It is customary today to describe natural medicine as complementary or alternative, sometimes shortened to CAM. However, it is only in the last century that what is now deemed orthodox (allopathic) medicine took centre stage.
The late and famous naturopath Jan de Vries said that people recovered from illness for hundreds of years before the advent of modern medicine, which has to be true.
Of course we are glad to have anaesthetics, antibiotics and trauma care and so forth. But we should not ignore our potential for self-healing. I touched on this subject matter some time ago.
Jan de Vries certainly reminded us of the continuing potential of natural medicine. His Ayrshire (Scotland) Clinic was almost a cottage hospital – I went there once. His patients came from far and wide.
In my last blog I referred to the book shown in the picture above. In the introductory pages, there are two concise chapters that are worthy. The first on Homeopathic Principles and the second titled Homeopathy in Context. It is the latter I wish to say a little more about.
I particularly liked this picture below, which shows various therapies in context. Note in particular the terms ENERGY and MATTER. The important point is that our physical being – flesh and bone to put it bluntly – is physical matter. This is the prime focus of western scientific (conventional) medicine. Given the complexities, medicine has become a vast industry as a quick spin through the Medscape website indicates. But it is all focussed on the physical self – on matter.
Energy is at the other end of the spectrum. Homeopathy has a vitalist philosophy. This assumes that from conception to death all living things are animated by an invisible force – that is to say energy. A concept not recognised in orthodoxy.
I suspect most people never give this a moment’s thought. But it certainly interests me, and from time to time I come back to the topic in my blogs. Here is one example. The question I’d like you to think about is how the trillions of cells in your body come to work mostly harmoniously through life?
If you now look at the words in the ovals (Blueprint to Foundation), the author draws analogy with the building of a house. Given that we all are different shapes and sizes it is not unreasonable to infer some sort of blueprint, design or plan, that is you and me.
This is the etheric body, and I will come back to this next time.
To create the physical ‘you’ requires more than a plan however. Raw materials are required. Which is where vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates come into play. Without these the house crumbles.
One further analogy: the body like the house needs maintenance. But the body is far is more dynamic than a house. Its systems work around the clock for three score year and ten to maintain harmony (homeostasis) – that is to say health.
When all is well there is a natural flow from blueprint to foundation; from energy to matter. However, if this is disturbed disease results. The challenge of medicine is to find the root source of the disturbance and correct it. Matter matters and if you fracture a bone the physician must set the bone properly to enable repair. What about the rest?
Nutrition matters also. If you are deficient in nutrients then it is as if the cement mix is sub-standard. Things don’t hold together.
Herbal medicine sits somewhere between nutrition and modern pharmaceuticals with elements of each. The overlap dimishes as modern drugs become ever more distant from nature.
Acupuncture, particularly familiar in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a means by which energy pathways are rebalanced. The concept of the chakras – energy centres – is particularly pertinent here.
Finally, comes homeopathy. Possibly the most subtle form of energy medicine, where energy becomes information or a pattern – acting to correct a blueprint damaged through toxins, acquired and inherited, and / or mental-emotional factors. When the blueprint is damaged, the house falls into disrepair. You can patch it at the level of matter but only for so long.
****
The goal of homeopathic treatment is find and correct damage the blueprint wherever possible.
It is not quick fix medicine because the vital force – neither homeopath nor patient – sets the pace of healing. The word patient has meaning even if patience is a challenge in an impatient world.
Perhaps you would be interested in exploring Homeopathy for your health? I offer a free 30 minute discovery call to allow you to investigate further.
Disclaimer: I am a qualified professional homeopath and not a medical doctor. The NHS has many resources, and seeking the opinion of your GP is always of value.
Dibden Purlieu, Southampton
