Spring is upon us and hayfever gives trouble to many people – often with much distress.
Homeopathy offers some useful approaches to the management of hayfever symptoms
Reilly (1986). Lancet. Vol 328. 8512 .881-886. A controlled trial of homeopathic potency
with pollen in hayfever model.
This research was a very simple demonstration of the homeopathic approach to hayfever.
This newsletter will talk a little about the homeopathic approach to hayfever.
Signs and symptoms are generally our bodies’ immune systems indications for distress.
Genetically we are all unique and as such our responses in the initial instance vary, even
within the context of a single disease, such as hayfever.
Homeopaths attempt to discover and understand the individual expressions in hayfever and
prescribe medicines accordingly.
For example Euphrasia or eyebright is a commonly symptomatically indicated medicine in
hayfever. The characteristic expression being acrid lachrymation, – or stinging watery
discharge from the eye.
Arundo another oft used remedy is characterized by an itching of the soft palate or roof of the
mouth.
Sabadilla and Natrum Mur are useful where paroxysmal or incessant sneezing dominate. The
throat may feel dry or burnt.
Hence different medicines are employed on the basis of characteristic expressions.
This is the first level of typological prescribing.
The second level involves an understanding of the patient as a person. In so much as we are
all unique biochemically we are also individual in our reactions to situations and
circumstances, our past and family history: biologically and socially. We are both shaped by
and shape our circumstances-nature/nurture if you like. This quality, homeopaths refer to as
constitution or disposition. How we are disposed to the world if you like. People respond
differently to the same experience. This qualitative appreciation of the person allows
medicines to be prescribed with resonance and ensuing wellness at a whole person level.
People often describe the experience of medicines accurately prescribed in this way as an
enhanced sense of wellbeing, sometimes the simultaneous improvement of seemingly
unrelated complaints, along with prompt resolution of the presenting complaint.
In so much as every cell in the body contains the same DNA we can appreciate how a
medicine prescribed on the basis of a persons nature can influence the whole organism. It is
how we are wired so to speak. Certainly in my experience, medicines used in this way, can
positively contribute to immune system balance.
Other systems of medicine notably Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine use the concept of
temperament generically. Fire air water earth and metal are seen to be in excess, or
deficiency, or distortion and likewise these characteristics of deficiency, excess or distortion,
can be seen in relationship between elements.
So we might see a particular person as fiery by nature and for the purpose of explanation
attribute this to the colour red. Yet within this there will be many shades of red and possible
intensities of colour. Further it may be modified in part or indeed transformed by the mixture
of another colour, completely or in part.
While in some respects this is a simplistic explanation this is a skilful area of medicine and
the essence of effective homeopathic prescribing.
This leads indirectly to the third level of appreciation- the generic appreciation of a particular
disease. Medicines may be used on the perceived expressions. In the case of hayfever
immunological hypersensitivity, hyper responsive mucous membranes and seasonal
affectivity would be generic qualities. Homeopathic medicines may also be prescribed in this
way.
Often the homeopathic approach to hayfever may encompass elements of all of these
concepts.
Homeopathy is currently much maligned in this country in spite of much evidence and over
200 hundred years of practice in dozens of countries. There are elements of homeopathic
medicine that are seen as scientific heresy or a first order scientific breakthrough depending
on your experience or lack of it.
The next newsletter will attempt to shed some light on the evidence base for homeopathic
medicine.
Yours in health, Michael.
