (pittha); the wet herbs which increase kapha are given to the dry disease (pittha or vata); the dry herbs which increase the pittha or vata are given to the wet disease (kapha). Chinese medicine treats the diseases caused by an increase or decrease of Yin or Yang by re-establishing the equilibrium between them through foods and herbs which have a counteractive temper to the cause of the disease. The hot herbs which increase the Yang are given to cold disease (Yin); the cold herbs which increase the Yin are given to the hot disease (Yang); the wet herbs which increase the Yin are given to the dry disease (Yang); the dry herbs which increase the Yang are given to the wet disease (Yin). Unani medicine treats the diseases which are caused by an increase or decrease of the 4 temperaments by re-establishing the moderation between them through foods and herbs which have a counteractive temper to the cause of the disease. The hot herbs (related to blood humor) are given to the cold disease (related to black bile humor); the cold herbs (related to black bile humor) are given to the hot disease (related to blood humor); the hot herbs (related to yellow bile humor) are given to the cold disease (phlegmatic); the cold herbs (phlegmatic) are given to the hot disease (related to yellow bile humor); the wet herbs (related to blood humor) are given to the dry disease (related to black bile humor); the dry herbs (related to black bile humor) are given to the wet disease (related to blood humor); the wet herbs (phlegmatic) are given to the dry disease (related to yellow bile humor); the dry herbs (related to yellow bile humor) are given to the wet disease (phlegmatic). This comparison has made clear that each of the 3 schools treats the various diseases and the disequilibrium in the various temperaments, on basis of the 4 tempers (hotness, coldness, wetness, dryness), which is well-known by humoral medicine, using the appropriate herbs according to the counteractive therapy. Similarity between the 3 schools in specifying 5 powers A noted similarity is that each of the three schools specifies five powers which control the physiological function of organs. Ayurveda specifies five main powers for physiological function of the internal and external organs; each organ has its specific powers which make it work, if these powers diminish then dysfunction will occur. Chinese medicine expresses the powers throughh h Qi whichhi h h have fi five maini f functionsi in the body; each organ of the Qi has its own specific power; when the Qi flow is imbalanced because of the emotional and physical symptoms, this leads to disease. Unani medicine specifies five main powers of physiological function to the internal and external organs. Each organ has its own specific powers which make it work, if these powers decrease or increase this will cause dysfunction. Humoral Medicine is the Source for Herbal Medicine The convergence that appears in this comparison between the main principles of the 3 schools of Herbal Medicine: Ayurveda, Chinese and Unani medicines indicates they are similar and focused on 1 base and Fundament i.e. the 4 Tempers. The 4 Tempers are the origin which Humoral Medicine is built upon.