Jump to content

Anthroposophic medicine: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by Rebfam (talk): not adhering to neutral point of view (HG)
Rebfam (talk | contribs)
6 edits
m This page was inundated with biased references. I have removed these and made the page more neutral and informed
Line 2: Line 2:
'''Anthroposophical medicine''' (or '''anthroposophic medicine''') is a form of [[alternative medicine]] that partly complements and partly replaces mainstream medicine.<ref name=teils/> Founded in the 1920s by [[Rudolf Steiner]] (1861–1925) in conjunction with [[Ita Wegman]] (1876–1943), anthroposophical medicine draws on Steiner's [[spiritual philosophy]], which he called [[anthroposophy]].<ref name=workshop/> {{Anthroposophy}} Practitioners employ a variety of treatment techniques including massage, exercise, counselling, and the use of anthroposophic drugs.<ref name=ernstmist/>
'''Anthroposophical medicine''' (or '''anthroposophic medicine''') is a form of [[alternative medicine]] that partly complements and partly replaces mainstream medicine.<ref name=teils/> Founded in the 1920s by [[Rudolf Steiner]] (1861–1925) in conjunction with [[Ita Wegman]] (1876–1943), anthroposophical medicine draws on Steiner's [[spiritual philosophy]], which he called [[anthroposophy]].<ref name=workshop/> {{Anthroposophy}} Practitioners employ a variety of treatment techniques including massage, exercise, counselling, and the use of anthroposophic drugs.<ref name=ernstmist/>


⚫
Anthroposophical medicine takes a view of the human body and its anatomy that is at odds with [[medical science]], proposing for example that the heart does not pump blood but that blood propels itself along.<ref name=Marinelli/> It also proposes that a patient's past lives may influence their illness<ref name=qw/> and that its progress is subject to karmic destiny.<ref name=deadly/>
Anthroposophic drugs are ultra-diluted remedies, similar to those used in [[homeopathy]], and are thus completely harmless, except when used as a substitute for mainstream medicine, so missing an effective cure.<ref name=krit/> People with cancer are treated with remedies made from specially-harvested [[mistletoe]]; research has found no [[Evidence-based medicine|evidence]] that this is beneficial.<ref name=ACS/> Some anthroposophic doctors oppose childhood vaccination, and this has led to unnecessary outbreaks of disease.<ref name=measles/>

⚫
Anthroposophical medicine takes a view of the human body and its anatomy that is at odds with [[medical science]], proposing for example that the heart does not pump blood but that blood propels itself along.<ref name=Marinelli/> It also proposes that a patient's past lives may influence their illness<ref name=qw/> and that its progress is subject to karmic destiny.<ref name=deadly/> Critics, including many scientists and mainstream medical doctors, have characterized anthroposophical medicine as [[unscientific]],<ref name=mckie/> [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]]<ref name=seop/> and "pure [[quackery]]".<ref name=thes-aberdeen/>


==Background==
==Background==
Line 33: Line 31:
In 2006, anthroposophical medicine was practised in 80 countries.<ref name=AM>{{cite book|author1=Gunver Sophia Kienle|author2=Helmut Kiene|author3=Hans Ulrich Albonico|title=Anthroposophic Medicine: Effectiveness, Utility, Costs, Safety|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Y4B99iUJPuYC&pg=PP1|year=2006|publisher=Schattauer Verlag|isbn=978-3-7945-2495-2}}</ref>{{verify credibility|date=October 2013}}
In 2006, anthroposophical medicine was practised in 80 countries.<ref name=AM>{{cite book|author1=Gunver Sophia Kienle|author2=Helmut Kiene|author3=Hans Ulrich Albonico|title=Anthroposophic Medicine: Effectiveness, Utility, Costs, Safety|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Y4B99iUJPuYC&pg=PP1|year=2006|publisher=Schattauer Verlag|isbn=978-3-7945-2495-2}}</ref>{{verify credibility|date=October 2013}}


In 2012 the [[University of Aberdeen]] considered establishing a chair in holistic health jointly funded by Software AG, and by the Anthroposophic Health, Education and Social Care Movement, each of which would provide £1.5 million of endowment.<ref name=mckie/> [[Edzard Ernst]] commented "that any decent university should even consider an anthroposophical medicine unit seems incomprehensible. The fact that it would be backed by people who have a financial interest in this bogus approach makes it even worse".<ref name=mckie/> The University's governance and nominations committee eventually decided not to proceed with the appointment.<ref name="thes-aberdeen">{{cite journal|last=Jump|first=Paul|date=11 May 2012|title=Aberdeen decides against alternative medicine chair|journal=Times Higher Education Supplement|url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/419909.article}}</ref>
In 2012 the [[University of Aberdeen]] considered establishing a chair in holistic health jointly funded by Software AG, and by the Anthroposophic Health, Education and Social Care Movement, each of which would provide £1.5 million of endowment.<ref name=mckie/>


===Categorization and conceptual basis===
===Categorization and conceptual basis===
Line 42: Line 40:
Edzard Ernst writes that Steiner used imagination and insight as a basis for his ideas, drawing mystical knowledge from the [[Akashic Records]], which were accessible to him via his intuitive powers.<ref name=krit/> Steiner proposed "associations between four postulated dimensions of the human body (physical body, etheric body, astral body, and ego), plants, minerals, and the cosmos".<ref name=ernstmist>{{cite journal|doi=10.1136/bmj.39055.493958.80|title=Mistletoe as a treatment for cancer|year=2006|last1=Ernst|first1=E.|journal=BMJ|volume=333|issue=7582|pages=1282–3|pmid=17185706|pmc=1761165}}</ref> Steiner also outlined a connection betweens planets, metals and organs so that, for example, the planet [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]], the element [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] and the lung were all associated. These affinities form the basis of anthroposophical medicine.<ref name=krit/>
Edzard Ernst writes that Steiner used imagination and insight as a basis for his ideas, drawing mystical knowledge from the [[Akashic Records]], which were accessible to him via his intuitive powers.<ref name=krit/> Steiner proposed "associations between four postulated dimensions of the human body (physical body, etheric body, astral body, and ego), plants, minerals, and the cosmos".<ref name=ernstmist>{{cite journal|doi=10.1136/bmj.39055.493958.80|title=Mistletoe as a treatment for cancer|year=2006|last1=Ernst|first1=E.|journal=BMJ|volume=333|issue=7582|pages=1282–3|pmid=17185706|pmc=1761165}}</ref> Steiner also outlined a connection betweens planets, metals and organs so that, for example, the planet [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]], the element [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] and the lung were all associated. These affinities form the basis of anthroposophical medicine.<ref name=krit/>


==Medicines==
Ernst has said that anthroposophical medicine "includes some of the least plausible theories one could possibly imagine",<ref name=vatican>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.2042-7166.2007.tb04893.x|title=Anthroposophic Medicine|year=2010|last1=Ernst|first1=E|journal=Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies|volume=12|page=66}}</ref> categorized it as "pure quackery",<ref name=thes-aberdeen/> and said that it has "has no basis in science".<ref name=mckie/> According to [[Quackwatch]] illness is regarded as a "rite of passage" necessary to purge spiritual impurities carried over from past lives, according to the precepts of "karmic destiny".<ref name=qw>{{cite web|url=http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/steiner.html|title=Rudolf Steiner's Quackery|last=Rawlings|first=Roger|publisher=[[QuackWatch]]|accessdate=10 September 2012}}</ref>


Anthroposophic medicinal products relyy on anthroposophical ideas of the relationship between man and nature: "The starting materials of these products come from minerals, plants and animal substances. They are developed and manufactured in accordance with the anthroposophic perception of human beings and nature"<ref>Anthroposophic medicinal products relyy on anthroposophical ideas of the relationship between man and nature: "The starting materials of these products come from minerals, plants and animal substances. They are developed and manufactured in accordance with the anthroposophic perception of human beings and nature"</ref>
==Methods==


===Pharmaceutical Processing===
Anthroposophic drugs are prepared according to ancient notions of [[alchemy]] and [[homeopathy]] which are not related to the science underlying modern [[pharmacology]]:<ref name=ernstmist/> during the preparation process, the patterns formed by crystallization are interpreted to see which "etheric force" they most nearly correspond to.<ref name=seop>{{cite book|first=Dan|last=Dugan|editor=Michael Shermer|title=Anthroposophy and Anthroposophical Medicine|work=The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=Gr4snwg7iaEC&pg=PA31|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-653-8|pages=31–32}}</ref> Most anthroposophic preparations are highly diluted, like homeopathic remedies, and while this means they are completely harmless in themselves, using them in place of conventional medicine to treat serious illness risks severe adverse consequences.<ref name=krit>{{cite journal|pmid=18540325|year=2008|last1=Ernst|first1=E|title=Anthroposophic medicine: A critical analysis|volume=150 Suppl 1|pages=1–6|journal=MMW Fortschritte der Medizin}}</ref>


