This post contains a little history lesson!

Humoral or Greek medicine was developed by the Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates in the 4th century B.C.E. then later expanded by other physicians, most notably Galen, Dioscorides and Avicenna. It is built on the principles of the four temperaments and four humors. The four temperaments and their humors are as follows:

-The phlegmatic temperament and the humor is phlegm

-The melancholic temperament and the humor is black bile

-The sanguine temperament and the humor is the blood

-The choleric temperament and the humor is the yellow bile secreted by the liver

According to humoral medicine, each of the humors need to be balanced in the body and that disease will occur when the humors are out of balance. Each of the temperaments has its unique features and characteristics as well. Of course, today we know that not one person falls into one of these categories but maybe a combination of each. I find this system of medicine fascinating, even though I don’t necessarily agree with everything it stipulates.

The phlegmatic temperament is characterised by someone who has a good-natured caring personality and is calm and relaxed. They tend to take it easy and are averse to exercise. A Phlegmatic person has a slow and sluggish metabolism and is predisposed to phlegm congestion, water retention and weight gain.

This recipe was developed to support clients with a phlegmatic temperament, and it includes warming vegetables to keep the phlegm humour from accumulating. The herbs and spices used are also warming and have stimulant and expectorant properties that allow the heating, drying and evaporation of the phlegm. Lean chicken was added to stimulate metabolism and keep the client satiated. This recipe is also quite flavoursome due to the variety of ingredients used.

Chicken and vegetable stir fry

Ingredients:

Marinade:

1 garlic clove, crushed

½ tsp ginger, crushed

½ tsp salt

⅛ tsp black pepper

⅛ tsp ground cinnamon

⅛ tsp cayenne

½ tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Other ingredients:

½ tbsp olive oil

¼ onion sliced

½ carrot

1 cup chopped cabbage

½ cup broccoli or cauliflower florets (if tolerated)

¼ red capsicum sliced

1 radish bulb sliced and greens chopped

½ tbsp tamari

100g protein of choice (diced chicken thigh fillet, beef strips, cubed tofu or prawns)

Method:

1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

2. Add the protein and ensure that it is well covered with the marinade.

3. Cover and marinate for about 15 minutes.

4. Heat a pan over medium heat.

5. Cook the marinated protein very well then set aside (about 7-10 minutes).

6. Add the remainder of the oil to the pan.

7. Cook the onions, cabbage, followed by the carrots, broccoli/cauliflower, capsicum and finally add the radish.

8. Add the cooked chicken to the vegetables then splash with the tamari.

9. Cook for a further 2 minutes.

10. Let it sit for 5 minutes before consuming.

This recipe makes one serve.

Chicken stir fry with a Hippocratic twist!