In my experience working in the field of allergy and environmental medicine, Candida patients do far better only when they have modified their environments—and not just their diets—to reduce airborne moulds and humidity levels.
Many of my patients complain of a combination of joint pain, mood swings, obesity they can’t shift, irritable bowel syndrome and bloating, food cravings and depression. Diagnostic dieting and a careful case history usually reveal a Candida overgrowth problem. This partially responds to changes in the diet, nutritional supplements and foods which discourage gut Candida. Nevertheless, on this regime, they never really get completely better. They also tend to yo-yo on and off the diet, not surprising as it is restrictive, boring and difficult to manage socially.
I have long suspected that what passes for a diagnosis of gut Candida overgrowth is probably more accurately termed a general gut “dysbiosis”, and it seems likely that a number of different organisms and yeasts can be responsible for this syndrome. I suspect that people with gut dysbiosis are also sensitive to inhaled moulds, which somehow trigger those in the gut and make people feel worse.
But, if efforts are made to reduce the total mould count in the home—especially the bedroom—and to avoid certain mould traps, my patients do appear to get over the problem and are able to return to a normal life.
Air contains dust and mould spores, which are very small (less than five microns) and able to pass easily through filters. In my experience, almost all houses in England suffer from high a mould count because of our damp climate. Luckily, though, it’s not too difficult to dry out most indoor environments.
Inexpensive humidity metres are now available which can give an indication of mould count, but no information about individual moulds. Moulds sporulate (multiply) seasonally and are generally highest in summer. Ideally, the humidity should be kept below 35 per cent. Although some may find this too dry for comfort, it certainly lowers the overall mould count.
Central heating, low light heaters and dehumidifiers all help to dry the air. The latter should be plumbed in as they will wring out a lot of water from the air and should be left on indefinitely. Although they are relatively expensive to run, they will really improve a bedroom.
Besides drying out your house, it’s also important to avoid gardening and compost heaps, and even indoor houseplants. Initially, you should also refrain from mowing the lawn since cut grass contains a good deal of mould. In fact, it’s a good idea to shut your windows when grass is being mowed.
Organic food is good for your health in other ways, but it often has a higher mould count than the non-organic variety as fungicides are not used.
The problem is compounded by old beds, pillows and mattresses, which trap dust and mould and are constantly breathed in while we sleep. Using a dustproof mattress and pillow covers, and washing the bedclothes frequently can cut down moulds considerably.
A typical patient of mine with this problem was Nora. She was 48 years old when she came to see me, complaining of a gradual onset over five years of night pain, bloating, wind, water retention (ankle swelling), joint pains, mould swings and just feeling constantly tired. Dieting had slightly failed to reduce her weight.
Nora had a responsible job in the armed services and was extremely active—she hadn’t missed a day in nearly eight years! Her diet was already very good and included all courses of antibiotics. She lived in a semi-detached house with a garden near a river.
She was a keen gardener and had noticed her symptoms were worse after mowing the grass, especially early in the season. She also had many indoor plants, which caused condensation on the insides of the windows.
When Nora first came to see me, she’d already been keeping a food diary, which included observations about the weather and how she felt on wet or damp days. This, together with a careful history, enabled us to diagnose a Candida problem following her personal course of antibiotics.
Nora embarked on a basic anti-Candida diet (see the WDDTY Guide to Candida and ME), avoiding sugar, yeast, most cheeses, anything fermented, wild or visibly mouldy, and increasing her intake of olive oil and carnitine. I suggested nutritional supplements, including probiotics.
But perhaps the most important part of her treatment was reducing the total load of mould in her life. This involved getting rid of houseplants, drying the air with dehumidifiers and making liberal use of central heating. I also suggested that she use low light heating in damp corners, have any obvious mould removed (by someone else) and avoid cutting the grass.
Gradually, Nora improved on this regime. After some weeks, she was able to broaden her diet. Her long-term diarrhoea was cured, and she was delighted to find that she could eat damp cheese. Her mood and energy had returned to normal, her joints felt better and she had lost some weight.
She still felt depressed in damp weather, but she was able to cope now that she understood why.
Wall‑to‑wall carpeting complements the décor of a home or business, muffles noise in the classroom, adds comfort and warmth, and provides a sense of security where young children crawl and play. However, there is more to carpeting than meets the eye. The dangers hide in what we cannot see.
Dyes, stain‑guards, moth‑proofing, dust mites, heavy metals, pesticides, molds, toxic chemicals in the carpeting, padding and adhesives, VOCs from other sources collect in carpeting, and all add up to a veritable stew of contaminants. They are not removed by vacuuming — and shampooing can sometimes worsen conditions.¹
Carpet chemicals can off‑gas for weeks after installation and in some cases for years. Formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, styrene, methyl methacrylate, ethylbenzene, hexamethylene triamine, 1‑chloronaphthalene, 2‑methylnaphthalene, and 1‑phenylcyclopentanol are just a few of the chemicals given off by new carpeting.²
Carpet exposed to sunlight deteriorates more quickly and outgasses faster. Very little is known about the synergistic effects of the myriad chemicals associated with new carpeting and the installation process.
Synthetic carpets have become the most popular floor covering in North America. They have a short life span of only eight years indoors before being carted off to a landfill. Factoring in the long‑term cost for carpet replacement plus landfill expenses and degradation to the environment, carpeting may be more costly than other floor treatments.
Indoor Air Quality Americans spend 80‑90% of their time indoors at home, at school, the office, even “working out” is done indoors at a health centre. What does this mean to our health? Indoor air is much more dangerous than was believed just a few years ago — and the trend is getting worse.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates outdoor air quality, but has not been mandated to regulate indoor air quality. However, they do fund extensive research on indoor air quality issues and have a free booklet titled, Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality, available by calling 1‑800‑438‑4318.
The EPA claims indoor air quality is a major cause of illness in the U.S., and can be ten times worse than air pollution in Los Angeles during rush hour. Tightly sealed buildings save energy, but concentrate contaminants from paint, carpet, and other building materials. This has given rise to a new malady — Sick Building Syndrome — often associated with headaches, sore throat, and respiratory discomfort.
Carpets are the most significant source of Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) in new and remodeled buildings. More than a thousand different chemicals are used in the manufacture of carpeting materials. Cumulative and synergistic effects on human health have not yet been studied.
The EPA has assembled an extensive bibliography of air quality reviews available in computerized database that contains data from all over the world. The Indoor Reference Bibliography, from the National Center for Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC is available by calling 919‑541‑4165.
VOCs Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are common indoor air pollutants. Being volatile, they evaporate easily, and being organic, they contain carbon. Indoor air typically contains 30‑100 different VOCs that are readily measurable, and others at low levels which are more difficult to measure. Some VOCs are harmless such as the smell of an orange. Others, such as odors given off by molds and synthetic carpet, are problems in sensitive individuals.
The chemicals used in hundreds of manufactured products outgas, or give off VOCs. These might include benzene, xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, and ethanol to mention a few of the more familiar sounding ones.
Increased numbers of people are exhibiting symptoms related to their environment. Allergies are much more common today than 50 years ago. The rate and number of new chemicals being introduced into our environment far exceeds the evolutionary process which would allow humans and wildlife to properly adapt. Toxic, allergenic and carcinogenic materials used in construction and furnishing materials are a major cause. Tighter buildings designed for fuel conservation have aggravated an already serious problem.
Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is one of the most insidious of all indoor air pollutants and the most studied. Formaldehyde is cheap to produce. Consequently it is used in a wide range of applications from embalming fluid to permanent press fabrics, even plastics and shampoo. Formaldehyde is found in many building materials, including particleboard, plywood, insulation, paints and carpeting.
Formaldehyde is colorless and has a pungent odor only at fairly high concentrations. It is often odorless at levels of concern when outgassing indoors. Formaldehyde exposure typically causes watery eyes, headaches, tightness in chest, asthma attacks, depression, and even death.
However, a person can react to extremely low level exposures. Acute symptoms have been observed in some people to as little as 0.01 ppm in as little as five minutes.
Some researchers believe up to 20% of the population could be susceptible to formaldehyde at low concentration. It is unlikely that the majority of physicians would consider this a possible cause for many patients’ complaints of dizziness, slurred speech, forgetfulness, eye and respiratory tract irritation, chills, wheezing, cough, fever, joint pain, numbness, blurred vision, nausea, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, depression, multiple chemical sensitivity, and skin rashes. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to harmful effects of these fumes and should avoid them as much as possible.
In addition to the chronic irritating symptoms associated with formaldehyde, it has been shown to be carcinogenic and mutagenic in animal studies. The half‑life of formaldehyde outgassing ranges up to six years and is greater during hot humid weather. Some sealants can be partially effective, as can air filters, and increased ventilation. The best method for controlling formaldehyde is removing the source.
The carpet industry maintains that formaldehyde is not used in the manufacture process. Laboratory analysis, however, shows it can be released from carpeting, now suspected of absorbing VOCs from other sources. If carpeting is in place during remodeling it will absorb fumes from paints, varnishes, waxes, and glues, outgassing them back into the air later on.
Styrene Styrene is used in the plastics industry, and in the manufacture of fiberglass and resins. It is also found in rubber backing for carpets. Styrene has a pungent odor, is easily inhaled, and highly soluble in blood and tissues. It has a half‑life of two to four days in adipose tissue and can be retained as long as 13 days following exposure.
Uptake is affected by air concentrations and respiration rate, which increases dramatically with exercise. Health‑conscious individuals working out in carpeted gyms, and children cavorting around in carpeted play areas would be inhaling more toxic VOCs than if they were exercising or playing outdoors.
Increased incidence of lymphoma and laryngeal cancer associated with styrene exposure was found among styrene workers in England.The carcinogenic activity of styrene has not been fully established. The combined exposure of individuals to styrene and other environmental carcinogens would increase their cancer risk.
Pesticides Pesticides are complex compounds that can release various gases over their life span. Consumers in the US purchase a whopping 285 million pounds of toxic pesticides every year. These chemical compounds can be neurotoxic and carcinogenic. They can cause respiratory problems, birth defects, genetic damage, injure wildlife, pollute the environment and drinking water.
Pesticides used outdoors are tracked indoors and adhere to carpeting. Pesticides used indoors adhere to house dust, which settles on carpet fibers.
Biological Pollutants Dust mites affect approximately 10% of the population. Mold spores, bacteria, and viruses are additional problems associated with carpeting. Dust mites live deep within carpet fibers and are not easily removed by vacuuming. The deeper the pile the greater the reservoir for mites and other toxins to collect.
Damp or wet carpeting serves as perfect breeding ground for molds to grow. High humidity and moisture from leaks can add to the problem. Carpet on concrete floors can absorb moisture, and carpets that remain damp after shampooing can be particularly problematic to individuals who are sensitive to molds.
