Upon release of its potential energy a pendulum swings past the midpoint of its arc. The pendulum’s movement eventuates in a point diametrically opposed to where it started. Similarly, rather than merely reducing the magnitude of an existential issue’s charge (a pendulum unaccountably halting at the midpoint of its arc), a dramatic polarity shift in a client’s psyche is evident. Liberation from the prior remedy’s existential issue is signaled by the pendulum swing. This indicates that regardless of how good a remedy was, a new medicine is called for rather than repeating the old one.

Case Study

Psychic Excavation with a Sisyphus-like Patient

My Sisyphus-like client reported detesting a job to which he felt chained. Though repetitious and pointless, the job “paid the bills.” He much regretted educational and career decisions that had led him to his occupational plight. Despite being well-off and possessed of various skills, he felt powerless to quit or even to look around for something else. “Let’s say I did?” he asked. “The new job would be no better than the one I have now, likely even worse.” In his relationships he felt misunderstood and powerless to do anything about it. I gave him Germanium metallicum.

The conclusion of the remedy’s several-weeks-long time frame indicated that psychic excavation was underway. As opposed to griping about his job, he now had a new complaint. Though drained of motivation to look for different work—or to do anything, for that ­matter—he revealed an upsurge of self-awareness and personal agency in our next session. My client spoke of anguish regarding his dysfunctional family of birth, of its gradual fracturing into multiple indifferent relationships. He reported an unrealistic desire to gain membership in someone else’s large family that he recognized as being compensatory.

Surfacing also was a feeling of being unmoored, floating with no sense of being anywhere, that indicated a pendulum swing: As opposed to being chained (in relation to his work), the opposite was now true. He became suddenly too free—untethered, disconnected, unmoored. This accounted for his lack of motivation and called for a different remedy, one fitting the new symptoms. My choice was Amethyst immersion derived from a precious gem of the same name and whose themes Peter Tumminello has wonderfully brought to light.2

Following Amethyst immersion my client not only gained his footing but in another pendulum swing transitioned from being unmoored into an opposite state. At our follow-up he presented as tethered to material goals. His suddenly raging ambition, intensity, and loquaciousness prompted my prescribing Lachesis muta, a remedy made from the venom of the Brazilian bushmaster snake (whose sycotic “ego versus id” issue is discussed in chapter 3).

In his analysis of the remedy Osmium metallicum Jan Scholten offers an alternative appropriation of the Sisyphus myth. A stage 8 metal situated close to the midpoint of the gold series on the periodic table of the elements, Osmium metallicum, both for good and for ill, represents nearly the zenith of the weighty responsibility theme of the gold series. In this reading Sisyphus, bulling his way to the heights, cannot quite reach them. The tragic theme—“failure through dictatorial behavior”—expresses a downfall resulting from arrogance and ambition, when the pressure to rise becomes implosive and/or attracts opposition.3

Condemned to push a huge boulder up a hill, Sisyphus imparts superhuman effort to his task. He succeeds in propelling the boulder upward, almost surmounting the hill’s crest before the treacherous rock escapes his grip and careens back down the hill. In its endless repetition Sisyphus’s task demands superhuman determination and strength.

As Scholten notes, conditions attached to Osmium metallicum’s existential issues include:

• Problems with testes and ovaries: inflammation, cancer, cryptorchidism (undescended testes), sterility, amenorrhea, metrorrhagia (irregular uterine bleeding)
• Afflictions of bones: necrosis
• General inflammation: paralysis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, cancer, headache, swelling of the face
• Eye complaints: visual disturbances, glaucoma
• Heart ailments: high blood pressure, infarction, congestion of blood, cerebral hemorrhage, anemia
• Stomach problems

Whether providing Sisyphus with Germanium metallicum or Osmium metallicum, postal service and Amazon couriers will likely balk: “Make that delivery? No way in hell!”

Ministering to Bartleby the Scrivener

Sisyphus’s corrective, confining, and severe punishment reflected the respect that Zeus held for the former king’s power and the havoc of which Sisyphus remained capable. Sisyphus maintained a formidable presence. When the cards of life are dealt, a hand opposite to that of Sisyphus’s can also be held.

