Assess Holistic Health

Eval health via Hildegard von Bingen's temperament from Causae et Curae. 4 temperaments + elemental balance + dietary + lifestyle recs.

Use When

• Understand constitutional type Hildegardian terms
• Experiencing imbalance (fatigue, irritability, digestive, mental fog) → holistic guidance
• Dietary recs per temperament
• Integrating Hildegard's health principles → wellness practice
• Understand temperament ↔ elements ↔ health
• Researching medieval humoral medicine

In

• Required: Current symptoms/health concerns (physical, mental, emotional)
• Required: Responses to temperament assessment questions (constitution, habits, preferences)
• Optional: Age, sex, general health history (ctx)
• Optional: Current season (seasonal adjustment)
• Optional: Existing dietary restrictions/preferences
• Optional: Known temperament from previous assessment

Do

Step 1: Temperament Assessment

Determine dominant via observation + structured questions.

The Four Temperaments in Causae et Curae:
┌──────────────┬──────────┬────────────┬─────────────┬──────────────┐
│ Temperament  │ Element  │ Qualities  │ Physiology  │ Psychology   │
├──────────────┼──────────┼────────────┼─────────────┼──────────────┤
│ SANGUINE     │ Air      │ Hot, Moist │ Ruddy face, │ Cheerful,    │
│              │          │            │ plump build,│ sociable,    │
│              │          │            │ good sleep  │ optimistic   │
├──────────────┼──────────┼────────────┼─────────────┼──────────────┤
│ CHOLERIC     │ Fire     │ Hot, Dry   │ Lean, wiry, │ Ambitious,   │
│              │          │            │ quick pulse,│ irritable,   │
│              │          │            │ warm skin   │ decisive     │
├──────────────┼──────────┼────────────┼─────────────┼──────────────┤
│ MELANCHOLIC  │ Earth    │ Cold, Dry  │ Thin, dark  │ Analytical,  │
│              │          │            │ features,   │ introspective│
│              │          │            │ slow pulse  │ prone to fear│
├──────────────┼──────────┼────────────┼─────────────┼──────────────┤
│ PHLEGMATIC   │ Water    │ Cold, Moist│ Pale, soft  │ Calm, slow,  │
│              │          │            │ skin, heavy │ apathetic,   │
│              │          │            │ build       │ easygoing    │
└──────────────┴──────────┴────────────┴─────────────┴──────────────┘

Assessment Questions (score 0-3 per statement: 0=never, 1=rarely, 2=often, 3=always):

SANGUINE (Air):
[ ] I am naturally optimistic and sociable
[ ] I have a ruddy complexion and rarely feel cold
[ ] I sleep well and wake refreshed
[ ] I enjoy variety and new experiences
[ ] I gain weight easily but can also lose it
TOTAL: ___/15

CHOLERIC (Fire):
[ ] I am driven, goal-oriented, and impatient with delays
[ ] I have a lean build and high metabolism
[ ] I run warm and prefer cool environments
[ ] I make quick decisions and am often irritated by slowness
[ ] I have strong digestion and rarely feel cold
TOTAL: ___/15

MELANCHOLIC (Earth):
[ ] I am introspective, analytical, and prone to worry
[ ] I have a thin frame and struggle to gain weight
[ ] I feel cold easily and prefer warm environments
[ ] I am detail-oriented and perfectionistic
[ ] I have irregular digestion (constipation or sluggishness)
TOTAL: ___/15

PHLEGMATIC (Water):
[ ] I am calm, easygoing, and avoid conflict
[ ] I have a soft, pale complexion and retain water easily
[ ] I sleep long hours and still feel tired
[ ] I move slowly and prefer routine
[ ] I have slow digestion and feel heavy after meals
TOTAL: ___/15

Scoring:
- Dominant: Highest score (usually 9-15)
- Secondary: Second highest (usually 6-9)
- Most people are a blend of 1-2 temperaments
- Scores within 2-3 points indicate balanced type (rare)

→ Dominant + secondary temperament ID'd + score profile showing primary tendencies.