Asthma People with asthma have very sensitive airways that react to a number of irritants, making breathing very difficult. In the US alone, 14.6 million people now suffer from asthma, with 4.4 million of them children under the age of eighteen.The death rate from asthma continues to climb, pointing out the failure of conventional medicine to properly treat, and more importantly, prevent this disease from occurring in the first place.
It has now become common for children to bring their asthma medication with them to school. At the same time we see more wall‑to‑wall carpet being installed in the construction of new schools, and in the remodeling of older classrooms.
The National Asthma Education Program Expert Panel recommends removing carpeting from a child’s room as a preventive measure in managing asthma. The same should apply to schools and daycare centers. Asthma is a serious and growing problem. As in all health matters, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While it may not be possible to identify and eliminate all contaminants in the air we breathe, there are some simple solutions to reducing household exposures. Replacing old carpeting with alternative floor covering materials, or choosing least toxic carpet materials would be helpful.
“Consumer Protection Safety Commission” publications divert attention away from carpet chemicals as major players in asthma and related allergies. Instead, industry researchers blame pet dander, molds, rodents, and roaches for asthma‑related problems, while denying their possible contribution to respiratory disease, pet dander, molds, rodents, and roaches could not alone provoke asthma reached epidemic proportions. Shouldn’t current research take this into consideration? Many physicians and health advocates believe industry‑sponsored research is not looking closely enough at chemical contamination. This may have depressed our immune systems, making us more sensitive to animal dander, molds, rodents, and other allergens. This presents another case of looking at the wrong end of the problem.
Children Children are at particular risk from carpet contaminants for several reasons. Their immune systems are not fully developed, therefore they are more vulnerable to toxic exposure. Infants, toddlers and children inhale more of the toxic emissions from crawling and playing on carpeted floors, and absorb more due to skin exposure. Even when standing up they inhale closer to the source than adults.
The extra time spent in contact with floor surfaces and normal hand‑to‑mouth contact increases a child’s exposure to carpet dust. Lawn chemicals and other outdoor chemicals easily find their way indoors. Lead and combustion by‑products are common components of house dust, which settle into carpets.
The amount of lead found in dust and carpet where a child plays has been found to be the best single predictor of the toddler’s blood level of lead.
One case study of a previously healthy ten‑month‑old boy on the West Coast who developed seizures and tremors five days after new carpeting was installed in his home, baffled doctors. A battery of tests ruled out multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and tumors. “Tremors of unknown origin” was the final diagnosis. The tremors lessened when the child spent time away from home. Steam cleaning and airing out the house did not help. After watching a CBS news program about Anderson Labs in Dedham, Massachusetts, which tests carpet samples, the parents sent a sample to be tested. They “were horrified” to learn that “the mice were rolling over and shaking” just like their son’s reaction.
Months after removing the carpet, padding, and adhesives, the tremors stopped. Follow‑up tests indicate the child has immune system damage consistent with chemical exposure. His body’s immune system has mistakenly identified its own tissues or cellular components as foreign and has directed antibodies against them to the myelin in his nervous system, a sign that nerve tissue damage has occurred.
Cleaning Can Add to the Problem Carpet holds a tremendous amount of debris — much of it highly allergenic — which cannot be removed completely by routine cleaning. Vacuum cleaners can sometimes do more harm than good because most residential models have inefficient filters which allow very fine dust particles to blow back into a room, posing serious problems for asthmatics and allergy‑prone individuals. Even with more efficient units some gases that are not highly volatile and normally cling to surfaces can become airborne during vacuuming. A central vacuum system with an outdoor exhaust is the best solution for expelling fine dust and any gases from the interior space.
Shampooing rugs often creates a damp environment triggering mold growth, mildew and dust mites, which thrive in warm humid environments. Professional rug cleaners may add insecticides and fungicides to the shampoo. Carpet shampoos can outgas formaldehyde in addition to other dangerous compounds. Dr. Claire Dykewicz with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that outbreaks of rashes from newly shampooed carpets are not uncommon.
Carpet cleaning has been associated with Kawasaki Syndrome in children, a systemic illness characterized by high fever. Symptoms often occur 16–25 days after cleaning. An increased incidence has been noted among higher socioeconomic classes. Reviewing a 1984–86 Colorado outbreak found that 62% of affected children had been exposed to carpet cleaning.
Reducing the amount of outdoor pollutants tracked indoors can be accomplished by placing mats at each entrance. Removing shoes as often as possible is also recommended. Well‑known health writer and TV personality, Gary Null makes it a practice to remove his shoes upon entering his home and requests that others do the same. Recognizing that shoes pick up animal and other wastes in addition to lead, motor oil, soot, soil, and pesticides, the inconvenience of removing one’s shoes appears to be worth the effort.
Reprinted from Biologische Medizin, (1997 Jun):137.
In traditional Chinese medicine, which developed out of a holistic school of thought, it is said that:
a distinguished physician prevents illness a mediocre physician controls recurrent illness an undistinguished physician treats illness
We ought to learn from all physicians whose guiding principle has been to treat the person before the appearance of disease. But even in situations that have already led to pathological disturbances and/or biologically spread blocks in the body’s catabolic systems, there are valuable therapies that take this holistic and causally causal approach. It is well known that chronic organic or immunological symptoms appear only when the “internal milieu,” along with its pluripotent resistance and detoxification functions, is overburdened or blocked. For this reason, adjusting and refining this basic biological system and keeping it functional is an especially important therapeutic task.
Patients whose illness is worsening and whose defenses are increasingly overburdened with substances toxic to the organism are especially good candidates for intravenous therapy with antihomotoxic preparations. This therapy can prevent more serious illnesses from developing and can prevent the current illness from becoming chronic.
The advantages of intravenous treatment are guaranteed compliance and rapid improvement in the patient’s condition. As the patient experiences his or her vitality returning, this becomes the best possible motivation for maintaining a more conscious lifestyle.
Personal experience
In our work with numerous patients over the past few years, intravenous treatment with a combination of antioxidants and antihomotoxic remedies has proven to be the most reliable fast-acting form of elimination therapy for the following conditions:
noxae load/toxicities
chronic metabolic disorders
rheumatic diseases
chronic liver disease
autoimmune diseases
degenerative diseases
disorders of hormonal control
lowered resistance
chronic neurological disorders
drop in performance
Therapy
Intravenous treatments are administered twice weekly for a total of 10 times. The combination of antihomotoxic remedies used (elimination agents, biocatalysts, composite preparations, and nosodes) are selected on an individual, case-specific basis. Concomitant dietary and probiotic measures are implemented and are complemented by the appropriate orthomolecular substances. The following table gives examples of protocols for three different elimination therapies.
Success of this therapy is confirmed not only by rapid and readily apparent improvement in the patient’s condition but also by means of immune-specific monitoring studies (flow cytometry) and noxae load tests, which show clear improvement after completion of treatment.
Amalgam elimination Ringer’s lactate solution, 250 mL
7.5 g Vitamin C
1 ampule Selenase
2 ampules Lymphomyosot®
2 ampules Mertochloral/Ischol®
2 ampules Hepeel®
2 ampules Ubichinon compositum®
2 ampules Solidago compositum®
Basic detoxification for metabolic disorders caused by noxae NaCl, 250 mL
7.5 g Vitamin C
1 ampule Selenase
1 ampule Lymphomyosot®
1 ampule Galium-Heel
2 ampules Hepeel®
1 ampule Solidago compositum
1 ampule Circulo-Heel®
Metabolic disorders, obesity, rheumatic disorders Ringer’s lactate solution, 250 mL
7.5 g Vitamin C
1 ampule Selenase
1 ampule Thyreoidea compositum®
1 ampule Hepar compositum®
1 ampule Solidago compositum
2 ampules Lymphomyosot®
1 ampule Galium-Heel
2 ampules Neuralgo Rheum-Heel®
Address of the author: Dagmar Lanninger-Bolling, M.D. Biologische Human — Institute for Applied Immunology and Preventive Medicine Königstrasse 55/1 D-65812 Bad Soden Germany
Biopuncture is a technique that involves the injection of biotherapeutic substances into specific anatomical locations to promote healing, particularly in the realm of musculoskeletal conditions. Unlike conventional injections that often involve corticosteroids or analgesics, biopuncture relies on diluted natural medicines such as Traumeel, Lymphomyosot, Spascupreel, and Zeel. These are used to stimulate the body’s innate regulatory systems rather than suppressing symptoms. This method holds promise for homeopaths and holistic practitioners treating sports-related injuries, as it supports physiological repair mechanisms while aligning with a non-toxic and individualized approach.
Mechanism and Application of Biopuncture in Sports Medicine
Biopuncture is particularly useful in sports medicine due to its precision in targeting inflammation, muscle spasms, joint pain, and ligament injuries. The therapeutic agents are injected either subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or into ligaments and tendinous attachments, depending on the pathology.
For acute inflammation, Traumeel is typically the preparation of choice. It contains a blend of plant-based and mineral components designed to reduce inflammation and modulate immune response. Zeel is more suitable for chronic joint complaints, especially those involving degenerative changes such as osteoarthritis. Spascupreel targets muscle spasms, while Lymphomyosot supports lymphatic drainage and reduces tissue congestion, often used for swelling.
These injectables may be administered alone or in combination, often diluted with a local anesthetic such as 1% procaine or 0.5% lidocaine to increase comfort during administration. Subcutaneous injections are favored when technical constraints limit access to deeper structures—for instance, when treating small joints like the fingers or the temporomandibular joint. They are also commonly used to stimulate cutaneomuscular reflexes, which can indirectly influence deeper musculoskeletal layers.
Clinical Illustrations
1. Acute Ankle Injury in a Basketball Player A 25-year-old female basketball player presented with lateral ankle pain and swelling three days post-injury. Imaging confirmed a lateral band injury. The treatment approach involved subcutaneous injections of Traumeel, Lymphomyosot, and 0.5% lidocaine administered at four pain points. Topical Traumeel ointment and oral Traumeel tablets complemented the therapy. After two sessions spaced a week apart, she reported an 80% improvement and was able to resume play without discomfort.
2. Knee Osteoarthritis in a Tennis Player A 53-year-old male tennis player had experienced worsening knee pain for six months. Radiological examination confirmed arthritic changes, especially in the right knee. NSAIDs offered temporary relief but had to be discontinued due to gastrointestinal side effects. During clinical evaluation, several myofascial trigger points (MTPs) were identified in the quadriceps muscle above the patella. An injectable mixture of Zeel, Spascupreel, and 1% procaine was administered intramuscularly into these points. While initial treatment provoked a transient exacerbation of symptoms (interpreted as a reaction phase), the patient eventually experienced complete and sustained relief after seven weekly sessions.