Suppose an awareness dawns that I am obsolete and altogether powerless. What if the individual’s endeavors have become inconsequential, rendering them a nonentity? Whether or not objectively true, such a mindset invokes Bismuth subnitricum, a remedy occupying a tail-end position (stage 15) within the periodic table’s gold series, whose theme is power. As an emblem of this state we find the protagonist of a short story by Herman Melville, “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street.” The scrivener Bartleby is a type of clerk, a copyist, who refuses to perform the sort of writing demanded of him. In response to any request he obstinately repeats, “I prefer not to.” The narrator of “Bartleby, the Scrivener” casts back to when Bartleby first came to work for him. It was a time in the 1840s when the wealthy magnate John Jacob Astor owned a great deal of New York City real estate and unrest was rife among the working class. With the Industrial Revolution prompting drastic changes in working conditions, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published The Communist Manifesto in 1848, calling for revolt among industrial workers. In the United States factory workers did strike, protesting the long hours they worked for low pay. Workers engaged in bookbinding, upholstering, shoemaking, and tailoring engaged in strikes. Rather than stage organized rebellions, white-collar workers on the brink of becoming obsolete could mount passive-aggressive, existential insurrections like the one made by Bartleby.4

Bismuth subnitricum’s physical symptoms include swollen glands, inflammation, necrosis, weakness, Parkinson’s disease, headache, eye pain and diminished vision, gastritis, ulcers, cancer, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Within the extremities a sensation of glowing heat in the thighs can be experienced. Males in need of the remedy are prone to testicular problems and infertility. Females in need of the remedy are likewise prone to infertility, in addition to ovarian issues.5

Ministering to Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

An instructive junior version of the Sisyphean “getting to the top is brutal” theme is exemplified by a different remedy. Positioned not within the gold series but in the first quarter (stage 5) of the ferrum series, whose overall concern is our relation to work or the task at hand, we have Vanadium. The Vanadium individual is a perfectionist perfectly aware that the job needs to be done. Doing it exactly right will elevate him, but fear of both failure and success torments him. Rather than Sisyphus, the exemplar is Shakespeare’s Hamlet, prince of Denmark. Hamlet knows monstrous evil would be redressed if his murderous uncle could be dispatched. Instead of taking action, Hamlet muses over an existential question: “To be or not to be?” He procrastinates; accidentally kills an elderly advisor to the king, Polonius; dithers; and torments both his girlfriend and himself with riddles.

Written by: Jerry M. Kantor, L.Ac., CCH, MMHS

About the Author: Jerry M. Kantor, L.Ac., CCH, MMHS, is a faculty member of the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine and owner of Vital Force Health Care LLC, a Boston-area homeopathy and acupuncture practice. The first acupuncturist to receive an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Anaesthesiology, Kantor is the author of Sane Asylums, Interpreting Chronic Illness, The Toxic Relationship Cure, and Autism Reversal Toolbox. He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts. https://vitalforcehealthcare.com/

The Emotional Roots of Chronic Illness by Jerry M. Kantor, L.Ac., CCH, MMHS © 2023 Healing Arts Press. Printed with permission from the publisher Inner Traditions International. www.InnerTraditions.com

The post Psychic Excavation and Pendulum Swing appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Although homeopathy has an impressive track record in treating a wide range of ailments, I have seen excellent results achieved in the treatment of a range of skin conditions, in the course of my practice. Often the patients who come to me have received conventional medical treatment for their skin conditions, but with varying levels of success. In search of a safer and less invasive cure, and often at the behest of a friend or family member, they decide to (often as a last resort and without much expectation!) give homeopathic treatment a chance. For the vast majority of these patients, my treatment proves to be effective and some are left pleasantly surprised.

A lovely little fellow aged eight years old was brought in by his mother complaining of a large stubborn patch of eczema on his hand. Thus far his mother had been using a topical ointment prescribed by their GP which would successfully alleviate the eczema, only for the complaint to return more viciously after a few months. This cycle had repeated a couple of times. The little boy’s symptoms included an incessant itch which he found difficult to resist scratching, often leading to bleeding at the site of the eczema. 

