Homeopathy - pre midterm Flashcards
This flashcard deck was created using Flashcardlet's card creator
How many editions were there of the Organon and when was the last one written?
There were 6 editions and the last was written in 1842.
When did Hahnemann live?
1755-1843
Which book did Hahnemann translate in 1790 greatly affected his views on medicine?
Cullen’s Materia Medica
What was the first substance Hahnemann experimented on himself with and what did he find?
Cinchona, which is a cure for malaria. He found that when taken in small amounts over time it induced the symptoms of malaria in a healthy person without malaria.
What is an aphorism? Who was Hahnemann imitating?
It is the laconic verse system that Hahnemann’s Organon is written in. A concise statement of scientific principle; an original thought. Hahnemann was modeling them after Hippocrates.
What is the first aphorism?
The physician’s highest and only calling is to make the sick healthy, to cure as it is called
What is the second aphorism?
The highest ideal of cure is the rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health according to clearly recognizable principles.
What is the definition of the word Organon?
An instrument for acquiring knowledge, a methodological doctrine comprising principles for scientific or philosophical procedures for investigation.
Who was Constantine Hering and what did he do for homeopathy?
He was supposed to expose homeopathy but instead became a supporter after repeating Hahnemann’s cinchona experiment and a wound in his finger that was supposed to be amputated was healed with a diluted solution of arsenic.
Who was James Tyler Kent and why is he significant?
He is considered the father of modern homeopathy. He published a repertory of symptoms and their associated remedies as well as arguing against modern germ theory.
What significance did the influenza epidemic have for homeopathy?
The reported mortality rate of conventional physicians was 30% while the homeopathic doctors had a reported mortality rate of 1.05%.
What factors contributed to the decline of homeopathy in the early 20th century?
The Flexner report, the profit associated with drug companies, differing thought among homeopaths causes a decline in the quality of education, focus on antibiotics and vaccines, and an attempt by AMA to bring homeopaths “into the fold” to remove them as an alternative medicine.
What is wesen?
The life force, dynamis, essence. This is a dynamic, self-subsisting presence without mass or material.
What is the difference in how naturopathy and homeopathy view the vital force?
Naturopathy sees the vital force as having the capacity to heal itself while homeopathy does not. Homeopathy views chronic diseases as a result of the vital forces inability to rebalance itself when it is out of tune.
What is the totality of symptoms?
These represent the disease in its entirety. The unprejudiced observer only views those symptoms that have differed from the healthy state of the sick patient which are:
1) Subjective - felt by the patient themselves
2) Objective - perceived by those around him or her
3) Objective - observed by the physician
The totality of symptoms is the outwardly reflected image of the inward wesen of the disease or the suffering of the life force
How did Hahnemann view disease?
He saw disease as irregular processes that afflicts those who have a deranged or unbalanced life force. An individual with a balanced and healthy life force will not be susceptible to disease.
How is disease eradicated?
When the symptoms of the disease are removed
What is a symptom picture?
Taking into account all of the symptoms experienced by the patient, not just those associated with the disease. This includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual symptoms. The pathology and the complex of all perceptible signs and symptoms form an indivisible whole.
Why can disease only be cured with dilute, energetic remedies?
Because the cause of the disease is the derangement of the immaterial, energetic life force.
Is a dilute or concentrated remedy more potent? Why?
A dilute remedy is more potent because it contains a more purified energetic essence. The more energetic essence, more more it can affect the energetic life force.
Define antipathic
The use of the opposite remedy of a disease state to treat it. For example, running a burn under cold water.
Define allopathic
This form of treatment does not have a relationship to the disease state. Allo = other
Define isopathy
Using a substance that caused the disease state to cure it. For example, running a burn under hot water.
Define homeopathic
Using a remedy with a symptom picture that matches that of the disease state.
What is the crude?
The substance you start with to make the remedy
What is the mother tincture?
When the crude material is macerated and used to make a first dilution in an alcohol and water solution.
What is a nosode?
A remedy made out of diseased material. For example, if the sputum of a patient with TB was used to treat a person with TB. This is not exactly the same as a vaccine.
What is a sarcode?
This is a remedy made from healthy tissues, for example, milk or feathers.
What is a polycrest?
Remedies that we know a lot about and use very often. In this course we will learn 16.
How are modalities related and marked?
A better modality is marked with > while a lesser modality is marked with <
What is the short form for amelioration?
Amel
What is the short form for aggravation?
Agg
What is sucussion?
Pounding the dilution really hard with something, for example, a leather bound bible.
What are the steps of potentization?
Successive dilution and sucussion. Usually the dilution is done in 1 part to 9 parts or 1 part to 100 parts. If this is done by hand (until 30C) then it is the “H” method, if done with a machine it is the “K” method.
What are the most common dilution ratios?
