by Richard Pitt

The Development of the Journal.

This edition, Vol 13, Issue 1, is the 5th journal in the new publication of the California Homeopath.  We reissued this Journal after a break from the original publication which was published between 1882 and 1892 by  Dr William Boericke and Dr W.A. Dewey.  Each edition has had a general theme to it apart from the 1st one which was a summary of many of the lectures given to the annual conference of California Homeopathic Medical Society.  The 2nd edition explored the world of provings, the 3rd edition the varying and contrasting methods of homeopathic practice and the 4th edition was a study of miasmatic theory and practice.  This 5th edition is given to putting homeopathy on the couch, looking at the political, social and cultural dynamics of homeopathy and looking at the past influences which have affected the development of homeopathy.  It is both an introverted study of our art and science and a wider political analysis of the forces that affect our ability to practice.  Some articles are quite broad and philosophical in their analysis and some are more “eccentric” in their style.  We want the journal to publish articles that may stray from the conventional as we explore what the practice and study of homeopathy is all about.

by Carol Boyce

As surprising as it might be, the presence of homeopathy in the U.K., introduced by Dr Quin in 1828; sanctioned by the government; and an integral part of the U.K. National Health Service (N.H.S.) since its inception in 1948, has been fighting for its life.
It seems no accident that the present threat to the practice of homeopathy began in the UK and in particular at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital (RLHH).  The 150 year- old RLHH provides a touchstone in the world of homeopathy and a reassurance for any potential newcomers to the field, especially in the developing world, that homeopathy is a valid system of medicine.

If a media headline can proclaim that homeopathy is no longer available within the U.K. N.H.S., not because there is insufficient funding but because it has been proven ineffective and officially removed, then the aftershocks will be felt in every corner of the homeopathic world. It would be the coup de grâce that began with the flawed science and vested interests behind that fateful ‘anti-homeopathy’ edition of The Lancet just three short years ago.

by Richard Pitt

The defining of medicine and the role of homeopathy in modern healing.
The origin of homeopathy and 18th Century medicine

Homeopathic medicine came to light at the end of the 18th century, through the work of Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, chemist and scholar.  He practiced medicine for a number of years in what is now Germany, but gave up his medical practice because of its ineffectiveness.  Much of medicine then consisted of blood-letting ( the extraction of blood by cutting a vein or using leeches), based on the notion that most diseases were due to too much blood; or by the use of strong toxic substances such as mercury compounds, that often left the patient in a state of profound anemia.  Medicine as we know it today only began to exist in the 20th century, and especially after the 1930’s when the use of sulpha drugs and then antibiotics became commonplace.

by Carol Boyce

The article details how the current issues threatening homeopathy in the UK, threaten all CAMs, cross national borders, and are set to affect all countries in the near future. 

The author highlight many areas of concern including actions by Codex, the World Trade Organization (WTO), Big Pharma and the FDA , outlining the mounting global monopolization of power.

by Loretta Butehorn PhD, CCH; Begabati Lannahan RN, CCH; Todd Rowe MD, MC(H), CCH, DHt;  Lucy Vaughters PA-C, CCH

The United States homeopathic community in recent years has been troubled with conflict about the best legislative models to adopt for the homeopathic profession.  Many models have been proposed which range from freedom legislation to licensure models.  The debate has often centered around an either/or philosophy rather than a both/and approach to this issue.

Unfortunately, this issue has divided the homeopathic community and led to much acrimonious debate. It also has prevented the homeopathic community from moving forward as an organized profession and stifled its growth.  

The hope in writing this article is to suggest an inclusive model for the homeopathic profession that will bridge the various “camps” and lead to a possible solution to the debate. In this way, it is hoped that each homeopathic professional can find a place within the homeopathic community that they are comfortable with, while respecting the needs and training of other homeopathic practitioners.

by Amy L. Lansky, PhD

As a homeopath and former computer scientist, many people contact me when issues pertaining to both computing and homeopathy arise.  So it was natural that I became the point person when an obvious smear campaign against homeopathy was initiated on Wikipedia.

Wikipedia is an internet-based encyclopedia that is entirely created and edited by its users.  The concept has been a fairly successful experiment in open collaborative knowledge sharing and creation.  It has emerged as a leading “go-to” location on the internet to find out more about any particular subject.  A coterie of self-appointed volunteer “editors” police the articles so that gross violations do not take place.  When disagreements arise, a behind-the-scenes “Talk page” associated with the particular subject page is initiated to iron out differences.  In theory it should work out just fine because people are reasonable, right?  

by Loretta Butehorn PhD CCH

To examine the varied approaches of contemporary homeopathy, one needs first of all to become aware of the paradigms we consciously and unconsciously embrace, and be cognizant of those paradigms we screen out, sometimes because of prejudice, sometimes because of oversight, sometimes because we are each deeply rooted in a preferred model of thinking.  Hahnemann was an explorer who challenged the dominant paradigm and religiously defended the alternative model he established.  

by Richard Pitt

Don’t be afraid; you won’t do either—not literally, anyway. The zen-inspired title of this essay is adapted from the book If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him, by psychologist Sheldon Kopp. The premise of Kopp’s book is the necessity of finding one’s own inner truth rather than relying on any external authority, of moving beyond a spiritual or therapeutic relationship based on an abdication of personal autonomy. The relevance of Kopp’s premise to homeopathy lies in the fact that the aura of Hahnemann hangs over homeopathy as strongly today as it did 100 years ago. Indeed, the very identity of homeopathy is so inextricably linked with the influence of Hahnemann that it is difficult to imagine an alternative approach.

by Donald Grabau

Astrological lens on Hahnemann and the birth and trajectory of homeopathy.

If we are to heal ourselves and the planet on which we live we must embrace each other and all matter free from the dark desire to control.  Hidden control is the worm in the heart of the rose, the hungry ache for personal power that is the sick root of secrecy. Donald Grabau is a poet-astrologer living in Santa Clara, New Mexico who has been steeped in the stars since 1968. He welcomes the opportunity to interpret birth charts through writing and tapes. (He went to Berkeley in the 60s!)

by Dr. Farokh Master

Comprehensive overview of the history of homeopathy in India, perhaps the place where homeopathy is used by the most number of people.

Part 1 - State of the Union; Australian Homoeopathy by Alastair Gray

Part 2 - Still in the Dark? by David Levy Dhom, ND

by Richard Pitt

Homeopathy has perhaps much in common with jazz music.  They both have structures to them that give context and definition to their application and both have artistic expression that reveals an individual’s ability and interpretation of the form.
They both have tradition in which various individuals have influenced the direction and evolution of the science and art of the form.  These individuals stand out as great exponents of the form yet the form is greater than any one of them.  Perhaps homeopathy is slightly different in that it began with one man, whereas jazz evolved out the mix of African and European cultures in the United States.  But otherwise, the similarities are there.
Both have always existed somewhat on the margins of popular culture, experiencing various levels of success and recognition through the ages, and both are continually debating about the future direction of the form and the defining of what is and what is not jazz and homeopathy.

The 65th Congress of the Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis
2010:  A Homeopathic Odyssey
And
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Organon of Medicine
Redondo Beach, California USA
May 18-22, 2010