If err: All scores within 2-3 pts → balanced temperament (unusual Hildegard). General recs avoiding extremes (no very hot or very cold foods).

Step 2: Elemental Balance Assessment

Current state reflects excess, deficiency, or balance of elemental qualities?

Elemental Imbalance Patterns:
┌─────────────────┬────────────────────┬─────────────────────────┐
│ Imbalance       │ Symptoms           │ Causation               │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ EXCESS AIR      │ Anxiety, gas,      │ Too much raw food,      │
│ (hot/moist)     │ scattered thoughts │ erratic schedule        │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ DEFICIENT AIR   │ Depression, rigid  │ Isolation, sedentary,   │
│                 │ thinking, isolation│ routine without joy     │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ EXCESS FIRE     │ Inflammation, acid │ Overwork, spicy foods,  │
│ (hot/dry)       │ reflux, anger      │ stimulants, summer heat │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ DEFICIENT FIRE  │ Cold extremities,  │ Sedentary, raw/cold     │
│                 │ low motivation,    │ foods, winter isolation │
│                 │ weak digestion     │                         │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ EXCESS EARTH    │ Stiffness, rigidity│ Overwork without rest,  │
│ (cold/dry)      │ constipation, fear │ dry foods, isolation    │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ DEFICIENT EARTH │ Ungrounded, flighty│ Lack of routine, travel,│
│                 │ anxious, diarrhea  │ insufficient protein    │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ EXCESS WATER    │ Edema, lethargy,   │ Sedentary, cold/damp    │
│ (cold/moist)    │ mucus, depression  │ foods, damp environment │
├─────────────────┼────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ DEFICIENT WATER │ Dry skin/mucous,   │ Dehydration, hot/dry    │
│                 │ hard stools, thirst│ climate, excess heat    │
└─────────────────┴────────────────────┴─────────────────────────┘

Assessment:
1. Match current symptoms to imbalance patterns
2. Consider season: Winter increases cold/dry (earth), Summer increases hot/dry (fire)
3. Note recent life changes: Travel, stress, diet shifts, illness
4. Determine if imbalance is acute (recent onset) or chronic (longstanding pattern)

→ ID 1-2 elemental imbalances ("Excess water + deficient fire" = cold/damp pattern + low vitality).

If err: Symptom pattern unclear/contradictory → default opposite qualities of dominant temperament. Choleric (hot/dry) feeling unwell likely excess fire → recommend cooling/moistening.

Step 3: Dietary Recs

Prescribe foods to rebalance per Hildegard's Physica + Causae et Curae.

Hildegard's Dietary Principles:

FOODS BY ELEMENTAL QUALITY:
┌──────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Quality      │ Foods                                      │
├──────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ WARMING      │ Spelt, fennel, ginger, galangal, cinnamon, │
│              │ nutmeg, lamb, chestnuts, cooked vegetables │
├──────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ COOLING      │ Lettuce, cucumber, pears, plums, barley,   │
│              │ fish, raw salads, diluted wine             │
├──────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ MOISTENING   │ Butter, cream, honey, figs, grapes, wine,  │
│              │ soups, stews, broths                       │
├──────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ DRYING       │ Rye, beans, lentils, roasted meats,        │
│              │ nuts (in moderation), aged cheese          │
└──────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────┘

TEMPERAMENT-SPECIFIC DIETARY GUIDELINES:

SANGUINE (Air — Hot/Moist) — Generally Balanced:
- Maintain variety, avoid dietary extremes
- Favor: Whole grains (spelt, oats), balanced proteins, vegetables
- Moderate: Rich foods, sweets (tend toward weight gain)
- Avoid: Excessive cold or excessively hot foods