X = 1:10 C = 1:100 M = 1:1000 LM = 1:50000 (made from a starting point of 3C)
What are the nine standard potencies?
6X, 12C, 30C, 200C, 1M, 10M, LM1, LM2, LM3
What are homeopathic remedies made from?
Plants, minerals (pure elements and salts), animal products (feathers, venoms), synthetics (drugs and plastic), imponderables (radiation, sunlight, moonlight).
What is sac-lac?
Lactose pills
What are the forms of carriers for remedies?
Lactose pellets - granules, pillules, soft tablets, tablets
Liquid - alcohol and distilled water
Why is lactose used as a carrier?
Because lactose tends not to melt when water or alcohol are dropped onto it.
What is the difference between classical and complex homeopathy?
Classical homeopathy is as described by Hahnemann
Complex homeopathy is using the remedies but in a way contrary to Hahnemann, like using more than one remedy at a time, not having a homeopath assess the symptom picture etc.
What are provings?
This is how the curative wesen of medicines were discerned. It involves observing the medicine’s effect on a healthy individual to determine the symptom picture, which will be generally consistent across individuals.
What is the difference between artificial and natural disease states?
The artificial disease state is one that is caused by an administered cure. A natural disease state is one that is caused by a disturbance to the organism’s life force and is the target of the cure.
What happens when to similar disease states exist in an organism?
The stronger overpowers the weaker
What is the Law of Similars?
That a natural disease state is going to be best cured by an artificial disease state whose symptom picture best matches its own symptom picture.
How do homeopathic medicines cure?
- The life force is seized by the homeopathic cure because it is similar but stronger than the natural disease state
- The natural disease state is extinguished and only the artificial disease state remains
- The artificial disease state plays itself out and the patient is then cured
What causes some people to get sick and others to remain well when exposed to the same disease states?
The susceptibility of the individual
What family does Chamomilla belong to?
The daisy family
Which chamomile plant does Chamomilla refer to?
The German or Blue chamomile plant
What are the botanical uses for chamomile?
To reduce stress, as a “sleep aid” and to soothe the stomach
What are the essential oil properties of chamomile?
Anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-ulcerative
What are the keynote symptoms of Chamomilla?
Unendurable pain Sensitivity - pick me up but don't touch me, symptoms get worse with touch Irritable - accusatory, angry, moaning > getting carried, warm wet weather < heat, night, anger, wind, 9am/9pm
What is the symptom picture of Chamomilla?
Unendurable pain, Sensitivity - pick me up but don’t touch me, symptoms get worse with touch, Irritable - accusatory, angry
One red cheek, one white cheek
Feet hot and out of the covers
Colic with arching of the back, weeping in sleep
Toothache cold
Green stool or rotten egg odour
> getting carried, warm wet weather (don’t completely calm down with getting carried)
< heat, night, anger, wind, 9am/9pm
Thirsty for cold drinks
Restless, spasmodic and convulsive, especially in children
What are the adult symptoms of Chamomilla?
Severe menstrual cramps, especially in the thighs
Arthritic pains walking around
Abdominal pain cold drinks
Sometimes restless legs if they are spasming
What family does Pulsatilla belong to?
Ranunculaceae or buttercup family, which is native to Europe.
What are the botanical effects of Pulsatilla?
It is highly toxic and slows the heart. It can also cause diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, hypotension and coma.
What is the essence of the Pulsatilla remedy?
Changeability with softness - meaning the symptoms are always changing
What are the mental symptoms of Pulsatilla?
Gentle person who requires a great deal of emotional support
Often feels deprived of emotion, which makes them feel irritable
Easily dominated or influenced, timid
Cries easily
Wants to be liked
What are the two areas of affinity for Pulsatilla?
Hormonal (menstrual, pregnancy, menopause) and Circulation (varicose veins, congestive headache, sluggish circulation)
Often looks like hypothyroid
What are the keynote symptoms of Pulsatilla?
Always changing
Rapid mood swings
No two stools or menses the same
Pain always changing
What makes a pulsatilla person better and worse?
Better (>): Open air, cool crips weather, cool bathing
Wose (<): Heat, sun, twilight, evening, 2 or 4pm, getting wet feet, fatty or rich food, pork, bread, warm stuffy rooms (faints)
Generally worse before menses, during pregnancy or menopause.
What does Pulsatilla fear?
The dark, insanity, small spaces, heights, robbers, mirros. A fear of the unseen unknown that might attack them.
What are the physical symptoms of pulsatilla?
Hay fever, chronic nasal obstruction, conjunctivitis, abdominal bloating, ear pain with gluey discharge <heat, green discharge from the eye, bland green discharge from the nose.
Craves: butter, ice cream, cream, cheese, cold food, peanut butter.
Aversions: fat, butter, pork, warm foods.
Aggravating: fat and rich food, pork and ice cream.
