Eating According to the Season
By Hakimah Raziya A. Mumin
“Man has truly been termed a microcosm, or a little world within himself, and the structure of his body should be studied not only by those who wish to become doctors, but also by those who wish to attain to a more intimate knowledge of God, just as close study of the niceties and shades of language in a great poem reveals to us more and more of the genius of the author.” Al Ghazali
This excerpt was taken from the book “The Canon of Medicine”. The author, Ibn Sina, sometimes referred to as Avicenna, spent his childhood and youth studying Islamic law, literature, and medicine. The Canon of Medicine was one of the most influential medical texts of his lifetime and beyond. It was taught in Italy and European universities for over 600 years, from the 11th century until the 16th century. It is still used as a guide today to help unlock the mysteries of human healing and further understand the human body.
Tibb is a medical term which can mean medicine or the science of healing diseases. Our lifestyle, environment, temperament, age, and the season of the year all affect our health. As the seasons change, so does the internal body.
This is an overview of the Four Humors and how important it is to align your body with a proper diet that reflects the season you are living in. In Unani Tibb (an ancient holistic system of medicine), harmony and balance play a major role in the health of everyone. It also emphasizes the importance of the treatment of the mind, body, and soul.
In Tibb medicine, the four humors consist of:
1. Blood (red/ which is hot and moist by nature)
2. Phlegm (white/ which is cold and moist by nature)
3. Yellow bile (which is hot and dry)
4. Black bile, also called sauda (which is cold and dry)
And each of the four humors has a corresponding temperament.
The four humors align with the 4 temperaments.
- Air: Hot and moist (red in color or sanguineous/ flexible temperament/blood).
- Fire: Hot and dry (Choleric or irritable or hot-headed temperament/yellow bile).
- Water: Cold and moist (Phlegmatic/ calm/ peaceful temperament/phlegm).
- Earth: Cold and dry (sauda, which maintains both mental and physical equilibrium or stable behavior, temperament/black bile).
The 4 seasons influence the dominance of the humors in the body. Adjustments to the diet must be made to maintain a healthy body. There are 7 types of foods that are eaten regularly.
1. Heating Foods: Stimulate metabolism: spices, garlic, onions, wheat, meat, eggs, nuts, seeds, olives, ginger, lemon, dates, figs, apples, and aged cheese.
2. Cooling Foods: Calm the metabolism (relieve excess heat) hyssop, yogurt, plantain, fresh cheese, hops, fish, mango, cucumber, bananas, most tropical fruits, comfrey, melons, watermelon, mint, pomegranate, lettuce, and cucumber.
3. Wet Foods: Oily, such as milk and dairy products, fresh cheese, yogurt, bananas, avocados, and coconut.
4. Dry Foods: Physically dry (these foods aid in eliminating excess fluids) cloves, most beans, caraway seeds, basil, pomegranates, asparagus, dried fruits, catnip, and aged cheese.
5. Light Foods: Help with giving the body more agility and alertness, foods such as sunflower seeds, watermelon, fruit, lettuce, cucumbers, celery, and yogurt.
6. Heavy Foods (bearing qualities similar to Wet Foods): Give strength and endurance, but can produce sluggishness and heaviness, and are difficult to digest; foods such as beef, wheat, and greasy/fried foods.
7. Phlegm: Dairy products, refined carbs, glutinous foods, ice-cold drinks, and creamy foods.
Many people do not take the time to think about what food can do for them or how they can heal themselves with food. And because of this, one of the hardest things to do in a society where food addictions and cravings are satisfied with the tap of a finger, is to eat according to the season.
The 4 seasons align themselves with the 4 humors and the 4 temperaments. Everything in the universe, from the smallest to the largest in creation, constitutes the four elements of earth, water, air, and fire, with their qualities of dry, cold, moist, and hot. The result of this is that each and everything created has an overall quality known as ‘temperament’.
This idea may be new to some; however, the concept is centuries old. Here is an idea of what to eat during each season.
1. Winter– Some of the best herbs and foods to eat in winter are ginger, nettle, winter squash, turnips, beets, sweet potatoes, fenugreek, and cinnamon. In winter, the blood circulates inward away from the extremities. This causes extra heat in the abdominal area. This strengthens digestion and appetite. A heavier diet is necessary in these months to maintain heat and warmth.
2. Spring– A few springtime foods to keep in mind are dandelion, burdock, lemon balm, anise seed, radish, coltsfoot, violet, asparagus, strawberries, and calendula. In the spring, the blood thins because of the warm internal air. The body releases accumulated fats and mucus into circulation, which causes allergies, asthma attacks, lack of appetite, and sluggishness. Changing to a lighter and drier diet is necessary.
3. Summer– Herbs to look forward to are chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, peppermint, spinach salads, zucchini, avocado, and fresh vegetables. The summer heat draws the blood flow towards the extremities and away from the abdominal region. This change can often cause weakness and digestive disorders, especially if a diet consists of heavy meat and heat-producing foods. Too much humidity in the system can weaken the digestive system.
4. Fall– Some good foods to eat are citrus peel tea, raw ginger, cinnamon, winter squash, and aduki beans. In the fall, the surface heat slowly moves inward.
Here are a few foods that can be eaten any time of the year to improve your health:
Zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes, cabbage, onions, mushrooms, carrots, apples, broccoli, collard greens, spinach, celery, beets, and Romaine lettuce, vegetable broth, steamed vegetables, barley, Mission figs, dates*(ALL of the above foods should be ORGANIC).
The 4 humors are definitely a topic to be studied and applied to attain the best upkeep of your health and wellness. In conclusion, the Holy Nabi (SAW) once said:
“There are two kinds of knowledge: Knowledge of religion and knowledge of the body”.
References: 1. Canons of Medicine, by Avicenna 2.The Book of Sufi Healing, by Shaykh Hakim Moinuddin Chisti 3. Nutrition in Context of the 4 Humors, by Ramna Hamza, Nutritionist, Pakistan November 28, 2020 4.The Traditional Healer’s Handbook, A classic Guide to the Medicine of Avicenna, By Hakim G.M. Chishti. N.D. 5. www.Tibb.coza/creation 6. The Ibn Sini Institute of Tibb