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.

Energy to Matter (or energy matters!)

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?

Blueprint to Foundation

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.

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.

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The goal of homeopathic treatment is find and correct damage to 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.

The post Natural Medicine: Complementary or Alternative appeared first on Allan Pollock.

The book pictured is one from my shelf, its American author is a naturopathic doctor (N.D.) and chiropractor (D.C.). The likely first port of call for many musculoskeletal complaints is of course the chiropractor, physiotherapist or osteopath. But homeopathy can have a supporting role.

The Body Remarkable

I have written before on the the complexity of the human body. That a system of such complexity should run harmoniously for most of our life, is quite remarkable. Suffice to say that the ability of the body to monitor, and adjust to our environment exceeds the ability of any machine. There is intelligence here and it is not in any way ‘artificial’.

From a musculoskeletal perspective, Hershoff lists the following:

• Joints – hold our posture and allow us to move where we wish to go
• Ligaments – hold joints together, guide and limit their range of movement
• Muscles – opposing groups of muscles permit all our complex movements
• Tendons – are the means by which muscles attach to bones
• Cartilage – glass like lining of the ends of bones creating a smooth low-friction joint surface
• Bursa – fluid filled sacks around joints that act as cushions or lubricating pads
• Bone – an active tissue (please note) forming and remodelling constantly in response to the physical / structural stresses

Homeopathic Remedy Affinities in Musculoskeletal Cases

Looking back I see that in October of 2025 I penned a blog titled The Beneficial Use of Homeopathy in Treating Injury In that article I describe some of the commonly used homeopathic remedies for use in trauma. Note that these are mostly of plant origin. This is typical when addressing self limiting (acute) conditions. Remedies of mineral origin find greater affinity with chronic conditions (e.g. established arthritis).

Homeopathic remedies can usefully complement the various form of physical therapy. It is not by chance the the book pictured above is from the pen of a chiropractor.

However, the overarching and common goal is to stimulate a healing response.

Two Interesting (and challenging) Conditions

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is described here. It is an inflamation of a ligament like band of connective tissue running across the bottom of the foot. It can be quite a stubborn condition and in writing this I came across a clinic in Eastleigh that summarises the options.

Homeopathy is not part of their brief, but I was once told by a medical doctor / homeopath that the remedy Ledum was almost specific for this problem.

LEDUM

Ledum is another plant remedy (sometime known by the name marsh marigold). At the first aid level it is a remedy to be consider in puncture wounds – bites of an insect or animal for example. Should you get a black eye it is a good alternative to Arnica. However, it also has its place musculoskeletal conditions such as inflammation of the achilles tending, synovitis or bursitis (housemaid’s knee) and such like.

I can certainly think of a couple of cases where Plantar Fasciitis did respond to this remedy, but alas I have not found it quite as ‘specific’ as the doctor suggested.

As might be expected, the modalities of Ledum are worse for motion and standing. Rest and ice cold baths or compresses bring relief.

RUTA

In so far as differentiating between tendonitis and plantar fasciitis is not so easy, especially if the pain is focussed on the heel. Ruta (Golden Rue) has particular affinity for tendon issues. Whist this remedy is also worse for motion and standing, there is an easing of symptoms with gentle movement. Ruta unlike Ledum is better for warm applications.

There are more remedies besides, but the above would be the first to consider. You could take in the 30th centessimal potency morning and evening for a week. If there is no improvement by then try another remedy.

***

Dupuyten’s Contracture

This is a curious condition where one or more fingers bend inwards towards the palm of the hand. It may be of minor inconvenience but tends to get worse over time. Surgery may eventually be necessary.

In homeopathy there are a number of potential remedies. A few are briefly summarised below.

CAUSTICUM

A mineral remedy in the potassium family. This is the first homeopathic remedy to think of where there is contraction of flexor tendons. It is in fact one of the homeopathic remedies associated with paralysis in a wider sense. Causticum has a fairly strong physchological picture as the person affected may have an idealistic nature and a strong sense of injustice. Dry cold winds aggravate.

THIOSINANIMUM

A plant remedy that is considered where the is scar tissue, perhaps as a result of injury or surgical work. It also has affinity with ‘frozen shoulder’ or adhesions (stretch pain) on any joint. That may not be the case with Dupuytren’s contrature, but its role in this conditon remains. This remedy is usually given in low potency for an extended period.

GUAIACUM

The origin of this remedy is Lignum Vitae, the most dense and hard of woods. There is contractive pain – fingers curved and stiff. This stiffness is also reflected in the mental picture where a rigidness and inflexibility may be apparent. Again used in low potencies over an extended period.

CALCIUM FLUORIDE

This is quite a significant remedy in homeopathy and associated with nodules and deposits. Arthritic nodosities (ganglions), if present, may be an indicator. There can be an unjustified fear of poverty or financial ruin in the mental picture.

Homeopathic Method

Homeopathic prescribing is always holistic. That is to say, one tries as best possible to reflect the total picture of the patient in the remedy chosen. This will include ‘modalities’ (what makes the condition better or worse), wider physical conditions and if appropriate mental / emotional characteristics. The descriptions above are by necessity brief and a more fulsome analsysis is necessary to match symptoms to remedy.

Should you need advice on recovery from some trauma, be it physical or emotional please get in touch. I offer a free half-hour discovery call which you can book via my website. Or send an email to info@allanpollock.co.uk

The post Homeopathy for Musculoskeletal Healing appeared first on Allan Pollock.

To briefly recap, my main reference is two small booklets on children’s types. Neither are in still in print which is a pity as they share great wisdom. One was written by a Dr Borland (1885-1960) who was clearly a remarkable physician. In Children’s Types he groups common homeopathic remedies into five groups. These (in the language of his time) are:

1. Fat, fair, chilly, lethargic
2. Delayed development
3. Skins
4. Warm blooded
5. Nervy

The second written by retired GP Dr Anne Wynne-Simmons is shorter and considers just six remedies that characterise six common children’s types.

Children’s ‘Types’ or ‘States’

It is important to note that constitutions are more variable than the term ‘type’ suggests.  Perhaps ‘state’ is a better word choice.  The word ‘type’ suggests permanence whereas ‘state’ is something more fluid. States change according to life circumstances, something that is all too apparent when we see the impact of famine or war on populations on the television.

Nonetheless, we humans share certain archetypical characteristics of our ancestors. The ancient cultures such as the Greeks and Romans observed this. So it is nothing new.

Group 1 – ‘Fat, fair, chilly, lethargic’

In this group we looked last time at Calcarea Carbonica or calcium carbonate (limestone).

Specifically this remedy is made from the inner layer of the shell of an oyster. Many young children or babies can go through a Calc.carb phase, with the common characteristics of chubbiness and a certain lethargy.

In my earlier blog, I omitted to mention a couple of points.  Physiologically, calcium is an essential element in the body, and vital in the mineralisation of the bones. Thus, one physical aspect of the Calc.carb constitution is slower than normal skeletal development. 

On the mental / emotional front Calc salts are very sensitive to criticism and worry about what others think about them. 

By analogy, ‘oysters’ don’t tend to move about much and they hide within their shell (protected from the world).  This is home and the archetypal Calc.carb is a good homemaker.

Note the combination of both calcium and carbon.  Calcium makes up about 2% of body mass (mostly in the bones) and Carbon 18%.  Jan Scholten, is a doctor, homeopath and modern author / researcher who perceives self-worth as a main mental / emotional theme of carbon. It will be a common theme in this article.

CALCAREA PHOSPHORICA

Another Group 1 remedy mentioned by Borland is Calcarea phosphorica or calcium phosphate.  Physically this is a rather leaner picture. The Calc.carb child may segway into a Calc phos. state as they grow.

Borland notes a tendency to growing pains of a muscular nature, and a tendency to headaches if overworked at school.  Calcium phosphate is important in the mineralisation of the outer matrix of bones and tooth enamel. 

To quote Havant based Dr Jonathan Hardy, this remedy comes into usefulness “at any time in life when nutrition and growth are especially important”.  I recall one remarkable case on video (Dr Banerjea) of the transformation a young child with some form of mysterious muscular wasting disease after this remedy was given.   

Phosphorus for Jan Sholten suggests a sympathetic and outgoing nature. Friends are made easily.  Though more outgoing than the Calc.carb. child, the sensitivity to criticism and fearful ness is still there (calcium).  This fear of criticism can lead to overwork at school (a compensation). Headaches may result – even burn-out. 

Calcium and phosphorus are somewhat a combination of opposites. Calcium more grounded than the effervescent nature of phosphorus (think of the phosphorus content of matches or fizzy drinks).

The combination of two elements is always more than the sum of the parts.

Group 2 – ‘Delayed Development’

In my earlier blog I selected Natrum muriaticum (Nat.mur for short) which is a homeopathic preparation of common salt (sodium chloride).  Nat.mur is the responsible yet emotionally closed child. Dr Wynne-Simmons thought a ‘state’ the befalls the eldest sibling in the family.

This time I consider Baryta Carbonica (Baryta carb.) which is barium carbonate.   Another carbon. 

BARYTA CARBONICA

Dr Borland uses the term ‘dwarfish’. He claims that he never saw a Baryta carb child who was up to standard height (though they may be standard weight).

In general everything is late (speaking, walking, dentition and so on).  Excessive shyness is a keynote.  These children are forgetful also and lack concentration.  There can be a tendency to tonsillitis.  Their energy is low. 

Jumping forward in time, Jan Scholten suggest that the Baryta type is a more extreme Calcarea.  He writes “Whilst Calcarea is afraid of what others will think about them, Baryta is convinced that others think them to be worth nothing”.  So they hide themselves away.  They are prone to influence.  They may act silly. Their fears and anxiety means that they only feel secure around their mother and in the home. 

Group 3 – ‘Skins’

Last time I looked at Graphites and graphite is pure carbon.  Dr Borland writes of uncertainty, hesitation, and hopelessness (back to self-worth again).  The Graphites child dreads going to a new school. ‘They are always looking for trouble’, he says.  

The ‘carbon’ perception of self-worth is either solved by acceptance and just getting on with things (hence a dullness in outlook). But if there is no resolution, there is instability, leading to easy upset.   

The Graphites skin tends to crack on exposure to cold.   Graphites may be the archetype but all the ‘carbons’ can have skin issues. 

Now, I’d like to introduce the remedy Petroleum (aka crude oil which is a hydrocarbon – carbon again).

PETROLEUM

Dr Borland perceived Petroleum children as thin and hungry, and often hungry between meals.  These children are sensitive to noise and cold.  Skin eruptions are common at the back of the ears, with cracks, oozing and bleeding.  The fluid which oozes forms a crust.  The itch is worse during the day.  In cold weather the skin of the hands tends to crack, especially at the finger tips.  Itchy eyes, blepharitis or conjunctivitis are common. 

Sea or travel sickness is common with a characteristic headache starting at the back of the head.  

A strange mental symptom – more applicable to adults – is disorientation in familiar places.  

Homeopath Jeremy Sherr creates a nice mind-picture for Petroleum.  He observes that petroleum derivatives (petrol, diesel) allow us to travel.  Yet the petroleum ‘type’ suffers travel sickness and disorientation.  We can travel but we no longer know where we are!  Petroleum is a metaphor for our age. 

Which is why emigrés make communities with fellow travellers. 

To travel is perhaps a search for self worth, or to fulfil a need to work (‘carbons’ find meaning in work)  

Group 4 – ‘Warm Blooded’

Last time I introduced Sulphur and Pulsatilla.  Sulphur being ‘the ‘ archetype of the warm blooded type.  

Next I introduce Iodum (Iodine), one of the halogens in the period table of elements.  Iodine is an important element for the regulation of the thyroid gland. 

IODUM

Dr Borland says that Iodum children are thin and constantly on the move – two keynote features. Despite their hunger they lose rather than gain weight.   Always busy, they are aggravated by heat of any kind.

He teaches us that these children are irritable . Without reason they break out into violence and hitting their brother or sister.  Then they become depressed and lose interest in things.

Scholten tells us that they just cannot keep up with all that is going on in their mind.  So they forget things. This in turn can lead to a certain obsessiveness. 

Catarrhal, asthmatic and abdominal complaints are typical.

Group 5 – ‘Nervy’

Arsenicum and Chamomilla were the ‘types’ of interest in the previous blog.  Both highly strung types, Arsenicum in a more general way, and Chamomilla most notably in its disproportionate response to pain (a tantrum remedy).

I shall close this article with another ‘carbon’ in this group, namely Magnesium Carbonicum (Mag.carb). 

MAGNESIUM CARBONICUM

We now know something of the Carbonicum state, namely the shyness, the importance of self-worth and by extension the dedication to work (which provides meaning).

Here, Borland speaks of a lack of stamina and poor muscular power.  Sleeplessness is a problem. Often they cannot get to sleep at all! 

Mag.carbs have a complete aversion to vegetables. However, they like fruit and have a marked craving for meat, he says.  They are also very sensitive to touch.

Borland does not mention aggressiveness, but Scholten does.  These are perpetually awkward children. From Scholten we learn that this had been the remedy of choice (J.T. Kent) for rebellious children in orphanages back in the 19th century. 

It is one of two magnesium remedies to consider for children of divorced parents (the other being its ‘cousin’ magnesium muriaticum).  The Mag.carb child’s anxiety stems from a feeling that that the parents are quarrelling because of them.   Despite their own temper, these children are peacemakers at heart. Because of the trouble they cause they fear that that Mum and Dad may leave.

***

I hope this and the earlier article give you some insight into the relevance of homeopathy for children, whether their issues are emotional, behavioural or physical – or more likely some combination.

Should you care to explore the power of homeopathy please book a free 30 minute Discovery Call via this button.

