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Dear readers,
We must admit to having felt rather doubtful at the outset: would
it really be possible to fill an entire issue of Spectrum with the theme
of Fungi? We should have known better! Each remedy group that
we choose to explore for Spectrum gradually develops a life of its
own. With the Insects everything happened quickly and efficiently.
With the Fungi, however, it came on slowly but powerfully, settling
in, and then spreading further and further out. Many contributions
proliferated endlessly and could scarcely be brought under control.
Finally, a “blusher” fungus tried to push its way into our journal,
laying claim to another 25 pages …
The special dynamic of the Fungi lead us to give this topic three
overview articles, which overlap each other and interpenetrate.
The perspectives of the Dutch Masi group, the plant theory of Jan
Scholten, and the sensation method, represented by Jörg Wichmann,
Angelika Bolte, and Ruth Wittassek also complement one another:
the result is a graphic homeopathic picture of this fascinating natural
kingdom. The common characteristics and themes are, in view of
the small number of established Fungi remedies, the key to this
significant group.
New remedy provings are, however, equally important. Accordingly,
you will find in this issue of Spectrum, three provings. The account
by Bob Blair of Cryptococcus neoformans not only provides an
insight into the symptom picture of this pathogen associated with
AIDS, it also contains an exemplary large number of typical Fungi
themes and sensations. With his pioneering depiction of Candida,
Marco Riefer was already a step ahead of the game. Twenty years
after his proving, clinical experience has helped us form a clearer
and more complete remedy picture.
Misha Norland‘s LSD proving throws light on the Fungi’s secret
dark sides, which are associated with both ecstasy and psychosis.
Sigrid Lindemann offers a case in which LSD is indicated both
isopathically and constitutionally. The differential diagnosis to
LSD is the “magic mushroom” – Psilocybe caerulescens. Annette
Sneevliet‘s casetaking on the same theme is not about psychosis
but rather concerns a patient with a special form of depression
– burnout. In psychiatry, there is currently a great deal of investi-
gation and discussion of the active ingredient’s – psilocybin –
antidepressive effects.
In contrast to the hallucinogens’ bizarre, the magical realm of the
Fungi also includes the unassuming, scraggy lichens. These symbiotic
communities of fungi and algae contain a wealth of remedies of
great significance in traditional folk medicine. Best known in homeo-
pathy is Sticta pulmonaria. In his article, Willi Neuhold sketches the
vital sensation of this remedy family: his miasmatic classification
EDITORIAL
gives us the confidence to use remedies like Cetraria islandica or
Cladonia rangifera in our practices.
Of course, we dare not omit the classical homeopathic remedies of
this group, above all Agaricus muscarius. It is no coincidence that the
focus in Mike Keszler‘s cases is on neurological disturbances since
muscarin, the toxin of the fly agaric, acts on the nervous system’s
cholinergic synapses. At the level of signatures, the sight of a tangle
of fungal hyphae is reminiscent of nerve cells. We also know about
Secale cornutum’s affinity to the nerves, the number two homeo-
pathic fungal remedy. Andreas Holling, however, recommends
Secale as a remedy against hair loss. His case traces this remedy’s
sensation of dying off via the leprosy miasm. And let‘s not forget
Bovista. From Felix Morgenthaler‘s comprehensive case we also learn
how Massimo Mangialavori views the Fungi as a remedy group.
With her proving of Piptoporus betulinus, Anneliese Barthels makes
a homeopathic contribution to the discussion of “Ötzi the iceman”
and birch polypore. Whereas scientific analysis has excluded any
hallucinogenic effect of the fungi carried by the glaciated mummy
found on an Austrian mountain, the proving symptoms clearly
contain hints of a drug-like reaction. It is indisputable that fungi
have been valued by shamans and folk healers from around the
world thanks to both their intoxicating effects and their healing
properties. They are also known for their pathogenic effects in
many irritating skin diseases, which prompted Sankaran to create a
miasm for them. A case by Ruth Wittassek shows the uniqueness
of this ringworm miasm.
As magical plants which heal and intoxicate but can also make us ill,
Fungi are of particular interest to homeopathy. If this issue of
Spectrum
helps them to infiltrate your practice and spread their
unique message, let’s hope this will be to the benefit of your patients.
Christa Gebhardt & Dr Jürgen Hansel
Chief editors
FUNGI
EDITORIAL
SPECTRUM OF HOMEOPATHY
