Electrohomeopathy
Encyclopedia
Electrohomoeopathy is a derivative of homeopathy
that had its origins in the 19th century with the claims of Count Cesare Mattei. The name is derived from a combination of electro (referring to an electric bio-energy content supposedly extracted from plants and of therapeutic value, rather than electricity
in its conventional sense) and homeopathy (referring to an alternative medicinal philosophy developed by Samuel Hahnemann
in the 18th century). Electrohomeopathy has been defined as the combination of electrical devices and homeopathy, however some contend that it is the therapeutic use of homeopathic preparations of certain "electric bio-energy" herbs that is intended by the term. It is regarded as distinct from traditional homeopathy, which relies on serially diluted remedies of substances that cause similar symptoms to those as it is attempting to cure as its primary form of treatment, electrohomeopathy, however, does not directly follow the "law of similars". Like traditional homeopathy, modern day applications of electrohomeopathy are generally regarded by the medical and scientific communities
as pseudoscience
or quackery
.
, studied natural science, anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry and botany. He ultimately focused on the supposed therapeutic power of 'electricity' in botanical extracts. Massei made bold, unsupported, claims for the efficacy of his treatments including the claim that his treatments offered a non-surgical alternative to cancer
. His treatment regimens were met with scepticism by medical orthodoxy:
Notwithstanding criticisms, including a challenge by the British medical establishment to the claimed success of his cancer treatments, electrohomeopathy (or Matteism, as it was sometimes known at the time) had adherents in Germany, France, the USA and the UK by the beginning of the 20th century; electrohomeopathy had been the subject of approximately 100 publications and there were three journals dedicated to it.
After Mattei's death, his work was built upon by Theodore Krauss (1864–1924) who amplified the number of available treatments, including the introduction of injectable forms of treatment, and modernised production processes.
According to Mattei's own ideas however, every disease originates in the change of blood
or of the lymphatic system
or both, and remedies can therefore be mainly divided into two broad categories groups to be used in response to the dominant affected system. Mattei wrote that having obtained plant extracts, he was "able to determine in the liquid vegetable electricity". Allied to his theories and therapies were elements of Chinese medicine, of medical humours, of apparent Brownianism, as well as modified versions of Samuel Hahnemann
's homeopathic principles. Electrohomeopathy has some associations with Spagyric medicine, a holistic medical philosophy claimed to be the practical application of alchemy in medical treatment, so that the principle of modern electrohomeopathy is that disease is typically multi-organic in cause or effect and therefore requires holistic treatment that is at once both complex and natural. 114 plants are used in the preparation of electrohomeopathic medicines. The medicines are prepared by following the three major steps of spagyrism: purification, separation and "cohobation"(also known as cold fermentation). Electrohomeopathic remedies include:
As well as the categories of remedy, practitioners recognise five (and sometimes more) "electric fluids" or electricities: red (a stimulant); white (sedative); blue (anti-haemorrhagic); green (analgesic); yellow (intestinal remedy).
, Pakistan
, Germany
UK,and the USA. The discipline is practised predominantly in India and Pakistan (although it is not a recognised healthcare discipline in India), but there are also a number of electrohomeopathy organisations and institutions worldwide.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners claim to treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient...
that had its origins in the 19th century with the claims of Count Cesare Mattei. The name is derived from a combination of electro (referring to an electric bio-energy content supposedly extracted from plants and of therapeutic value, rather than electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
in its conventional sense) and homeopathy (referring to an alternative medicinal philosophy developed by Samuel Hahnemann
Samuel Hahnemann
Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann was a German physician, known for creating an alternative form of medicine called homeopathy.- Early life :Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann was born in Meissen, Saxony near Dresden...
in the 18th century). Electrohomeopathy has been defined as the combination of electrical devices and homeopathy, however some contend that it is the therapeutic use of homeopathic preparations of certain "electric bio-energy" herbs that is intended by the term. It is regarded as distinct from traditional homeopathy, which relies on serially diluted remedies of substances that cause similar symptoms to those as it is attempting to cure as its primary form of treatment, electrohomeopathy, however, does not directly follow the "law of similars". Like traditional homeopathy, modern day applications of electrohomeopathy are generally regarded by the medical and scientific communities
Scientific community
The scientific community consists of the total body of scientists, its relationships and interactions. It is normally divided into "sub-communities" each working on a particular field within science. Objectivity is expected to be achieved by the scientific method...
as pseudoscience
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
or quackery
Quackery
Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or...
.
History and criticism
The discipline was developed initially by Cesare Mattei (1809–1896) in the latter part of the 19th century. Mattei, a nobleman living in a castle in the vicinity of BolognaBologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, studied natural science, anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry and botany. He ultimately focused on the supposed therapeutic power of 'electricity' in botanical extracts. Massei made bold, unsupported, claims for the efficacy of his treatments including the claim that his treatments offered a non-surgical alternative to cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. His treatment regimens were met with scepticism by medical orthodoxy:
The electrohomeopathic system is an invention of Count Mattei who prates of "red," "blue," and "green" electricity, a theory that, in spite of its utter idiocy, has attracted a considerable following and earned a large fortune for its chief promoter.
