---
_id: '67590'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: 'The work of Oliva Sabuco, a Spanish philosopher and Renaissance writer, focuses
    on a holistic medical philosophy that intertwines physical, psychological, and
    social health. In her main work, Nueva Filosofía de la Naturaleza del Hombre,
    she explores the interaction between body and soul, emphasizing the crucial role
    of emotions and digestion in human health. Sabuco identifies three “pillars of
    health”: optimism, happiness, and digestive harmony. She argues that these factors
    promote harmony between the soul and body, which in turn enhances brain and bodily
    functions. Poor digestion or negative emotions, on the other hand, can disrupt
    the connection between the brain and body, leading to illness. A central concept
    in Sabuco’s theory is chilo, a nourishing fluid produced through digestion that
    sustains the brain. She highlights the importance of balanced nutrition, avoiding
    overeating, and selecting appropriate foods. Sabuco provides detailed dietary
    recommendations, including simple and nutritious meals, as well as practices for
    cleansing the body, such as induced vomiting and fasting. Her approach integrates
    anatomical knowledge, medical principles, and psychological influences to address
    and prevent illness. Sabuco advocates for personal responsibility and self-care,
    embedding her philosophy within a humanistic framework.'
author:
- first_name: Jil
  full_name: Muller, Jil
  id: '91668'
  last_name: Muller
  orcid: 0000-0002-4394-7531
citation:
  ama: 'Muller J.  Food and Remedies in Oliva Sabuco’s New Philosophy of Human Nature.
    In: <i>Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas in the History
    of Medicine</i>. ; 2026. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4">10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4</a>'
  apa: 'Muller, J. (2026).  Food and Remedies in Oliva Sabuco’s New Philosophy of
    Human Nature. In <i>Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas
    in the History of Medicine</i>. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4">https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4</a>'
  bibtex: '@inbook{Muller_2026, title={ Food and Remedies in Oliva Sabuco’s New Philosophy
    of Human Nature}, DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4">10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4</a>},
    booktitle={Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas in the
    History of Medicine}, author={Muller, Jil}, year={2026} }'
  chicago: 'Muller, Jil. “ Food and Remedies in Oliva Sabuco’s New Philosophy of Human
    Nature.” In <i>Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas in
    the History of Medicine</i>, 2026. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4">https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4</a>.'
  ieee: 'J. Muller, “ Food and Remedies in Oliva Sabuco’s New Philosophy of Human
    Nature,” in <i>Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas in
    the History of Medicine</i>, 2026.'
  mla: 'Muller, Jil. “ Food and Remedies in Oliva Sabuco’s New Philosophy of Human
    Nature.” <i>Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas in the
    History of Medicine</i>, 2026, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4">10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4</a>.'
  short: 'J. Muller, in: Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas
    in the History of Medicine, 2026.'
date_created: 2026-10-19T14:21:49Z
date_updated: 2026-10-19T14:21:54Z
department:
- _id: '519'
- _id: '856'
doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-17766-7_4
language:
- iso: eng
publication: 'Food, Plants, Remedies and Healing Practices: Women’s Ideas in the History
  of Medicine'
status: public
title: ' Food and Remedies in Oliva Sabuco’s New Philosophy of Human Nature'
type: book_chapter
user_id: '91668'
year: '2026'
...