APPLICATION OF AVICENNA’S THEORY OF TEMPERAMENT TO MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES

Аннотация

This article analyzes the role of the great physician Avicenna’s theory of temperament in the field of pharmacy, particularly in evaluating the nature of medicinal substances and their effects on the human body. In ancient medicine, it was emphasized that a drug should be selected in accordance with a patient's temperament, a concept that aligns closely with today’s personalized medicine. This article explores the theoretical foundations of Avicenna’s ideas, their practical applications, and how they integrate with modern pharmaceutical science. Keywords: Avicenna, temperament, pharmacy, medicinal substance, traditional medicine, heat, cold, pharmacology The science of pharmacy has evolved through numerous stages throughout history. In particular, Eastern medicine was greatly influenced by the thinker and scientist Avicenna, who studied medicine and pharmacology in depth and established approaches that remain relevant to this day. His work The Canon of Medicine served for centuries as a primary textbook in medical institutions across Europe and Asia. Avicenna selected medicinal substances based on their properties of heat, cold, moisture, or dryness and developed treatment methods that matched thepatient’s natural temperament. Avicenna’s Theory ofTemperamentin Detail 1.TheConcept andCategories of Temperament In Avicenna’s medical philosophy, temperament refers to the natural physiological state of an individual, formed by the balance of four qualities: heat, cold, moisture, and dryness. According to him, the human body consists of four elements—earth, water, air, and fire— each possessing two qualities: Fire: hot and dry; Air: hot and moist; Water: cold and moist; Earth: cold and dry. The balance of these qualities in each individual defines their temperament. A healthy state, called “moderate temperament,” occurs when these four elements are in equilibrium. Imbalanced temperaments are categorized into eight types: hot, cold, moist,dry, hot-moist, hot-dry, cold-moist, and cold-dry. 2.TemperamentandPersonalized Treatment The theory of temperament aligns with the principles of modern personalized medicine. Taking into account the individual physiological characteristics of each patient and selecting appropriate treatments accordingly remains a fundamental medical approach. Avicenna emphasizedthis need forindividualized treatment centuries ago. 98,7:ROTCAFTCAPMI .SECNEICSLACIDEM,5202,yaM,5emuloV gro.srehsilbupcimedaca.www Classificationof MedicinalSubstances Basedon Temperament 1.TypesofMedicinal Substances According to Temperament Avicenna classified all drugs based on their effects on human temperaments and divided them intofour degrees: First-degree drugs: mild effects, mainly used for preventive purposes; Second-degree drugs: moderate effects with minimalside effects; Third-degree drugs: strong effects that can harm the body if misused; Fourth-degree drugs: extremely potent and potentially toxic, used only under expert supervision. The nature of a drug is determined by itsproperties ofheat, cold, moisture, and dryness. 2.Examples of Drugs According to Temperament: Ginger – third-degree, hot and dry; beneficial for patients with cold temperaments. Rosehip – first or second-degree, cold and moist; suitable for individuals with hot temperaments. Wormwood (Artemisia) – fourth-degree, very hot and dry; should be used with caution. Mint–cold and moist; calming fortheheart, suitablefor hot-tempered individuals. Practical Application ofTemperamentTheory inPharmacy 1.Considering TemperamentWhen Selecting Drugs Modern pharmacy studies the pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and pharmacodynamics (mechanism of action) of each medicinal substance. Avicenna referred to these aspects as 'strength,' 'speed,' and 'power.' Proper drug selection starts withidentifying thepatient’s temperament. 2.Combining DrugsBased on Temperament Avicenna developed methods for combining drugs with contrasting temperaments to reduce harmful effects. For example, a very hot drug can be mixed with a cold-natured substance to make its effect safer. This principle is the historical foundation of today’s synergistic and antagonistic drug combinations. Avicenna advanced the idea that “The success of medical practice lies in treating not the disease, but the specific temperament of the individual patient.” Practical experience shows that even medications designed for a particular illness may not be equally effective for all patients. Only medications tailored to the patient's temperament produce optimal therapeuticresults. TheRole ofTemperamentTheory inModern Medicine Today’s field of pharmacogenetics studies how medications interact with a person’s genetic makeup. This approach closely resembles Avicenna’s theory of temperament. In essence, temperament reflects genetic, metabolic, and physiological balance. Examples: Patients with hypertension: cold-tempered medications (moist, sedative). Patients with digestive