Ausgabe KINDLE

Central to the concept of Persian medicine is a belief in an underlying principle of vitality, a mystical force called nature (physis). The function of nature is to maintain health, ensuring the smooth function of the various bodily functions, and to provide resistance against disease.It is a concept that was laid down by Avicenna when he stated the importance of medicatrix naturae, or the 'healing power of nature'. Nature is said to promote and regulate normal bodily functions, called equilibrium or 'dynamic balance'. When people engage in improper activities, eat the wrong kind of food, or are exposed to pathogenic agents, equilibrium is lost and nature weakens. In a state of illness, the strength of nature is inversely proportional to the duration and severity of the disease.Persian medicine is divided into two distinct areas of study: theory and practice. The theoretical structure of Persian medicine rests on three parts:1. The theory of the naturals: comprised of seven components (i.e. elements, temperament, humors, organs, pneuma, faculty and functions) that establish the criteria for normal health, and which disease states can be ascertained by the deviation from these norms;2. The theory of causes: which identifies and explains the reasons for the deviations from the norms so that they may be corrected;3. The theory of signs: which presents the main diagnostic features for identifying the specific deviation that is causing the imbalance (disease).