Here is a brief description of some of the terms you may hear a homeopath use.
ACUTE ILLNESS
A condition that is usually brief In duration and selflimiting; that is, either the illness runs its course or the patient dies-as opposed to chronic illness that usually develops more slowly, lasts indefinitely, results in deterioration of health, and does not resolve without some sort of healing intervention. Examples acute illness–colds, flu, ear infections; chronic illness–arthritis, hypertension, diabetes.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOM
A symptom of an unusual nature–strange, rare, peculiar–that gives the case a pronounced individuality (i.e., “characterizes” the case). For example, chilliness with desire for ice cold drinks, or dizziness that is better from motion. Such a symptom often points directly to the curative remedy.
CHRONIC ILLNESSES
(See acute illness.)
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Symptoms that are commonly found in particular disease, for example, spots in measles or swollen glands mumps.
CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT
Treating the whole person, rather the symptoms alone, thereby attempting to enhance the general of health rather than just getting rid of the symptoms.
MATERIA MEDICA
Latin for “materials of medicine.” A reference listing homeopathic medicines and their therapeutic actions. This information comes primarily from the provings of the medicines; also from clinical observation.
MAISAMS
A block to health, usually left by a disease. This can be inherited or acquired and is an obstacle to cure.
ORGANON
The Organon of Medicine, by Samuel founder of homeopathy, is the book in which he set down fundamental principles of homeopathy. He wrote 6 editions, the in 1842; current homeopaths refer primarily to the 6th and sometimes the 5th editions.
POTENCY
The strength of a homeopathic remedy according to number of times, during preparation, it has been diluted and Succussed (i.e., potentized). Potency is represented as a number attached to remedy name (e.g., Aconite 30C or Arnica 6X–the letter “C” or “X” to two different methods of dilution during remedy preparation. These actually are Roman numerals, “C” is 100 and “X” is 10).
PROVING
The testing of a substance, either in crude form or in on healthy volunteers to discover the symptoms it is capable of and therefore able to cure. Participants in a proving record their symptoms; the symptoms are collated and used as therapeutic indications for prescribing that substance.
REPERTORIZE
To look up symptoms in a repertory, in determine which remedy or remedies is common to the presenting symptoms.
REPERTORY
An index to the materia medica; an index of symptoms (based on the materia medica) with a list of remedies indicated each symptom.
RUBRIC
A symptom listed in a homeopathic repertory.
SIMILLIMUM
The “most similar” remedy corresponding to a case; remedy tri2t most closely matches the totality of the symptoms of patient, and therefore, is curative according to homeopathic principals.
SUPRESSION
The driving inward of disease symptoms, so that a person experiences more serious symptoms than they originally had.
VITAL FORCE
Term used by Hahnemann to describe mates all living beings. The vital force is stimulated by the homeopathic remedy to enable the body to heal itself.
SOURCES
The above definitions were largely adapted from the following references: The Complete Homeopathy Handbook (the glossary) by Miranda Castro, FSHom, CCH, and Yasgur’s Homeopathic Dictionary and Holistic Health Reference, by Jay Yasgur, RPh, MSc. Article reprinted from Homeopathy Today, a publication of the National Center for Homeopathy.
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© 2011 Myra Nissen.
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