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. |