As I investigated the case, two things became quite evident. The patient’s usual bowel activity was sluggish and meant he opened his bowels every 2-3 days. This routine would sometimes go off-track with occasional bouts of constipation, where 4-5 days would pass without activity.  Homeopathic theory suggests a vital link between the bowels’ efficacy in eliminating toxins from the body and the consequent effects on the skin when such toxins are not efficiently removed. This combined with the boy’s continued use of the topical ointment resulted, in my view, in driving the eczema deeper.

As the skin is a highly reactive organ, ascertaining the cause-and-effect relationship is vital in helping to build up a picture of what is going on inside. It is not uncommon for me to see a patient suffering from eczema but who also suffers from say, constipation or an over reactive immune system or dysbiosis (disturbed ecology of gut microbiome). Similarly, hormonal imbalances in adolescents hitting puberty, and/or during the premenstrual stage in females, can cause a breakout of acne. Stress and anxiety can be seen time and time again causing inflamed, reddened and itchy skin in some patients. And there are many other skin conditions which are rooted in some sort of internal imbalance. 

So, in tandem with the homeopathic doctrine of holistic healing, I proceeded to prescribe the homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica to my young patient, with the aim of providing safe and gradual support to the bowels in achieving their natural rhythm. This remedy encourages peristalsis- a series of wave like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract. Although it remains true that Nux Vomica is highly effective in treating sluggish bowels and has not disappointed me in the course of providing treatment to patients, it also remains the case that such treatment cannot be used indiscriminately, since each patient’s specific individual symptoms will determine the eventual choice of remedy. 

I further prescribed another homeopathic remedy- Graphites, to my young patient. This remedy is particularly beneficial for eczema  located on the hand with a crust-like presentation, and which is sometimes accompanied by clear fluid. My case notes ticked off most of these symptoms. The time and diligence taken to match individual symptoms with those of the remedy is pivotal in prescribing homeopathic treatment.

Providing lifestyle and dietary advice to my clients is central to my practice.  Often, adjusting dietary preferences in conjunction with homeopathic protocols produce excellent results. For my patient, I advised less junk food and less refined carbohydrates for the period of the treatment. I recommended that his diet be adjusted  to include more soluble and insoluble fibre in the form of fruit, vegetables, beans, potatoes and cereals. 

Homeopathic treatment can sometimes cause an initial flare-up of symptoms. For a first-time patient this may be disheartening but in fact such flare-ups are a positive sign as they show that the suppression of symptoms is abating, toxins are being off-loaded and the body is on course to healing itself naturally. My little patient also experienced a mild flare up of symptoms followed by a steady improvement. 

Three weeks after my patient began homeopathic treatment, the results were highly satisfying- the eczema patch had cleared by around 90%, there was no longer any itching, and the little boy was opening his bowels on a regular basis. His appetite and quality of sleep had also significantly improved. His mother was impressed with the results, particularly of the fact that she had initially contacted me for her child’s eczema but had as an added bonus seen a general improvement in his health and well-being.  

This is how homeopathy works; its approach is holistic, and one that offers sustained cures in a safe and effective manner.  As homeopaths are often inclined to say “homeopathy treats the person, not the disease”. 

Written by Haroon Ashraf

Haroon Ashraf is a homeopath based in London, where he offers consultations in person and online. Haroon specialises in treating skin and gut conditions. Please visit his homeopathy practice at https://holistichomeopathy.co.uk/ for more information.   

The post Homeopathy for Eczema appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

Madeline Landauer, homeopath and flower essence practitioner with The Human Touch project in Shoreham-by-Sea, shares some of the health changes possible with these modalities.

“Homeopathy, which goes back hundreds of years, is a system of energy healing based on addressing symptoms naturally. By gathering a holistic picture through conversation with a person and matching that to the corresponding remedy, we create a resonance that re-awakens the individual’s inner transformative powers. In acute cases we only need to address a very current situation; for example if you were to fall down and bruise your knee, Arnica tablets or cream may help you to quickly recover both physically and emotionally.

