The four Temperaments
When my clinic first opened, a handful of cases sat there like stubborn corks in a bottle. Good remedies, smart lifestyle tips - nothing moved. Then I dusted off Rudolf Steiner’s four temperaments. Suddenly, those corks popped. Today I ask new clients just a few questions and watch how they sit or tell a story; within minutes I can sense which “weather pattern” leads their inner climate. Once I know that, everything—exercise, food, even remedy potency—locks into place like well-cut puzzle pieces.
A Two-Minute Origin Story
Ancient Greek doctors believed the body was run by four fluids—blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. Fast forward to the early 1900s: Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner keeps the same quartet but swaps the fluids for energies. He says each of us leans toward one of four “bodies”:
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Physical (earth)
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Etheric (water)
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Astral (air)
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Ego (fire)
When one body gets the spotlight for too long, it stamps us with a matching temperament: melancholic, phlegmatic, sanguine or choleric. Think of it as a built-in filter on the camera of your life.
Melancholic: the Deep Diver
You enjoy quiet corners, good books and questions that start with why. You carry yourself a little like an ancient oak—solid, slightly stooped, built for endurance. At your best you’re loyal and thoughtful; at your worst you can sink into gloom or stiff joints. Warm stews, gentle yoga and remedies that work slowly but surely (think Calc-Carb) tend to serve you best.
Phlegmatic: the Peaceful River
Picture a calm lake on a summer morning. That’s you: steady, nurturing and serenely hard to ruffle. Maybe the sofa and a snack call louder than a spin class. Your body likes rhythm—regular meals, regular sleep, tai chi, swimming. Digestive herbs and gentle drainage remedies often keep your inner tide flowing.
Sanguine: the Dancing Breeze
Ever-changing interests, quick laughter, bright eyes—you light up a room, then zoom off to the next one. Your challenge is follow-through. Short, varied workouts, colourful salads and frequent but low-strength homeopathic doses match your quick metabolism. Simple breath practices help you land when your mind starts cartwheeling.
Choleric: the Spark
Driven, decisive, maybe a tad volcanic—you’re the friend who organizes the hike and sets the pace at the front. Leadership is your gift; impatience your Achilles’ heel. Spicy food? Your body already runs hot, so cooling greens and bitters are better. One well-chosen high potency remedy, plus activities that channel fire into form (martial arts, focused strength training), tame the blaze without dimming the light.
How I Use This in Your Treatment
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Listening with Temperament Ears
During your first appointment I note speed of speech, posture, even how you describe pain. These clues help me pick remedies that match not just the symptom sheet but the person. -
Tailored Lifestyle Tweaks
A phlegmatic client might get a morning dry-brush routine to wake the lymph; a choleric, a cooling evening foot bath with peppermint; a melancholic, an afternoon sun-stroll; a sanguine, a phone timer that says “Finish one task!” -
Food as Friendly Medicine
Instead of one-size-fits-all diets, we align meals with your temperament: hearty roots for earth, hydrating fruits for water, leafy greens for air, bitters for fire. -
Right Dose, Right Rhythm
Cholerics often thrive on a single strong remedy and clear checkpoints. Sanguines prefer lower potencies revisited more often. Melancholics need gradual ramps; phlegmatics do well with organ-support combinations. The temperament map tells me when to repeat, when to wait, when to switch.
Why Patients Love It
It feels personal. Rather than a list of “don’ts,” you get advice that resonates with who you already are.
It’s easy to remember. “I’m a breeze—I need movement” sticks in the mind better than “reduce processed carbs.”
It empowers self-observation. Clients start spotting when their inner weather shifts—“I’m slipping from bright breeze to scattered storm cloud; time for those grounding stretches.”
A Quick Success Snapshot
Ellie, 32, came in buzzing—insomnia, racing thoughts, digestive flips. Classic sanguine. We swapped evening screen time for a five-minute candle-gazing ritual, gave her Coffea LM1 at night, and added a morning power-walk followed by three slow belly breaths. Three weeks later she slept through, digestion settled, creativity intact.
Final Word
Temperaments aren’t boxes; they’re melodies in a quartet. When one instrument gets too loud, health wobbles. Tune the volume, and the whole symphony—mind, mood, muscles, even your medicine—starts to play in harmony. If that sounds like music to your ears, let’s discover your inner weather pattern together.
What’s Your Temperament?
Choose the answer that best matches your natural tendencies—not just what you wish were true. If two answers seem to fit, pick the one that reflects your behavior most of the time.
1. When I enter a room full of people, I usually:
A. Quietly observe and wait for others to notice me
B. Stick close to someone I know and ease into the crowd
C. Float from group to group chatting easily
D. Take charge, introduce myself, and steer conversation
2. My energy throughout the day is best described as:
A. Low and steady, sometimes heavy
B. Calm and slow-moving unless something sparks me
C. High and changeable—sometimes I forget to eat!
D. Intense and focused, with strong bursts
3. I make decisions by:
A. Carefully weighing every possibility, often with hesitation
B. Trusting habits or what feels familiar and safe
C. Going with what feels exciting or interesting in the moment
D. Acting quickly and with confidence—let’s get it done
4. My digestion tends to be:
A. Slow, with constipation or tension in the belly
B. Sluggish, with bloating or water retention
C. Fast, but sometimes irregular or gassy
D. Prone to acidity or heat—burning or liverish
5. My body type is closest to:
A. Thin or bony, with narrow features
B. Rounded or soft, with a tendency to gain weight
C. Light, agile, or wiry
D. Strong, compact, or muscular
6. In relationships, I tend to be:
A. Loyal, reserved, and emotionally deep
B. Kind, nurturing, and avoidant of conflict
C. Affectionate, flirtatious, but sometimes inconsistent
D. Passionate, intense, and protective
7. My reaction to stress is:
A. I withdraw and become overly self-critical
B. I procrastinate and numb out with food or TV
C. I get scattered, anxious, or lose focus
D. I become irritable, short-tempered, or overly controlling
8. My learning style is:
A. Reflective and analytical—I need time to process
B. Repetitive—I like routine and learning by doing
C. Quick—I pick things up fast but sometimes forget just as fast
D. Strategic—I want to know why and how to apply it right away
9. My physical comfort zone is:
A. Warm and cozy—I dislike wind, cold, and drafts
B. Gentle and familiar—I dislike extremes of any kind
C. Light and mobile—I dislike heavy meals and sitting too long
D. Cool and calm—I dislike stuffy rooms and overheating
10. I feel most myself when I am:
A. Contemplating or creating something meaningful
B. Caring for others or enjoying life’s simple routines
C. Socializing, imagining, or trying something new
D. Leading, building, or striving toward a goal
✅ Scoring
Count how many A, B, C, and D responses you selected: