Heilkunst Homeopathy: A Family Affair

By Sandra Morton Weizman

This article first appeared in The Autism File in the Summer 2015 issue.

The Art and Science of "Wholing"

The word Heilkunst comes from the German language and literally translates as the art and science of making whole or of "wholing." Rather than treating disease as a stand-alone entity, Heilkunst is a comprehensive system of medicine that addresses all jurisdictions of health: regimen, medicine, and therapeutic education.

The system was originally formulated by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843), a German-born physician who is more commonly known as the founder of homeopathy. Dr. Hahnemann was a medical genius and a man far ahead of his time. He spoke and wrote in nine languages, published extensively in the fields of medicine, chemistry, and pharmacology, and introduced a philosophy and system of medicine that was rooted in the laws and principles of nature.

Tonic and Pathic Diseases

Dr. Hahnemann identified two distinct categories of disease: tonic and pathic. Tonic diseases are part of a person's fixed nature, or constitution, and can be managed by a healthy lifestyle (regimen) but can never be cured. An example of a tonic disease would be a person's genotype, meaning their inborn, inherited nature. Pathic diseases, in contrast, are not natural to the person and are imposed from the outside. They are curable through the law of similars (like cures like). An example of a pathic disease is measles.

Constitution Types

In Heilkunst, there are six genotypes and six phenotypes, each with its own unique physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. Identifying and treating a person's constitutional type allows us to understand the underlying tendencies and susceptibilities that make each person unique.

The Six Genotypes

• Silicea — The refined, artistic, sensitive type. They tend to be thin-framed, chilly, and prone to perfectionism. They can be stubborn but also yielding and lack self-confidence.
  

• Calcarea Carbonica — The solid, dependable, hardworking type. They tend to be fair, round, and fleshy. They crave security and routine and can be slow and methodical in their approach.
  

• Lycopodium — The intellectual, ambitious type. They tend toward digestive complaints and bloating. They can be bossy and domineering but are often cowardly underneath.
  

• Phosphorus — The open, sympathetic, expressive type. They tend to be tall, slender, and graceful. They are warm, friendly, and love company but can burn out easily.
  

• Sulphur — The philosophical, idealistic, self-centered type. They tend to run hot, be untidy, and have skin issues. They are full of ideas and theories but can be lazy about practical matters.
  

• Pulsatilla — The gentle, yielding, emotional type. They tend to be soft, fair, and changeable. They crave affection and consolation and are easily moved to tears.
  

The Six Phenotypes

• Arsenicum Album — The anxious, restless, fastidious type. They are neat, orderly, and security-conscious. They tend toward anxiety about health and can be very critical.
  

• Nux Vomica — The driven, competitive, irritable type. They are ambitious, efficient, and impatient. They tend to overindulge in stimulants and can be quarrelsome.
  

• Lachesis — The intense, loquacious, jealous type. They are passionate, creative, and suspicious. They tend to feel worse after sleep and cannot tolerate tight clothing around the neck.
  

• Sepia — The independent, worn-out, indifferent type. They tend toward hormonal issues and can become emotionally flat. They feel better with vigorous exercise and may become averse to loved ones.
  

• Staphysagria — The suppressed, sweet, accommodating type. They tend to hold in their emotions, especially anger, and can become resentful. They are sensitive to what others say about them.
  

• Natrum Muriaticum — The reserved, responsible, grief-holding type. They tend to be serious, private, and self-reliant. They hold onto grief and past hurts and can be easily offended.
  

Defining Disease Types

In Heilkunst, pathic (curable) diseases are further divided into two main categories: those caused by specific traumas and shocks that a person has experienced in their life, and those that are inherited through the family line, known as chronic miasms.

Timelines and Traumas

A unique aspect of Heilkunst treatment is the detailed timeline of significant events in a person's life. This timeline includes all physical traumas (such as injuries, surgeries, vaccinations, and drug use) as well as emotional traumas (such as grief, fright, humiliation, and betrayal). Each of these events has the potential to create a disease imprint on the person's life force, and each one can be addressed with a specific homeopathic remedy based on the law of similars. Physical traumas may include: birth trauma, falls, broken bones, surgeries, vaccinations, antibiotics and other drugs, concussions, dental work, exposure to toxins, and physical abuse.

Mental and emotional traumas may include: grief, fright, shock, abandonment, humiliation, disappointment, betrayal, bullying, emotional abuse, neglect, and loss.

Chronic Miasms

The chronic miasms are inherited disease patterns that are passed down through the family line. They represent deep-seated tendencies toward certain types of disease and dysfunction. There are eight chronic miasms, each associated with a particular season and set of characteristics:

• Psora (Autumn) — The itch miasm. Related to functional disturbances, deficiency, and irritation. Associated with skin conditions, allergies, and anxiety.
  

• Malaria (Autumn) — Related to periodicity and cyclical complaints. Associated with recurring fevers, headaches, and intermittent symptoms.
  

• Tuberculinum (Winter) — Related to dissatisfaction and the desire for change. Associated with respiratory issues, restlessness, and a romantic temperament.
  

• Cancer (Winter) — Related to perfectionism and suppression. Associated with fastidiousness, control, and the suppression of emotions.
  

• Medorrhinum (Spring) — The figwart miasm. Related to excess and extremes. Associated with mucus, warts, and a tendency to go to extremes.
  

• Ringworm (Spring) — Related to struggle and alternation. Associated with skin eruptions that come and go, and a feeling of trying hard but never quite succeeding.
  

• Luesinum (Summer) — The syphilitic miasm. Related to destruction and degeneration. Associated with ulceration, bone problems, and despair.
  

• Carcinosin (Summer) — Related to over-sensitivity and people-pleasing. Associated with a strong desire to please others, suppressed emotions, and a history of domination.

By systematically addressing both the timeline traumas and the chronic miasms, Heilkunst treatment works to remove the layers of disease that have accumulated over a person's lifetime and through their family line, ultimately restoring the individual to a state of greater health and wholeness.