Pflanzen Anhang 1
[David
Little]
Chronic
Diseases
The mineral
remedies are at the forefront of anti-miasmic and constitutional treatment yet
the plant group also contains many deep antipsoric and constitutional remedies
grouped around the
multi-miasmic,
Lyc. Vide Clarke's Dictionary, Volume 2,
on page 329.
"Lyc. is one of the pivotal remedies
of the materia medica, and an intimate acquaintance with its properties and relations
is essential to a proper understanding of the materia medica as a whole. The
spores from which the attenuation are made have been called "vegetable
Sulph.' (probably on account of their use for producing stage-lighting at
theaters), and Lyc. ranks with Sulph. and Calc. in the central trio around
which all the rest of the materia medica can be grouped. The Lyc. stands
between the mosses and the ferns, and in past eras occupied a most important
place in the world's vegetation as fossil show".
The trio of
cardinal antipsorics, Sulph., Calc., and Lyc. represent the mineral, animal and
plants worlds respectively. All of these remedies are very primitive in nature
and have deep multi-miasmic powers. The early land plants of the Devonian
period c.395 million years ago include the Lichens (Stict.), Fern Allies
(Lyc.), Ferns (Filx.) and Coniferea.
Lyc. is the
pivotal remedy of the Lichens, Fern Allies and Ferns while Thuja is the central
remedy of the gymnosperms. The most proven remedies of this primitive group
have strong
antisycotic
powers although Stict. Is useful in TB miasma combined with arthritic
diathesis. Lyc. is made from 'spores' while gymnosperms mean "naked
seeds". Is it any wonder that Lyc., Thuja and Sabina have antisycotic
powers? The quadra-miasmic powers of Lyc. demonstrated in the psora, sycosis,
pseudopsora and syphilitic miasms.
The
categories of acute and chronic remedies are relative in nature. For example,
Ars. is a deep chronic poisonous mineral but it can be used as an acute intercurrent
such as in a case of food poisoning. When Ars. is administered by the
fundamental causes and the 7 constitutional factors (aph. 5), as well as the
totality of the symptoms (aph. 6), it acts as a constitutional remedy. When
Ars. is administered in an acute disorder by the exciting cause, and active
crisis symptoms, it acts like an acute intercurrent (the Chronic Diseases,
Theoretical Part, page 224). This is part of the case management strategies
associated with H.'s gestalt therapy. Ars. covers both acute and chronic states
depending on how it is used. The same is true of many constitutional plants.
Some of the apsoric remedies do not have this grand sphere of influence and are
more suitable for acute conditions and crises.
Apsoric has
a special meaning in H.ian Homoeopathy. Here is the list of apsorics in the
order of the introduction to H.'s practice:
Acon./Arn./Bell./Camph./Caps./Cham./Chin./Cocc./Dros./Hell. Hyos. Ign. Ip. Led.
Nux-v. Op. Puls. Rheum. Stram. Valer.
Verat. Cann-s. Cina. Dulc. Mosch. Bry. Rhus-t.
Asar./Olnd./Squill./Chel./Ruta/Samb./Spig./Staph./Tarax./Ang./Cic./Coloc./Spong./Verb./Merc-r-f./Ars-s-f./Ambra/Petros./Euphorbium.
Of the 45 remedies listed there are no minerals, 43 plants and 2 animal
remedies.
These
remedies are called apsorics because they are not similar to one or all 3
phases of the chronic miasms (primary, latent and secondary stage). They only
reflect one aspect or another of the chronic syndromes. Some of these remedies
have proven themselves to be anti-miasmic over the years. For example, Ambra,
Staph.Puls. and Nux-v. have proven to be constitutional remedies with
antimiasmic powers. A careful review of the apsoric list closely shows many
remedies known for acute disorders, exposures, physical and mental traumas,
crisis, acute miasms, as well as an acute-like acceleration of chronic miasms
and pathological crises. These remedies are acute crises remedies and acute
intercurrent remedies.
What is the
fundamental difference between the two basic categories of remedies in the
materia medica? The answer can be found in the nature of acute and chronic
diseases and the theory of time and progression. The anti-miasmic plants
reflect the same cycles observed in the chronic mineral and animal remedies.
The apsoric acute, trauma and crisis remedies demonstrate cycles similar to
trauma, acute disorders, acute miasms and the flare up of chronic miasms. The
anti-miasmic plants (Lyc.) have a close relationship with minerals (Sulph.) and
animal remedies that are affected strongly by their mineral constituents
(Calcarea).