Anthroposophic pharmaceutical processing involves specific anthroposophic and some typical homoeopathic pharmaceutical procedures. The ingredients of anthroposophic medicines are all of natural origin: mineral/metallic, vegetable or mineral raw materials e.g. quartz, sulphur, gold, copper, silver, arnica, chamomile or marigold. Animal testing is not used in the development of anthroposophic medicinal products.
Edzard Ernst writes that as well as drug remedies, anthroposophical medicine also includes:<ref name=ernstmist/>


Anthroposophic medicines are manufactured principally using rhythmical processes and/or heat.
* Anthroposphic Art Therapy&nbsp;&ndash; a therapy which includes "painting, drawing, clay modeling, music, or speech exercises".<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=17681256|year=2007|last1=Hamre|first1=HJ|last2=Witt|first2=CM|last3=Glockmann|first3=A|last4=Ziegler|first4=R|last5=Willich|first5=SN|last6=Kiene|first6=H|title=Anthroposophic art therapy in chronic disease: A four-year prospective cohort study|volume=3|issue=4|pages=365–71|doi=10.1016/j.explore.2007.04.008|journal=Explore}}</ref>
* Rhythmic massages
* External applications
* Counselling
* Anthroposophic nursing


Another pharmaceutical process often used in anthroposophic pharmacy is potentisation, which is also widely used in homoeopathy. Potentised preparations are gradually diluted substances, whereby at each diluting step a rhythmic shaking and striking against a resilient surface ("succussion"). The principle of potentisation is not supported by any significant body of scientific evidence
===Immunization===

===Vaccination===
{{see also|Vaccine controversies}}
{{see also|Vaccine controversies}}


Opposition to vaccination within anthroposophy ex­ists on philosophical, religious and scientific grounds. For example, some believe that the government does not have the right to mandate vaccination by law; that it amounts to a mass medical intervention with­out informed consent.
The risks arising from using anthroposophical medicine as a substitute for real medicine are exemplified by several cases of low vaccination levels in anthroposophic schools,<ref name=krit/> since some anthroposophical doctors oppose [[immunization]].<ref name=measles>{{cite journal|pmid=21102363|year=2011|last1=Ernst|first1=E|title=Anthroposophy: A risk factor for noncompliance with measles immunization|volume=30|issue=3|pages=187–9|doi=10.1097/INF.0b013e3182024274|journal=The Pediatric infectious disease journal}}</ref> A 1999 study of children in Sweden showed that in anthroposophical schools, only 18% had received [[MMR vaccine|MMR]] vaccination, compared to a level of 93% in other schools nationally.<ref name=krit/>


Opponents point to the risk as­sociated with vaccines and state that only a parent should decide whether to vaccinate their child and, given the low levels of childhood disease, the risk of side effects outweighs any potential benefit. Some question the long term impact of vaccination on one's health and the advisability of vaccinating young children. Finally, others question the actual effective­ness of the vaccines.
A 2003 report of a widespread measles outbreak around [[Coburg]] identified an anthroposophical school as the origin.<ref name=krit/> At the time the town's mayor had condemned homeopathic doctors who had discouraged vaccination, saying "Their stronghold is the Waldorf School, which actively encourages people not to have their children vaccinated. Now we have an epidemic."<ref>{{cite news
|title=Anti-vaccine town struck by measles epidemic
|newspaper=The Times
|date=6 March 2002
|page=3
|first=Alan
|last=Hall
}}</ref>


Anthroposophic medicine sees humans as passing through successive earthly lives in­carnated in a physical body, "laying one's karmic founda­tion in one incarnation for the next."' Illness comes to an individual not by chance but as an opportunity to come to terms with one's karma from previous incarnations. Ill­ness provides an individual with a message which ulti­mately assists in self-growth and development. The re­sponsibility of a healer is to assist the human being expe­riencing the illness to deal with it karmically. Thus, pre­vention of an illness may be beneficial in the course of one incarnation but may not be for the entire soul life and development of the person. Anthroposophy views that in early childhood years, soul-spiritual forces permeate the organism and have an organizing effect involving growth.<ref>http://www.anthromed.org/Article.aspx?artpk=764</ref>
[[Paul Offit]] writes that Steiner believed that vaccination "interferes with karmic development and the cycles of reincarnation", and that adherence to this belief this led to a 2008 [[pertussis]] outbreak in a Californian [[Waldorf education|waldorf school]], causing its temporary closure.<ref name=deadly>{{cite book|author=Paul A. Offit|title=Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=t_poH5CczDUC&pg=PR13|year=2011|publisher=Basic Books|isbn=978-0-465-02356-1|page=13}}</ref>


