HIGHLY VARIED HOMEOPATHY

D.V. Rastorguev
OLLO Homeopathic Center

A review of the different methods of treatment united under the term "homeopathy"

CLASSICAL HOMEOPATHY

Synonyms: unicistic homeopathy, Hahnemannic homeopathy.

Classical homeopathy is homeopathy in the narrow sense--a specific tendency in medical therapy that was suggested about 200 years ago by the famous doctor and pharmacist S. Hahnemann. Classical homeopathy has a unique philosophy, diagnostic method, treatment and understanding of medicinal substances.

The following are the basic principles of classical homeopathy:

CURING LIKE WITH LIKE

In practice, that means that a medicine is prescribed for the symptoms
that it might cause if taking by a healthy person (for research purposes or
for other reasons).

In classical homeopathy, in the majority of cases, the medicine is specially prepared from certain types of minerals, plants or animals (in whole or part).

THE PRINCIPLE OF SMALL DOSES

The smaller the dose, the less is the likelihood of toxic or allergic action by the medicine. In addition, S. Hahnemann suggested original technology for preparing medicinal substances containing extra-low doses of the medicinal raw material but producing a biological and therapeutic effect. The modern technology of homeopathic production does not entirely correspond with Hahnemann's.

The principles of like curing like and small doses are the foundations of theory and practice. Therefore, the prescription of preparations from the cardiac glycoside group for heart failure is homeopathic. For example: when a healthy person is poisoned with foxglove or high doses of cardiac glycosides, symptoms of heart failure appear; small doses of the same cardiac glycoside reduces the incidence of heart failure among the sick. That example demonstrates treatment of usual (non-homeopathic) preparations with the principle of "like cures like" and "small doses." In general, descriptions of analogical the biphasic biological action of medicines or other substances depending on dosage can be found in physiology, pharmacology and other scientific disciplines.

MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION ON HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Medical experimentation on healthy subjects is the basic method of studying the healing action of medical preparations in classical homeopathy. A homeopathic preparation is given to a sufficient number of subjects and all objective symptoms and subjective sensations and complaints arising in its use are carefully recorded for a lengthy period.

Modern homeopathy continues to study various medicinal homeopathic substances. The best known experiment in Russia in recent years has been the testing of Peganum harmala.

ANTIMIASMATIC TREATMENT

This approach to the theory and practice of homeopathy is the most complex and is not used by all classical homeopaths. In reality, it is an approach ot the treatment of chronic diseases developed by S. Hahnemann at the end of his life. It is not the treatment of like with like, but the treatment of the hypothetical causes of chronic diseases.

From the modern scientific point of view, H. Hahnemann's teachings on miasms corresponds to a significant degree with views on slow infection.

MODERN TENDENCIES IN CLASSICAL HOMEOPATHY

The best known tendency in classical homeopathy in Russia is the school of J. Vithoulkas, R. Shankaran, D. Grandgeorge and A. Mazi. They differ from Ganemann in their deeper study of the psychological make-up of the patient, various preferences in the miasmic approach to homeopathy and more frequent use of nosodes (homeopathic preparations made from the substances produced by human illnesses). In addition, many modern schools of classical homeopathy use preparations made not by Hahnemannic technology, but by the significantly different technology of Korsakov.

PLURALISTIC HOMEOPATHY

Like other trends in homeopathy, this also arose from classical Hahnemannic homeopathy. While one homeopathic medicinal substance is usually prescribed in classical homeopathy, the pluralistic homeopath may prescribe several preparations simultaneously. Experiments with combinations of homeopathic preparations on healthy subjects are not conducted.

COMPLEX HOMEOPATHIC PREPARATIONS

These preparations arose from the writing of the pluralist homeopaths. They are combinations of single-component homeopathic preparations and are prescribed not on the principle of likeness, but according to confirmed results of their usage. As a rule, the technology of their manufacture differs in various ways from Hahnemannic technology.

SPECIFICS OF THE USE OF COMPLEX PREPARATIONS

Homotoxicology

This tendency in homeopathy was developed by H. Reckeweg on the basis of his study of homotoxicosis - a universal phase in pathological processes. Homotoxicology uses specially developed complexes of substances prepared from traditional homeopathic medicinal raw materials, such as the organs and fibers of animals and the products of human illnesses (nosodes).

Anthroposophical medicine

This therapeutic school is connected with the mystical teachings of R. Steiner, a counsellor, later opponent of E. Blavatskaya.

The technology of the production of the homeopathic preparations used in anthroposophic medicine may differ significantly from the Hahnemannic. However, anthroposophic doctors often use classical homeopathic preparations.

BIORESONANCE THERAPY,
ElectroAcupuncture by R. Voll

Specialists in this field use single-component homeopathic preparations produced by classical technology, or preparations that they make themselves. Some homeopaths use electro-acupuncture testing as a supplemental diagnostic technique along with homeopathic prescriptions.

RESUME

Classical homeopathy possesses all the advantages and potential of the homeopathic method and systemic understanding of homeopathic medicinal substances.

When speaking of homeopathy, it is essential to understand the various therapeutic methods and schools (partially) using the methodology and technology of classical homeopathy.