Notwithstanding criticisms, including a challenge by the British medical establishment to the claimed success of his cancer treatments, electrohomeopathy (or Matteism, as it was sometimes known at the time) had adherents in Germany, France, the USA and the UK by the beginning of the 20th century; electrohomeopathy had been the subject of approximately 100 publications and there were three journals dedicated to it.
After Mattei's death, his work was built upon by Theodore Krauss (1864–1924) who amplified the number of available treatments, including the introduction of injectable forms of treatment, and modernised production processes.
Philosophy
Remedies are derived from what are said to be the active micro nutrients or mineral salts of certain plants. One contemporary account of the process of producing electrohomeopathic remedies was as follows:As to the nature of his remedies we learn...that...they are manufactured from certain herbs, and that the directions for the preparation of the necessary dilutions are given in the ordinary jargon of homeopathy. The globules and liquids, however, are " instinct with a potent, vital, electrical force, which enables them to work wonders." This process of "fixing the electrical principle" is carried on in the secret central chamber of a Neo-Moorish castle which Count Mattei has built for himself in the Bolognese Apennines...The "red electricity" and "white electricity" supposed to be "fixed" in these "vegetable compounds" are in their very nomenclature and suggestion poor and miserable fictions.
According to Mattei's own ideas however, every disease originates in the change of blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
or of the lymphatic system
Lymphatic system
The lymphoid system is the part of the immune system comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes, and in the lymphoid follicles associated...
or both, and remedies can therefore be mainly divided into two broad categories groups to be used in response to the dominant affected system. Mattei wrote that having obtained plant extracts, he was "able to determine in the liquid vegetable electricity". Allied to his theories and therapies were elements of Chinese medicine, of medical humours, of apparent Brownianism, as well as modified versions of Samuel Hahnemann
Samuel Hahnemann
Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann was a German physician, known for creating an alternative form of medicine called homeopathy.- Early life :Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann was born in Meissen, Saxony near Dresden...
's homeopathic principles. Electrohomeopathy has some associations with Spagyric medicine, a holistic medical philosophy claimed to be the practical application of alchemy in medical treatment, so that the principle of modern electrohomeopathy is that disease is typically multi-organic in cause or effect and therefore requires holistic treatment that is at once both complex and natural. 114 plants are used in the preparation of electrohomeopathic medicines. The medicines are prepared by following the three major steps of spagyrism: purification, separation and "cohobation"(also known as cold fermentation). Electrohomeopathic remedies include:
- Scrofoloso remedies - act on scrofulous disorders and the metabolism.
- Linfatico remedies - act on both blood and lymphatic systemss.
- Angioiticos remedies - act on blood vessels and the circulatory system.
- Canceroso remedies - act on cellular construction and the chronic degeneration of lymph.
- Febrifugo remedies - act on fevers and all types of intermittent diseases, as well as disorders of the spleen and liver.
- Vermifugo remedies - act on the intestines, but also on the other parts of our organism; also for worms.
- Pettorale remedies - act on the respiratory system and bronchial tubes.
- Venereo remedies - general constitutional effect and for venereal infections.
As well as the categories of remedy, practitioners recognise five (and sometimes more) "electric fluids" or electricities: red (a stimulant); white (sedative); blue (anti-haemorrhagic); green (analgesic); yellow (intestinal remedy).
Modern usage
Although there have been few or no published controlled trials of the efficacy of electrohomeopathy, it continues to be practised. A symposium took place in Bologna in 2008 to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Cesare Mattei, with faculty from IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
UK,and the USA. The discipline is practised predominantly in India and Pakistan (although it is not a recognised healthcare discipline in India), but there are also a number of electrohomeopathy organisations and institutions worldwide.
Plants used in electrohomeopathy
Some of the plants used for Electrohomeopathic remedies.- Arnica montanaArnica montanaArnica montana, known commonly as leopard's bane, wolf's bane, mountain tobacco and mountain arnica, is a European flowering plant with large yellow capitula....
- Allium sativum
- Atropa belladona
- Achillea millefolium
- Allium cepa
- Aesculus hippocastanum
- Avena sativa
- Artemisia cinaArtemisia cinaArtemisia cina, commonly known as santonica , Levant wormseed, and wormseed, is an herbaceous perennial of the daisy family. Its dried flowerheads are the source of the vermifugic drug santonin since ancient times. Its common names arise from its known ability to expel worms...
- Althaea officinalisAlthaea officinalisAlthaea officinalis is a species indigenous to Africa, which is used as a medicinal plant and ornamental plant...
- Artemisia abrotanum
- Aconitum napellusAconitum napellusAconitum napellus is a species of Aconitum in the family Ranunculaceae, native and endemic to western and central Europe....
- Anthemis nobilisAnthemis nobilisAnthemis nobilis [synonym: chamaemelum nobile], commonly known as Roman camomile, chamomile, garden camomile, ground apple, low chamomile, English chamomile, or whig plant, is a low perennial plant found in dry fields and around gardens and cultivated grounds...
Further reading
- Mattei, Count Cesare The Principles of Electrohomoeopathy: a new science, 1880
- Gliddon, Aurelius J L Stepping Stones to Electro-Homoeopathy, 1892 (reprinted 2010)
- Krauss, Theodor Die grundgelete der-Elektro homoopathie, 1921