Origins of Western Herbalism

Both Galen of 2nd century Europe and for thousands of years in Asia, physicians believed in the four humors, or types of illnesses and predispositions. There are four humors: Blood, Phlegm, Black bile, and Yellow bile. And there are four herb types: Hot, Cold, Dry, and Damp. It seems that his theories were later expanded by 7th century Arab physicians, many of which are still commonly practiced in
Muslim and Indian countries.

Herbology on Papyrus

Papyrus scrolls dating back to the 1700 B.C. show recorded treatments which include garlic, hemp, and poppy.

Ancient Greeks, on the other hand, had absorbed ideas from Assyria, India, and Asia. These included basil, ginger, and other commonly used culinary herbs we used today in our kitchens. Around the time of Hippocrates an even more complex view of humors and herbal qualities began to be developed.

They believed that good health was kept by keeping a good balance in diet, herbs, and exercise. In about 60 A.D. Pedanius Dioscorides wrote the classical text "De Materia Medica" and it remained the standard in medical practice for over 1,500 years. These early Greeks believed the world was divided into four elements (actually five, the fifth was quintessence, or space), these were labeled earth, water, fire, and air.

The Roman model began about 100 B.C. and as time passed it became more mechanistic. They believed the body was a machine and could be actively repaired, rather than the Hippocratic thought that the body would heal itself. For them, herbal medicine became a lucrative business with expensive herbal remedies. However, a man names Claudius Galenus, both in Asia, and physician to Marcus Arelius, reworked many of the earlier ideals of Hippocrates. His books became the standard medicine of Romans, Arabs, and medieval physicians and many of his teachings are still alive today.

In The Arab World

Galenism was adopted by Arabs with enthusiasm, merging with folk beliefs derived from Egyptian medicine. This vast knowledge of herbs was later imported back to Europe at the end of medieval times with the invading Arab armies. One of the most influential books of the time was the "Kitab al Qanun" or "Cannon of Medicine" written by Avicenna. It was later translated into Latin and eventually brought to the west. It eventually became a leading textbook in western medical schools. The Arabs themselves were extensive traders and introduced many herbs from east to west, including nutmeg, cloves, saffron, and senna.

The Four Elements

This simple chart will help explain the properties of these humors, or elements:

Start by drawing a square on paper. Draw a smaller circle inside the square and divide the square and circle into four parts by drawing two lines, one vertical and one horizontal. Above the square write "Cold", below it write "Hot", to the left write "Damp" and to the right write Dry. Now within the circle in a clockwise direction, starting with the top right quadrant of the circle, write "Earth", in the bottom right quadrant write "Fire", in the bottom left write "Air" and in the top left write "Water."

The phlegmatic temperament (in the top left quadrant of the box, phlegm) if dominated by winter, water, cold, and damp. Typical illnesses include chest problems, phlegmatic diseases, colds, pneumonias, and lung infections. The treatment includes treatment with drying warm herbs (from opposite on the quadrant) including thyme, hyssop, and peppers which were thought to balance the condition (respiratory system).

The melancholic nature (in the top right quadrant, black bile) is fall, earth, cold and dry. Typical illnesses include constipation, depression, and gloominess. It is best treated by damp, hot herbs on the opposite quadrant, including senna and hellebore which are used to purge excess bile and restore balance (nervous system).

The choleric temperament (in the bottom left quadrant, yellow bile) is dominated by summer, fire, dry and hot. Typical illnesses include bad temper and liver disorders. It is best treated by cool, moist plants from the opposite of the diagram, such as violets and dandelions which are used to clear the bile (gastric system).

The sanguine temperament (bottom right quadrant) is dominated by spring, air, damp, and hot. Typical illnesses include overindulgence, gout, and diarrhea. It is best treated with cool, dry herbs such as burdock or figwort, when cleanse the system. (blood/circulatory system).

Herbology Past and Present

The study of plants as medicine reaches back in some cultures as far back as written records. Ancient texts from China, Japan, the Middle East "Bible and Quran" even mention herbs as medicine.

Mankind has been treating sickness, ailments, injuries, and infections with herbs longer than modern medicine has been using drugs and pills. Most commonly used pharmaceuticals on the market are derived from, or laboratory developed to be like herbal preparations used since times immemorial. Many contemporary beliefs encourage the blending of both sciences to bring better health to mankind.