Another
simple example of a three-kingdom remedy family is the apsoric Ign.
(plant-Loganiaceae) which is an acute reflex of chronic Nat-m. (sodium-mineral)
complemented by Sep. (Marine animal-Mollusca). This trio has been witnessed in
countless cases.
The lower
orders of plants: Fungi, Fern
allies and Gymnospermae contain many deep
acting anti-miasmic plants.
The
greatest numbers of remedies are found within the more recent evolutionary
families of the Dicocotyledons: Compositae/Papilionoideae/Ranunculaceae/Umbelliferae/Solanaceae/Euphorbiaceae/Rubiaceae/Rutaceae/Anacardiaceae/Lauraceae/Cactaceae/Phytolaccaceae/
Many of the
major plant families revolve around the well known polychrests like satellites.
If you recognize the polychrests by families it is easier to learn the rest of
the remedies in the group.
The study
of the symptoms of the
strong
exciting causes and crises. The antipsoric (miasmic) plants demonstrate chronic
symptoms similar to their mineral complements (Lyc. and Sulph.). Many of the
plant remedies are well known for their role in cases where the organic
pathology becomes the active layer and appears as a regional affection. The
biochemical qualities of plants differ from the inorganic minerals in that the
botanical world represents carbon-based organisms. This structure is founded on
protoplasm (CHON = carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) which reflects the
cellular organization as witnessed in the human organism. This is why the plant
remedies have special affinities with specific systems, regions, organs, and
tissue. Many so-called constitutional homoeopaths have overlooked this
essential aspect of the materia medica.
Certain
plant remedies are well known for their specific actions on the mind (intellect,
emotions), physiological systems (nervous, circulation, glandular, lymphatic),
regions (head, throat, abdomen, rectum, left, right), vital organs (heart,
lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys), humours (bilious, phlegm, blood, atrabile),
tissues (skin, mucus membranes, bones), and stages of life (children,
adolescence, menopause, old age).
This become
more apparent as one studies the individual plant families. For example, the Compositae family includes the traumatic
group (Arn., Bell-p., Calen., Mill.), the bilious group (Cham, Card-m, Tarax),
the spasmodic and anthelmintica group (Absin, Cina, Art-v), and the allergenic
respiratory group (Ambo., Solid., Wye.). Such remedy relationships are an
integral aspect of complete case management strategies.
Over the
years I have noticed a number of conditions, signs and symptoms which are
somewhat characteristic of the plant family. The following therapeutic hints
are somewhat indicative of the plant remedies although each genus is modified
by its own unique traits. The plant kingdom has a powerful effect on the
emotional disposition causing never ending alternations of moods, feelings,
sensations, disorders, and mistunements. The plants initially mistune the
emotional disposition (Gemüt) in the same way that the minerals target the
intellect (Geist), and the animal remedies the instinctual level (vital force).
Through the disruption of the emotional disposition the individual loses
control over the rational spirit leading to hysterical-like states.
The plant
remedies of the materia medica reflect many clear constitutional pictures. H.
stressed the importance of the emotional disposition and mind in case taking in
the Organon (aph 5). We know from his casebooks that he occasionally noted the
Hippocratic diathetic constitution and temperament of his clients as well.
The first
complete temperamental portrait may be found in H.'s lecture on Puls. in the
Materia Medica Pura, page 345.
"The homeopathic
employment of this, as of all other medicines, is most suitable when not only
the corporeal affections of the medicine correspond in similarity to the
corporeal symptoms of the diseases, but also when the mental and emotional
alterations peculiar to the drug encounter similar states in the disease to be
cured, or at least in the temperament of the subject under treatment".
"Hence
the medicinal employment of Puls. will be the more efficacious when, in
affections for which this plant is suitable in respect to the corporeal
symptoms, there is at the same time in the patient a timid lachrymose
disposition, with a tendency to inward grief and silent peevishness, or at all
events a mild and yielding disposition, especially when the patient in his normal
state of health was good tempered and mild (or even frivolous and good
humouredly waggish).
It is
therefore especially adapted for slow phlegmatic temperaments; on the other
hand it is but little suitable for persons who form their resolutions with rapidity,
and are quick in their movements, even though they may appear to be good
tempered."