3. Groin Pain in a Middle-Distance Runner A 30-year-old woman sought relief from chronic groin pain aggravated by running. Initial subcutaneous injections of Traumeel into the pain area were ineffective. Upon deeper examination, MTPs were found in the adductor longus muscle. Intramuscular injections (depth of 2–3 cm) into these trigger points with Traumeel produced over 50% improvement after the first session and complete symptom resolution after three sessions.
4. Chronic Neck Pain in a Football Player A 29-year-old professional soccer player suffered persistent neck pain following an on-field collision. Imaging studies were unremarkable, but localized tenderness was detected along the nuchal ligament, suggesting ligamentous involvement. Weekly injections at the ligamentous pain points (LPPs) included Traumeel, 20% glucose solution, and 1% lidocaine. After five sessions, the patient achieved full symptom resolution.
Physiological Insights and Relevance to Homeopathy
Biopuncture, although not classical homeopathy, shares its foundational emphasis on stimulating the body’s self-healing mechanisms. The remedies used in biopuncture, such as Traumeel, contain multiple diluted components akin to homeopathic combination remedies. These substances act on inflammation, immune modulation, circulation, and tissue repair without suppressive or toxic effects.
Biopuncture aligns well with the homeopathic philosophy of minimal intervention and respecting the vital force. It offers a pathway to mechanical and functional healing, especially in athletes and physically active individuals for whom rapid yet non-doping recovery is paramount.
Trigger points and ligamentous points targeted in biopuncture often reflect areas of energy blockage or local tissue dysfunction—concepts not foreign to homeopathy or related energetic modalities such as acupuncture. Moreover, the use of injection as a delivery route does not diminish the bioregulatory effect; rather, it ensures precise action with minimal systemic exposure.
Safety and Efficacy Considerations
The increasing demand for non-pharmacological treatments among athletes and the general public places biopuncture in a favorable light. These preparations are not on banned substance lists, making them suitable for professional sports settings. Additionally, their side effect profile is markedly milder compared to steroids or NSAIDs, making biopuncture particularly attractive for patients with gastrointestinal sensitivities or those seeking holistic alternatives.
Clinicians have observed that initial aggravations—a hallmark concept familiar in homeopathic practice—may signal a biological response to the therapy. This reaction phase, often misunderstood in conventional medicine, is welcomed in the integrative model as a sign that the immune and tissue systems are engaging with the stimulus.
Conclusion: A Confluence of Modern Technique and Natural Medicine
Biopuncture stands at a unique intersection between conventional orthopedics, natural medicine, and manual therapies. It provides a structured, evidence-informed method for treating musculoskeletal disorders without reliance on suppressive drugs or invasive surgery. With increasing skepticism towards corticosteroids and NSAIDs, both among physicians and patients, the openness to regenerative and bioregulatory methods is growing.
Homeopaths exploring sports medicine can integrate biopuncture within their practice, especially when complemented by classical constitutional treatment. This dual approach—addressing both the general susceptibility of the individual and the local trauma—is deeply harmonious with Hahnemannian principles.
Workshops and hands-on training are recommended for practitioners to become confident in injection techniques and anatomical localization. Once mastered, biopuncture can become a highly rewarding therapeutic option in the modern homeopath’s repertoire.
This booklet will give information about intestinal dysbiosis. This condition is characterised by an imbalanced intestinal bacterial flora. It will explain the relationships between food and lifestyle and its impact on health and diseases. In the intestine, micro-organisms influence our body functions in many different aspects, i.e., biochemically and immunologically. It is most important to treat the microflora in an enlightened probiotic direction.
These probiotics, often some sort of lactic acid producing cultures, are able together with the host’s own flora, to deal with disturbances due to inadequate food, stress and strain, environmental toxins and different medical drugs such as antibiotics, contraceptives, painkillers etc.
The intestinal flora influence the immune system and regulate the body’s ability to cleanse itself of waste products, i.e., detoxification. A harmonised and balanced flora will contribute to a better absorption of nutrients, i.e., minerals, trace elements, vitamins and amino acids.
Intestinal Dysbiosis
What is dysbiosis?
Dys- means faulty and -bios is life and growth. This implies faulty life. In biological terms, the phrase intestinal dysbiosis is used for an unbalanced bacterial flora in the intestine. You could say the microflora is dysbiotic. Normally, it is understood this condition includes harmful metabolic activity of the flora.
How does dysbiosis develop?
There are many factors that influence what type of bacteria or micro-organisms will grow or colonise in the gastrointestinal channel. In the mouth, there are already quite a number of bacteria. Many of them come from the intake of food. In the ventricle, the amount will be reduced. In the small intestine, the numbers of bacterial cells increase from the beginning towards the end (i.e., E5 to E9–10/g content). You’ll find the highest amount of bacteria in the colon (i.e., E10–11/g content). Stress, food, medical drugs, environmental toxic loading, and climate are all factors that stimulate or inhibit different types of micro-organisms. A poorly balanced diet will create a dysbiosis.
Different life situations with psychic stress or disharmony are also very influential in creating a dysbiosis. A great number of medical drugs inhibit the beneficial flora from acting normally. Environmental toxins can also provoke an intestinal dysbiosis. Food supplements taken inadequately will disturb the important balance. It should be noted that the climate supports a variety of different bacterial cultures. This is often experienced when travelling, i.e., tourist diarrhoea.
What conditions or diseases depend on dysbiosis?
Dysbiosis will often show as functional disturbances in the ventricle or the intestine. Symptoms such as dyspepsia, constipation or loose stools are conditions that will later develop into gastritis and chronic inflammation in the intestine. Ulcers in the ventricle or the intestine could result if the dysbiosis is not properly regulated. Gallbladder problems and obstipation or diarrhoea are often related to intestinal dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can also manifest in dysfunction of the immune system, i.e., food intolerance. Atopies or allergies, i.e., eczema and urticaria, are of similar origin. Chronic inflammatory diseases, i.e., arthritis, are also developed in the context of dysbiosis. Certain types of migraine, where food and diet are significant in the outbreak, could be a symptom of intestinal dysbiosis.
How will dysbiosis be inhibited?
Through the stimulation of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, the degree of dysbiosis will be reduced. Optimising the food intake and avoiding detrimental stress, mental and physical welfare can be disrupted by harmful medical drugs, environmental toxins and micro-organisms. There are not many of us that can live in total harmony. This would be an utopia. To be successful in this, you must learn what is beneficial and what is harmful for the intestinal flora in general and in each case.
Eubiosis and Probiosis
What is probiotics?
Lactic acid bacterial cultures, so-called probiotics, stimulate colonization of the so-called human autochthonous flora in a beneficial direction. Probios means for life. A condition without any dysbiosis is called eubiosis. It is more likely to be an utopia. Reducing the degree of dysbiosis is called probiosis. That is why the cultures are called probiotics.
As a therapist, you of course advise your patient to optimise all the factors mentioned above. A well-balanced diet and life pattern is the best insurance for being healthy. In most cases, probiotics could be an important, if not crucial, complement.
Bifidobacterias and Bacteroides
What bacteria are there in the stomach and the intestine?
When fasting, you only find small quantities in the stomach. Together with the intake of food, the amount of bacteria will increase to E5 cfu/ml liquid. There often are streptococci, bifidobacteria, enterobacteria and bacteroides—some of them emanating from the mouth and the food itself. These will be reduced when the stomach starts producing acid and the pH is reduced. Further down in the small intestine, the number of cells increases again; E5–7 cfu/ml content.
In the colon, the numbers increase dramatically. The two dominating types of cultures are bacteroides and bifidobacteria. There are about E10–11 cfu/g faeces. The weight is 0.5–1 kg! The total amount is E14. This is related to the total amount of human body cells, which is E13. This implies there are 10-fold more micro-organisms than body cells! This is of great importance, especially when referring to the immune system. The Peyer’s patches in the small intestine play the most important role in the control and balance of the immune system and its relation to the microflora. There is a microeco-intesto-immuno-endocrino-neuro-psycho linkage. This explains many of the syndromes described, where you find both physical and psychiatric disorders closely related to each other.
Fermentation and Putrefaction
Simplified, you could separate the bifidobacteria as the good ones and the bacteroides as the evil ones. Bifidobacteria split the food by fermentation. Lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid are produced. These will create a more acidic environment in the intestine.
The bacteroides will digest the food by putrefaction. It will then produce nitrogen waste products. These are harmful for the human body, and they will be absorbed in the intestine, reaching all the different body tissues.
Streptococci, enterococci, and enterobacteria (i.e., colibacteria) are found in minor quantities. In adolescents, the quantity of bifidobacteria is lower. This is shown on page nine.
What sort of diet promotes a healthy flora?
Food rich in complex carbohydrates with a low glycemic index. These are broken down relatively slowly and will provide you with a steady blood sugar level. Vegetables of different types, rice, and pasta are adequate roughage.
A high intake of protein and animal saturated fatty acids stimulates the activity of bacteroides towards putrefaction. In western society, we strain our bodies with the intake of too much protein and saturated fatty acids. The WHO standard protein requirement is approximately 0.8 g/day/kg body weight.
An intake of high amounts of fibre improves the motility of the intestine. This promotes the bifidobacteria. A vegetarian diet contains many different food fibres such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. An intake of fibres should always be followed by intake of water. The term “throw water” is adequate. It indicates enough hydration.
The Immune System and Lymphoid Tissue
The intestinal flora communicate with the immune system through the so-called lymphoid tissue. This tissue is found in crypts in the small intestinal mucosa. It is called the Peyer’s plaque. Deeper in the intestinal tissue there is the lamina propria with lymphoid tissue. All this is connected together with lymphatic vessels directed towards the lymph nodes. These are located in the mesenteric fibrous tissue that lines the small intestine. This is related to the other parts of the immune system. The intestinal-related immune system is in this manner able to read and translate or react on the biochemical activities in the intestine.
The immune system is stimulated or inhibited by different bacterial cultures or food items. Dysbiosis creates a disharmony in this complicated relationship. The human being is born with a genetic memory that decides what sort of food will be accepted or not. If we introduce new unknown food items into the body, there is a risk that the immune system will react against them.
Certain probiotics can induce an immunogen effect. It means B- and T-lymphocytes are stimulated and the concentration of immunoglobulins is increased. Probiotics are transitory. They do not normally colonise on the intestinal mucosa.
Nitrogen Waste Products
What happens in the intestine biochemically and immunologically during probiotic therapy?
Those enzymes the body itself uses for digesting food are influenced directly or indirectly by all the micro-organisms there are in the stomach and the intestine. This is called enzyme induction. Certain compounds that are produced in the digestion of food are toxic and cause harm in different tissues. When there is intestinal dysbiosis, these compounds are found in high quantities.
Probiotics will reduce the dysbiosis and thereby the accumulation of toxic waste products. When protein is digested through the action of these harmful intestinal micro-organisms, directly or indirectly, a variety of nitrogen waste products—such as ammonia, urea, indols, phenols, nitrites, and nitrosamines—will be produced.