And if you are in an organisation that would be interested a short talk (usually free) – tailored to your needs – please email me (allan@allanpollock.co.uk)

The post What is the Nature of a Child?- part 2 appeared first on Allan Pollock.

From ‘man’ to ‘men’ and plus an ‘e’ gives a title I could not resist, and an opportunity to introducuce to two homeopathic superheroes.

There have been many notable physicians who chose to put into practice the teachings of the Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), who set down the principles of homeopathic practice in the early 19th century.

Clarke’s and Kent’s fame derives from their writing which remains of significance to this day.

John Henry Clarke (1852-1931)

Clarke, born in Lincoln, went on to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh achieving his M.D. status in 1877. He went briefly to New Zealand, returning to Liverpool where he planned to set up in practice. There he took the opportunity to learn something of homeopathy from a pharmacy in that city. Subsequently he worked in Ipswich and studied at the London Homeopathic hospital.

By the 1880’s he had relocated to London and was much involved with various homeopathic organisations both at home and abroad.

He was a member of what came to be known as the ‘Cooper Club’. Four notable homeopathic physicians who began meeting over dinner to discuss their cases.

Named after Dublin educated, Robert Thomas Cooper MD (1844-1903), the other founding members were Clarke, Thomas Skinner MD (Edinburgh) (1825-1906), and James Compton Burnett (Glasgow) (1840-1901).

All physicians all of some note, not to mention prodidious workers.

Apparently, Clarke visited his patients in a horse-drawn carraige fitted with a writing desk as he never missed an opportunity to work on his books. No mobile phone distractions then!

The three volume ‘dictionary’ pictured below is his magnum opus. Produced, he reportedly said, to save himself work! It is still in print and available online. Below is an extract of Clarke’s description for Arnica, by way of example (Arnica is No1 for deep bruising).

Clarke: man of opinion?

Clarke was a man of strong opinions and a powerfull pen. He crossed swords not only with the orthodoxy of the time but also homeopathic establishment. The latter he felt failed to stand up for their profession leading to its eclipse.

The fate of homeopathy has always ebbed and flowed. There was a period of decline after the Great War and Clarke’s willingness to teach the lay practitioner was significant. The establishment of such as The Society of Homeopaths results from this lineage.

His later political booklets were controversial. Some were anti-semitic. But I feel these have to be seen in context. At this distance it is hard to imagine the impact of 800,000 British lives lost. Clarke disliked Germans and argued that Germany and Prussia were Judaic nations whose action risked English Christian culture. He was a man of his time.

Given the subsequent consequences of Naziism this seems a stange view. Yet, if you visit German WW1 cemeteries as I have, you find a significant number Jewish graves, which is counter-intuitive given what was to come during WW2. Though relatively few in number (about 1% of the German population), the Jewish population were influential.

Perhaps that is the point he makes? Actually Britain was quite anti-semitic in the 1930’s. Indeed my late mother told be the Jews were barred from membership at her local tennis club. Hard to imagine.

James Tyler Kent (1849-1916)

And so to Superman 2 – if you excuse the pun! Kent’s early history is somewhat enigmatic.

He was born in New York and possibly the result of an incestuous relationship. Be that as it may he was a good student qualifying (Ph.B) in philosophy in 1868 at the young age of 19 in 1868. He gained his medical qualifictions at the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati in 1871.

His first wife died in 1872 when just 19 years of age. A couple of years later he remarried moving St. Louis Missouri, where he taught anatomy.

When his second wife became ill, and his attempts to help her failed, he summoned the local homeopathic physician who cured her. This led to his conversion to homeopathy around 1878. Various posts followed and in 1890 he founded The Post-Graduate School of Homeopathics in Philadelphia.

Funding for that school came from the founder of Pittsburg Plate Glass, a certain John Pitcairn, who was also a notable member of the Swedenborg Church. Swedenborg was a 18th century Christian Mystic and polymath whose thinking influenced Kent’s understanding of homeopathy. Kent clearly saw parallels with Hahnemann’s expressed view that (1) there is an animating life force which (2) when disturbed causes symptoms (disease).

Kent’s Repertory

Be that as it may, his greatest contribution was to compile The Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica a task that took some twenty years.

A repertory is simply a compilation of remedies having correspondence with particular symptoms. Hence, it is an aid to finding the appropriate homepathic remedy. I stress the word aid as the result of repertorisation is one of possibility only. Reference then has to be made to the full remedy picture found in the Materia Medica.

Here is a small example:

Baring minor corrections, Kent’s Repertory was the primary reference work for homeopaths for half a century. The late 20th century saw updates and corrections. As you can see, it is – in modern terminology – a database. Consequently, it lends itself to computerisation and even AI. Type this question into Google AI: “what is a good homeopathic remedy for deep bruises?” and you get this:

Not bad. Now what would Kent have made of this!

Many notable homeopaths crossed the pond to study with Kent. Amongst them Sir John Weir, Physican to the Royal Household and Douglas Borland whom I mention in my article titled “The Nature of the Child”.

The above are but two notables in the field of homeopathic medicine and more can be gleaned from the anals of Hahnemann House Trust should you be interested.

***

Needless to say I stand but on the shoulders of giants, but should you care to explore the power of homeopathy please book a free 30 minute Discovery Call via this button.

And if you are in an organisation that would be interested a short talk (usually free) – tailored to your needs – please email me.

The post Clark(e) Kent – Supermen (in Homeopathy) appeared first on Allan Pollock.

Back in 2018 I attended a conference at the Royal Society of Medicine in London under the banner New Horizons in Water Science – Evidence for Homeopathy at which Jerry Pollack spoke. Being near namesakes, I took particular interest in what he had to say and could not resist introducing myself! He was most congenial which comes across in his writing.

As I write I find that the presentations from the various notables are still to be found on YouTube. Sadly, several are no longer alive, including (Lord) Kenneth Ward-Atherton and Prof. Luc Montagnier. Saddest of all was the loss of Dr Peter Fisher, homeopath and physician to Queen Elizabeth who was killed shortly after the event in a cycling accident in London.

The Book – The Fourth Phase of Water

Although almost thirteen years since first published, Prof. Pollack’s book remains a seminal work on the science of water.  Nicely illustrated throughout by his son Ethan, this book is very readable and intentionally aimed at the non-specialist reader.  As the author says, “if you understand that positive attracts negative and have heard of the periodic table, then you should be able to get the message”.   

You may think that for a substance as ubiquitous as water, all that can be known would now be known. This could not be further from the truth.  Water behaves in very strange ways, and its peculiarities are considered in the chapters of this book.   Moreover, there would be no life without water and as mentioned in an earler article we are mostly water!

The Fourth Phase – ‘Easy’ Discovery?

Well, not that easy. Pollack tells us of past discoveries in water chemistry that ended badly (you could say in tears). Angels may fear to tread – see the section ‘Homeopathy’ below.

The key theme in this book is EZ water – shorthand for ‘exclusion zone’. In Anerican pronounciation EZ is conveniently E-zee (‘Easy’) water.  It is so named due to the ability of this zone to exclude practically everything. 

