Module 5 Tibb Principle: Physis

Learning Outcomes:

• Recognise that physis is an inherent ability in health promotion and restoration in the human body.
• Appreciating that physis is our own personal doctor within us.
• Understand the important role physis plays and how it works at all levels in the body.

In this video, Professor Bhikha explains the Tibb principle of physis; the innate capability of the body to heal itself.

Introduction
The Tibb principle of ‘creation’ highlighted the perfection of creation with respect to temperament, structure, and function. Not only has everything been created in perfection, but every living organism, including human beings, possess an inherent wisdom of self- healing. Hippocrates described it is “vis medicatrix Natura” meaning ‘the ability of the body to heal itself’. Tibb calls this physis.

The way the physis works
Physis operates at every level and moment of human existence; from the moment of fertilization in the mother’s womb, continuing after birth and persisting until death. It functions during every second of existence – starting at a cellular level, to tissues and between the many internal organs, to restore health during illness conditions. Physis is the sum total of all the body’s natural, instinctive reactions and responses needed by a human being to stay healthy and well – it is part of our genetic make-up to ensure the continuity of life. Physis can be likened to having our own personal doctor living inside us.

As our internal doctor, physis is responsible for maintaining homeostasis between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of each person, and works at all levels in the human body.

Levels of physis in the human body

Physical	Physis controls the millions of biochemical reactions taking place at any instant – for protection, growth, tissue maintenance, reproduction and repair
Physiological	Physis ensures that all metabolic functions between the different organs and systems of the body are efficient and waste and toxins are removed
Psychological	Ensuring harmony and balance of emotions and the maintenance of good mental health is regulated by physis
Nervous System	Physis ensures that there is effective communication to and from the brain – the mind, body interaction – therefore, controlling all mental, emotional, and physical activities

Defence Mechanism

Physis ensures that infections arising from outside do not disturb the body’s internal harmony from an efficient immune system; the immune system is only one of the many systems controlled by physis

An example of how physis works is the way in which an individual reacts to eating something that disagrees with them; by either vomiting or getting diarrhoea. This is a physis response to restore homeostasis through elimination. Neither of the reactions should be suppressed but should rather be managed as they serve the purpose of purging the body of certain toxins. In Western medicine, symptoms of discomfort are dealt with by reaching for a quick- fix solution such as medication to stop the symptoms. This may interrupt and obstruct the work of physis, however in severe cases of illness conditions certain symptoms need to be treated; with severe diarrhoea or vomiting dehydration needs to be managed.

The role of Physis

Physis has an important role in maintaining and restoring health which is highlighted in the following quotes:

“Each person carries his own doctor inside him. We are at our best when we give the doctor who resides within each patient, a chance to go to work.” – Albert Schweitzer

“When physis is powerful enough to withstand the disease, it does not require the aid of the physician, as in the case of minor diseases that are self-healing.” – Al-Maliki

“…In fact, no herb, no food or any other substance or procedure can do anything on its own to heal. It can only assist the body in its own self-healing. If your finger is cut, it is not the stitches, the bandage or the iodine that causes it to heal; it is the skin itself that performs this miracle.” – Chishti

However, just as metabolism slows down with age, the efficiency of physis to restore homeostasis in the body becomes weaker from the age of 40.

The word “physician” is derivied from the word physis, where the role of the physician is to aid physis in the healing process not to oppose it – whilst treatment comes from outside, healing comes from within. Western medicine disregards the role of physis, by interfering with the body’s physiological and biochemical processes, working against this self-healing mechanism.

In addition to providing an understanding of the importance of physis in treatment, being constantly aware of physis, empowers an individual to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing for an improved Quality of Life.

References

1. Bhikha, R. (2006). 4 Temperaments 6 Lifestyle Factors. Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb, South Africa.

2. Nuland, S. B. (1998). How we live – the Wisdom of the Body. Vintage Press.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/934076.How_We_Live