===Plant-derived treatments===
===Plant-derived treatments===

To find remedies to treat a particular illness, physicians practising anthroposphical medicine consider the nature of the source of the substances used. The character of a mineral, plant or animal is considered to have been formed by the substances that are most active within it, such that this character may also reveal what the substance will accomplish when given to treat another organism. This is related to [[Samuel Hahnemann]]'s [[Doctrine of signatures]]. Willow, for example, is considered to have an unusual character:
To find remedies to treat a particular illness, physicians practising anthroposphical medicine consider the nature of the source of the substances used. The character of a mineral, plant or animal is considered to have been formed by the substances that are most active within it, such that this character may also reveal what the substance will accomplish when given to treat another organism. This is related to [[Samuel Hahnemann]]'s [[Doctrine of signatures]]. Willow, for example, is considered to have an unusual character:
{{Quote|... plants that grow near water are usually heavy, with big, dark green leaves that wilt and break easily. An exception is... the white willow, a tree that always grows near water and loves light. However, unlike other "watery" plants, the willow has fine, almost dry leaves and looks very light... Its branches are unbelievably tough. They are elastic and cannot be broken. They bend easily and form "joints" rather than break. These few signatures can give us the clue to what salix can be used for therapeutically: arthritis, deformation of joints, swollen joints...<ref name=rob>{{cite web
{{Quote|... plants that grow near water are usually heavy, with big, dark green leaves that wilt and break easily. An exception is... the white willow, a tree that always grows near water and loves light. However, unlike other "watery" plants, the willow has fine, almost dry leaves and looks very light... Its branches are unbelievably tough. They are elastic and cannot be broken. They bend easily and form "joints" rather than break. These few signatures can give us the clue to what salix can be used for therapeutically: arthritis, deformation of joints, swollen joints...<ref name=rob>{{cite web
Line 83: Line 73:
|date=21 May 2012}}</ref>}}
|date=21 May 2012}}</ref>}}


This follows the ancient belief of the Doctrine of Signatures<ref>https://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Doctrine_of_signatures</ref>
There is no scientific evidence that the shape of plants has ever caused a new medical property to be discovered.<ref name=Bennett>{{cite journal |last=Bennett |first=Bradley C. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |month= |title= Doctrine of Signatures: An Explanation of Medicinal Plant Discovery or Dissemination of Knowledge? |journal=Economic Botany |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=246–255 doi=10.1663/0013–0001 |url=http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1663%2F0013-0001(2007)61%5B246%3ADOSAEO%5D2.0.CO%3B2 |accessdate=2008-08-31 |quote= |doi=10.1663/0013-0001 }}</ref> The intent of the medical approach is to consider both the effective substances and the character (not just shape) of the mineral, plant or animal these substances are drawn from, however.<ref>[http://www.anthromed.org/Article.aspx?artpk=116 Angaben zu Pflanzeninhaltsstoffen bei Rudolf Steiner]. ''Merkurstab'' 1994; 47:561- 80</ref>

===Heart===
Steiner described the heart as not a mechanical device in which the heartbeat can be distinguished from the blood circulation. For Steiner, the heart was a regulator of flow, flow that in the [[blood]] of the [[circulatory system]] is, as Marinelli put it, ''"propelled with its own biological momentum, as can be seen in the embryo, and boosts itself with ''induced'' momenta from the [[heart]]".<ref name=Marinelli>Marinelli, R., Fuerst, B., et al. [http://www.rsarchive.org/RelArtic/Marinelli/ "The Heart is not a Pump: A refutation of the pressure propulsion premise of heart function"], ''Frontier Perspectives'' 5(1), Fall-Winter 1995</ref>


