Similia - The Australian Journal of Homœopathic MedicineJune 2016—Volume 28 Number 1

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contact on a daily basis and wanted to be with, while Umbilical cord was given to a woman who couldn’t ‘disconnect’ from an abusive relationship.

In addressing irregularities immediately following the birth process, Oxytocin, (along with Lac humanum and Placenta,) not too surprisingly proved to be an important medicine for disorders after Caesarean births that resulted in breaches of connection between mother and child; and also in problems with breastfeeding. (It is a shame, though, that Timmerman doesn’t declare the source of the oxytocin used in the trituration.) The trituration of Vernix caseosa (the ‘cheese-like’ substance covering the skin of newborn babies) brought out themes of boundaries, skin, protection, being oneself and allergy, just to name a few, in the period of early development of the child.

The development of the body and the journey from ‘a safe motherly environment to an independent being’, and from a ‘magical world of youth into the rational world of adulthood’ are explored by taking a new look at the Carbons: Graphites, Diamond, Carbo animalis and the carbon salts of the periodic table.

This section concludes with the results of trituration for Hippocampus kuda, one of the seahorse species, integrating the female and male principles; DNA, the carrier of life; and a butterfly medicine Papilio iowi, an example of metamorphosis and transformation.

The Family Factor is an important consideration in any disorder of the developing child and is explained through a series of cases ranging from issues of loss of identity in an IVF case; sibling rivalry with foster children; and the broken bonds in a parent-child relationship. Often there are hidden factors, which the ‘child takes upon him/her [self], a burden, essentially belonging to the parents.’

A very interesting differentiation follows of Lac lupinum, Lac leoninum, Lac caninum and Lac humanum with a table showing symptoms from triturations 1C to 5C. One case, ‘the connection to ancient roots and instincts,’ tracks the family dynamics of a mother and her first-born son, both of whom were given Lac lupinum in a 5C trituration, while the younger son was given Lac caninum 200C. “The complementary medicine for all Lacs

derived from the animal kingdom, Lac humanum,” was given to conclude the case.

It might be timely to add here that lengthy references are given at the end of each article; and whilst Timmerman has acknowledged the earliest contributors to our understanding of the Matridonal medicines, it could have been more complete by including our own Philip Bailey, Patricia Hatherly and Liz Lalor who, along with Rajan Sankaran, have contributed much to our deeper understanding of the Lac medicines, and Lac humanum in particular.

The final section of the book deals with Trauma and suggests that many butterfly-attracting plants can be ‘trauma healing medicines that bring us back to our core self and help us learn’. The three cases of Buddleia davidii showed the diversity of this medicine. The cases included that of a premature baby and her mother; an Israeli soldier; and a 70-year-old woman with severe tics, amongst her many complaints.

This book is obviously birthed from a teaching tool and as such has some repetition, especially in regard to the trituration proving process. There are also many spelling and grammatical errors not picked up in the translation and proof reading, hence the mistakes in the quoted passages, which have not been corrected for this review. However, what is evident in these pages is the sharing of a richness of many years’ experience and exploration of homœopathy.

Interpreting

Chronic Illness:

The convergence

of Traditional

Chinese Medicine,

Homeopathy and

Biomedicine

Jerry M Kantor

Paperback, 229pp.Publisher: Right Whale Press, Wellesley Hills, MA, US, 2011Price: €29.50Reviewed by Greg Cope

Homœopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are arguably the two most common vitalistic medical systems presently used. Many homœopaths are

interested in TCM, and find its system and language useful complements to their practice. Some homœopaths however express concern about the potential for negative interaction between homœopathic and TCM treatments in application. TCM’s antipathic framework is distinct from our homœopathic framework of similars, making them appear to be directly opposite to each other in many specifics. This concern about clinical outcomes may also be informed by Hahnemann’s assertion that the acupuncture of 18th century Europe was a counter-irritant, and subsequently he considered it suppressive. Those familiar with TCM and also the history of acupuncture’s expansion out of China are aware that the European acupuncture of Hahnemann’s era was more akin to the weekend workshop types of ‘dry needling’ bemoaned by contemporary TCM practitioners, and not at all a representation of the medical system that is TCM. TCM shares with homœopathy not only a vitalistic basis, but also our conceptions of the direction of cure, principle of the minimum dose and a focus on characterising symptoms being utilised in diagnosis. A practitioner experienced in the clinical application of TCM could only conclude that despite the antipathic framework used, TCM’s clinical effects are consistent with those that we expect from homœopathic treatment.

Kantor’s book utilises the lens of phenomenology, or the study of ‘how people experience the world they live in and create’, attempting to construct a new understanding of healing able to chart the differences between homœopathy, TCM and biomedicine. He proposes that this novel conception allows the individual to steer the ‘great ship’ of their lives towards health, with a richer map than any one system provides alone. Kantor particularly uses the topography of the five special senses and their affinities to TCM’s five elements or phases (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood). In a change that will no doubt irritate TCM traditionalists he removes from the Fire element the sense of Taste which is duplicated historically under both Fire and also the digestive organs of Earth, replacing it with Touch

45Similia - The Australian Journal of Homœopathic MedicineJune 2016—Volume 28 Number 1

which is otherwise absent from this TCM categorisation.