H.'s
constitutional portrait includes the character of the individual in the time of
health as well as disease. His temperamental picture includes the attributes of
the natural constitution (timid lachrymose dispositions), the Hippocratic
temperament (slow phlegmatic temperament), positive natural traits
(good-tempered, mild, good humouredly waggish when healthy), and negative
emotions (inward grief and peevishness). This remedy portrait includes
congenital, positive and negative natural qualities of the person in the state
of health and disease. This information is included within the totality of the
signs and symptoms. The vegetable kingdom reflects many recognizable constitutional
portraits.
When a
plant remedy suits the innate temperament, spiritual and emotional disposition,
and the general symptoms, it will act very deeply on the whole constitution. A
pure simile between a plant remedy and a human being results in very deep
therapeutic actions. In some cases a medicine not known for its antimiasmic
powers will cure a complex disease and chronic miasms. In other cases the plant
remedy will need the assistance of chronic intercurrents and complementary
remedies from the other kingdoms. There is no absolute line drawn between
remedies that are psoric and those that are apsoric. The full therapeutic range
of a constitutional remedy can only be found by observing its action on the
individual to whom it is administered.
The apsoric
plant remedies come into action during mental or physical crisis. They are well
known for acting on different conditions, constitutions, regions, organs and
tissues thus suiting the symptoms of pathological crises. For example, when
treating active TB miasm where the tubercles have already formed, deep-acting
psoric plants, minerals, animal remedies and nosodes are counter indicated. The
administration of deep acting remedies like Lyc., Iodum, Sulph., and
Tuberculinum can be dangerous at this time. It is best to begin with the
apsoric plant remedies like Acal, All-s., Bals-p., Bry., Bapt., Dros., Mill.,
Puls., Sang., Still., etc., to ameliorate the hectic fever, reduce tubercles,
and the danger of complications.
As the
organic pathology is slowly reduced, and the patient gains vitality, the deeper
acting mineral remedies and nosodes can be used to complete the cure. Giving
constitutional remedies at the wrong time may end the suffering of the patient
by dispatching them to another world. Other types of pathological crises are
similar. Cases with advanced degenerative pathology must be treated in layers.
It is here that the specific regional targets of the plant remedies become
highlighted. In general, the nutritional plants and herbs are the most gentle,
the toxic herbs are more heroic, and the poisonous plants are violent. The ant
miasmic plants may have very acute stages but they also reflect the more
insidious long-term actions shared by the mineral remedies and nosodes.
The plant
temperament represents the struggle between rapidly changing emotions and
mental control. The strong emotions of the plant remedies tend to overcome the
intellect leading to confusion. Many plants express quick changes, deep
feelings, sensations, and alternating moods. The plants are closely related the
cycle of the day and night as well as the changing of the four seasons.
Emotional fullfillment is very important to the plant temperament as they
reflect the beauty of nature's grasses, flowers and trees. Under continual stress
the plants tend to progress toward the mineral and animal complements which
express similar symptoms. The plants are prone to crises brought on by physical
and emotional traumas that cause acute-like acerbations of the chronic miasms
and pathology. The apsoric plant families reflect sudden onsets, rapidly
changing stages, crises and complications while the psoric plants possess
insidious onsets, steady movements toward pathology and chronic degenerative
states and miasms.
The plant
temperament is very susceptible to ailments from emotions.
Ailments
from anger found in the
Ranunculaceae/Papaveraceae/Menispermaceae/Solanaceae/Loganiaceae/in the bilious
Compositae (Cham., Card-m., Tarax.),
The over
joyous states are clearly reflected in the Ranunculaceae, Solanaceae,
Rubiaceae, Liliaceae, and Iridaceae (Croc.).
Ailments
that include fear, fright and shock suit Ranunculaceae, Papaveraceae,
Solanaceae, Loganiaceae, Liliaceae, Euphorbiaceae (Manc.).
Plants that
often suffer complications of physical trauma and shock are reflected in the
traumatic Compositae (Arn., Bell-p., Calen., Eur-p., Mill., Echi., etc.).
The plant
temperament is disposed to nervous excitement and is < the slightest noise
and disruption. The plants are dependent on their environment and oversensitive
to the emotions of others.
This
nervous excitement exacts a great toll on their emotional disposition and moves
them toward nervous breakdown. This tendency is seen throughout many of the
plant families including the Umbelliferae/Rubiaceae/Loganiaceae/Ranunculaceae/Solanaceae/in
the Compositae (Cham., Cina)/Anacardiaceae.