===Mistletoe treatment for cancer===
===Mistletoe treatment for cancer===
Line 111: Line 98:
*[[Herbalism]]
*[[Herbalism]]
*[[Holistic health]]
*[[Holistic health]]
*[[Quackery]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 140: Line 126:
*[http://www.efpam.eu European Federation of Patients' Associations for Anthroposophic Medicine]
*[http://www.efpam.eu European Federation of Patients' Associations for Anthroposophic Medicine]
*[http://www.ahasc.org.uk Anthroposophic Health, Education & Social Care Movement] (Great Britain and Ireland)
*[http://www.ahasc.org.uk Anthroposophic Health, Education & Social Care Movement] (Great Britain and Ireland)
*[http://www.anthromed.org/Article.aspx?artpk=764] (North America)

{{Pseudoscience}}
{{Alternative medicine|state=collapsed}}
{{Anthroposophy series}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Anthroposophic Medicine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anthroposophic Medicine}}

Revision as of 06:27, 28 January 2014

This article is part of a series on
Alternative medicine
General information
Fringe medicine and science
Controversies
Classifications
Traditional medicine
Alternative diagnoses

Anthroposophical medicine (or anthroposophic medicine) is a form of alternative medicine that partly complements and partly replaces mainstream medicine.[1] Founded in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) in conjunction with Ita Wegman (1876–1943), anthroposophical medicine draws on Steiner's spiritual philosophy, which he called anthroposophy.[2]

Part of a series on
Anthroposophy
General
Anthroposophically inspired work
Philosophy

Practitioners employ a variety of treatment techniques including massage, exercise, counselling, and the use of anthroposophic drugs.[3]

Anthroposophical medicine takes a view of the human body and its anatomy that is at odds with medical science, proposing for example that the heart does not pump blood but that blood propels itself along.[4] It also proposes that a patient's past lives may influence their illness[5] and that its progress is subject to karmic destiny.[6]

Background

Co-founders of anthroposophic medicine
Rudolf Steiner in Berlin in 1900
Rudolf Steiner
Ita Wegman in 1899
Ita Wegman

History

Ita Wegman, co-founder of the medical approach, before 1900 in Berlin.

The first steps towards an anthroposophic approach to medicine were made before 1920, when homeopathic physicians and pharmacists began working with Rudolf Steiner, who recommended new medicinal substances as well as specific methods for preparing these. In 1921, Dr Ita Wegman opened the first anthroposophic medical clinic, now known as the Ita Wegman Clinic,[7] in Arlesheim, Switzerland. Wegman was soon joined by a number of other doctors. They began to train the first anthroposophic nurses for the clinic.

At Wegman's request, Steiner regularly visited the clinic and suggested treatment regimes for particular patients. Between 1921 and 1925, he also gave several series of lectures on medicine. In 1925, Wegman and Steiner wrote the first book on the anthroposophic approach to medicine, Fundamentals of Therapy.

The clinic expanded and soon opened a branch in Ascona. Wegman lectured widely, visiting Holland and England particularly frequently, and an increasing number of doctors began to include the anthroposophic approach in their practices. A cancer clinic, the Lukas Clinic,[8] opened in Arlesheim in 1963.

In the 1990s the Witten/Herdecke University in Germany established a chair in anthroposophical medicine. The press described the appointment as a "death sentence" and the perception that pseudoscience was being taught damaged the university's reputation, bringing it close to financial collapse. It was ultimately saved by a cash injection from Software AG, a technology corporation with a history of funding anthroposophic projects.[9]

In 2006, anthroposophical medicine was practised in 80 countries.[10][unreliable source?]

In 2012 the University of Aberdeen considered establishing a chair in holistic health jointly funded by Software AG, and by the Anthroposophic Health, Education and Social Care Movement, each of which would provide £1.5 million of endowment.[9]

Categorization and conceptual basis

The categorization of anthroposophical medicine is complex since in part it complements conventional medicine, and in part it replaces it.[1] In recent times it has been promoted as an "extension to conventional medicine".[11]

In 1992, a workshop on alternative medicine prepared a report for the NIH on various alternative medicines and concluded that anthroposophical medicine, when considered as an extension to mainstream medicine, had three foundations: naturopathy, homeopathy, and that mainstream medicine itself.[2]

Edzard Ernst writes that Steiner used imagination and insight as a basis for his ideas, drawing mystical knowledge from the Akashic Records, which were accessible to him via his intuitive powers.[12] Steiner proposed "associations between four postulated dimensions of the human body (physical body, etheric body, astral body, and ego), plants, minerals, and the cosmos".[3] Steiner also outlined a connection betweens planets, metals and organs so that, for example, the planet Mercury, the element mercury and the lung were all associated. These affinities form the basis of anthroposophical medicine.[12]