Following a brief orientation to the essential features of both Homœopathy and TCM, Kantor provides a chapter for each element which focuses on his assigned special sense for each element and detailing observed relationships between the three medical systems through that lens. By way of example the Fire or Touch chapter details the axis between synchrony and its opposite, isolation, as the defining feature of the category of touch. It then explores biomedical disease diagnoses relating to the physical heart such as cardiovascular disease and then also details mental expressions relating to TCM’s conception of Heart such as alienation, or some mental illnesses. Within each biomedical disease heading he discusses the features of some commonly prescribed homœopathics for that condition, with a focus on the assigned TCM special sense category. In the example of the Fire/Touch chapter he explores Helleborus as a medicine of isolation and sensorial depression within autism, or Apis’s desire for synchrony in relationships and the physical symptom of oedema they may somatise when these relationships are negatively impacted, among other examples. Later chapters further develop the theme by examining chronic illness using characters from the Odyssey and further exploring the five senses conception including the interactions between the elements. Finally he guides the reader to create a personal mandala using the five sense conception.

Written from a perspective suitable to both patient and practitioner, Interpreting Chronic Illness provides the reader interested in both homœopathy and TCM with many intriguing ideas to explore.

Biomedicine’s features are less often discussed, though their diagnoses form the structure through which homœopathy is introduced. The introduction to the individual medical systems is brief, suggesting reading elsewhere as the best place to start for anyone entirely new to any of the systems. The text doesn’t progress into practical considerations for the physician in a significant way, remaining focussed on the ideas that interested readers

could pursue further themselves, using the model examples. A discussion of how the author clinically reconciles antipathy, homœopathy and allopathy within each system would have been fascinating to see presented from someone with this depth of reflection on the topic, and this unanswered question stuck with me throughout the book as a missed opportunity. Perhaps this may be an intentional strategy to focus on commonality rather than engage with those differences that keep these systems apart more commonly. For the practitioner or well-educated client this book provides much food for thought, is entirely unique to my knowledge, and more sophisticated than most writings linking these systems. I was especially pleased to see homœopathic medicines and biomedical diseases discussed from within a five element framework, but not made to be synchronous with or limited to those elements, or likely to show up as a repertorisation filter any time soon. For the practitioner seeking substantial clinical prescribing advice based on the convergence of these whole health systems, the book they seek may not be written yet, should it even be possible, but this volume may chart a path such a practitioner may be interested to pursue further for themselves.

Elementary Nutrition for Homeopaths

Dealing with the most neglected obstacle to cure

Dr Joe Rozencwajg, NMD

Publisher: Lulu (www.lulu.com)Date of Publication: December 2015 (self published)ISBN: 978-1-329-75947-3Price: £61.62 (excl. VAT)Reviewed by Christine Pope

Dr Joe’s latest book is a detailed presentation of the role that obstacles to cure, such as nutrition, can play in difficult clients and how an understanding of the key features of the standard Western diet can improve our success with these clients.

The book looks at the latest research in regard to three significant features of the Western diet, namely gluten, casein

and sugar. Each of these components is separately researched and data is provided which highlights their roles in various chronic diseases. Obviously many of these studies are small, and many highlight some issues that we have been aware of for decades; however the overall picture is compelling.

Elementary Nutrition for Homœopaths also provides some useful examples of case-taking and how it can highlight medicines which may only provide symptomatic relief when the underlying pathology is associated with a poor diet. It would not be surprising if many homœopaths could identify these cases in clinic and, without an understanding of nutrition, quite often they would be cases where the client did not return due to little improvement.

The chemistry of these problematic diets is also examined in detail, particularly with grains, and it provides a clear explanation as to why so many clients find these substances problematic, as well as highlighting unexpected cross-sensitivities, which may sabotage your efforts to improve your client’s diets and help them return to health. A common example is oats, which are technically considered gluten-free, but due to the similarity of the protein structure may still cause problems in those with cœliac disease or who are gluten intolerant.

The text also includes some useful information on the current testing for cœliac disease and where it may be misleading for some clients, and the value of exclusion diets for people who are still symptomatic despite a negative cœliac test.

A detailed explanation of a preferable diet, which is described as ‘Paleo’, is provided to give guidance as to a more healthy diet for clients. It also provides good information on common issues raised around Paleo diets such as the issues raised regarding lectins and saponins. Dr Joe gives detailed analysis of the role of these substances and how to manage them within the framework of a Paleo diet, enabling clients to have access to a wider range of healthy foods.

The book concludes with FAQ’s which would be useful for practitioners new to this material and finding it difficult to justify with clients. A great resource!