The
Gentianales is quite characteristic of nervous excitement as it contains both
the Loganiaceae and Solanaceae families. The plant remedies tend to make
gestures that reflect their emotional excitement, which take the form of chorea
in serious cases.
The plant
temperament is oversensitive to environmental changes and prone to rapid
crisis. The alternating symptoms and rapid changes in plant temperament are
seen in the
Ranunculaceae/Umbelliferae/Liliaceae/Iridaceae/Loganiaceae/Rubiaceae/Solanaceae/Valerianaceaea/Myristicaceae.
The plant temperament quickly cheerfulness and sadness and jesting # anger and
quick repentance. They are playful, singing and dancing at one moment and the
next melancholic or hysterical. In the rubric for hysteria with
"fainting" there are 18 plants, 2 minerals and 2 animal sources. The
plants are very "faint' remedies when compared with the minerals. They are
easily made faint by emotions and excitement so their thoughts can vanish in a
moment. The alternation of mental and physical symptoms is also characteristic
of the many plant families.
The plant
temperament is prone to imaginations and fancy of an exalted nature. Found in
Anacardiaceae/Solanaceae/Cannabinaceae/Rubiaceae/Umbelliferae/Papaveraceae/Myristicaceae/
Compositae/Loganiaceae/Ranunculaceae. This symptom runs through most of the
plant families alternating with opposite states. Many of the plant temperaments
feel that this world is a bad dream and try to remove themselves from this
reality by living in a world of fantasy. They often feel most at peace in
nature surrounded by the good earth, plants and animals. The plant family is
quite amorous, sexual, and fertile (Solanaceae/Rubiaceae/Loganiaceae/Ranunculaceae/Lyc.).
They seek to have ideal relationships that often clashes with reality. Ailments
from unrequited love and
grief are
found among the leading remedies of the
Solanaceae/Ranunculaceae/Loganiaceae/Cucurbitacae/Liliaceae. Such remedies are
very useful in the acute and crisis state and may need complementary mineral or
animal remedies to complete the cure. Some plants react by having many sexual
relationships while others withdraw sexually or escape into fantasy and
masturbation.
If the
plant temperament can not find emotional happiness they withdraw into a world
of fantasy.
The plant
temperaments often feel as if they are in a dream because they can not relate
to what others consider reality. Found in Anacardiaceae/Solanaceae/Rubiaceae/Loganiaceae/Umbelliferae/
Papaveraceae/Myristicaceae/Iridaceae/Ranunculaceae/Valerianaceaea/Cannabinaceae.
The plant remedies are prone to states where fantasy and reality are mixed in a
creative and destructive ways. When emotional stress increases to the breaking
point, the plant temperament enters delirium, hysteria, hypochondriasis and
melancholia. The rubric, dreams from emotional causes, is led by plants such as
Acon., Stram., Gels, Ign., Nux-v., Op., Cann-i., etc.. This rubric is based on 21
plants, 8 minerals and 3 animals. This is a sign of how deeply the emotional
disposition and subconscious mind are affected in the plant remedies.
A deep
sense of duality runs through the plant temperament as seen in Anacardiaceae/Loganiaceae/Iridaceae/Cannabinaceae/Myristicaceae/Papaveraceae/Leguminosae.
This duality is shared
with the
animal poison remedies. The only mineral known for a strong sense of duality is
Phos. The plant remedies are prone to so many emotional changes that they no
longer feel like one person. The sensation of feeling "scattered" is
most famous in Bapt., where it reaches fullest expression. The duality of the
plant temperament runs in line with feeling as if in a dream and the withdrawal
into fantasy. This duality affects their emotional disposition so they are
never emotionally fulfilled nor feel complete. They are always looking for a
soul mate or partner to make them whole. They are often dependent on others for
fulfillment which makes them prone to emotional disappointments. The duality of
the plant remedies leads to full breaks with reality in the form of hysteria
which demonstrates that the subconscious emotions are gaining control over the
rational mind.
It may come
as a surprise that the rubric for rage includes 60 plants, 24 minerals, and 3
animals. Including the leading remedies of
Anacardiaceae/Ranunculaceae/Umbelliferae/Solanaceae/
Loganiaceae/Papaveraceae/Liliaceae/Lyc. The rage of the plant kingdom is often
quick to rise and is often followed by repentance. It is an emotional explosion
rather then the calculated revenge of the minerals or the competitive battle of
the animals. This rage often alternates quickly with other emotions such as
happiness and sadness. Their rage is a last emotional cry for help before they
completely lose all mental control. They need their emotional feelings to be
heard or they will compensate with mood swings, fantasy, hysteria, fainting,
acting, hypochondriasis, melancholia and nervous breakdowns. The source of the
problem is often frustrated love, disappointment, and confused sexual
instincts. These compensations are a desperate cry for love and attention. A
well-nourished plant is usually healthy.