Medicines

Anthroposophic medicinal products relyy on anthroposophical ideas of the relationship between man and nature: "The starting materials of these products come from minerals, plants and animal substances. They are developed and manufactured in accordance with the anthroposophic perception of human beings and nature"[13]

Pharmaceutical Processing

Anthroposophic pharmaceutical processing involves specific anthroposophic and some typical homoeopathic pharmaceutical procedures. The ingredients of anthroposophic medicines are all of natural origin: mineral/metallic, vegetable or mineral raw materials e.g. quartz, sulphur, gold, copper, silver, arnica, chamomile or marigold. Animal testing is not used in the development of anthroposophic medicinal products.

Anthroposophic medicines are manufactured principally using rhythmical processes and/or heat.

Another pharmaceutical process often used in anthroposophic pharmacy is potentisation, which is also widely used in homoeopathy. Potentised preparations are gradually diluted substances, whereby at each diluting step a rhythmic shaking and striking against a resilient surface ("succussion"). The principle of potentisation is not supported by any significant body of scientific evidence

Vaccination

See also: Vaccine controversies

Opposition to vaccination within anthroposophy ex­ists on philosophical, religious and scientific grounds. For example, some believe that the government does not have the right to mandate vaccination by law; that it amounts to a mass medical intervention with­out informed consent.

Opponents point to the risk as­sociated with vaccines and state that only a parent should decide whether to vaccinate their child and, given the low levels of childhood disease, the risk of side effects outweighs any potential benefit. Some question the long term impact of vaccination on one's health and the advisability of vaccinating young children. Finally, others question the actual effective­ness of the vaccines.

Anthroposophic medicine sees humans as passing through successive earthly lives in­carnated in a physical body, "laying one's karmic founda­tion in one incarnation for the next."' Illness comes to an individual not by chance but as an opportunity to come to terms with one's karma from previous incarnations. Ill­ness provides an individual with a message which ulti­mately assists in self-growth and development. The re­sponsibility of a healer is to assist the human being expe­riencing the illness to deal with it karmically. Thus, pre­vention of an illness may be beneficial in the course of one incarnation but may not be for the entire soul life and development of the person. Anthroposophy views that in early childhood years, soul-spiritual forces permeate the organism and have an organizing effect involving growth.[14]

Plant-derived treatments

To find remedies to treat a particular illness, physicians practising anthroposphical medicine consider the nature of the source of the substances used. The character of a mineral, plant or animal is considered to have been formed by the substances that are most active within it, such that this character may also reveal what the substance will accomplish when given to treat another organism. This is related to Samuel Hahnemann's Doctrine of signatures. Willow, for example, is considered to have an unusual character:

... plants that grow near water are usually heavy, with big, dark green leaves that wilt and break easily. An exception is... the white willow, a tree that always grows near water and loves light. However, unlike other "watery" plants, the willow has fine, almost dry leaves and looks very light... Its branches are unbelievably tough. They are elastic and cannot be broken. They bend easily and form "joints" rather than break. These few signatures can give us the clue to what salix can be used for therapeutically: arthritis, deformation of joints, swollen joints...[15]

This follows the ancient belief of the Doctrine of Signatures[16]

Mistletoe treatment for cancer

See also: List of ineffective cancer treatments

Rudolf Steiner proposed that mistletoe could cure cancer based on the observation that the plant was a parasite which eventually killed its host, so paralleling the progression of cancer.[3] Steiner believed the plant had to be harvested at the right time, as its medical potential was influenced by the position of the sun, moon and planets.[17] Some anthroposophical preparations are highly-diluted; others are made from fermented mistletoe.[3] The most common trade names for the remedies are Iscador and Helixor.[18]

According to the American Cancer Society, "available evidence from well-designed clinical trials does not support claims that mistletoe can improve length or quality of life".[18]