Often however we are looking at deeper, more chronic issues. So if you’ve had, say, fatigue or PMS or headaches long-term we would take the time to understand on all levels where the imbalance originates. For earache we might give Pulsatilla, Belladonna or Chamomilla tablets, deciding the appropriate remedy once we know all the pertinent details. The homeopathic consultation is a lovely, gentle exchange that promotes self-awareness.

Made from natural substances, sunshine and water, flower essences may be considered as connecting with us on an emotional level. They are like friends that support us to find our confidence, cheer us up or release stress. That process allows the body and mind to heal. There are many different ranges of flower essences out there these days offering us an amazing array of options to choose from. A Bach flower I often use is Walnut for any life changes we are going though. Another of my favourites is Alpine Mint Bush from the Australian essences which is wonderful for carers and others who feel worn out and seek to re-energise. Past traumas can eventually melt away when we work with these remedies.

We don’t necessarily want to wait until we feel poorly either. Flower essences and homeopathy can play a part in building up our strength and immune function. They remind us to be open to happiness and wonder. Along with healthy eating, plenty of positive activity in our daily lives, getting out and about and other ways of taking care of ourselves, you’ll discover that homeopathy is of great benefit to staying well and wise in these challenging times.”

The Human Touch project aims to provide the best environment for their clients. Currently that best space is found in the private practice spaces of their practitioner team. Visits to a client’s own home are also available. For further information, to book an appointment, or to purchase gift vouchers please contact Mary on 07796 518667 or visit thehumantouchshoreham.com or facebook.com/thehumantouch1

Madeline Landauer

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Have you ever thought of working to improve your health through lifestyle changes, diet and homeopathy? By improving your health in a more natural way, your GP may consider reducing the medications you currently take.

After switching to a macrobiotic diet many years ago for my eczema, I noticed that I no longer had ‘sleepy dust’ (rheum) in my eyes every morning, and that I no longer had headaches. I’d previously assumed that everyone had ‘sleepy dust’ and headaches!

Symptoms are signs that your body is trying to heal itself and therefore important to pay attention to, and work with the issue not suppress it. For example; when you smoke, your body doesn’t like it, so you cough, buy cough mixtures and continue smoking. Then the problem becomes more serious as the body can’t expel the poison which it continues to receive and finds some other way to deal with it. If you have a rash it indicates that your body is clearing toxins. If you suppress the problem then the body finds another way of expelling toxins. If the underlying issues are not addressed then the condition can become more serious.

In homeopathic practice the remedies reflect the symptoms you are suffering, for example the remedy Allium cepa (onion) is given for watery eyes. The remedies work with your body to mirror what your body is trying to achieve, and help it heal itself.

Some problems do not respond to conventional treatment, for instance fibromyalgia or ME, therefore often people just accept that they should live with the conditions. After homeopathic treatment I was cured of allergic rhinitis which I’d had all my life and had given up trying to resolve. Homeopathy can often work when other treatments have failed.

It’s worth visiting findahomeopath.org You can read testimonials, listed in alphabetical order of condition, and find out what homeopathy can achieve.

If you do have to take medication for a serious condition, rather than just accepting the side effects you thought you might have to live with, why not consider seeking advice from a homeopathic practitioner? There are homeopathic remedies that can help counteract the side effects of drugs without interfering with the medication itself.

Many people already use Arnica for bruises, maybe not realising that this is a homeopathic remedy, or Natrum mur for cold sores. This harmless, natural remedy will stop a cold sore in its tracks! The teething powders used for your baby probably contain Chamomilla which is another successful homeopathic remedy. From using these readily available remedies, many now realise that homeopathy is a solution to be explored.

If you would like to know more about homeopathy in general or with regard to a particular condition I am happy to speak with you. I am based at Seaford Osteopathic Clinic, and Lushington Chiropractic Clinic, Eastbourne, and also offer home visits.

Simone Oates R S Hom
homeopathyisamazing.com
simone.oates @sky.com
01323 894479 or 07936 192353

The post Improve your health in a natural way appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.