When I first met Ida P. Rolf in 1973, she was teaching a basic Rolfing class in Lake Placid, Florida; and as her “secretary”, I was responsible for assisting in her travels and maintaining her household. One of the essential pieces of luggage she carried with her was a large, well-worn leather valise filled primarily with homeopathic remedies. These she administered both to herself and to some class members who needed this kind of assistance. Later I was to learn that Dr. Rolf studied homeopathis medicine in Geneva, Switzerland, circa 1927. With this bit of history in mind, the following article is offered for your consideration.

Anna E. Hyder

Former Rolf Lines Editor, 1973-1991

The search for healing has led mankind through diverse and often conflicting methodologies. The history of medicine is an abstract of this wide range of experiences, an interpretation, often casting aside pearls of wisdom which did not fit into the current paradigm of science. In fact, while the past century has infused science with the field theories of physics and the interdependency of biological ecology, the orthodox practice of medicine has remained based on a linear and causalistic model.

One of the most successful challenges to mechanistic methods in medicine is homeopathy. The homeopathic school of medicine was founded by Samuel Hahnemann,, a German physician, in the late 1700’s. Hahnemann challenged the attempts of physiologists to isolate disease processes as the sole cause of disease. He concluded that medicine could not be based on the shifting sands of medical theories, but must have a rational basis. He asserted that attempts to manipulate physiology with medications were insufficient, since they did not address the integrity and complexity of the organism as a whole. He stated that the mental and emotional symptoms of the sick were to be given priority in understanding the disease process, as well as those symptoms which characterize the uniqueness of the individual symptoms. Treat the patient, not the disease is the philosophy of homeopathy.

In Hahnemann’s time he had to rage against the use of toxic medications and improper treatment of sick. Having gained a reputation in analytical chemistry and medicine and as a writer on public health, he recommended sanitation methods which led to the prevention of infectious disease. He wrote against the mistreatment of the mentally ill, suggesting it was a treatable disease. Before his work on homeopathic medicines he developed a soluble form of mercury, and developed a safer method for its use. His treatise on arsenic poisoning is still considered authoritative.

However he was discontented with his inability to treat patients with success, and concluded that in fact, he was often doing them more harm than good. Retiring from practice in 1782, he spent the next fourteen years earning a meager living doing chemical research, writing, and translating medical works from English, French, Italian, and Latin. About this decision, he wrote:

It was painful for me to grope in the dark, guided only by books in the treatment of the sick. To prescribe according to this or that fanciful view of the nature of diseases, substances that owed to mere opinion their place in the material  medical. I had conscientious scruples about treating unknown morbid states in my fellow suffering creatures with these unknown medicines which, being powerful, substances, may if they were not exactly suitable (and how could the physician know whether they were suitable or not, seeing their peculiar special actions were not yet elucidated) easily change life into death, or produce new affections and chronic ailments, which are often more difficult to remove than the original disease. (Lesser Writings)

Hahnemann’s dilemma in his times did not differ so much from today, though modern science has helped to evolve public health and surgery, the treatment of chronic disease and psychological care remains uncertain.

In 1790, during his translation of a Scottish physician, William Cullen, he added a footnote disagreeing with Cullen’s conclusions that the basis of Cinchona bark, that is Quinine’s, effectiveness in malaria was due to its “bitter and astringent” qualities. He argued that there were several drugs in common usage that in smaller doses had greater bitter and astringent qualities, yet had no specific action upon fevers. As an experiment, Hahnemann took four drachms of cinchona twice daily, and soon developed the intermittent fevers common to malaria. Upon ceasing the drug they disappeared.

The Law of Similars: Like Treats Like

Hahnemann was not the first to test the effects of medicines on healthy persons to determine their range of curative action. However he was unique in elucidating the importance of understanding the diversity of symptoms, both physical and mental, produced by the medicine, as a descriptive representation of the psychosomatic syndromes they were capable of curing. Hahnemann defined his method of testing medicines on healthy people as “provings.” He expanded his investigations to include a wide range of medicines, including botanical, animal, mineral, and chemical substances.

Recent medical literature has contained examples of inadvertent provings: In 1983, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that pyridoxine (vitamin B6) which is used in some types of peripheral neuropathies, is also capable of producing neuropathies when given in larger doses.