CHOLERIC (Fire — Hot/Dry) — Cooling/Moistening Diet:
- Cool the fire, prevent inflammation and irritability
- Favor: Lettuce, cucumber, pears, fish, barley, diluted wine
- Moderate: Lamb, roasted meats, aged cheese
- Avoid: Spicy foods, garlic (raw), strong wine, overeating meat

MELANCHOLIC (Earth — Cold/Dry) — Warming/Moistening Diet:
- Warm the constitution, ease constipation and fear
- Favor: Spelt, fennel, ginger, cooked vegetables, soups, butter
- Moderate: Raw foods, salads (only in summer)
- Avoid: Rye, beans, cold foods, fasting

PHLEGMATIC (Water — Cold/Moist) — Warming/Drying Diet:
- Dry the dampness, increase vitality and motivation
- Favor: Spelt, chestnuts, roasted meats, ginger, galangal, nutmeg
- Moderate: Dairy, sweet fruits, wine
- Avoid: Cold foods, raw salads, excess liquids, pork

SPELT (Dinkel) — Hildegard's Universal Grain:
"Spelt is the best grain. It is warm, nourishing, and strong.
Whoever eats it has good flesh and blood, a happy mind, and a joyful spirit."
(*Physica*, Book I, Chapter 2)
- Recommended for ALL temperaments as foundation grain
- Superior to wheat, which Hildegard considered inferior

GALANGAL — Universal Digestive Spice:
"Let one who has pain in the heart or who has become weak in the heart
eat galangal, and he will be restored to health."
(*Physica*, Book I, Chapter 157)
- Warming, stimulating, heart-supporting
- Especially for melancholic and phlegmatic types

→ Specific food recs tailored to temperament + current imbalance + clear "favor/moderate/avoid".

If err: Dietary restrictions prevent (vegetarian can't eat lamb) → substitute within same elemental category (warming/cooling/moistening/drying). Plant-based options per category.

Step 4: Lifestyle + Seasonal

Non-dietary practices to rebalance: sleep, movement, prayer, seasonal rhythms.

Lifestyle Recommendations by Imbalance:

EXCESS AIR (scattered, anxious):
- Practice grounding: barefoot walking, gardening, repetitive handwork
- Reduce stimulation: Limit news, social media, multitasking
- Routine: Regular meal and sleep times
- Meditation: Breath-focused (shamatha), body scan

DEFICIENT AIR (depressed, isolated):
- Social engagement: Community, conversation, singing
- Variety: New experiences, travel, learning
- Movement: Dance, walks in nature (not isolated exercise)
- Meditation: Loving-kindness (metta), gratitude practice

EXCESS FIRE (inflammation, anger):
- Cooling practices: Swim, evening walks, avoid midday sun
- Rest: Prioritize sleep, avoid overwork
- Prayer/Meditation: Contemplative, slow-paced, non-goal-oriented
- Avoid: Competitive exercise, heated arguments, stimulants

DEFICIENT FIRE (cold, unmotivated):
- Warming practices: Morning sun exposure, moderate exercise, warming baths
- Challenge: Set achievable goals, take on new projects
- Social: Engage with energetic, positive people
- Movement: Brisk walking, dancing, labor

EXCESS EARTH (rigid, constipated):
- Flexibility: Yoga, stretching, massage
- Creativity: Art, music, play (non-structured)
- Moisture: Warm baths, soups, hydration
- Release: Journaling, confession, letting go of control

DEFICIENT EARTH (ungrounded, anxious):
- Grounding: Gardening, working with hands, routine
- Structure: Daily schedule, meal times, sleep rhythm
- Protein: Adequate protein at each meal
- Meditation: Walking meditation, mindful labor

EXCESS WATER (lethargic, damp):
- Movement: Daily exercise to promote circulation and sweating
- Warmth: Sauna, hot baths, warm clothing, avoid damp environments
- Stimulation: Engage with challenging tasks, avoid excessive rest
- Rhythm: Wake early, avoid napping