This zone is present where there is an interface with any hydrophilic (water attracting) surface.  Most surfaces are hydrophilic from ships hulls to blood vessels. On the other hand materials such as Teflon© (as in non-stick) are hydrophobic (water repelling).

Charge of The Light (Brigade)

A water molecule (H₂O net charge = 0) has no charge, but in the EZ charge separation results. The interfacial zone becomes negative (H₃O₂ net charge = -1) and is balanced by a corresponding positive zone (H₃O net charge = +1) in the bulk water. 

The atomic structure in the EZ is stacked honeycomb like, and similar – but not identical – to that of ice.  It is not solid like ice nor vapor. It is liquid but not H₂O; it is a distinct  “Fourth Phase”. 

This charge separation of electrons (-ve) and protons (+ve) creates a pseudo battery. And batteries are energy storage devices.   External energy sources, most notably infra red energy from sunlight, can maintain this state providing energy for useful work. 

One – among many – curiosities of water is that is has a high specific heat compared to most liquids. The specific heat is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature by one degree centigrade. This anomaly may be explained by the fact that some of that energy is used instead to charge the pseudo battery.

Water, Water Everywhere

And it is. You and I are two-thirds water for a starter.

What is more it holds many mysteries. Here are a few mentioned in the first chapter of The Fourth Phase of Water:

• You sink when stepping on dry sand but hardly sink in wet sand at the waters edge (hence wet sand makes better sandcastle than dry)
• Gelatin desert (Jelly) is mostly water, so you would expect a lot of leakage but none occurs
• Solid materials don’t usually slide past one another, but ice is slippy, as the competitors at the currernt winter olympics amply demonstate
• Similarly some feature of water permits minimal friction in a healthy joint (knee etc.)
• Solid water (ice) is strangely less dense than liquid water such that it floats
• There are many unexplained characteristics of clouds, droplets and more besides

The EZ is key to explaining the above as the later chapters in his book explain.

Homeopathy

Few scientists study water, which as the good professor writes, you may find hard to believe. Scientists also. One wrong assumption is that everything about such a common substance must be known. A second is its mystical and sacred qualities, from “holy water” to throwing coins in a fountain.

Pollack summarises one incident in the last category well, and this concerned the work of a respected French immunologist, Jacques Benveniste on the biological activity of ultra high dilutions, whose work suggested that water had the ability to store information – to “remember”.

Water Memory?

Benveniste and his team experimented with ultra high dilutions similar to those found in homeopathic medicines. Beneveniste, as Dr Pollack notes was “less interested in homeopathy than in science”. His team surprisingly found that the ultra high dilutions continued to have biological impact.

The then editor of the scientific journal Nature thought this impossible, despite replication of the experiment findings by three other laboratories. Beneveniste’s paper was published in Nature but with the caveat that Nature was allowed to investigate the scientists work. The appointed “committee of peers”, so called, comprised the then editor, Sir John Maddox, a specialist in scientific fraud, Walter Stewart and a “world class” stage magician James Randi. The initial experiments went well, but when repeated by the visitors it failed. Humiliation followed. It was, as Pollack notes, “not a happy time for French science”.

I cannot tell you whether Beneveniste’s experiments were flawed or not. On the other hand, given Benveniste’s credentials, he surely warranted greater respect. Perhaps he was in error, but there was never any evidence of fraud. He died in 2004. Others have replicated his results since, but as I said, angels fear to tread…

The Fourth Phase of Water stands in tribute to the University of Washington team who had the courage to take a step back and forge a new path to better understand the social (bulk) behaviour of water.

At the London conference Prof. Pollack did hypothesise that the EZ molecular structure was not dissimilar to that of silica and consequently may indeed have information storage potential in the manner of a memory stick. This is not in the book, but the EZ may play a part in many phenomena. Possible candidates are ranked under “out of a limb meter” – some further out than others.

Science Under the Microscope

What makes this book truly important is Prof. Pollack’s assessment of current scientific endeavour.  

He laments the shift away from a focus on “foundational mechanisms” during his forty year career; “a quest for detail seems to have supplanted the quest for simple unifying truths”, he says.  Drawing analogy with the tree of knowledge, science today “focuses on the twigs assuming the supporting limbs are robust”.  For this reason “scientific truth” is to be found in the study of the water molecule and not bulk water phenomena. 

This standpoint seems to me to be analogous to the thrust of current ever-reductionist medical research in contrast to the holism of homeopathy.  It was not always thus, and Pollack gives dues credit to the observations by Russian scientists during the Cold War era and others since (West and East) who postulated the same novel properties now re-discovered and summarised in this book.

***

Needless to say, my personal experience of homeopathy is positive, were it not so I would do something else! So, should you care to explore the power of homeopathy please book a free 30 minute Discovery Call via this button.

And if you are in an organisation that would be interested a short talk (usually free) – tailored to your needs – please email me.

The post Dr Gerald Pollack The Fourth Phase of Water appeared first on Allan Pollock.

On my bookshelves I have two small booklets on children’s types which I will use as a guide to this short introductory article. Neither are in still in print which is a pity as they share great wisdom. One was written by a Dr Borland (1885-1960) who was clearly a remarkable physician. Titled Children’s Types he groups common homeopathic remedies into five groups. These (in the language of his time) are:

1. “Fat, fair, chilly, lethargic”
2. “Delayed development”
3. “Skins”
4. “Warm blooded”
5. “Nervy”

The second written by retired GP Dr Anne Wynne-Simmons is shorter and considers six remedies that characterise six common children’s types.

Constitution and The Nature of the Child

Homeopaths talk about the ‘Constitutional’ Remedy which is where is an affinity between the nature of the person and a particular remedy. I have written before about how each homeopathic remedy or medicine has a picture. This picture comprises the mental emotional sphere as well as affinities to general or physical states. Constitutional prescribing is about matching remedy ‘pictures’ to the ‘picture’ of the patient. Classical Homeopathy is – in general – about observation and pattern recognition. Hence the natural Law of Similars (Homeo = similar; pathy = suffering).

A pure match with any single remedy is rare if not impossible. In truth we are all mongrels and our ‘picture’ changes over time dependent on what comes our way in life. But there may be a dominant theme.

With children you see what you get. Life’s journey has just begun. In contrast, adults are less open. In order to get on in society, adults learn to conceal their natures to some degree. We control our tempers and tears, for example. The young child does not.

Dr Wynne-Simmons relates the story of two five-year-olds in the same class at school with eczema. From a conventional medical perspective both, having the same problem, would receive the same treatment – let’s say a steroid cream.

The homeopathic perspective is different because the nature of the two boys was quite different. One was shy and anxious about starting school; the other quite boisterous, who settled into his new environment with enthusiasm. Although each child had the same physical symptoms, each case was opened with a different homeopathic remedy. This reflects the holistic approach in homeopathic practice, which means looking at the totality of the symptom picture (not just the troubling symptom). In short we are all unique.