Vitalism: A Holistic Model

Vitalism represents a philosophy of science which views the organization of biological life as a reflection of its inherent intelligence and that physiological changes are the result and not the cause of disease. This organization of the life process was considered spiritual, a vital and energetic pattern to which matter conforms. Disease, is therefore, regarded as a positive expression of the organism’s self-regulatory processes to maintain homeostasis. It is not by accident that disease arises, it functions to ward off deeper and more internal disorganization. Hahnemann  empirical investigations led not only to new applications of medicines, but provided a method for integrating the physical, mental, and emotional effects of a drug. This allowed for the treatment of the totality of the patient’s symptoms as a dynamic pattern of interaction. Homeopathic treatment aims at stimulating the organism’s inherent defense mechanisms. When medications are used solely for their physiological effect, they run the risk of creating dependency and disrupting vital immunological, hormonal, and emotional responses. This problem has been recognized by some medical authors, such as Boyd, who states in his Textbook of Medicine, “We recognize that the pattern of disease has changed out of recognition during the last thirty to forty years owing to modern drugs, particularly the antibiotics.”

Considering the vitalistic perspective of the homeopathic approach, a clear definition of cure is necessary to establish the treatment goal. Since the patient’s symptoms are viewed as the expression of the body’s attempts to heal itself, any symptomatic treatment which masked the symptom at the cost of the overall vitality and function of the individual is considered negligent by the homeopathic practitioner. For example if a child’s eczema is treated and appears to resolve, but is followed by asthma, fatigue, and confusion, it would not be considered accidental or unrelated. Cortisone which is often used in these situations is well known as an immunosuppressive anti-inflammatory. It is precisely these inflammatory responses which are common in eczema, asthma, and allergies. Therefore under proper homeopathic treatment, the asthma is treated as a suppressed condition, and an appropriate response would be an improvement of the asthma with a return of the eczema and with its subsequent alleviation.

Hering’s Laws of Cure

Constantine Hering, M.D. is considered the Father of American Homeopathy, establishing the first homeopathic medical school and hospital in the United States in 1835. It later moved from its original site in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, where it remains today as an orthodox medical school: Hahnemann Medical College. Hering’s promotion of homeopathy and the development of new medicines was equaled only by Hahnemann himself. His ten volume work, The Guiding Symptoms of Our Material Medical, remains a definitive work on clinical verifications of the homeopathic approach. It is unfortunate that of the many medicines introduced by Hering, only nitroglycerin remains in orthodox practice as a tribute to his medical genius.

Hering described Hahnemann’s observations in a set of guidelines for evaluating curative responses. These principles could be applied to any healing process, regardless of its methods. In true healing, according to these observations, symptoms will progress in the following patterns:

• From above downward through the body to its extremities.
• From within to without, often in the form of discharges and other eliminative processes.
• From the most important organs to the least important organs.
• For example the central nervous system or other life dependent systems would be seen as central, while the skin would be more peripheral.
• And finally, in reverse order of their appearance, that is with the reappearance of symptoms unwinding an  Ariadnian thread of pathological history.

Most central in homeopathic theory is the mental and emotional symptoms. These symptoms are viewed as positive homeostatic mechanisms, i.e. that symptoms have a purpose. Neurotic symptoms are understood to be more functional, than self-destructive and suicidal ideations. It is also noted that persons who have deep psychological disturbances do not manifest many acute ailments, such as flus. This is because the center of gravity of the patient’s illness is at a deep level; and therefore the defense mechanisms focus their energies on the most essential requirements for the individual’s survival.

Furthermore under successful treatment of disorders of a serious nature, patients do not always remember their previous symptoms. Why is this? It would seem that the self-protective nature of the defense mechanisms relieve our conscious memory of the state we have experienced. More importantly, if disease states are produced and expressed unconsciously, or subconsciously, then the treatment must be capable of reaching the level at which the disease is enacted. This where homeopathic medicines have been so useful, because of the exact similarity in which the medicine mirrors the symptomology of the disease state. This is the law of similars, to remind the body and psyche of a situation which it has become unconscious of responding to, like a virus which has entered the cell and is no longer recognized as foreign, yet still produces illness. No matter how much we attempt to talk ourselves into getting well, we still respond in chronic patterns. Psychological models often relying on providing coping mechanisms, which merely act as a protective persona, without any real integration of the problem.

Disease and cure must also be considered in the context of the culture and belief systems of the patient. Much of what we consider disease arises from the individual’s inability to find meaning and purpose, as well as emotional expression. Many forms of healing are capable of enabling the person to integrate into the fabric of daily life and of providing ways to help the person address personal needs for fulfillment.

