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Establishing a
scientific foundation
in homeopathy
Constitutional prescribing
by Jennifer Poole
In common with many writers, symptoms which are, in their natural Body shape does not generally
Vithoulkas identifies the constitu state, always the expression of con- alter, even when individuals are
tion with the ‘remedy picture’ and stitutional conditions. overweight. For example, an obese
these then become ‘constitutional Whilst one instinctively feels one mesomorph is still a mesomorph
remedies’. Lockie, in his popular agrees, the exact meaning of this (that is, he / she does not become
books intended for a public audi statement, nevertheless, remains an endomorph). Somatotypes apply
ence, equates the constitution somewhat obscure. Smith (1983), to both genders, with most individ
directly with susceptibility. For him meanwhile, believes each person uals showing a preponderance for
a person’s constitution describes has a ‘constitutional remedy’; his one shape. It follows that body tissue
their state of health, including their overall concept being of an ‘over type will also reflect this. Yasko also
temperament and any inherited or all’ prescription which fits physio notes that metabolism varies depend
acquired characteristics (2000). logical and psychological make-up, ing upon genetic type (2004). We
This is, again, more in line with trends of energy, metabolic activity can therefore draw the conclusion
Harwood. Under this definition, and psychological attitudes’. Inte that there is in each person a core,
however, it is unclear if one can restingly, he believes the constitu physical constitution reflected in
treat a person who is healthy? tional remedy ‘if known’ can be body type, tissue type, colouring
Roberts (2004) does not use the given regardless of the problem. and associated metabolism.
term ‘constitutional’ but empha But exactly how to ‘know it’ is not
sises the ‘inherited tendency’, later at all clear in any of these texts. Mental aspect: thinking styles
advising the practitioner to ‘con Several homeopathic authors refer
sider the temperament, the habits, What is a constitution? to mental aspects such as person-
the personality’ of the individual’. Following Hahnemann, and those ality in relation to constitution.
However, he warns of the potential who suggest that genetic inherit There is a body of psychological
damage from allopathic treatments, ance is the key in identifying the research in relation to our genetic
as the constitution will react nega constitution, and its remedy (or endowment in this area. In her
tively. This is because: remedies), the following model of summary, Harwood notes different
… while the local suppression may be the constitution in homeopathy shaped hands (‘short palms, long
entirely successful, the constitutional was constructed. It comprises three fingers’), although she does not say
manifestations are inimical to health. main elements: physical, mental how these relate to the constitu
No greater crime can be committed and emotional, all of which have tion. In psychology, it is known
against the human economy than to an evidence base. that specific physical differences in
aid and abet these suppressions, for finger length, for example, relate to
these may be the direct cause of the Physical aspect: body type thinking styles. A thinking (or cog
many constitutional diseases and the One genetically endowed aspect of nitive) style is usually defined as
group survival
that is, the person not the disease. generally and enhance every aspect
Watson adds that this is also known – physically, mentally and emotion
as Kentian, classical, centralist and ally. I have found this to be essential
essence prescribing, and that this in post-cancer treatment and other
form of prescribing is ‘undoubtedly debilitating chronic diseases where
the most difficult’. And this appears the individual may have forgotten
to be true, given that so many have ‘who they really are’.
given up trying. Most homeopaths
describe constitutional prescribing, In summary
rather than exploring how to do it. avoidance; novelty seeking; reward The research base in this suggests
Bailey summarises the current confu dependence and perseverance). that the constitutional remedy is
sion well in presenting three versions: These can be said to equate with fixed in each person. It comprises
… the one remedy which covers the each of four constitutional rem the genetic elements of physical type,
totality of the patient’s symptoms (both edies. While individual homeopaths thinking style, temperament and sus
mental and physical) at a given time may choose to associate others, the ceptibility, which underlie personali
… the one which covers the totality of four remedies I have always used ty and immunity. There are logically
a patient’s mental and physical charac- are Calc carb, Silicea, Phosphorus only four constitutional remedies,
teristics over a long period of time … and Sulphur (based on personal with all the other remedies repre
[or in some practitioners] the deepest assessment of my clients). All the senting states of adaption, miasms
layers of a person’s constitution, which other remedies are either ‘states’ (or both). It isn’t possible for eve
may be partially obscured by superfi- or miasms. And, of course, these ryone to go into every state, as our
cial layers. (Bailey, 1995) four remedies may also be indicat adaption to disease is both limited
This latter appears something of ed without being the individual’s by our inherited susceptibility and
a tautology. And, clearly, it would constitutional remedy. related to our original constitution.