The upside to this is that the healing is deeper. The downside is it can take a bit of trial-and-error to find the remedy or remedies that work. As ever practice makes perfect, and the skill of these doctors was built on years of observation.

Some Common Constitutional Remedies

In what follows I will pick the headline remedy from each of Dr Borland’s groups (plus a couple).

Remember that homeopathic medicines are made by specialist pharmacies. The are potentised ultra-dilutions. You can find more on this in an earlier post. If you are new to homeopathy, please understand remedies such as Arsenicum album do not contain material doses of arsenic!

CALCAREA CARBONICA (Group 1)

This is calcium carbonate, its origin comes from the inner surface of the oyster shell. Calc.carb for short.

Many children will go through a Calc.carb phase. Borland writes that these children are tend to be “over-fat, chilly, lethargic” – bring to mind the easy going placid chubby baby. As toddlers they happily await the world to come to them rather than be explorers. They are not energetic nor sporty and may be a bit slow at school – though thorough in their task. Like the oyster (should you try to prise one from the sea bed) there is an obstinate streak. Generally speaking, they are content and undemanding children. They love eggs but can be constipated. The back of the head can be sweaty – noticeable from the wet pillow at night.

NATRUM MURIATICUM (Group 2)

This is sodium chloride, better known as common salt. Nat.mur for short.

Dr Wynne-Simmons is of the opinion that children are not born to this constitutional type but develop a Nat.mur. protective layer in response to their environment. Perhaps, where a parent is overburdened and the child feels they are not getting the attention they wish. Thus the Nat.mur child may be the older child of the family.

This type is very responsible and quite emotionally closed (keep things to themselves). “They have a dislike of being handled”, says, Dr Borland, and what first appears as shyness is actually anger. “Soothing the child may make matters worse – it is best to be firm”. This child may have a strong sense of justice and Dr Wynne-Simmons writes that the “it’s not fair” phase (common in children) may be more pronounced. This sense of justice may make it difficult to make friends at school as they may be little ridgid and less able to give and take. Later on at school the Nat.mur child may be prone to headaches (frontal) brought on by concentrating too much – working too hard.

GRAPHITES (Group 3)

This is pure carbon, a key component in the human body (19% by weight) and fundamental to life.

This remedy heads Dr Borland’s skins group, though – as he points out – eczema can respond to remedies from other groups (e.g. Calc.carb, Sulphur etc.). You will note that Calcarea carbonica also has a carbon element, and therefore it comes as no surprise that this child may also be on the heavy side, chilly and often constipated.

Borland says (perhaps uncharitably) that Graphites children can be a bit miserable, always looking on the hopeless side of things. They show a lack of assurance. At school they hesitate in replying to a question, and have an aversion to work. They blush easily. However, this constitutional type is often very caring especially to members of their own family.

A notable difference between this type and the Calc.carb is the skin. In the latter it is soft and sweaty whereas the Graphites child has harsh dry skin which tends to crack. Cold weather and playing in water leads to chapped hands and bleeding.

Homeopaths learn that the eruptions requiring Graphites ooze a sticky honey like discharge, the problem areas often being where the skin folds (back of the ear, around the wrists and so on). There can be similar nasal discharges, and eye lids that stick together in the morning.

Though hungry children, they do not like eating fish. Borland also mentions that acute acne with (surprisingly) an aversion to sweets in adolescence can be a pointer to this remedy.

SULPHUR (Group 4)

This is indeed sulphur, the yellow mineral with which we are all familiar.

Sulphur is perhaps ‘the’ archetypal remedy in homeopathy. It’s picture is so broad that the tendency is to dismiss it from consideration.

If you think of a volcano and the sulphurous fumes during a fiery eruption, you come quickly to the picture of heat, hence Dr Borlands classification of “warm blooded”. Calc.carb children tend to be chilly, but Sulphur children are quite the opposite. They cast clothes off if overly wrapped up.

These are not tidy children – if there is a toy box present, it will soon be emptied all over the floor as Dr Wynne-Simmons observes. And he or she will be into everything given half a chance.

Like the explosive nature of the volcano, they are apt to lose their temper but it tends to subside. These children like rough and tumble, are intelligent and enthusiastic about their interests. They may appear lazy, but Dr Borland notes that this could be lack of stamina, as the Sulphur type tires easily.

PULSATILLA (also Group 4)

This a flower, also known as pasque or wind flower. I include this second remedy from Group 4 as alongside Calc.carb it is a classic children’s remedy. The flower likes chalky soils and chalk is calcium carbonate!

It has large flower heads that sway in the wind. Whilst exceptions prove the rule, it is classically associated with the temperament of a girl. The pulsatilla child is affectionate and tearful (alternating with laughter) who wants to please. Typically small children with fine skin and hair, they are quite shy and will hold her parents hand. They like attention and don’t like being ignored. Rich foods (fat) tend to disagree.

Whist the above is the stereotypical picture Dr Borland records a second Pulsatilla type. This child is slightly fatter, less fair, and more inclined to be tearful and irritable, a type easily overlooked when one has the more common picture in mind.

As is expected for this Group, the common theme is the reaction to heat as both types flag in hot weather. A sudden chilling during hot weather can lead to digestive upsets.

Pulsatilla children have a tendency to catarrhal states such as earaches often brought on by exposure to cold. Eye troubles such as conjuctivitis and styes can also trouble.

ARSENICUM ALBUM (Group 5)

The origin of this remedy is indeed arsenic (arsenic trioxide to be precise) and Ars.alb for short. Agatha Christie’s favourite poison! But homeopathy turns swords into ploughshares.

Dr Borland’s Group 5 are ‘nervy’.

Dr Wynne-Simmons observes that these children have a fine build and are neatly dressed. They tend to play quietly and constructively. They don’t like a mess or make a lot of noise. Indeed noise distracts them. Arsenicums like their bedrooms tidy. Very different from the Sulphur type for example. These children can set high standards for themselves and may be good organisers.

Dr Borland, writes that the Ars.alb child is highly strung, finely made and possibly the most attractive of children. But they are easily scared and can suffer from night terrors. There is a restlessness and they never spend time doing nothing. As a consequence, they tire easily. He says ‘inordinately’ tidy – even small boys. These children are upset if they spill jam over themselves and get into a mess; the distress is disproportionate to the cause.

Exposure to cold, makes Arsenicums liable to catch ‘cold’; a watery discharge from the nose that burns the lip the result. These children can be asthmatic, which given their nervy nature, if very frightening. They are also prone to digestive upsets and diarrhoea after eating fruits or ice cream (Ars.alb is the No1 for diarrhoea and vomiting due to food poisoning when on holiday – adults included).

CHAMOMILLA MATRICARIA (Group 5)

Chamomilla sits in the same group, and I mention it also – but only briefly. Its origin is the plant commonly known as German Chamomile (as used in Chamomile tea).