More recently, George Vithoulkas, a contemporary homeopathic author and teacher, has defined health in the following criteria: The mind should be capable of functioning with clarity, rationality, coherence, and logical sequence. It should be capable of engaging in creative service for the good of others, as well as for oneself, demonstrating a freedom from selfishness and possessiveness. On the emotional level, there should be a state of serenity free from excessive passion, a state which should not be confused with lack of emotional response generated as a protection against emotional vulnerability. Finally, on the physical level, there should be freedom from pain. The healing person should experience a subjective sense of well being and a progressive increase in vitality.

Allopathy

Hahnemann defined the application of medicines whose purpose was limited to altering physiology or act as an antagonist to disease, as the practice of “allopathy” (allo meaning contrary in Greek). In this method diagnosis becomes the focus of practice. In medical practice today much of prescribing is based on lab values, rather than clinical diagnosis. Therefore symptoms which are not confirmed by the diagnosis are considered unrelated. The pharmacological approach is limited to the end results of disease, rather than the origins of pathogenesis.

Since only the primary action of the pharmaceutical agent is utilized in treating a specific disease state, the remaining physiological as well as psychological effects are ignored or classified as side effects. Hahnemann demonstrated through clinical verification of his theories that medicines should have no side effects if they are applied with the understanding of their total action. In fact, many of the symptoms disregarded by pharmacologists as secondary to its principle action, are homeopathic indications for its accurate prescription.

It is precisely this synergism of effects that allows the homeopath to individualize his prescription. Hahnemann questioned the applicability of testing drugs on animals. He observed that pigs could safely eat nux vomica in quantities that would immediately kill humans. Dogs could eat Aconite (monkshood), a deadly poison to humans, without injury. He also rejected testing the method of testing drugs on the sick as haphazard and unreliable, particularly since the results being sought were often only symptomatic relief, rather than eradication of the disease in its entirety.

Images of the Medicines

Since homeopathy views both patients and the medicines as psychosomatic images, the concept of constitutional types has influenced prescribing. Patients may be described as a “Sulphur type” because they represent the archetypal Sulphur symptomology found commonly. The Sulphur patient is described as the ragged philosopher, who remains so entrenched in his ideas, that he ignores his physical care and surroundings. He might keep piles of books on his table, yet at a moment’s notice, he can pull out from what others might consider a mess, the one paper that will support the theory he is dissertating on. The Sulphur patient tends to be self centered and rather arrogant, thinking they can resolve the secrets of humanity through their complex study and research. They tend to produce skin lesions, they are warm in general, in fact they might stick their feet out of the bed at night. They produce foul smelling discharges, often discolored yellow like the element Sulphur itself.

Sulphur, is in fact, one of the most important medicines used in homeopathy, and its symptomology is vast. However it is this ability to understand the underlying theme in Sulphur’s image that leads the homeopath to consider its use. Then comes the tedious task of differentiating Sulphur from other remedies that share common symptoms.

Pulsatilla nigrans, the wind flower, also is a warm patient, but Pulsatilla’s personality is sensual and emotional. They share yellow discharges, but where Sulphur’s discharges are foul and yellow, Pulsatilla’s are thick and yellow. The Pulsatilla patient will weep easily, they are often sick from griefs as they tend to yield in relationships and can become pathologically attached to their partners. Their moods are changeable. Pulsatilla is one of the main remedies in hormonal changes, particularly in premenstrual tension.

Calcarea carbonica, which comes from the oyster shell, shares Sulphur’s problem with their feet getting too warm at night and having to stick them out. However Calcarea is generally chilly; an earthy sort, they are methodical and plodding. These are the mainstays of any office, whose consistency and dependability are necessary to getting the job done. Where Sulphur would have one project after another half baked, Calcarea is organized and efficient. They are remembered by the triad of symptoms: obesity, difficulty breathing on exertion, and constipation. Calcarea tends to be heavy set and constipated; they huff and puff up steps and have to catch their breath at the landing. As children they are little bruisers, solid stocky children, whose heads sweat at night. And they have fears, especially of ghosts, nightmares, and questions that seem prematurely serious for their age. They want to know where we came from, and who God is. It is a common medicine in chronic ear infections of children.

Since specific mental or emotional symptoms are primary in analyzing a case for a homeopathic prescription, one can differentiate based on a symptom such as jealousy, grief, anger, or a specific phobia or delusion. One of the most effective medicines in suicidal depression is Aurum metallicum, that is gold. The Aurum patient is one who has a long history of being extremely serious. They take their work seriously and feel a great responsibility for their actions. So if they fail at anything it is devastating. They become extremely anxious and irritable and will have moments when they see a way out. They may come to a ledge and think, this is my chance! Or while driving they may become so involved in their anguish that they drive faster until they run into a tree at some curve.