These toxic items could, in a later sequence, influence the outcome of different unhealthy conditions, i.e., chronic diseases where the immune system is seriously involved. They also promote the development of polyarthritis and skin diseases.
Normally, the liver is able to detoxify all these toxins. However, if the load is heavy and prolonged, the liver will not be able to cleanse completely.
Detoxification and Retoxification
Certain beneficial bacteria are able to neutralise toxic metabolites. This is called detoxification. The opposite is retoxification. It is the conversion of non-harmful products to harmful ones. Probiotics reduce the pH in the intestine, causing the activity of the coliform putrefactive bacteria, such as bacteroides and clostridia, to be inhibited. The production of their metabolites will then be reduced. Additionally, the absorption of these is impaired, resulting in them being excreted in the faeces.
Conjugation and Deconjugation
One of the methods the liver uses to neutralise toxins is by conjugating them with glucuronic acid, thereby creating glucuronides. This process is called conjugation. When these are excreted from the gallbladder out into the intestine, it is given the capability to get rid of toxins.
When there is a dysbiotic condition in the intestine, certain bacteria improve their ability to digest these conjugates. This is called deconjugation. The toxins are reabsorbed into the blood. The result is retoxification.
Some of the enzymes that deconjugate and retoxify toxic waste products are:
Beta-glucuronidase
Azoreductase
Nitroreductase
The outcome of their action is an increased accumulation of toxic metabolites. By probiosis, this will be reduced.
Glycosides from different green plants, such as rutin, may be converted by the action of Streptococcus faecium to quercetin. This molecule is mutagenous. It will cause injuries to the body cell’s genetic code. This can develop into malignant conditions, i.e., cancer.
Streptococcus faecalis is responsible for another sort of retoxification. It converts the amino acid tyrosine to tyrosamine. An increased amount of tyrosamine is thought to trigger attacks of migraine. In a later phase, this amine is converted to phenol, which is mutagenous.
Oestrogen
Bile acids, cholesterol, and a variety of sex hormones are exposed by the same mechanisms, i.e., conjugation and deconjugation. They are excreted by the bile into the intestine. Further down in the intestinal channel, they are reabsorbed. A certain amount is lost in the faeces. A loss of volatile bile acids and, to a certain degree, cholesterol are lost in the same manner, which could be favourable.
It is not desirable for the sex hormones to be lost in the faeces. Both female and male hormones can be lost in this manner. This happens when there is an intestinal dysbiosis. A reduced concentration of oestrogen can cause:
Bleeding disturbances
Increased sensitivity to genital infections (i.e., vaginitis)
Bladder infections (i.e., cystitis)
Impaired fertility
Osteoporosis with pain syndrome
You may experience similar mechanisms when taking contraceptives and antibiotics at the same time.
Endotoxins
When there is dysbiosis, certain bacteria (i.e., clostridia) produce endotoxins, which will influence the immune system. A great number of chronic inflammatory diseases are related to dysbiosis. These immune-related diseases will appear in various soft tissues such as the skin, joints, urinary system, intestine, eyes, glands, etc.
Carcinogens and Insulin
Deconjugated bile acids and cholesterol are to be converted further in a later phase. The harmful bacteria stimulate the production of an increased amount of volatile secondary bile acids and coprostanol, which is a digested product of cholesterol. These are carcinogenic, including the above-mentioned enzymes and the nitrosamines. They promote the initiation of different types of cancer, e.g., breast cancer.
An unbalanced intake of short and rapidly digested carbohydrates (i.e., glucose) intensifies the development of dysbiosis. Note the glycaemic index of different food items and their bioavailability.
There is an insulin-like substance produced by E. coli bacteria. It is a sort of analogue. This substance is thought to be absorbed into the blood and situate itself on the receptors where human insulin is normally positioned. Thereby, it will inhibit the action of insulin.
In diabetic patients, you often find dysbiotic conditions.
Vitamins and Analogues
The bacterial flora in the colon produce a variety of vitamins. The absorption of these is relatively poor. It is impossible to estimate how important this vitamin production is. All of the B vitamins and the K vitamin are produced. The latter is essential for coagulation ability. Most of our need is absorbed in the small intestine.
What is of more interest is that bacteria consume vitamins for their own survival. When there is dysbiosis, this consumption is increased in the lower part of the small intestine. Vitamin B12 will in this manner be consumed. Depressed levels of vitamin B12 are seen amongst older people; compare this with the reduced action of the bifidobacteria.
It is known that bacteria are able to produce so-called vitamin analogues. These analogues compete with the real vitamins. They act as ghosts and are believed to cause functional conditions of insufficiency. The traditional tests on vitamin B12 are inadequate and insufficient. The level of homocystein gives a better understanding of the vitamin condition. It could also in some cases function as an indirect parameter estimating dysbiosis.
As mentioned above, the autochthonous flora create a barrier and protection against hostile and not welcoming guests. The majority of the pathogen or disease-provoking bacteria are sensitive to competition from the natural flora.
When there is dysbiosis, their establishment will be facilitated. Probiotics reduce the pH in the intestine by 1–2 units. This will aggravate the establishment of, e.g., salmonella, cholera, etc.
The bifidobacteria defend their territory by producing different organic acids, i.e., acetic acid, lactic acid, and special natural antibiotics.
Certain Conditions When Probiotics Are of Importance
Below is a variety of conditions more or less related to intestinal dysbiosis. The dysbiotic condition is directly or indirectly related to symptoms.
Gastritis and ulcer
Gallbladder dysfunction and liver diseases
Constipation or irritable colon
Obstipation or diarrhoea
Dyspepsia
Migraine; conversion of tyrosine to tyrosamine
Atopies (e.g., eczema, hay fever, urticaria, asthma)
There are very few patients who don’t need detoxification and drainage intervention at all. Furthermore, each patient’s status is unique, so in designing a treatment plan, it is important to strike a balance between the patient’s previous exposure (toxic load) and the organism’s ability to detoxify (regulation ability).
For this purpose, patients are generally divided into two groups. Group 1 includes patients with mild to moderate toxicity. In general, these are patients with mild symptoms and exposure. They elect to do a general cleansing or have milder diseases such as headaches, acne, etc. Group 2 includes patients with severe toxicity (known exposure) as well as patients with severe diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc. These patients’ regulation ability is reduced. Group 2 also includes former drug addicts as well as patients who have received chemotherapy.
Due to their advanced toxicity, Group 2 patients need advanced supportive detoxification that prepares the organs of detoxification and elimination for the drainage phase (accomplished primarily through Lymphomyosot, a component of the Detox-Kit). The advanced organ support is thus more organotropic in character, whereas the basic detoxification and drainage is more functiotropic. In general, advanced organ support is administered for six weeks, followed by use of the Detox-Kit. In most cases, tissues will still need to be drained of residual toxins, so the use of Lymphomyosot alone is advised for several months longer (for protocols, see BT Winter 2007).
Special case 1:
Patients with inflammatory skin disease, such as eczema or psoriasis. The skin, classically called the “mirror of the soul,” is also a mirror of the liver and the gut. In cases of skin disease, it is essential to remember that the P450-containing system in the skin is the same as that in the liver and in the gut. Psoriasis patients in particular need bowel cleansing, which should be part of the initial advanced organ support. Thus Mucosa compositum and Cutis Compositum play a special role in these patients, although functiotropic medications such as Nux vomica-Homaccord, Berberis-Homaccord, and Lymphomyosot, along with Hepeel, are the mainstays in the treatment of skin disease. Patients with inflammatory skin disease are at high risk of flare-ups if toxin drainage is initiated before the liver and gut are ready to cope with the load. These patients need to be treated with care even though they may not seem very ill. In some cases, flare-ups will simply mean that patients need higher doses of cortisone, but in other cases hospitalization may become necessary if skin sloughing is severe.
Patients with eczema are in a Th2 rigidity state, so they should first undergo several weeks of initial immunomodulation to get the disease under control, followed by advanced organ support, before the drainage period is initiated. Engystol is the medication of choice together with the appropriate suis-organ preparation, in this case Cutis compositum. By contrast, patients with psoriasis are in a Th1 state, so they should be treated with Traumeel oral ampoules and Cutis compositum. In both cases, it is preferable to add the catalysts during the drainage phase rather than during advanced organ support (see protocol in Table 1).
Table 1: Protocol for inflammatory skin disease
Disease-Specific Treatment
For Th1 rigidity: Traumeel and Cutis compositum For Th2 rigidity: Engystol and Cutis compositum Schwef-Heel
Weeks 1–4(or even longer in severe cases)
Organ/System
Treatment
Liver
—
Urinary tract/Kidney
—
Lymph
—
Skin
Cutis compositum
Gut
Mucosa compositum
Connective tissue
—
Note: Due to the high incidence of leaky gut in inflammatory skin diseases, initial treatment of the gut and immune system is paramount. The suis organs induce Th3 cells and thus immunotolerance to the corresponding organs.
Dosage:
Ampoules: In general, 3–1 times weekly, 1 ampoule i.m., s.c., i.d.
Drops: In general, 10 drops 3 times daily
Advanced Organ Support
Duration: 6 weeks
Organ/System
Primary Treatment
Alternative Products
Liver
Hepar compositum
Hepeel
Urinary tract/Kidney
Solidago compositum
Reneel
Lymph
—
Galium-Heel / Lymphomyosot
Skin
Cutis compositum
Schwef-Heel
Gut
Mucosa compositum
Nux vomica-Homaccord
Connective tissue
Thyreoidea compositum
Pulsatilla compositum
Basic Detoxification and Drainage
Organ/System
Detox Treatment
Cellular Detox (Add)
Liver
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Urinary tract/Kidney
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Lymph
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Skin
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Gut
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Connective tissue
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Note: Because Schwef-Heel is a potency chord, it does not cause aggravation to the extent classically ascribed to sulfur-containing medications. Adjuvant use of probiotics throughout the treatment should be considered.
Dosage:
Ampoules: In general, 3–1 times weekly, 1 ampoule i.m., s.c., i.d.
Drops: In general, 10 drops 3 times daily
Practical Protocols
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex and highly debilitating disorder characterized by chronic mental and physical exhaustion. It occurs more often, but not exclusively, in women.
Special case 2: Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
All patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have some form of toxicity. Some of these patients present primarily with symptoms of intoxication and have a history of toxic exposure, often temporally related to the onset of the syndrome.
Due to general immune imbalance (Th2 rigidity) and mitochondrial impairment in these patients, advanced organ support is essential, but even before that, support for the mucous membranes, the immune system, and the neuroendocrine system is helpful. This is best done with a combination of Mucosa compositum and Tonsilla compositum. After two weeks, advanced organ support can begin, followed by the drainage phase. If relapse occurs during the drainage phase, advanced organ support should be resumed for at least another six weeks (see protocol in Table 2).