In 2006 Edzard Ernst wrote that approximately 30 types of mistletoe extracts were available; and concluded that the treatment "has no proved benefit, and can cause harm".[3] Mistletoe extracts are used as an unconventional treatment for cancer patients in the Netherlands and in Great Britain.[18] In Germany, the treatment has been approved as palliative therapy to treat the symptoms of patients with malignant tumors,[18] and it Sweden, controversially, it has been approved for use in the treatment of cancer symptoms.[19] Various forms of mistletoe extract are available in Central Europe, where – a 2006 case study reports – it has been widely used.[20] Mistletoe extracts may not be distributed in or imported into the US except for the purpose of clinical research.[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Kienle, Gunver S.; Kiene, Helmut; Albonico, Hans Ulrich (2006). "Anthroposophische Medizin: Health Technology Assessment Bericht – Kurzfassung". Forschende Komplementärmedizin / Research in Complementary Medicine. 13 (2): 7. doi:10.1159/000093481. teils ergänzend und teils ersetzend zur konventionellen Medizin Cited in Ernst, E (2008). "Anthroposophic medicine: A critical analysis". MMW Fortschritte der Medizin. 150 Suppl 1: 1–6. PMID 18540325.
  2. ^ a b DIANE Publishing Company (1 July 1995). Alternative Medicine: Expanding Medical Horizons. DIANE Publishing. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-7881-1820-3.
  3. ^ a b c d e Ernst, E. (2006). "Mistletoe as a treatment for cancer". BMJ. 333 (7582): 1282–3. doi:10.1136/bmj.39055.493958.80. PMC 1761165. PMID 17185706.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Marinelli was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference qw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference deadly was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Ita Wegman Klinik (German). Accessed 2007-12-26.
  8. ^ Lukas Clinic. Accessed 2007-12-26.
  9. ^ a b McKie, Robin; Hartmann, Laura (29 April 2012). "Holistic unit will 'tarnish' Aberdeen University reputation". The Observer.
  10. ^ Gunver Sophia Kienle; Helmut Kiene; Hans Ulrich Albonico (2006). Anthroposophic Medicine: Effectiveness, Utility, Costs, Safety. Schattauer Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7945-2495-2.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference measles was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference krit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Anthroposophic medicinal products relyy on anthroposophical ideas of the relationship between man and nature: "The starting materials of these products come from minerals, plants and animal substances. They are developed and manufactured in accordance with the anthroposophic perception of human beings and nature"
  14. ^ http://www.anthromed.org/Article.aspx?artpk=764
  15. ^ Carroll, Robert Todd (21 May 2012). "Anthroposophic medicine". The Skeptics Dictionary. Retrieved October 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ https://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Doctrine_of_signatures
  17. ^ James S. Olson (5 January 2005). Bathsheba's Breast: Women, Cancer, and History. JHU Press. p. 452. ISBN 978-0-8018-8064-3. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  18. ^ a b c d "Mistletoe". American Cancer Society. January 2013. Retrieved September 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  19. ^ "Unique green light for anthroposophical drug", Svensk Farmaci
  20. ^ Finall, A I; McIntosh, S A; Thompson, W D (2006). "Subcutaneous inflammation mimicking metastatic malignancy induced by injection of mistletoe extract". BMJ. 333 (7582): 1293–4. doi:10.1136/bmj.39044.460023.BE. PMC 1761174. PMID 17185712.
  21. ^ "Overview". Mistletoe Extracts (PDQ®). National Cancer Institute. July 2013. Retrieved October 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

Further reading

Books and journal articles

  • Ernst, E (2004). "Anthroposophical medicine: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials". Wiener klinische Wochenschrift. 116 (4): 128–30. PMID 15038403.
  • Kienle, GS; Kiene, H (2007). "Complementary cancer therapy: A systematic review of prospective clinical trials on anthroposophic mistletoe extracts". European journal of medical research. 12 (3): 103–19. PMID 17507307.
  • Anthroposophical medicine in Singh, Simon; Ernst, Edzard (6 October 2009). Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial. Transworld. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-4090-8180-7.

Lectures by Rudolf Steiner

  • Broken Vessels : The Spiritual Structure of Human Frailty, Michael Lipson (ed.). ISBN 0-88010-503-8.
  • Fundamentals of Anthroposophical Medicine, ISBN 0-936132-80-9.
  • Geographic medicine: The secret of the double. ISBN 0-936132-06-X
  • The Healing Process : Spirit, Nature & Our Bodies, Catherine E. Creeger (ed.). ISBN 0-88010-474-0
  • Introducing Anthroposophical Medicine (Foundations of Anthroposophical Medicine, v. 1). ISBN 0-88010-463-5
  • Medicine: An Introductory Reader, Andrew Maendl (ed.). ISBN 1-85584-133-9
  • Occult Physiology ISBN 1-85584-141-X
  • Pastoral Medicine: The Collegial Working of Doctors and Priests. ISBN 0-88010-253-5
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Anthroposophic_medicine&oldid=592755402"