Expectations

Homeopathy is burdened by magical expectations. Patients, students and practitioners often find themselves expecting miracles from the ingestion of a single dose of a remedy. Surely, they hope, this medicine transfused with the essence of a substance could heal the deepest and most troubled aspects of their souls. But what is truly possible? What can we hope for, or expect, from homeopathic medicine?

I have little doubt that in most cases of physical complaints-–eczema, asthma and irritable bowel, for example--homeopathy does quite well. I have seen ‘‘miracles’’ - in the sense that something that was so troubling to a patient, often unmitigated by other treatments for years and years, responds beautifully, and effortlessly, to a homeopathic remedy. These are daily occurrences in my practice.

More serious illness such as cancers, diabetes insipidus or Parkinsons do respond to homeopathic medicine, although the treatment requires more time, patience and skill on the part of the practitioner. The most important contribution of homeopathic medicine is to improve the quality of life, especially in these serious pathologies. This is one of the greatest gifts that homeopathy can provide.

How quickly the body heals is often dependent upon how long the patient has had the complaint, how much suppressive therapy has been given in the past and how strong the patient’s vital force is. Typically, a patient with eczema of 30 years will take longer to heal than the patient whose skin eruption began just 5 years earlier. And the patient who has received years of cortico-steroids will heal less quickly than the one who has had none. Furthermore, the patient who is 20 will generally heal quicker than the patient who is 80. Of course, there are many other factors to be considered, but these are generalities that hold true, in my experience.

But what of the deeper, emotional symptoms that can plague us? Depression, or chronic bitterness and anger, shyness or wild impulsiveness, loneliness and feelings of isolation, or the state of dependency and anxiety. These complaints are usually manifestations of character structure, expressions of the personality, with roots reaching back to earliest childhood. I explain to my patients that there are certain ‘‘symptoms’’ that homeopathy will not change, nor should. We do not want to change the essence of the inner nature of the person; rather we want to help them be their best selves.

For example, I will always be an introvert. That I can become a healthier, freer, and more joyful introvert is a result of some combination of many things: living more consciously and thoughtfully, seeking psychotherapy, and being loved and received. Can a homeopathic remedy change an introvert into an extrovert? I do not think so. Instead, it may free some of the associated impediments, opening a door to greater comfort. But an introvert I will always be, if it is my true nature.

I often see patients with symptoms of depression. Some are a result of family circumstances where there has been serious neglect or abandonment. Others are due to unfortunate life setbacks with work or divorce. Those patients who have a healthy relationship with Eros, and whose depression is more circumstantial do quite well with a homeopathic remedy, which can lift them out of their unhappiness. Those who suffered early from an absence of love, and who feel life offers little pleasure, will not be ‘lifted’ per se, but expanded to embrace Eros and life. But to what extent does a remedy play a part in the patient’s healing-- versus the therapeutic relationship with the homeopath?

I feel these passages or transformations occur in relationship-- not only through the influence of a homeopathic remedy. An eczema or asthma may respond quite well outside of this dyadic influence but these deeper, emotional states require more help. I can easily imagine giving a patient a good remedy for eczema and placing them on a deserted island fully expecting them to get better. But I do not imagine this to be true of the patient who is suffering from depression or from a compulsive disorder. These patients need to be in relationship; they need the relational field to heal.

Let us consider another example. I have treated patients whose relationship to the world is one of irritation and anger-- a feeling that they are ill-treated by the world. I do not expect them to become excessively cheerful or optimistic people with a remedy, but I do expect that through their healing, both from remedy and relationship, that they will understand their responsibility to themselves and others to create changes in their lives. That by loving themselves and loving others, by forgiving themselves and forgiving others, they begin to experience the world as brighter and richer. This occurs because of both influences of the remedy and the relationship.

In addition to these changes I also see a rebalancing as they heal. The angry patient may become more depressed, for a short time, as they realize the pain and suffering they have caused others. The depressed patient may become angry as they shift their self-destructive tendencies towards assertiveness and away from timidity. While the anxious patient may find that depression lies beneath the surface of their distracting worries and fears, these are all temporary swings of the pendulum as the patient rebalances--embracing a healthier tonal quality.

Homeopathy is a magnificent tool for healing - a gentle process that can offer profound relief and that can create a field of support that encircles both the patient and practitioner. When this occurs we do find magic. The magic of restored health.