Table 2: Protocol for chronic fatigue syndrome
Disease-Specific Treatment: Aletris-Heel
Followed by detoxification therapy
Weeks 1–2
Organ/System
Treatment
Liver
—
Urinary tract/Kidney
—
Lymph
Tonsilla compositum
Gut
Mucosa compositum
Connective tissue
—
Weeks 3–8: Advanced Organ Support
Organ/System
Primary Treatment
Alternative Products
Liver
Hepar compositum
Hepeel
Urinary tract/Kidney
Solidago compositum
Reneel
Lymph
Tonsilla compositum
Galium-Heel
Gut
Mucosa compositum
Nux vomica-Homaccord
Connective tissue
Thyreoidea compositum
Pulsatilla compositum
Weeks 9–20: Basic Detoxification and Drainage
Organ/System
Detox Treatment
Cellular Detox (Add)
Liver
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Urinary tract/Kidney
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Lymph
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Gut
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Connective tissue
Detox-Kit
Coenzyme compositum / Ubichinon compositum
Note: These patients need very gradual treatment. Because they often have multiple chemical sensitivities, it is advisable to first restore the integrity of the gut lining while administering Tonsilla compositum to support the adrenals and the hypothalamus. This also supports the immune system.
Dosage:
Ampoules: In general, 3–1 times weekly, 1 ampoule i.m., s.c., i.d.
The dental profession is becoming increasingly aware of the indivisibility of dental health and overall health. The teeth, the tongue, the gingiva, the lips, the salivary glands, etc. are all integrated with the rest of the body via the nerves, the blood and lymphatic circulations, glandular secretions, acupuncture meridians, the connecting bones and joints and by the digestive tube which extends from the mouth to the anus.
Because of the mechanical nature of most dental therapeutic procedures it may occasionally be convenient to forget that the mouth we are treating is connected to a vital, breathing, thinking, feeling human being. Yet the profound interrelationships between the mouth and the rest of the body have been recognized in the scientific literature of the West for several decades and by the Chinese for some fifty centuries.
When treating someone with an oral health problem, often the cause is found locally—such as a broken tooth due to trauma, a lost filling, or a sore spot from an ill-fitting denture. But more frequently the cause is found outside the mouth. This is particularly true of the more chronic oral maladies, such as periodontal disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, oral cancers, bruxism, bad breath, herpes simplex, tooth decay and, more recently, AIDS. Other common examples of this remote causation of oral pathology include the severe alveolar bone resorption found around the roots of the teeth in the diabetic patient,⁴ and the gross proliferation of fibrous tissue of the gingiva in the epileptic patient receiving Dilantin therapy.⁵ Even the American Dental Association now recognizes this systemic causation of periodontal disease.³ The dentist is sought out for evaluation and treatment of these oral symptoms—despite the fact that these oral symptoms are merely a localized manifestation of a more systemic disturbance.
Perhaps less widely appreciated but, I maintain, more frequent in occurrence are those systemic maladies which result from oral sources—as has been elaborately described and documented by Dr. Rheinhold Voll,⁴ and others.⁵ ⁶ Typical examples include the constipation of the TMJ patient due to his impaired chewing ability, or the migraine headaches of a mercury-hypersensitive physician provoked by a mouthful of amalgam (50% Hg) fillings, or the abdominal rash of the nickel-hypersensitive woman elicited by placing a nickel crown on her tooth. In these cases, ironically, the patients traditionally must seek the treatment of a physician (rather than the dentist) because of the systemic nature of the symptoms—despite their oral origins.
Consider that only a few decades ago it was fairly common “medical” treatment for rheumatoid arthritis to extract all the patient’s teeth—frequently with great success. One cannot soberly ignore the fact that what we do in our dental treatment can profoundly affect that individual’s systemic health and vice versa.
Once this concept is embraced, then the role of homeopathy in dentistry is much easier to appreciate. We will look at both acute and chronic dental prescribing, in this paper, and then explore the three basic constitutional types.
ACUTE DENTAL PRESCRIBING
Over the years I have found that a handful of remedies can handle the majority of the acute dental emergencies with which I have been faced in my practice. These first-aid remedies can help alleviate the pain or discomfort of dental emergencies, at least temporarily, until proper dental care measures can be received. I must emphasize, however, that the remedial measures proposed herein are not intended to replace good dental care, but rather to serve as a safe and effective complement to good dental care. (The potencies mentioned below are only suggestions. These are the ones I have used in my practice. A 30C should work as well as a 30X. As in all homeopathic prescribing, the remedy selection is more important than the potency. In other words, if the case calls for Belladonna 30X and all you have is Belladonna 6C, use it!)
Abscesses
Belladonna. Early dental abscesses, accompanied by redness and throbbing which is aggravated by the slightest touch (30X every 30–60 minutes).
Hepar sulphuris calcareum. Where the abscess is accompanied by pus formation, increased salivation, and where the gums are sore to the touch and bleed easily. Repeated doses of 6X will encourage pus discharge, while higher potencies (30X–200, two or three times daily) will help abort pus formation.
Silicea. Once pus is draining, Silicea 6X a few times daily will hasten the discharge.
Myristica. Where the abscess is swollen and accompanied by numbness of the area. Especially suited to the wisdom teeth. (6X)
Calendula. Dilute the tincture 1 part to 20 parts of water. Use as a gentle but effective disinfectant mouth rinse. This may be used several times daily (with any of the above remedies or by itself) or may be alternated with warm salt water rinses.
Apprehension (anticipation of the dental visit)
Gelsemium. Fear accompanied by “weak knees,” diarrhea, and drowsy behavior. 30X to be taken the night before, the morning of and ½ to 1 hour before the dental visit.
Aconite. When the fear is accompanied by great panic (sudden onset) as well as physical and emotional restlessness (e.g., much fidgeting). 30X taken as above.
Coffea cruda. 30X is helpful when the anxiety is accompanied by intolerance to noise or music.
Chamomilla. This is not for apprehension, per se, but may greatly help those individuals with lowered pain thresholds. Take three doses of 30X over several hours prior to the dental visit.
Bleeding
Almost all post-surgical bleeding is well controlled by pressing a moist gauze pad or moist tea bag over the bleeding area. However, when this alone does not control the bleeding:
Phosphorus. 6X to 200X every 10 to 30 minutes until the bleeding stops.
Arnica. If bleeding is accompanied by bruised soreness. 30X every 10 to 30 minutes until bleeding is controlled.
“Dry Socket”
Belladonna. 30X every 30 to 60 minutes if accompanied by a throbbing pain.
Ruta graveolens. 6X for any surgery or other injuries to the jaw or other facial bones.
Calendula. As prepared above is a good healing rinse.
Teething
Chamomilla 30X every 30–60 minutes when the teething child is whiney, restless, and wants to be held and pampered. This is a great remedy for delayed and difficult teething.
Toothaches
Belladonna. 30X every 30 to 60 minutes when the toothache throbs and is worse from touch or motion (chewing).
Magnesia phosphorica. 30X when the toothache is worse from cold and better from warmth.
Coffea cruda. 30X when the toothache is worse from heat and relieved by holding ice in the mouth.
Chamomilla. 30X when the toothache is worse from any warmth (i.e. if anything warm is taken in the mouth or even upon entering a warm room), but not better with cold. The pain is intolerable and makes the patient peevish.
Dental Trauma (or Post Operative) Remedies
Arnica. 30X for injuries resulting in bruises or fractures; for sore spots from an ill-fitting denture; following the placement of a very deep filling. (Many patients find Arnica helpful when taken before a dental visit where discomfort is anticipated)
Hypericum. 30X where nerves have been injured—such as a broken tooth where the nerve has been exposed, and accompanied by excessive pain.
Ledum. 30X for puncture wounds, such as the soreness resulting from a dental injection.
Staphysagria. 30X for incision type wounds after soft tissue surgery—as with extractions of difficult impacted wisdom teeth or periodontal (gum) surgery.
Chamomilla. Helps expedite the wearing off of the numbness following the completion of the dental procedure. 30X every 20 to 30 minutes. Works beautifully!
Magnesia phosphorica. 30X for stiff, sore jaws following a prolonged dental visit with the mouth wide open where the muscles are cramped and feel better with warmth. If they don’t feel better with warmth, try Arnica 30X instead.
CHRONIC DENTAL PRESCRIBING
Now that we have looked at some of the homeopathic treatments for a few of the more common acute dental problems, I would like to explore the role of homeopathy in the treatment of chronic dental or oro-facial complaints. To evaluate and treat someone for a chronic dental problem (i.e. periodontal disease, chronic TMJ disorders, bruxism, or rampant tooth decay) one must exercise the same deliberation as when treating any other chronic conditions—that is, a thorough history and examination must be done. To give adequate scope to the ongoing disease process and its various causes, one must include not only the dental manifestations, but all levels of the patient’s symptoms (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) in the evaluation. “How can a dentist evaluate one’s mental condition?” you ask. Remember, the repertories and materia medicas are written (gratefully) in plain English—not in “medicalese.” One needn’t be skilled in abnormal psychology to see that a patient is frightened, cheerful, or angry. One need only observe and listen!
Dentists have particular expertise in evaluating a person’s oro-facial signs and symptoms (which, incidentally, comprise a very significant portion of Kent’s Repertory), and this is the focus of our therapy. However we are sometimes criticized for “practicing medicine without a license” because through appropriate “dental” therapy the patient’s “medical” condition improves. The reader will understand from the initial discussion in this paper the error of such thinking. Furthermore, homeopathic remedies (like allopathic drugs) are not organ specific. They affect the entire person. Thus, when you visit a dentist complaining of a swollen jaw and he gives penicillin for the infected wisdom tooth, doesn’t your infected hangnail respond to the medicine as well? Likewise, even though it may not be our intention to witness a cure of sciatica or dyspepsia with correct dental treatment, such things do happen and, as with the infected hangnail, this obviously does not imply that we are practicing medicine. Remember, it is the individual’s vital force, not the prescriber’s intentions, that directs the evolution of cure, as the case below well illustrates.
Over the past twelve years a large portion of my practice has dealt with the care and treatment of people suffering from disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TM joint or jaw joint). This paired joint connects the lower jaw to the skull and lies just in front of the ears. Because disorders of this joint cause such profound and diverse sequelae in the patient’s overall health, they serve as a good vehicle to illustrate the indivisibility of oral and systemic health. The various signs and symptoms of TM joint disorders fully permeate one fourth of the pages of Kent’s Repertory. They include headache, earaches, grinding and popping noises in the joint, vertigo, pains in the neck, shoulders, and back, indigestion, poor balance, unstable posture, and many others.
