Clinical homeopathy

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See also: Classical homeopathy and Homeopathy

Clinical homeopathy is a natural result of classical homeopathy. It is called clinical because it is very much directed to organs and pathological tissue,^[1] while classical is more focused on the whole person. It is mostly used by physicians who have a clinical orientation or experience, hence the analogy. Usually potencies varying from D1 (1/10) to C30 (100.e-30) are used.^[2] The experienced classical homeopath will use 'clinical' in the case of severe pathology or disease.

Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy was very clear about 'clinical homeopathy':

Among the one-sided disease an important place is occupied by the so-called local maladies, by which term is signified those changes and ailments that appear on the external parts of the body. Till now the idea prevalent in the schools was that these parts were alone morbidly affected, and that the rest of the body did not participate in the disease - a theoretical, absurd doctrine, which has led to the most disastrous medical treatment.^[3]

The main clinical homeopath is Dr. Douglas Borland, though he writes also about treating the constitution too.^[4] Roger Morrisison, M.D. describes for most of the remedies a clinical application, but mentions that pathological entries are the least specific information for choosing a remedy.^[5]Another source of clinical applications is the book of Samuel Lilienthal.^[6]

The NCCAM, the U.S. organization on alternative therapies supports mostly research on clinical homeopathy.^[7] Because of the traditional medical orientation of most clinical homeopaths they contribute to most of the scientific research on homeopathy.

Depending on the orientation of the homeopath there is a distinction of clinical and classical homeopathy, but this is a matter of focus. Books which describe clinical conditions could be used by both clinical and classical homeopaths, the clinical homeopath will value its worth just more.^[8]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Anders beter worden - A. Vogel - Homeopathie - on clinical homeopathy
2. ^ Homoeopathy in practice - Dr. Douglas Borland - Explaining homeopathic terms
3. ^ The Organon of the Healing Art Hahnemann - § 185
4. ^ Homoeopathy in practice - Dr. Douglas Borland - Explaining homeopathic terms
5. ^ Desktop Guide - Roger Morrisison, M.D. - Introduction
6. ^ Homoeopathic therapeutics - Samuel Lilienthal
7. ^ Is NCCAM funding research on homeopathy?
8. ^ Clinical homeopathy