The keynote here is extreme sensitivity to pain, and a consequential “frenzy of rage” (to quote Borland). This child will strike out. It is, he says, almost universal for the furious teething child with tender swollen gums, that are one sided as shown by redness on that cheek. You can soothe a Chamomilla baby by jogging him/her in your arms – but you’ll frighten an Arsenicum!

Of course the above is just an introduction.

***

Should you care to explore the power of homeopathy please book a free 30 minute Discovery Call via this button.

And if you are in an organisation that would be interested a short talk (usually free) – tailored to your needs – please email me.

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I touched on this topic in July and return to it from time to time. It is so central to the understanding of homeopathy that I think it a good revision topic to open the New Year.

Given the billions of pounds / dollars spent on conventional medicine, both in terms of research and day to day practise, homeopathy has to be radically different in some way.

There is clearly common ground in such as anatomy and physiology for example.

The difference arises in the understanding of the nature of disease.

And life…

What is Life?

Science writer Philip Ball in his book How Life Works, tells us that despite the remarkable  discoveries, 21st century science still cannot explain life. 

We learn that humans comprise around 40 trillion cells, and billions of miles of DNA (who worked that out?), carrying far more information that the most advanced computer.  Moreover, we are about 70% water by weight; more fluid than solid.  

When death comes, we dissolve back into the elements of which we are composed.

My godmother passed away this past week aged ninety-six. Sad, but she had a full life and little sickness beyond recent frailty. We know she is no longer alive, but what does this mean?

Science

The successes of modern medicine arise from the valid perception of our bio-chemical nature.  The domain of science is the material world; the concept of an invisible (non-material) harmonising and maintaining life force, does not appeal to current scientific thinking.

For the most part modern medicine perceives us as sophisticated chemical plants.  A reasonable stance from the standpoint of a career chemical engineer (ret’d) like myself, but not entirely satisfactory in my opinion!

Dr Samuel Hahnemann

German physician Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), argued that symptoms are but an expression of a disturbed invisible life force. The meticulous Dr Hahnemann, set down the precepts of Homeopathic medicine.

His profound book titled The Organon of Medicine is still in print.  It is not a ‘bible’, but the great homeopaths of the last two centuries (mostly medical doctors) find little to fault even to this day.

In fact the great American homeopaths of the early twentieth century dedicated a monument to Hahnemann. It is but a stone’s throw from the White House in Washington D.C. Apparently the first monument to a non-American in that city and the only monument to a physician in the USA.

For sure Hahnemann did not have the sophisticated technologies of 20th / 21st century medicine, but it would seem that he had something to say that remains pertinent. Strange then that his work barely gets a mention in medical schools.

Back in the 1990s or thereabouts, British physician and homeopath Dr David Taylor-Reilly once said that if only 5% of all that has been written on Homeopathy was valid it would still be worth taking note. Given the weight of books on my shelves, I can vouch for that.

Twenty-first Century Homeopathy

It is a valid criticism that the mechanism of homeopathic medicines is not understood. Research is needed, but it is a costly business. The pharmaceutical industry fund this by patententing new drugs which generate huge profits. Homeopathic medicines – quite different in nature from modern drugs – have, for the most part been around for years, are not patentable so money is tight.

But research is happening. The HRI established a decade or so ago is the main coordinating body and below is a summary for 2025 from their website.

Homeopathy and its Principles

It is a reasonable proposition that life events, acquired or inherited, disrupt the desired natural harmonious state and by extension the life force postulated by Hahnemann.

Harmony needs to be restored.   Vitality and health return.

Central tenets of homoepathic medicine are (1) individuality and the (2) totality of symptoms. 

Your life experience is unique (individuality). The totality of your symptoms (mental, emotional, physical, historical, inheritance) has meaning beyond inconvenience. It is the total expression of the efforts of the life force to harmonise those trillions of cells. 

This leads to another principle, (3) the law of similars. In other words it is better to support these healing efforts rather than suppress then. This contrasts the anti-pathic approach of convential medicine.

This is not to deny the virtue of (say) antibiotics (note ‘anti’), but it is another way of thinking that warrants reflection not dismissal.

The last key principle is (4) less is more when it comes to medicines. Modern medicine treats with more not less (extra strength pain relief say), so this is a controversial subject.

Hahnemann, was physician, liguist and chemist – a polymath of his time. Through experimentation he moved from the material medicines of his day (herbal and mineral) to ever smaller concentrations and got results.

Simply put, he found that the less material the medicine the better it acted on the non-material life force. It is a good place to start. Considering the growing resistance to antibiotics alone, it would be better to reserve their use for heroic medicine where it is needed.

Homeopathy is generally not quick-fix medicine. The timeline for decline and recovery in health are proportional.

The goal is cure and not symptom management.  Of course, we are dynamic beings living in space and time, and our health-span is not without limits.  Nonetheless, the foundations built though childhood and middle years are reflected in later life.

New Year brings my wishes for your good health and happiness.  If disharmony is affecting your health in 2026, consider Hahnemann’s wisdom and homeopathic medicine.

The post PRINCIPLES OF HOMEOPATHY appeared first on Allan Pollock.

Comparing Allopathic and Homeopathic Medicine

Before I look at acne specifically, I want briefly to consider the philosophical differences between conventional (allopathic) medicine and homeopathic medicine. Both approaches have validity but the philosophies are different.

Homeopathy has four main laws, working together synergistically:

• The Law of Similars (like cures like) – symptoms recognised as the body’s attempt to cure
• The Totality of Symptoms (mental / emotional; general – your nature; and physical)
• Individualisation (your qualities are unique)
• Medication as necessary to stimulate a harmonising immune response within the organism – minimum dose to stimulate the life force (see below)

Behind these laws there is a fundamental principle that disease is a disturbance of the life force and that pathology (acne in this case) is not ‘the’ disease but the physical expression of that disturbance.

In contrast conventional medicine, takes a different view, though mostly not explicitly stated:

• The ‘law’ is of opposites (hence the prefix anti- before many drug groups) – symptoms represent disfunction
• Its focus is specifics (acne); the totality is of relatively modest importance*
• Disease is generalised – as expressed in diagnostic terms
• Medication acts directly on the symptom – dose proportional to severity

(*lifestyle / hormonal factors would be considered in acne)

Conventional medicine has no concept of life force, but lacks any explanation as to how the trillions of cells in the human body dance is harmony.

What is Acne

The Medscape webpages provide a useful overview of Acne Vulgaris (‘vulgaris’ meaning common). There are other forms of Acne, but the most common is Acne Vulgaris and this will be our focus. It is a chronic condition (meaning not self limiting) caused by excess production of sebum, a natural oily substance, produced by glands on the skin (pores). The majority are associated with hair follicles. The Cleveland Clinic gives a nice overview on their website.

When pores block, the result is that oil is trapped. Bacteria naturally occurring on the skin multiplies and infection can follow. The result is pimples and pustules often containing pus. When the cells rupture around the hair follicles deeper in the skin the term cystic acne is used. The result is painful boil like lesions which risk scarring. If the acne is mild, as is more often the case, it is no big deal, but if it is painful and disfiguring, that is another matter.