CASE HISTORY
On July 25, 1983 a 20-year-old woman presented with a constant headache which had begun 12 months before. The headache was worse upon awakening in the morning and began one month after leaving home to attend college. She had difficulty eating because chewing caused pains in the right temple. She also suffered from chronic constipation, insomnia, and fatigue. She appeared pale, unsmiling, and listless and she had not had her menses for seven months. Prior treatments had been of little help and included therapy by neurologists, gynecologists, a psychiatrist, an allergist, internist, nutritionists, acupuncturist, chiropractors, dentists, a cranial osteopath, and a neurolinguistic programmer. She had a history of other head injuries. She was given Arnica in high attenuation.
Two months later she reported no significant change in her health. She was fitted with an orthopedic appliance and put on an exercise program to help alleviate her jaw muscle tension. Within days she began to sleep better, but over the next few months the headaches were still constant, although diminished. She still had no menses, was thirstless and still constipated. She was given Natrum muriaticum 1M.
Natrum muriaticum has headaches, worse in the morning as part of the remedy picture. Also included are a great variety of menstrual complaints, constipation, difficulty sleeping, and emaciation. It is the chronic of Ignatia, often, as Boericke says, “having psychic causes of disease”* (i.e. leaving home).
When she returned a month later, her appearance had dramatically improved. Her face was more animated, her dress more colorful, and her voice more vibrant. She was sleeping well and her head and jaw pains had markedly lessened. Her cranial osteopath reported the first profound improvement in her cranial mechanism since he had begun treating her. Several days after the remedy was given she had her first menses in almost a year.
THREE CONSTITUTIONAL TYPES
In taking a case of a chronic dental patient one can garner a great deal of information as to the patient’s constitutional type by examining his or her oral and cranial structures. Here I must define “constitutional” in its narrowest sense, based on the theory of constitutional typing by Nebel and Vannier, also referred to by Professor Eizayaga, M.D., as the “genotypical” constitutional type. That is, the constitution is the least changeable aspect of the person’s totality; it is based largely on the structure and composition of one’s tissues and skeletal framework, and therefore is immutable and established long before birth.
Our skeletal and dental structures are composed of three calcium salts (or Calcareas): the carbonate, phosphate, and fluoride. Each of these salts impregnates our teeth and bones and thereby imparts to us distinctly different anatomical characteristics, different metabolic types, as well as different disease propensities. Accordingly, everyone belongs to one of these three constitutional types: Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, or Calcarea fluorica, depending upon which salt predominates in our makeup. Furthermore, to each of these constitutional types belong a group of remedies or “phenotypical” constitutional types (Eizayaga). While it is common to see individuals who exhibit combinations of these three constitutional types (especially mixtures of the phosphor-fluor and fluoric-mixed type), one type will always predominate.
As we shall see, nowhere are the anatomical differences among the Calcareas more dramatically illustrated than in the dental apparatus. Thus the dentist has a unique vantage for assessing a patient’s constitutional type, and therefore can gain much insight into that individual’s therapeutical needs. The information I am presenting here is largely lacking in the homeopathic Materia Medicas and I am therefore greatly indebted to M. Tetau, M.D., F. Fuller Royal, M.D., and E. Illovici, M.D., for their writings which helped consolidate the constitutional pictures you are about to meet.
Calcarea Carbonica
The carbonica has broad shoulders, a broad forehead and large jaws. The teeth are very white and well aligned but are slow to erupt with difficult teething. The fontanelles of his very large skull are slow to close and his head perspires easily. His tongue is dry, he does not like to talk, and his teeth cannot endure any coldness—even cold air!
The carbonica resembles the oyster shell from which the remedy is made, that is, he is resistant to change—“a victim of inertia.” Yet, while slow to begin a project, he will, once started, continually plod ahead until the job is completed. While not terribly imaginative, he is logical and is good with mathematics (many mathematicians and accountants are carbonicas).
His long bones and spine are curved, and his bones, joints, and muscles are as rigid and inflexible as his opinions. He tends to develop hypertension, hypothyroidism, obesity, and autointoxication due to his failure to remove toxins adequately from his body. The child exhibits delayed puberty and is frequently troubled by bedwetting. He is chubby, his complexion has a chalky tint, and he is prone to digestive complaints.
Major remedies related to the Calcarea Carbonica type aid in the elimination of the body’s toxins: Sulphur, Hepar sulph., Graphites, Silicea, Carb. veg., and Lycopodium.
Calcarea Phosphorica
The phosphoricum type is mentally precocious and develops early. He is tall with long arms and legs and his back is stooped. The skull is long (front to back) and narrow, as are the jaws. The forehead is elevated and the nose strong. The teeth are oval and have a yellow cast to them. The palate is narrow with a gothic (high) vault.
He is very imaginative and artistic and does not tolerate manual labor or any regularity in his life style. Because he cannot stay with any task for very long, he seldom masters anything—despite being a perfectionist at heart.
He has long eyelashes, his hair is fine, and his skin delicate. When he perspires, he does so all over. He tends toward hyperthyroidism, palpitations, and tuberculosis.
Major remedies related to the phosphoricum constitutional type are Natrum mur., Ferrum, Kali carb., Iodium, Arsenicum album, Phosphorus, and Stannum.
Calcarea Fluoricum
The fluoricum constitution is the picture of instability both mentally and physically. The bones are deformed and the muscles and ligaments are very lax, producing an “S”-shaped posture. The arms hyperextend at the elbows. The dental arch and alignment of the teeth are irregular. The upper jaw protrudes, the feet are abnormally small and the hair is hard and brittle.
He dislikes exercise and has little physical endurance. He cannot concentrate on anything for long periods of time and seldom perspires at all. His temperament is unstable, he has little control over his reactions, and will say whatever is on his mind. All of his symptoms are worse at night but he feels better in the mountains. He tends toward arteriosclerosis, arthritis, and hypertension.
The major remedies that relate to the fluoricum constitutional type are: Mercurius, Aurum metallicum, Argentum nitricum, Kali bichromicum, Platina, Nitricum acidum, Baryta carbonica, and Syphilinum.
The following chart summarizes the characteristics of the three calcareas groups:
ANATOMICAL AND ORO-FACIAL KEYNOTES (including TMJ)
Keynote
Calcarea carbonica
Calcarea phosphorica
Calcarea fluorica
Skeleton
Resistant
Fragile
Irregular, exostoses
Hand
Strong & thick
Long & narrow
Small, soft & pliable
Perspiration
Localized to head & neck
All over
Very little (skin dry)
Athletic type
Good endurance (fullback)
Lacks endurance but has brilliant bursts of energy (quarterback)
Not well coordinated (team mascot)
Oro-facial
Large, broad head, open fontanelles
Elongated head, open fontanelles
Asymmetrical head
Jaws & Arches
Large elliptical
Narrow elongated elliptical
V-shaped, irregular
Vault (Palate)
Low
Gothic
Narrow & very deep
Tooth Eruption
Delayed & difficult dentition
Early but painful teething
Teeth erupt out of normal sequence
Teeth
White with broad stocky crowns. Upper incisors flat & square. Sensitive to cold
Yellow & long. Upper incisors rectangular with curved facial surfaces
Grey-white teeth. Gum boils, sensitive to pressure & eating, looseness of teeth
Occlusion (bite)
Teeth well aligned
Often malposition in anterior teeth
Irregularly set into arches with sagittal (forward or backward) malposition
TM Joint
Strong & tight
Fine & slack
Hyper-stretch
CONCLUSION
This paper presents a brief overview of the role of homeopathy in dentistry as it relates to acute and chronic prescribing and to the three basic constitutional types. Correct homeopathic prescribing for dental maladies will frequently provoke salutary systemic effects, and this should neither threaten nor alarm us. This is simply a reflection of the natural law of cure and illustrates the fact that the dental apparatus is an indivisible component of the integrated whole person. It cannot be otherwise! And for this we should all be grateful—doctor and patient alike.
“Etiology of Chronic Periodontal Disease: An Alternative Perspective,” Clark & Carey, Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 110, May, 1985, pp. 583–589.
Interrelation of Odontons and Tissues in Organs, Field Disturbances and Tissue System, Rheinhold Voll, M.D., M.L. Publishers, Dijal Velzen, West Germany, 1976.
Neural Focal Dentistry—Illness Caused by Interference Fields in the Trigeminal, Ernesto Adler, M.D., D.D.S., Multidiscipline Research Foundation, Houston, 1984.
Electric Acupuncture for Dentistry, John Chan, D.D.S., Nutri-Kinetic Dynamics, Inc., Pearl City, Hawaii, 1980.
Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica, J.T. Kent, A.M., M.D., Indian Books & Periodicals Syndicate, Box 2524, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, 110005.
Materia Medica with Repertory, 6th ed., William Boericke, M.D., B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi, 110055.
“Homeopathy, Holistic Medicine: Terrain, Constitution, Temperament.” M. Tetau, M.D., Journal of Ultra Molecular Medicine, Vol. 1, No. 3, Las Vegas, NV, 1983.
“Understanding Homeopathic Constitutions, Part I.” F. Fuller Royal, M.D., Journal of Ultra Molecular Medicine, Vol. 1, No. 2, Las Vegas, NV, 1983.
“Understanding Homeopathic Constitutions,” Part II. F. Fuller Royal, M.D., Journal of Ultra Molecular Medicine, Vol. 1, No. 3, Las Vegas, NV, 1983.
“A New Concept in Essential Homeopathic Mineral Compositions.” Emile Illovici, M.D., Journal of Ultra Molecular Medicine, Vol. 1, No. 3, Las Vegas, NV, 1983.
“Homeopathy with a Dental Accent.” Richard D. Fischer, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., Homeopathy Today, National Center for Homeopathy, Washington, D.C., March, 1984.
Personal Communication, Kathrine Coulter.
Recommended Reading
A New Approach to Oral and Dental Disease, Frank W. Stockton, D.D.S., National Center for Homeopathy, Washington, DC. The Dental Prescriber, Dr. Colin Lessell. The British Homeopathic Association, 27a Devonshire Street, London.
Actaea monogynia. C. serpentaria. Macrotys racemosa. Botrophis serpentaria. Black snake root. Black Cohosh (Canada, Georgia, Western States of America). N. O. Ranunculaceae. Tincture of the root. Trituration of the resinoid, Macrotyn.
