Eight Essential Foods in Iranian Traditional Medicine and their Role in Health Promotion and Well‑being

Abstract

Eight essential foods (EEF) described in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) have a determinant role to balance human temperament insuring health and well‑being. EEF included oral, imaginary, auditory, visual, olfactory, touch, sexual, and familiarity food. Oral foods should be halal, compatible with
individual temper, consumed up twice a day, and compatible with different seasons and geographic conditions. Imaginary food consists of the individual thought content which is directly related to mental and physical fitness. It helps to balance temperament if be free of negative thoughts such as suspicion and distrust to others. Auditory food includes all sounds surrounding us, some of which are sedative and help to balance temperaments, such as natural sounds, and spiritual and beautiful words. Visual
food includes everything in the range of human vision which is impressive on his/her thought. Natural beautiful scenes have almost a warm temper and help to balance human temperament. Olfactory food includes odors which stimulate the smell. Touch food includes all materials in direct contact with body skin, like clothes, which have a determinant role in temper moderation in the case of being natural. Sexual food complies with the human need to express his/her love and/or is loved, so its fulfillment could prevent human mal‑temperament. Familiarity food can be provided by companion with friends and family members and has a significant role to insure well‑being. Given the comprehensiveness of EEF in ITM which covers all human health‑related aspects, we can insure health and well‑being
among our population by promoting and public educating of these principles.

Keywords: Eight essential foods, health promotion, Iranian traditional medicine