be highly constructive (and helpful
to our students) if the profession A ‘belt and braces’ approach
could decide on just one definition. Prescribing the constitutional reme
In fact, using the model described dy is important for the reason given
here, the answer has become rela earlier; it alone is capable of assist
tively simple. As previously shown ing an individual to overcome their
in Table 1, Cloninger has estab innate susceptibility to the range
lished that there are four basic tem of diseases they may exhibit. Using
peraments, which appear to be con a constitutional remedy represents
sistent and reliable in cross-cultural a ‘belt and braces’ approach which,
measures. It is logical to assume
from this that there are also four
as Smith suggests, will enhance
overall health. He recommends Clearly, it would be
basic ways of reacting to life and using the higher potencies (200c or
that there are, therefore, four basic
constitutions. This is something the
10M) to ‘unlock rigid or distorted
patterns’ (1983). In fact, a lower highly constructive
Ancient Greeks also decided, only potency can be given as an inter-
they used antiquated words and
concepts, not having the benefit
current remedy; used as a health
booster and / or following comple
(and helpful to our
tion of treatment of a disease.
students) if the
of our modern scientific medical
research and understanding. Curiously, Vithoulkas is reported
Drawing from the modern evi to have said (although it is not
REFERENCES
Bailey P (1995). Homeopathic
psychology. North Atlantic
Buss A and R Plomin R (1984).
Temperament: Early developing
traits. Erlbaum
Cloninger CR (2004) Feeling good.
OUP
Close S (1985) The genius of
homoeopathy. B Jain
Hahnemann S (1912) Organon
6th Edition. B Jain Publishers
(Reprint 1992)
Hall S (2012) ‘Journey to the
Genetic Interior’ Scientific
American, October 2012
Harwood B (1998) Practice
Methodology. College of
Homeopathy (course material)
Kent J (1997 edn). Lectures
on homoeopathic philosophy.
B Jain
Krueger R, South S, Johnson W
and Iacono W (2008) The herit-
ability of personality is not
always 50% gene-environment
interactions. (http://www.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC2593100/)
Lockie A (2000) Encyclopaedia of
homeopathy. Dorling Kindersley
Mischel W (1993) Introduction to
personality (5th Edn). Harcourt
Brace College Publishers
Roberts H (2004) The principles
and art of cure by homeopathy.
© Benoit Daoust | Dreamstime.com
B Jain
Sheldon WH (1954) Atlas of Men.
Hafner Publishing Co Ltd (New
Edition 1971)
Smith T (1983) The homoeopathic
treatment of emotional illness.
Thorsons
While we can treat states success disease so as to evoke a global Using a consti Vithoulkas G (1980) The science
fully, removing disease through an (whole person) immune response tutional remedy of homeopathy. Grove
individualised approach, only the and, thereby, reduce susceptibility. represents Vithoulkas G (2006) Talks on
constitutional remedy can remove or Of course, the skills to identify the a ‘belt and classical homoeopathy. B Jain
lower susceptibility to these states. indicated remedy are still required braces’ approach Watson I (1991) A guide to the
There are in fact only four constitu (the subject of various courses at methodologies of homoeopathy.
tional remedies. Knowing this, and Nemeton and elsewhere). But with Cutting Edge
how they are connected to all of the this model of the constitution, we Yasko A (2004) Feel good nutri
other states, makes individualised have a clearer idea of what we are genomics. LCC
prescribing simpler, less confusing trying to do and why, and can move
and more effective. It is vital to forward with increased confidence Jenny Poole can be contacted at
thoroughly individualise in chronic even in very complex situations. info@nemetonfoundation.org.uk.