Characteristics. One of the most marked symptoms of Actaea racemosa lies in the mental sphere: a feeling of melancholy and dejection, as if there were a black pall over everything; shows the suitability of the drug in hysteria and hypochondriasis. There is also fear of death, as in Aconite. Incessant talking, passing from one subject to another, as in delirium tremens. Marked benefit has followed in an inveterate case of epilepsy in which the aura was a “sensation of waves in the brain,” a key symptom of the drug. Many symptoms appear in head and eyes. Sensation as if going mad with headache. Reflex headache from pelvic organs. The headache is frontal, lateral, or occipital, and is accompanied by great pain in the eyes; better from pressure; worse from the least movement. Peculiar sensations are: as if the skull were being lifted; as if the top of the head would fly off; as of a screw through the base of skull to vertex. Inspired air seems to penetrate the skull to the brain, causing a sensation of cold. Intense pain in and around the eyes, lancinating, worse on moving head or eyes. In tinnitus aurium it has been found curative in old-school practice in 15 to 30 drops of the tincture, whether due to direct or reflex irritation (L’Art Méd., July, 1898). On the face there is malar neuralgia, ceasing at night. Many symptoms of digestive disturbance; foul breath and bad taste and a coated tongue; sticky saliva, viscid mucus in throat. Sinking at epigastrium is very marked. The reproductive organs of women are particularly affected by Actaea. Uterine and ovarian pains very marked. Inframammary pains. Tenderness of uterine region. Pains cross hypogastrium, extending from side to side. Dysmenorrhoea and irregular menses. Leucorrhoea with bearing-down in uterus. Labour-like pains. Pain in left ovary. Given before term it makes the pains easier; cures vomiting of pregnancy, and prevents after-pains and oversensitiveness. According to Lippe, a characteristic indication is: “The uterus after a labour is caught in the pelvis with great pain.” Puerperal mania has been cured by it. It also secures living births in women who have had previous still-births without discovered cause; given in daily doses of 1x for two months before term. In the respiratory sphere, a dry teasing cough, worse at night and worse at every attempt to speak, is the most characteristic feature. The rheumatic action of the drug shows in heart and chest pains and in joint and limb pains. Pain in the nape of neck has been found very characteristic. Cerebro-spinal meningitis; head and neck retracted. Sharp pains in chest, especially in the region of the heart, extending down the left arm, which is numb (Acon., Puls., Rhus), as if fixed to the side. Palpitations from the least motion. The heart suddenly ceases. A patient taking 6 drops of the tincture complained of a sensation “as if the heart stopped.” The pains of Actaea r. are like electric shocks here and there; sharp, lancinating in various parts; chest and uterine pains go from side to side. There is a general bruised sensation over the whole body, as if sore; worse from touch. Rest better, motion better. Cold air seems to penetrate the body; very sensitive to it. But the headache is better in the open air; worse in a hot room. Symptoms are worse at night (malar neuralgia better at night); in the morning. Pains in arms and Achilles tendon, worse towards approaching evening. Worse during menses. Eating better. Suited to the climacteric; to nervous persons; to children during dentition.
Relations. Related to Actaea spicata and other Ranunculaceae. Aconite antidotes the insomnia, and Baptisia relieves the headache and nausea of the drug. Resembles Aconite in fear of death and restlessness; Bry. and Puls. in rheumatism; Cauloph. in uterine affections, and also Sep., Nat. m., Lil. t., Ign., Gels. (uterine headache); Lyc. (pains go from side to side), Ars. (fear of being alone); Calc. (visions of rats and mice). In a case of Tanacetum poisoning (taken by a woman in the fifth month to procure abortion), with high fever, rheumatic pains, sensation of prolapse, and abdominal soreness, Act. r. promptly improved after Acon. and Bry. failed. The pregnancy went to term. The resinoid of Act. r., Macrotyn, has been preferred in low triturations instead of the tincture, especially in cases of lumbago.
Cause. Anxiety; fright; disappointment in love; failure in business; over-exertion; labour.
Symptoms.
Mind. In all mental symptoms there is want of coherence. Thinks she will go crazy; with vertex headache. Miserable, dejected feeling. Melancholy, as if something black over everything. Feels afflicted and disturbed, with sighing. Mania following disappearance of neuralgias. Puerperal mania. Suicidal. Incessant talking, changing from one subject to another. Visions of rats, etc. Fear of death. No disposition to fix the attention on anything. Irritable. Indifferent, taciturn. Feels faint at epigastrium on meeting a friend. Effects of frights; love disappointments; failures in business.
Head. Vertigo, fulness and dull pain at vertex. Sensation of waves in the brain. When asleep the head floats. Rush of blood to head; brain feels very large in skull. Head dull and heavy as after a debauch. Dull pain, particularly in occiput, afternoon and towards evening; worse indoors, better in open air. Headache through the whole brain, with bruised feeling in occipital region. Sensation of a screw through base of skull to vertex. Constant dull pain in occiput extending to vertex. Severe pain in head and eyes, increased by the least movement. Very acute pain in right side of head, behind orbit. Top of head feels as if it would fly off. Headache better in open air. Students’ headache. Sensation as if vertex opened and left it exposed.
Eyes. Intense sore pains in eyes; better from pressure, worse from the least motion. Pain over the eyes, extending to occiput. Ciliary neuralgia; sharp pains in eyes or in temples, extending to eyes, very severe, especially at night; seems as if patient would go crazy. Peculiar wild look.
Ears. Sensitive to the least noise. Singing on the left side, later in both. (Tinnitus from irritation of auditory nerve, direct or reflex.)
Face. Pale, eyes large, sunken, surrounded by dark rings. Forehead feels cold; deathly pallor. Neuralgia affecting the malar bone; pain goes off at night and returns next day. Frequent flushes of heat; wants the open air. Lips dry; upper lip fissured as if bitten.
Mouth. Offensive breath. Mouth and tongue feel dry and hot. Thick mucus on the teeth. Spits thick, sticky saliva. Tongue swollen.
Throat. Viscid mucus in throat; hawking. Dry spots in throat causing cough; dryness of pharynx with constant desire to swallow; fulness in pharynx; mouth and palate swollen; neck stiff. Throat inflamed; pains wake in the night.
Stomach. Nausea, eructations, headache and trembling (most in women). Nausea with uterine affections. Sharp pains across the hypogastrium. Sinking or emptiness at epigastrium.
Abdomen. Periodical colicky pains, better by bending double and after stool. Sharp pains in intestines, lumbar region and limbs. Abdominal muscles sore. Sharp pains across hypogastrium.
Stool. Alternation of diarrhoea and constipation. Frequent stools, thin, dark and offensive.
Urinary Organs. Incessant flow of urine. Frequent micturition and increased quantity. Pressure in renal and lumbar regions.
Female Sexual Organs. Menses profuse, early; dark, clotted; scanty, irregular, delayed or suppressed. Hysterical or epileptic spasms at the time of the menses. Feels strange, talks incoherently, screams, tries to injure herself. Pains in uterine region, go from side to side. Pains in ovarian region, going upwards. Sensation of prolapse in uterine and lumbar regions; limbs feel heavy, clumsy. Severe pain in lower abdomen. Rheumatic dysmenorrhoea. Leucorrhoea with bearing-down in uterus. During pregnancy: nausea; false labour-pains; sharp pains across abdomen; insomnia. During labour chilliness in the first stage; very severe pains; spasmodic cardiac neuralgia; lochia suppressed (from cold or emotions); os uteri rigid; puerperal mania. Tendency to abortion in the third month. Inframammary pains, worse on left side. Burning in mammae.
Respiratory Organs. Night cough, dry, constant, short; worse every time she attempts to speak. Tickling in throat with violent cough. Pains in right side of chest, worse from motion, extorting cries. (Rheumatism of diaphragm. Pleurodynia.)
Heart. Pain in region of heart, followed by palpitations; pains extend to left arm, which is numb and fixed to the side. Pulse weak and irregular; or rapid and full. Palpitations from the least movement.
Neck and Back. Severe pain in nape of neck (rheumatic fever; cerebro-spinal meningitis). Rheumatic pain in muscles of neck and back; a sense of rigidity and retraction. Lightning-like pains in posterior spinal sclerosis. Neck stiff from cold air; worse from moving even the hands. Spine tender; especially cervical and upper dorsal regions. Severe aching in lumbar and sacral regions; extends down the thighs and across the hips, with strong bearing down. Head and neck retracted (in spotted fever).
Extremities. Rheumatic pains in the joints, with heat and swelling. Soreness in the limbs. Excessive muscular soreness. Rheumatism affecting the belly of the muscle. Trembling of the fingers when writing. Tremor of the limbs, can scarcely walk. Feeling of discomfort in the limbs causing restlessness.
Upper Extremities. Pains running down the arms with numbness, as of a nerve compressed. Left arm feels as if fixed to the side (chorea). Constant irregular movement of left arm; disabled (chorea). Cold sweat on the hands. Trembling of the fingers when writing.
Lower Extremities. Soreness in sacrum, lumbar region, and down the left leg. Pressure round hips with pain in sacrum. Towards evening, soreness and stiffness in region of Achilles tendon. Dull, sore, burning in second joint of right great toe, extending up the limb.
Generalities. Rheumatism. Weakness, tremor, and spasmodic actions of muscles. Nervous shuddering; trembling through the body. Spasms, tonic and clonic, alternate. Hysterical and epileptic convulsions. Sharp, lancinating pains in various parts, associated with ovarian and uterine irritation. Affects the left side most. Pains appear suddenly. Pains like electric shocks here and there. Chorea. General bruised feeling over the whole body, as if sore.
Sleep. Obstinate insomnia. Sleepless; cannot rest; must change position; twitchings of limbs. Unpleasant dreams, that she is in trouble. Restless sleep.
ESTIMATION OF CLINIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USING OF PSORINOHEEL, LYMPHOMYOSOT AND MUCOSA COMPOSITUM S IN COMPLEX TREATMENT OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN CHILDREN
Rudenko I.V. Lugansk State Medical University
Summary Investigation of genetic background, cell immunity, condition of hepatobiliary system, biocenosis of intestine and important allergens in children suffering from atopic dermatitis was conducted.
82 children were examined. The control group included 39 children with age ranging from 3 to 14 years. The main group included 43 children. In the main group patients received complex therapy with antihomotoxic preparations in age dosages.
Psorinoheel – from 2 to 10 drops 3 times a day during 3 months.
Lymphomyosot – from 2 to 20 drops 3 times a day during 3 months.
Mucosa compositum S – from 1/6 to 1 ampoule i/m 3 times a week during 2 weeks with further injection once a week during 3-4 weeks.
The treatment was prescribed for all patients in the stage of exacerbation.
Data of cell immunity were investigated before and after the treatment.
In the main group reliable improvement of functional activity of lymphocytes, decreasing their suppressive activity, normalizing of immune index was noted.
Intestine bacterial flora was normalized, positive influence on hepatobiliary system and stable clinic remission was noted.
Received results allow recommending antihomotoxic therapy with combination of preparations Psorinoheel, Lymphomyosot and Mucosa compositum S in children suffering from atopic dermatitis.