Teenage acne is quite common and related to the hormonal changes at puberty. Acne developing after the teenage years is termed adult acne. Severe acne would appear to be in the order of single figure percentages but numbers apprear to be increasing according to this article by the British Association of Dematologists.

Genetic predisposition is – as in most things – a factor that must be considered. It is not unusual to find a pattern across the generations.

Conventional – Treatment for Acne

In the more severe cases where treatment is warranted GPs or specialists will prescribe any of the following where appropriate:

• Salicylic Acid (exfoliates and unclogs pores)
• Benzoyl Peroxide (antibacterial lotion)
• Antibiotics
• Vitamin A derived drugs (Retinoids) – oral or topical
• Hormone treatments such as oral contraceptives

Side effects vary from mild (e.g. redness / dry skin) to potential mood effects with the oral retinoids. This acne support website indicates benefits accruing after 12 weeks of treatment.

Homeopathy – Treatment for Acne

Homeopathic medicine regards acne as a symptom of fundamental imbalance, so the treatment is primarily constitutional. Homeopathy is not quick fix medicine – it takes time – but as mentioned above conventional treatments take time also, but unlike homeopathy the orthodox focus is more on the symptoms than the totality.

Homeopathy takes a particular interest in genetic predisposition. This is the study of ‘miasm’ on which I have written before here and here.

Where infection is present remedies such as Silica and Hepar Sulph may be prescribed. Where pus is not present, then Sulphur might be considered, or Kali Bromatum. But within the realm of constitutional prescribing there are many more possibilities.

Do remember that homeopathic medicines are energetic (I like to say ‘informational’) and not biochemical. I have a blog on this subject which is quite important to understand.

In researching this article, I came across another article titled ‘How Homeopathy Can Help Tackle Acne’ which I judge give a realistic assessment of both the nature of the indivdualisation in homeopathy and duration of treatment.

One Case

In the early days of my practice I did treat a young lady (20s) with quite bad acne. It was interesting because there had been quite a lot going on in her life that was clearly a contributing factor. There was clear hormonal component as well, as the condition worsened around the time of her period. One might think it irrelevant that she often came to that appointment after a stint in the gym, but these two factors alone pointed to the homeopathic remedy Sepia and she made some progress on this.

Unfortunately, she wanted quicker results than I could give (though we had barely reached the 12 weeks advice for orthodox treatment). Looking back, I wonder whether such as Folliculinum (oestrogen in homepathic potency) might have improved matters further – but this is just speculation.

At any rate, one learns. Not just the homeopathic method but setting our expectations at the outset.

There is a high probabilty of success using homeopathy but it takes time.

Lifestyle

Whichever approach is followed, lifestyle factors cannot be ignored. A fundamental tenet in homeopathy is the need to address any exciting cause be diet or drugs (medicinal or recreational) or other factors. The liver in particular has a key role in detoxification so this organ needs to be funtioning well and homeopathy can assist in improving liver function.

***

Should you care to explore whether homeopathy can help with your health please book a free 30 minute Discovery Call via this button.

And if you are in an organisation that would be interested a short talk (usually free) – tailored to your needs – please email me (allan@allanpollock.co.uk).

The post Homeopathy treatment for Acne appeared first on Allan Pollock.

Introduction

Emma (‘Em’) Colley is a graduate of the North West College of Homeopathy. She has practiced homeopathy for some 18 years, and today also teaches and supervises students. 

Chapter one relates the story of her teenage companion (a horse), Kara. Kara had a chronic eye inflammation and was a risk of losing an eye. She was healed by homeopathy.

[btw note that animals only Vets are permitted to treat animals].

Em says that her ‘intention in writing this book is to help [the reader] gain a greater understanding of homeopathy and what it can achieve’.   Clearly her intention is also to spread the word, and so this is a book for the interested lay reader.  Nevertheless her ‘joy’ resonates equally with the professional.  

Homeopathy – its Laws (and contrasts to conventional medicine)

Her opening chapter, ‘What is Homeopathy’, gives an important resumé of the philosophy and principles of homeopathy including its Laws. Of these the most important is the law of similars (in short – like cures like).

Generally speaking, in homeopathy, symptoms reflect the curative effort of the organism which should be supported and not suppressed. (I note that I have not covered this topic for some time, so it is one I must revisit soon).

The next chapter contrasts the homeopathic and conventional approaches (this is a topic I have touched on recently). She reflects on those skeptical of the therapy. Her wish is that ‘the two opposing schools’ might work together harmoniously for the benefit of all.

Homeopathy Real Life Case Studies and Testimonials

She writes that ‘the proof is in the pudding’. So, in magazine style Em goes on to summarise some 30 cases, from patients young and old.  These are grouped according to the focus of the complaint (e.g. headaches, respiratory, skin, mental health etc.).  Patients are of all ages. This is clever, as the breadth of the potential of homeopathic treatment becomes apparent.  And it is also important as even patients sympathetic to the therapy are apt to limit its potential. 

The opening story about her horse is a case in point. A blog from retired GP and homeopath Dr Bob Leckridge comes to mind here. He recalls advice given during his GP training to think twice before sending a patient to a ‘man with a knife’!   None deny that surgery has its place but the risk and consequences have to be weighed.

Chronic illness is often debilitating. Em laments for those who needlessly suffer because ‘there is nothing more that we [orthodoxy] can do’. 

In the closing chapters Em shares some close family experiences of homeopathy used alongside conventional medications and post operatively.

The Homeopathic Consultation

Em reveals the homeopathic process to the reader almost subliminally.  There are greater depths to find on second reading.  What does come across is the care and time she takes in analysing each case. This is also reflected in the words of her patients who write of their experience.

I have blogged previously on the importance of the homeopathic consultation.

In a book of ‘Joy’, the challenges and frustrations of homeopathic prescribing in an impatient and sceptical world, have less emphasis. Neither are they denied, however.

She makes the important point that ‘Homeopathy is not a miracle cure’. Nor is it a quick fix.

Increasingly now, I make it clear to patients / clients that longer standing conditions take time to resolve. Children respond quicker because they have not had time to accumulate many health issues. The clue is in the name – ‘patient’!

Joy

Her joy is in listening, in witnessing healing; in learning and collaborating. These sum up her motivations in the conclusion to this thoughtful and readable work. It comes as an encouragement to all those curious and open to the healing art.  

May I encourage you to investigate whether homeopathy can help with your health needs? I offer a free half-hour discovery call which you can book via my website. Or send an email to info@allanpollock.co.uk

****

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Naturopathic View

From my bookshelf I pull a book dating back to 1985, written by a naturopath Ross Tattler. On the subject of colds and coughs, he notes the ‘bewildering arsenal of weapons to wipe out the enemy’ that is the common cold. Take a look in the supermarket or pharmacy and you will see that not much has changed 40 years on.

He then writes, ‘How strange it must sound to hear that this is the worst possible of all courses to follow!’

He goes on to tell us that the common cold is not a disease that ‘leaps out and attacks the innocent’. Indeed, he says, ‘it is not a disease…rather the cure of a disease’. In other words the body’s defence mechanisms are at work to detoxify the body and reestablish balance. Consequently, over-the-counter medications, which suppress symptoms, simply delay recovery.

The conventional view is that colds are caused by a virus, a reasonable proposition. Yet it’s not entirely clear how viruses come about, even what they are about (e.g. seasonality). Also not everyone ‘catches’ the cold at the same time, which is slightly strange as viral particles abound especially in urban settings. So, individual susceptibility must be factored-in. For the virus to ‘take’ there has to be susceptibility.

Interestingly, a research facility near Salisbury, studied the common cold for many years, closing in 1990. Much was learned, but no ‘cure’ found.

Discussion as to our nature, and that of a ‘cold’ continues. Meatime, to assume that a ‘cold’ has purpose (however inconvenient) is one reasonable hypotheses. That purpose is a cleansing effort to remove toxins from the body and maintain health. You need a clear out from time to time.

So much for hypotheses, what should you do practically?

Common Themes

If you can accept the above uncertainties, then practitioners of a naturopathic bent are generally well aligned on the approach. Coming up to date, Dr Sarah Myhill formerly a general practitioner now turned naturopath (with a special interest in ME) penned a book in 2020 titled Ecological Medicine. In the Appendix you will find the Groundhog Acute table of guidance.

Common approaches between her thinking and such as Tattler’s earlier work are:

• Take vitamin C to bowel tolerance. Vitamin C greatly reduces any viral or microbial load in the gut. Being water soluble it is very safe because any excess leaves in the urine. Saturation is marked by a loose bowel (at which point stop for 24h and restart at a lower dose). In Dr Myhill’s experience 3-4 doses of 10g should abolish symptoms (Obviously much less for a toddler – say 500mg and a young child 1000mg). It is a matter of experimentation and finding what works best for you.
• Drink plenty of fluids – fresh orange – which you can dilute etc. Hot or cold whichever you prefer.
• A good multivitamin (Dr Myhill sells Sunshine Salt), but I would say that for the common cold Zinc is the key mineral – a daily tablet is typically 10-15mg dose.
• Consider fasting or at least eat in moderation and nutritiously – home made soups are a good idea. Here is one: chicken soup and tlc!
• Rest and sleep – which is not something that comes easily to modern life styles. Discretion is often better than valour

Suppression

Another common theme is avoiding suppressive medications. Don’t suppress your symptoms with drugs (paracetamol etc). Symptoms are the body’s intelligent response; driving return to harmony. Drugs make you feel better but being suppressive, recovery takes longer.

Potentially, by depressing the immune system an infection can deepen, taking hold and risking health further.

As Myhill says – use your brain! She means assessing whether the situation is stable, getting better or worse.

Clearly if a respiratory infection is deepening with the potential of say pneumonia (lung infection) it is time to seek medical help.

War Chest

It is sensible to have some vitamin C (powder is good) and zinc in he medicine chest. There are plenty of options but here is one supplier I came across whilst writing this: https://www.biocare.co.uk/. Higher Nature and Health Plus are others

Homeopathy

Homeopaths like naturopaths understand that your symptom picture has meaning. Both perceive symptoms as the body’s effort to restore harmony.

Consequently, the purpose of the homeopathic remedy (medicine) is to complement the work of the immune system. Not suppress it.

As with vitamins and minerals above, having a simple remedy kit to hand is worthwhile. It will keep for years if looked after.

Classical homeopathic prescribing considers the following:

1. Causation (virus in this case)
2. Location (e.g. nose or throat)
3. Modalities (what makes the symptoms better or worse e.g. hot or cold drink)
4. Sensation (is there anything remarkable about the symptom)
5. Concomitants (anything else going on?)

Consider homeopathic treatment like finding the right key for a lock, if after a taking the remedy for a short while (see below for method) there is no response, then try another. The remedy has to resonate.

The task is to match the charateristics of a remedy (medicine) with the symptoms of the patient. As stated, symptoms reflect the body’s attempt to cure, which you want to encourage.

The homeopathic remedy echoes those symptoms and stimulates an immune response. This is the principle of ‘like curing like’ (which is what the word Homeo-pathy means). Properly applied you will get better quicker.

Some Typical Remedies

Here are some characteristics of remedies typically found in first aid kits.

• Aconite – sudden onset, hot, restless, apprehensive, fever. Remedy for inflammations during the first 24 hours. A good remedy to take at onset. (keynote: fever and apprehension)
• Belladonna – similar to Aconite but slightly slower onset. High fever, yet chilly. Wants to be covered. Red skin, glaring eyes – even delirium and rage (keynote: fever and anger – contrast Aconite).
• Gelsemium – classic ‘flu: chills up and down spine. Feeling tired, weak and shaky, not too thirsty, headache. (keynote: ‘dull’, ‘droopy’ and ‘drowsy’).
• Bryonia – hot, irritable, thirsty with cough and headache. Movement makes symptoms worse (keynote: ‘bear with a sore head’!)
• Rhus tox – aching in the bones, teasing cough at night. Restless so better with motion, possible septic state (keynote: muscles stiff but better once moving – contrast Bryonia).
• Arsenicum – chilly, restless. Thinks it useless to take medicine. Thirsty for sips of warm water. Eyes and nose stream and burn, great weakness (keynote: burning yet better with heat – hot drinks or hot applications)
• Ferrum Phos – sits between Aconite / Belladonna (less feverish) and Gelsemium (more active) (keynote: give if no other remedy strongly indicated)
• Nux Vomica – history of mental strain and excessive use of stimulants (coffee etc.). Chilly and irritable with fiery temperament. Must be covered. Cough with bursting headache, dry fever without thirst, gastric symptoms (keynote: crampy, hypersensitive, cold intolerant)
• Allium Cepa – Copious, watery discharge from nose. Eyes red and burning. Possible hacking cough (keynote: think of effects of chopping an onion – also a hay fever medicine)

Taking Homeopathic Medicines

Homeopathic medicines are absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth – not the gut. So you let the pill dissolve under the tongue. Note that there is no difference in dosage or approach for children.

A simple alternative approach is to put one or two pills into a bottle of water and shake (they may not dissolve straight away – that does not matter). Then sip on and off through the day (lightly shake each time). Hold in the mouth for a few seconds then swallow.

The active homeopathic remedy is typically absorbed onto a sugar pill. When you put the pill into water the pattern or resonance of the remedy transfers to the water. You can top up the water bottle without adding another pill.

If you see no improvement in 24-36 hours then you should retake your case and try another remedy. Once there is clear improvement then you can stop taking the remedy – the body will take over.

For guidance on the use of homeopathy please book a discovery call via my website or mail me at allan@allanpollock.co.uk.

I am happy to give short talks to groups on homeopathy in general and on the homeopathic approach to the treatment of minor ailments, please email me.

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