In the past, gold was associated with the sun, and the heart. Aurum is a major remedy in the treatment of heart disease. In orthodox medicine, gold injections are used in the treatment of arthritis, in homeopathy, gold has been found to be useful in arthritis, as well as having successfully treated bone tumors and chronic effects of syphilis. One can see by these diverse effects that to simply inject arthritic nodes with gold salts in the treatment of arthritis, would fail to understand the true relationship of gold to arthritis. For the Aurum patient, the sun has gone from their life. If we understand the essential character and effects of the medicine, Aurum metallicum, we can administer it in a way in which it acts in a much more profound way.

Specific delusions are recorded as having been cured by homeopathy. A person who believes they see demons or a devil, may need Belladonna, Pulsatilla nigrans, the metal Zinc, or Platinum. Platinum is a medicine which has been used in violent impulses to kill and nymphomania. Belladonna is used in common fevers as well as convulsions and delirium. In fact, Hahnemann’s insight into its use in scarlet fever in the 1800’s led to the widespread use of homeopathy in that disease with much greater success than orthodox methods. Zinc is used in neurological disorders, often involving the central nervous system.

A wide range of fears are also listed. Fear of the dark, claustrophobia, death, of disease, of going insane, are just a few. There is a preponderance of symptoms in the homeopathic materia medica describing an entire range of human experience.

Healing the Emotions

Since healthy relationships are essential to the well being of people, we find a great deal of difficulty arising from the inability to express love. Much of the grief and dissatisfaction arising from misunderstandings in relation ships are at the core of illness. So many problems can be antedated to a period in which there was a separation or loss. Abuse and abandonment are critical wounds that may affect development for years to come. Yet each of us responds to traumas in a unique way. Two children of the same parents will react to similar stresses each according to his or her own nature.

Sexuality plays a key role in the genesis of relationships as an adult. Often in a homeopathic interview, the expressions of sexuality are a key to understand the motivations of the overall personality. Suppression of sexual desire, as well as sexual dysfunction and mental disorders surrounding sexual activity are addressed. We mentioned Platinum as being used in both psychotic impulses and nymphomania. One patient was seen for ovarian tumors who, on further questioning, admitted to having impulses to kill her children, which she could not explain. On further questioning about her sexuality, she became angered, and insisted she was just like anyone else. Well, since Platinum is known to have successfully treated ovarian tumors, and is one of the few remedies listed under both impulses to kill and complaints from the suppression of sexual desire, it was presumed her anger at the questions on her sexuality was due to her inability to express it in the society in which she lived. So a dose of Platina acted beautifully. She did not return for a year, and that was to accompany a relative. All her complaints had been resolved and she no longer had impulses to kill her children.

Homeopathy can be utilized to great advantage in conjunction with counseling in these cases. Homeopathy can be used to treat the basic impulses, while counseling helps to integrate the unfoldment of the emotions and place it constructively in context. Learning the tools of communication is essential for healthy relationships, and this should be a priority in primary and secondary education. We are taught about DNA in high school before we know about human anatomy and biology. If basic health and psychological skills were taught before adult relationships were established, a great deal of mistakes and subsequent illness could be avoided.

Homeopathic medicine is a therapeutic tool which addresses at a profound level the nature of disease and the interpenetration of the mind /body relationship. In the context of treatment, the many influences both environmental and endogenous are considered and appropriate consideration as to their prevention and cure are enacted. The goal is to understand natural science in such a way that we can aid in the processes of healing, rather than disrupting them. Homeopathy offers perhaps the most diverse model in western science for addressing these concerns, and it is confirmed both clinically and by the intelligent discoveries of other true scientists and healers.

Dr. Andrew Lange served as Chair of the Department of Homeopathic Medicine and supervising physician at Bastyr College in Seattle. He also taught at the College of Homeopathy in London. He began his homeopathic studies in 1976 and obtained his clinical training through extensive apprenticeships to master homeopaths, Marion Belle Rood, M.D. and the late Alan Sutherland, M.D. He has studied with George Vithoulkas in both the U.S. and Greece, as well as having consulted clinics of natural therapeutics in Europe and India.

He received his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 1984 from Bastyr College. He is a Diplomate of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians and an Honorary Member of the All Nepali Homeopathic Association.

He presently is in practice at Circle Health Center in Boulder, Colorado.

© Andrew Lange N.D. 1989

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