What does a pulsatilla acute look like?
Otitis that wakes the child at night, cries strongly but is better with comforting, URTI with bland coryza, sneezing with conjunctivitis, cough at night in bed disrupting sleep.
open air, >consolation
What is body counter action?
When our bodies are confronted with large doses of a medicinal substance, our vital forces are at first strongly affected but then produce an opposite symptom counter reaction
How are counter-actions avoided?
Using minimal doses of a medicinal substance
How many remedies are needed for a cure?
Only one, the interaction of two or more remedies might hinder each other’s actions.
What are accepted as simple medicinal substances?
Low acidity salts of two compounded elements, sulphured metals (sulphur and alkaline salts), phosphorous, plants and some animal substances.
What are the 12 philosophies of Hahnemann’s homeopathy?
Vital force, totality of symptoms, dynamic action of disease and medications, terminology, remedy preparation, provings, law of similars, natural and artificial disease, disease susceptibility, initial and counter actions, minimum doses, and single remedy.
What are the first six remedies we’ve learned?
Chamomilla, pulsatilla, sulphur, calc-carb, silica, phosphorus
What are the major effects of sulphur exposure?
Bronchoconstriction and spasm, nausea, diarrhea, hypotension, itching, edema, urticaria
What are the two main personality types of sulphur?
Philosophical: intellectual, ambitious, egotistical, unshakable self-confidence, detached
Practical Idealist: extroverted, friendly, charming, focus on service and social interaction, high confidence but searches and craves acknowledgement
What are the overall personality types of sulphur?
Laziness, procrastination, slovenly, disorganized, scattered, critical, cynical, anxious about health and family, disgust, stubborn, collects things: thinks rags are riches
What are the fears of sulphur?
Especially disease and cancer, also claustrophobia, heights, rejection, failure.
What do sulphur children look like?
Curious, robust, strong willed, extroverted, need to be the centre of attention - jealous and angry if not, enjoy adult company and resent not being treated as an adult, bossy: can be leaders or bullies depending on if they are healthy or not.
What are the physical traits of sulphur?
Sweaty, generally warm, red cheeks, lips, eyes and mucous membranes, offensive discharges, dirty or unkempt looking, burning pains, big appetite and loves to eat
Additionally: averse to bathing, averse to body odour of others, aggravated by suppression of discharges, both feet out of the covers, sleeps well for 3-4 hours and fitfully for the rest of the night.
What are the affinities of sulphur?
Digestion: gastritis, ulcers, heartburn, hungry at 11am, diarrhea at 5 am, highly offensive stool and flatus, itching/burning around the rectum.
Skin: moist and itchy eruptions, itching <wool, eczema, psoriasis, herpes, recurrent painful boils
Circulation: venous congestion, vericosities, hemorrhoids, lymphangitis, cellulitis, rosacea, enlarged veins on nose, congestive headaches
What makes sulphur worse and better?
Better: >open air, >motion, >sweating
Worse: <standing (congestion in veins)
What does sulphur crave?
Craves: sweets, chocolate, ice cream, fats, spicy food, alcohol, meat, pungent things, cold drinks
What does sulphur avoid?
Avoid: EGGS, fish, sour foods, olives, liver
What foods aggravates sulphur?
Agg: milk, beer gives diarrhea
What are the overall personality traits of calc-carb?
Responsible and hard working, strong sense of duty and responsibility, strong focus on security and practical matters, overworked, overburdened, overwhelmed, anxiety of health and despair of recovery, feels the mind is weak and going insane and that others can perceive this, horrible things affect them profoundly
What do calc-carb children look like?
Plump, tired and weak resistance to infection, many anxieties and nightmares but works on their own to overcome them, easily frightened leading to lack of initiative, nice but obstinate, hard working, compulsive, strong willed but anxious concerning security
What are the three calc-carb themes?
Protection and stability: failure of adaptability, passive (malleable) and armoured to the outside
Lack of ambition: but hyper-responsible, great at being second in command, slow but reliable, not competitive
Security: prefer not to change
What is the calc-carb area of affinity?
Growth and metabolism: obesity, poor stamina, slow closure of fontanels in children, delayed dentation, scoliosis, delayed learning to walk, sprains linger and become chronic, degenerative arthritis, weakness or cramping of limbs, nails distorted, brittle and break easily
What is the calc-carb physicality?
Cold, sour (perspiration, eructations, diarrhea, feet), puts on weight quickly, flabby, frequent cold etc, perspires, cold and clammy, perspires on the head especially at the occiput, constipation with no urge, menses too early, too heavy and too long, solid growths like goitres and gallstones, boils and abscesses, cold feet in bed and wears socks then feet to warm and uncovers them, great appetite and can’t go without breakfast.
What makes calc-carb better or worse?