The
destructiveness of the plants is usually an emotional cry for help. The plant
temperament will make an emotional scene at the most difficult of times causing
everyone present to stop what they are doing and take notice. This is a form of
emotional sabotage that seems mindless but has a definite subconscious purpose.
Destructiveness of the plants is clearly seen in the rubric for children, which
has 9 plants (Anac./ Bell./ Cham./ Cina./ Hyos./ Nux v./ Staph./ Stram./
Verat.), 1 mineral (Hep.), 4 animal remedies (Canth./ Lach./ Sepia./ Tarent.)
and 3 nosodes (Carc./ Med./ Tub). The
hysterical fits of plants are destructive of clothes, objects, and they may
throw things. When a plant remedy loses mental control they can strike, bit,
kick, scratch, or kill in a fit of passion. Sudden attacks suits remediesin Solanaceae
(Bell./Hyos./Stram.) while more chronic states suit anti-miasmics like Lyc./
Nux-v. and Staph.
The plant
remedies flourish in an atmosphere of love and kindness. They are sensitive to
the emotional and physical environment and suffer when overexposed physically
and mentally. They are affected by the long-term effects of emotional and
physical trauma and have a tendency toward crises. The emotional life of the
plant remedies is very important, as they are dependent on their lover, home,
mother, father and siblings for attention. If this domestic environment is
dysfunctional they begin compensating for the lack of love by making emotional
scenes and having hysterical-like emotional attacks. The cause of their
problems is unrequited love by a fantasy or real lover.
1. When in
the functional stage the plant temperament is cheerful, amorous, and sensitive
but under acute stress they react with acute disorders, emotional crisis, and
mental # physical symptoms. The plant remedies feel things very deeply and they
suffer when their emotions are ignored or repressed. The first stage of stress
leads acuteness: hysteria/delirium/faintness/anxiety/fright/confusion and panic
attacks. They are full of tears then suddenly react with laughter and other
mood swings and have trouble maintaining mental control. Their delicate plant
nervous system can not stand much strain without emotional and physical
symptoms. The males tend to become more unruly and repress their emotional pain
and sensitivity with angry outbursts that produce bilious, nervous and other
concomitants.
2. plant
temperament is one of resistance in which their repressed material is
transformed into compensations. In the stage of adaptation they use all the
mental control they can muster to overcome their mood swings and emotions,
especially in front of people. They try to control themselves but they can not
suppress their repressed emotions. As time goes on they become more and more
sensitive to their physical and emotional environments. As their frustration
increases it transforms into irritability, contrariness, and attacks of rage
that are a final cry for attention. If this desperate call for love is ignored
they turn destructive.
3. what
little mental control the patient has is lost to a sea of rapidly changing
emotions and sensations. Their frustrated love of life is now transformed into
rage and destructiveness. Now the hysterical fits, emotional rages, and
emotional sabotage demands immediate attention to their provocative actions.
They will do dangerous things or act as if they are going to injure themselves
or others. In the phase of exhaustion stage they may fall into the opposite
state of withdrawal and melancholia where they are dreamy, withdrawn, comatose,
or lost in state of fantasy where they don't wish to recognize anyone or wish
to know anything. Here the plant temperament falls to nervous breakdowns,
insanity and suicide.
The above
symptoms are therapeutic hints of the plant remedies rather than definitive
rubrics. Only a complete analysis of the signs, befallments and symptoms of
each individual case will demonstrate the correct mineral, plant or animal
remedy. This is rather straightforward where there is a full display of
constitutional symptoms. There are, however, certain conditions, signs and
symptoms that cause the homoeopath to study the lesser known intercurrent and
regional plant remedies. These smaller remedies do not normally show through
the polychrests on repertorization. This therapeutic lacuna includes a great
number of plants that play a pivotal role in complete case management.
An
excellent way to learn the plant remedies is to study botanical families and
species in groups. On this basis one then learns the relationships of remedies
to other related plant, mineral, and animal remedies. In this way the
homoeopath can work from the polychrests to the smaller remedies and from the
smaller remedies to the polychrests. One leads naturally to the other and vice
versa.
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum