Assess Holistic Health

---
name: assess-holistic-health
locale: caveman-ultra
source_locale: en
source_commit: 82c77053
fence_basis_commit: 82c77053
translator: "Julius Brussee homage — caveman"
translation_date: "2026-04-19"
description: >
  Conduct temperament-based health assessment from Hildegard von Bingen's
  Causae et Curae. Evaluates the four temperaments (sanguine, choleric,
  melancholic, phlegmatic), elemental correspondences (air, fire, earth, water),
  and provides dietary and lifestyle recommendations for rebalancing. Use when
  understanding constitutional type in Hildegardian terms, experiencing
  imbalance (fatigue, digestive issues, mental fog) needing holistic guidance,
  seeking dietary recommendations by temperament, or researching medieval
  humoral medicine.
license: MIT
allowed-tools: Read
metadata:
  author: Philipp Thoss
  version: "1.0"
  domain: hildegard
  complexity: advanced
  language: natural
  tags: hildegard, temperament, humors, causae-et-curae, holistic-health, elements
---

# 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.

```text
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?

```text
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*.

```text
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.

```text
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.

```text
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