Better: >dry weather >morning >after breakfast >passing gas >lying on the painful side >occupation
Worse: <aspirin
Upon exertion: bellyache, headache, pain in hips, in limbs, palpation
What are calc-carb fears?
Lots! Being observed, insanity, ill health, animals (esp dogs, mice, rats, insects, spiders), poverty, dark, disease, claustrophobia, earth quacks, storms, accidents
What does calc-carb crave?
Craves: EGGS (boiled), SWEETS, salt, olives, indigestibles (chalk), cheese, nuts and seeds, milk
What does calc-carb avoid?
Avoids: fat, meat, coffee, slimy, milk, tobacco
What foods does calc-carb get aggravated by?
Agg: milk, bread, dry food
What is a clatherate?
a lattice of one type of molecule enveloping another molecule. This phenomena has been used as an example of the ‘memory of water’.
What are the overall personality traits of Silica?
Lack of emotional independence and self confidence
Paralyzed with irresolution and insecurity about perceptions and performance
Mildness, with inner resistance - will agree with you and go off and do their own thing anyways
Obstinate, fixed ideas
Conscientious about trifles, perfectionist
Overworked
Exhausted by communication and inability to find the right words
Stuck in the middle of things, indecisive
Lots of fears: especially stage fright and undertaking new things
What are the physical traits of Silica?
Sensitive: to noise, pain, draft, cold
Slow growth and development: scrawny and sickly, recurrent infections, bones/nails/teeth weak and defective
Chilliness
Enlarged, hard cervical glands
Poor stamina
Easy perspiration: head/hands/feet, sour smelling, scalp during sleep
Easy suppuration: everything festers and smells foul, Every wound gets infected and becomes keloidal
Sensation of splinter or hair
Headache that starts at the occiput and travels to the forehead to settle over one eye
Constipation with no urging, bashful stool
What does silica crave?
Craves: cold food, ice cream, milk, cold drinks, eggs, raw food, salty things
What foods aggravate silica?
Aggravated: Cold food and drinks, wine, smoked food, tobacco, beans and peas, flatulent food
What does silica avoid?
Avoids: Fat, meat, mothers milk (will spit up or puke), cheese, salt, milk, warm food
What makes silica worse and better?
Better: >WRAPPING THE HEAD, >WARM, >profuse urination
Worse: <milk
What do silica children look like?
Failure to thrive/delayed development, May vomit mother’s milk
Low stamina, fine features, pale, large head
Obstinate and weep when reprimanded, oversensitive, irritable
Demanding at younger ages, by age 6 acts proper/well-behaved/serious
Shy and whispers answer to mother and will not engage
Test-phobia, won’t hand in homework until perfect, stage fright
Frequent and recurrent infections
What are the two kinds of phosphorus?
White phosphorus: Highly toxic and used in rat poison
Red phosphorus: used in pyrotechnics, matches, fertilizer, insecticide
Phosphates used as food additives
What are the overall personality characteristics of Phosphorus?
Extroverted, affectionate, sympathetic, too open, gullible, dependant on others, easily reassured
Intelligent, creative, enthusiastic
Easily distracted, scattered, sensitive to the environment
LOTS of fears and anxiety
Self-centred
Animated and excited but then fatigues suddenly becoming apathetic
Affected by energies in the environment - will like energetic therapies
What are the affinities of phosphorus?
Circulation, cavities (lungs, heart, head), blood vessels, mucous membranes (digestion), left side
What are the physical traits of Phosphorus?
Thin, tall, long fingered, fine features
Hypoglycaemic, wakes in the night from hunger, ravenous hunger preceding “attacks”
Haemorrhages
Chilly, strong thirst for cold water that is only momentarily relieved by drinking, throw up water once it warms in the stomach
Burning pains, acuteness of senses during a headache, sensitivity of senses especially smell
Increased sex drive (pathological)
Every cold goes to the chest
Numbness of fingers especially on waking
What does phosphorus crave?
Craves: Chocolate, cold, refreshing moist food, ice cream, spicy, salt, milk, alcohol (esp. wine)
What does phosphorus avoid?
Sweets, warm foods, eggs, oysters, meat (except hamburger), fruit
What foods aggravate phosphorus?
Spicy, warm foods, salt
What makes phosphorus worse?
Cold, being alone, twilight, lying on left side or back
What makes phosphorus better?
Cold water, sleep, warmth, massage, eating, company
What does phosphorus fear?
Death, dark, alone, “something bad will happen”, ghosts, future, health, disease, thunderstorms, insanity, insects, water
LOTS
What do phosphorus children look like?
Trusting, will make eye contact with anyone, precocious, open
Curious and sympathetic toward others
Strong fears especially around bad things happening to the family
Epistaxis, bleeding gums, bruising
Great desire for company
Too rapid growth in children: fatigue and poor resistance as a result
