Introduction
Over the years, the medical profession and practice have developed exponentially compared to what it was many years ago. This means this field has experienced significant changes, facilitating its progressive growth. Food medicine is a term coined for the earliest healthcare practices whereby food was used as medicine.
Physicians and scholars believed different foodstuffs had various healing and prevention properties. As such, people were encouraged to consume them regularly, strengthening their immune systems and curing them of other ailments. Many scholars dedicated their efforts to studying the causes of various diseases and infections.
Following their extensive research, scholars like Hippocrates concluded that the four humors needed to remain balanced for one to be healthy. This theory was tested and proven by another scholar who also built on it, thus improving medical care. Understanding how food was used as medicine in the past and the four humors theory is essential.
Food Medicine
Food medicine is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries and is based on the belief that certain foods have medicinal properties. Different cultures have used specific foods to treat a variety of ailments. For example, the Greeks believed that garlic was a potent medicine and used it to treat various illnesses, such as respiratory and digestive problems (Monash University, 2021).
In ancient Chinese culture, ginger was believed to have many healing properties and was often used to treat nausea, stomach upset, and colds (Lee, 2018). Foods were thought to contain healing properties that could balance the body. Turmeric, a root native to India, is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments, from skin conditions to digestive issues (Rastogi & Singh, 2021).
Ancient cultures also believed in the power of food to cure physical and mental ailments. For instance, the ancient Egyptians believed that consuming garlic and honey could help ward off evil spirits. In medieval Europe, herbal teas and potions were used to treat illnesses. Even today, many people turn to natural remedies such as ginger or garlic for treatments for common ailments. While modern medicine has come a long way, many people still believe in the medicinal powers of certain foods.
The Four Humors Theory
The humoral theory is one of the oldest medical practices in the world. This practice has existed for over two millennia and was used by many ancient medical practitioners and scholars. The theory is based on four body fluids that must remain balanced for one to remain healthy.
More scholars and philosophers conducted their research and studies to prove and support the theory’s legitimacy (Moorhouse, 2018). A perfect example of such a scholar was Galen; he was a Greek physician who concluded that the four humors had a significant impact on an individual’s personality (Moorhouse, 2018). He proved that these fluids not only influenced people’s health but also impacted their moods and personalities.
The practice and belief of the theory gained momentum and spread to many parts of Europe, where it was taught to young scholars and advanced. Upon further studies in Europe, scholars and physicians believed these fluids varied according to gender. Hence, the differences between men and women are exhibited and witnessed (Moorhouse, 2018).
Additionally, these humors were associated with varying states of matter depending on their individual effects on people’s personalities and temperaments. Some qualities of matter associated with the fluids were heat, cold, dry, and moist. Yellow bile, blood, phlegm, and black bile went with heat, dry, moist, and cold, respectively (Moorhouse, 2018). Consequently, physicians could diagnose their patients and prescribe the correct medication.
History and Use of Humoral Theory
The theory of the four humors is considered one of the most important developments in medicine. It was originally birthed from the works of Aristotle, but its development is credited to Hippocrates. This theory later became a mainstay for medical professionals in ancient Greece for over 2000 years (Monash University, 2021).
Based on this theory, Greeks believed that their bodies comprised a few significant components from which they stemmed. These components were referred to as the humors and were four in number. An individual’s health solely depended on these humors; as such, they had to remain balanced, thus ensuring optimum health (Monash University, 2021). These humors were body fluids, which included phlegm, yellow bile, black bile, and blood.
Additionally, it was believed that the humors were connected and in sync with the year’s seasons: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. These connections allowed scholars and practitioners to conduct medical diagnostics on their patients and thus determine the cause of illness and the most suitable treatment method. Yellow bile, black bile, phlegm, and blood are linked with summer, autumn, winter, and spring, respectively (Monash University, 2021).
As such, in the case of a fever, the practitioners believed it was caused by excessive blood in the patient’s body. They would need to drain the excess blood from their system to cure the patient. Men were hot and dry, while women were cold and moist (Monash University, 2021). In general, different regions and scholars have conducted studies and linked them to humor theory, thus improving its role in medical care.
Accuracy of Humoral Theory
The four humors theories are accurate based on the medical standards of the time. Hippocrates, the “father of modern medicine,” was renowned for this belief. However, poor conditions and greater medical understanding led to more studies. Medical standards increased beyond the humoral hypothesis. Modern medical research is based on this premise, so it must be true.
Before contemporary medicine, the humoral theory formed the basis of medicine. Hippocrates taught the hypothesis. The “Doctrine of Specific Etiology” exacerbated the collapse of the humoral theory. Each disease has one cause and one issue.
Neurotransmitters, growth factors, and hormones support the humoral theory. Modern medicine discusses circulatory hormones and antibodies using the concept of humoral immunity. Modern medicine calls hormones and responses “humoral immunity or control,” but this is not the humoral hypothesis.
Food Safety
Food safety is a term used when referring to handling, storing, and preparing food to prevent contamination or the spread of illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food safety involves a series of steps: cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). These four steps are crucial in preventing foodborne diseases or food poisoning while improving our health exponentially.
While food poisoning is a serious problem, malnutrition is now considered an epidemic. There has been an increase in the cases of diet-related infections. According to a study conducted in 2020, these diseases contribute to one in every five deaths worldwide (Graber, 2022). As such, governments and other organizations have collaborated to emphasize the aspect of food medicine. Through these efforts, more people have begun consuming healthy meals and watching what they consume, thus promoting healthy living.
Conclusion
In conclusion, humor theory, food medicine, and food safety are three interrelated and crucial fields that impact our daily lives in many ways. Understanding the science behind humor, food medicine’s therapeutic benefits, and the importance of food safety practices is essential for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. By balancing the positive effects of humor and the healing power of food with the need for safe and hygienic food preparation and consumption, we can lead healthier and happier lives. Thus, it is imperative to continue exploring and advancing these fields to improve our quality of life.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Fast Facts About Food Poisoning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Graber, E. (2022). Food as medicine. American Society for Nutrition. Web.
Lee, K. (2018). Classical Chinese Medicine: Theory Methodology And Therapy in Its Philosophical Framework. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Monash University. (2021). How and Where Have Foods Been Used As Medicine in The Past? FutureLearn. Web.
Moorhouse, D. (2018). Theory of The Four Humors. Web.
Rastogi, S., Singh, R.H. (2021). Principle of Hot (Ushna) and Cold (Sheeta) and Its Clinical Application in Ayurvedic Medicine. In: Hot and Cold Theory: The Path Towards Personalized Medicine. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1343. Springer, Cham. Web.