COMPLEX TREATMENT OF PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM DISCIRCULAR ENCEPHALOPATHY WITH USING ANTIHOMOTOXIC PREPARATIONS
Dr. med. Sokolova L.I., Gorsea Ya.M., Radzhkovskaya N.S. National Medical University, Kiev municipal clinic hospital #4
Summary 32 patients (26 women and 6 men) suffering from discircular encephalopathy (cerebrovascular disease) were investigated in neuralgic departments of Kiev municipal clinic hospital №4 in 2002–2003.
The duration of the disease was less than a year in 13 patients and more than a year – in 19.
The causes of the disease were – hypertension in 5 patients, atherosclerosis – in 3 patients, combination of atherosclerosis and hypertension – in 25 patients and combination of diabetes and hypertension.
All patients were occasionally divided into two groups (16 persons in each). The main group included patients who received antihomotoxic preparations – Vertigoheel & Aesculus compositum in addition to standard therapy.
Patients of the control group received only traditional therapy.
Vertigoheel was prescribed in dosage 10 drops before the meal 3 times a day during 20 days. Aesculus compositum was applied in dosage 10 drops 20 minutes before the meal by the same scheme.
In the control group solcoseryl, piracetam, euphyllin or pentoxifylline, platyphylline, group B vitamins during three weeks course of the treatment.
Preparations Vertigoheel and Aesculus compositum showed good effectiveness in complex treatment of patients suffering from DE of I and II stage. Decreasing of the disease symptoms during the first week of the treatment and disappearance of the majority of complaints on the second-third week of the treatment was noted during the using of the preparations. It outstrips the effect of usage of the traditional therapy by a week. Including antihomotoxic preparations in the complex treatment of patients suffering from DE promoted not only the subjective improvement, but an objective positive dynamics of neurological status, normalizing of brain blood flow and improvement venous outflow according ophthalmoscopy, normalizing of vestibular disturbances of central character. Side effects were not noticed during the application of the preparations.
THE EXPERIENCE OF USING ANTIHOMOTOXIC PREPARATIONS ANGIN-HEEL AND ENGYSTOL IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM ACUTE TONSILLITIS
Prof. Dr. med. Karamiev S.A., Dr. med. Palatnaya L.A., Shapoval V.N. Bogomolets National Medical University
Summary The aim of the present study was the investigation of the effectiveness of complex antihomotoxic preparations Angin-Heel and Engystol in children with acute lacunar tonsillitis.
In clinic of children infectious diseases 30 children with age ranging from 2.5 to 14 years were examined. 15 children formed the control group and 15 – the main. The groups were comparable in age, diagnosis and heaviness of the disease.
The children of the main group in addition to the ordinary therapy received from the first day of staying in clinic Angin-Heel and Engystol according the standard scheme. Duration of the treatment was 7 days. The dosage of the preparations was 1/2 tablet for children before 3 years.
Children of the control group received ordinary treatment with antibiotics, polyvitamins, desensitizing preparations, inhalations with chlorophyllipt and ethonium.
All patients were laboratory investigated.
The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated according to the investigation of the dynamics of clinic symptoms of the disease.
In the main group on the second day of the treatment normalizing of temperature, decreasing of intoxication manifestation was noted. Decreasing of the leucocytosis and neutrophilosis were observed on the 3–4 day of the treatment. On the second day of the treatment for the tonsils decreased and on the 3–4 day of the treatment it disappeared.
In the control group temperature normalized at the 3–5 day of the treatment, intoxication disappeared on the 3–4 day of the treatment, fur of the tonsils disappeared on the 4–6 day of the treatment.
Side effects were not noted during the treatment.
Received results allow recommending that preparations Angin-Heel and Engystol are effective medicines for the treatment of tonsillitis in children and can be used in combination with traditional allopathic therapy.
POSSIBILITIES OF ANTIHOMOTOXIC PREPARATION THYREOIDEA COMPOSITUM IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS
Prof. Dr. med. Zubkova S.T., Dr. med. Muz V.A. Komissarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism AMS Ukraine, Kiev
Summary Possibilities of the using of antihomotoxic preparation Thyreoidea compositum in the treatment of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) were investigated.
Therapeutic effectiveness of preparation Thyreoidea compositum was evaluated in 20 patients in puberty suffering from hypertrophic form of AIT, mainly in condition of euthyreosis. Average age of children was 12.7 ± 1.2 years, duration of the disease was 2.0 ± 0.89 years.
Three groups of patients were chosen during the analyzing the results.
I group (10 children) were prescribed Thyreoidea compositum in dosage 1 ampoule i/m once in 3 days, 2.2 ml №10) as a monotherapy;
II group (10 patients) were prescribed complex therapy – traditional therapy with L-thyroxin (50–100 mcg) or low intensive laser influence in combination with Thyreoidea compositum, and Engystol because of frequent chronic infections.
Control group was composed with patients (19 persons) of the identical age (13.5 ± 0.45 years) who received only laser therapy or L-thyroxin in combination with laser therapy (III group).
The results of the conducted investigations allowed determining that antihomotoxic preparation Thyreoidea compositum using both in monotherapy and in complex therapy promoted the decreasing of titers antithyroid antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase, regression of goiter which indicate the immunocorrective and anti-inflammatory action of the preparation.
USAGE OF ANTIHOMOTOXIC PREPARATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS
Summary 24 patients suffering from chronic hepatitis (CH) against a background of chronic alcohol using were under the observation.
Chronic cholecystitis was diagnosed in 21 (28%) of patients.
Antibodies to C hepatitis of IgG class were defined in all examined patients.
Data of active viral replication were not defined, what showed the absence of the necessity of antiviral therapy.
Clinical manifestation of CH was classical: weakness, fast fatigability, discomfort in the right subcostal zone.
Laboratory investigations of functional liver samples showed the presence of cytolytic syndrome in all patients; bilirubin level was increased in 9 (37%) patients; gammopathy was defined in 12 (50%), increasing of thymol samples – in 9 patients.
Treatment included diet with higher protein and vitamin level and prescribing of hepatoprotective medicines.
On the background of diet therapy patients were prescribed antihomotoxic preparations Hepar compositum and Hepeel.
Hepar compositum was used in dosage 1 amp. i/m 2 times a week during 5 weeks. Hepeel – 1 tablet 3 times daily 15–20 minutes before the mealtime or 1 hour after.
Under the influence of the therapy all patients noted improvement of general condition, decreasing intoxication, sleep, efficiency and mood improvement.
Side effects were not revealed.
Dynamics of biochemical liver samples was positive.
Manifestation of chronic cholecystitis was noticeably decreased in all patients.
Duodenal probe showed decreasing of leucocytes, cholesterol crystals, and mucus in bile.
Thus complex use of antihomotoxic preparations in patients with CH of mixed aetiology (C viral hepatitis and alcohol) in latent period (when antiviral treatment is not indicated) is an effective method of treatment, directed for normalizing of liver and biliary system functions.
EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF COMPLEX ANTIHOMOTOXIC PREPARATIONS GRIPP-HEEL, ENGYSTOL AND EUPHORBIUM COMPOSITUM S IN PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT OF GRIPPE AND ACUTE RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN
Summary The use of antihomotoxic preparations for prophylaxis and treatment of grippe and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) was studied.
In the season 2002–2003 antihomotoxic preparations Gripp-Heel and Engystol were used for prophylaxis and treatment of grippe and ARVI.
Gripp-Heel was prescribed in dosage 1 tab. 1–3 times a day sublingual 15 minutes before the mealtime or 1 hour after during a month, and then Engystol – 1 tab. 1–2 times daily during that term.
Blind random investigation was done among 42 healthy children in the age ranging from 6 to 14 years (19 boys and 23 girls). All children were divided into two groups – control and main, 21 children in each group.
Children of main group were prescribed Gripp-Heel and Engystol as a prophylaxis measure, children of control group did not receive any preparations.
Results evaluation was done by method of accidental selection with calculation of difference among frequency of indications in separate series.
The investigation has been shown that the usage of Gripp-Heel and Engystol as a prophylaxis measure 2.3 times decreases the morbidity of grippe and ARVI (p<0.05). Even though children fall ill the percentage of light and heavy forms was 28.5%, while children in control group the same data was 61.9%.
The illness is taking his normal course in the main group, whereas in the control group complications were observed in 4.8% cases (arthritis).
15 children in the age ranging from 5 months till 14 years old (8 boys, 7 girls) were observed during investigation of the effectiveness of usage antihomotoxic preparations in the treatment of grippe and ARVI.
By the aetiology ARVI were distributed consequently: grippe – 5 children, paragrippe – 3, RS-infection – 1, ARVI of unstated aetiology – 5 children.
13 children were included to the control group correlated with the main in heaviness of the disease, sex, age and diagnoses. These children were prescribed febrifuge, antihistamine preparations and vitaminous preparations.
The treatment of grippe and ARVI with Gripp-Heel and Euphorbinum compositum S accelerates the reverse development of the symptoms as sore throat, cough, headache and pain in muscles according to the results of the investigation.
Thus in children of the main group stuffy nose, headache, pain in muscles, cough disapeared quicker than the control group. Preparations were of good tolerance, did not show any side effects.
Known allergy (hypersensitivity) to one or more of the ingredients. Do not use during pregnancy and lactation.
Side effects:
Tablets, injection solution: Allergic (hypersensitivity) skin reactions may occur in very rare cases (i.e. affects less than 1 in 10,000 users).
Interactions with other medication:
None known.
Dosage:
Tablets – Standard dosage: Adults (and children 12 yrs. and older): 1 tablet to be dissolved in the mouth 3x daily. Acute or initial dosage: 1 tablet every ½ to 1 hr., up to 12x daily, then continue with standard dosage.
Injection solution – Standard dosage: Adults and children 12 yrs. and older: 1 ampoule 1 to 3x weekly. May be administered by s.c., i.d., i.m., i.a. or i.v. route. Acute or initial dosage: 1 ampoule daily, then continue with standard dosage.
Ointment – Standard dosage: Adults (and children 12 yrs. and older): Apply 2 to 4x daily. For external use only. Apply a thin layer over the affected area.
Package sizes:
Tablets: Packs containing 50 and 250 tablets. (9757)
Injection solution: Packs containing 10 and 100 ampoules of 2.0 ml each. (8705)
Ointment: Tubes containing 50 and 100 g of ointment. (9588)
Clinical notes:
Zeel may protect against aspects of cartilage damage. The chondrocyte, which is the “control center” of the cartilage, regulates the oscillatory cycle of tissue destruction and regeneration, influenced by IL-6, IL-1, and TNF-α. These cytokines affect matrix metalloproteinases and synthesis of other substances. The regenerative cycle is supported by transforming growth factor-β and plant-based ingredients in Zeel.
Zeel’s ingredients such as sulfur and cartilage-based tissue materials (e.g., Cartilago suis and Funiculus umbilicalis suis) may support connective tissue regeneration and modulate inflammation.
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