DEFICIENT WATER (dry, rigid):
- Hydration: Adequate water, broths, herbal teas
- Rest: Prioritize sleep, reduce activity if overworked
- Moisture: Humidifier in dry climates, oil massage
- Ease: Release pressure, practice self-compassion

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS (all temperaments):
- Spring (Air rising): Light diet, cleansing herbs, outdoor activity
- Summer (Fire peak): Cooling foods, swim, rest in heat of day
- Autumn (Earth settling): Harvest foods, prepare for winter, grounding practices
- Winter (Water depth): Warming foods, rest more, contemplation, less activity

→ 3-5 specific lifestyle recs addressing imbalance + align w/ Hildegard's holistic view (body, mind, spirit, nature).

If err: Recs overwhelming → prioritize 1 dietary + 1 lifestyle change to begin. Full rebalancing weeks to months — start small.

Step 5: Integration + Monitoring

Timeline, monitoring, reassessment.

Integration Protocol:
Week 1-2: Implement dietary changes gradually
- Replace 1-2 meals per day with temperament-appropriate foods
- Avoid abrupt elimination (can cause stress/imbalance)
- Note energy, digestion, sleep quality, mood daily

Week 3-4: Add lifestyle practices
- Choose 1-2 lifestyle recommendations to integrate
- Consistency matters more than intensity
- Continue dietary changes; they should feel habitual by now

Week 5-8: Assess progress
- Are original symptoms improving?
- Has energy/mood shifted?
- Any new imbalances emerging? (Sometimes correcting one reveals another)

Reassessment Triggers:
- No improvement after 4 weeks → Reassess temperament; may have misidentified
- Partial improvement → Continue current plan, allow more time (8-12 weeks)
- New symptoms → Overcorrection possible; reduce intensity of interventions
- Seasonal change → Adjust foods/practices for new season

Long-Term Practice:
Hildegard's system is preventive and lifelong. The goal is not to "fix" and return
to old habits, but to develop a sustainable, temperament-harmonious way of living.

→ User has clear timeline, monitoring, reassessment criteria.

If err: User reports worse after 1-2 weeks → reassess overcorrection. Too many warming foods → choleric type → excess fire. Dial back to neutral foods temporarily.

Check

• Temperament assessment done + dominant + secondary ID'd
• Elemental imbalance(s) ID'd (excess/deficiency air/fire/earth/water)
• Dietary recs w/ "favor/moderate/avoid"
• Spelt + galangal (Hildegard universals) included unless contraindicated
• Lifestyle recs address imbalance (grounding, cooling, stimulating, etc.)
• Seasonal adjustments noted if applicable
• Integration timeline (weeks 1-2, 3-4, 5-8)
• Monitoring + reassessment triggers documented
• User informed: holistic guidance not medical diagnosis

Traps

1. Rigid type-casting: Most ppl are blends. No force single temperament identity
2. Ignore season: Winter melancholic needs diff foods than summer melancholic
3. Overcorrecting: Excessive opposite qualities → new imbalance. Gradually
4. Modern food confusion: Hildegard's 12th-century European diet. Adapt to available w/ same elemental qualities
5. Expect fast results: Temperament constitutional; rebalancing weeks to months
6. Isolate diet: Hildegard holistic. Diet alone w/o lifestyle/spiritual integration incomplete
7. Neglect spiritual component: Causae et Curae integrates body + soul. Prayer, meditation, virtue = part of health

→

• formulate-herbal-remedy

  — herbs for temperament rebalancing (warming/cooling plants)

• practice-viriditas

  — spiritual practice supports holistic integration

• consult-natural-history

  — foods in Physica have temperamental + elemental props

• meditate

  (esoteric) — meditation tailored to temperament imbalance

• heal

  (esoteric) — post-assessment healing modalities for specific imbalances

• plan-garden-calendar

  (gardening) — seasonal food growing aligned w/ Hildegard's calendar