How Do We Administer Medicines to Our Patients?

Introduction

As a Homeopath and an Aromatherapist,
the administration of homeopathic medicines and essential oils to the patient
has always been a field of inquiry to be further investigated.  This discussion
is based on Aphorisms 284 and 285 – alternative methods for administering
medicines (O’Reilly 1996, pp254-255) and the progression of thoughts arising
from this starting point.

Understanding
that Hahnemann was in favour of administering homeopathic medicines by olfaction
or massage leads to an initial connection between the two modalities of aromatherapy
and homeopathy.  Is there a relationship?  Quite often in the field of homeopathy
there is an adamant refusal to utilise aromatherapy at the same time as homeopathy;
this can be seen in Davis (1999, p148) where she states that opinion can vary
from a total ban of aromatherapy when homeopathy is being used, to a feeling
that no harm can be done, provided a few strong smelling oils are avoided (e.g.,
eucalyptus and peppermint).

The
concept of a relationship between aromatherapy and homeopathy is discussed in
this article by addressing the methods of delivery as well as the theories that
are behind the therapies.  Drawing out the relationship is a comparison of the
homeopathic medicine Chamomilla and the aromatherapy essential oil German chamomile,
both sourced from the same plant, Matricaria recutita or Matricaria
chamomilla. Overall there are some similarities between the two vibrational
therapies and this is shown in the uses of the chosen essential oil and homeopathic
medicine.

There is however,
a need for further structured research in the area of using essential oils in
conjunction with homeopathy as a complementary, or synergistic, therapy by qualified
practitioners. This is  especially true where the medicine has worked well for
the patient and where an essential oil is available from the same source plant.

Question

The question being proposed
in this article is, “in the use of essential oils and the equivalent homeopathic
medicines, is there a genuine commonality in the therapies and products, and
hence an ability to utilise both in practice where they are available?”

To illustrate this, the properties of the homeopathic medicine Chamomilla and
the essential oil German Chamomile are illustrated showing potential similarities
or differences. Both of these products are sourced from the same plant, Matricaria
recutita, or Matricaria chamomilla (Vermeulen, 2002, Worwood,
1997), which is within the compositae family of plants.  One area of difference
initially is where the plants are originally sourced from, as this may change
the constituents of the plant used (Worwood, 1997).  This can be seen in the
various chemotypes in use by aromatherapists.  According to Battaglia (1995)
there are at least 4 principal chemotypes of German chamomile.

Method

I drew on previous experiences with aromatherapy and books written by well known aromatherapists on emotions and subtle aromatherapy (Worwood 1997, Price 2000, Davis 1991). The next step of the project consisted of searching worldwide web databases (EBSCO, Proquest, PubMed and Science Direct) to establish what papers were available that related to the following combinations;

“aromatherapy and emotions”,

“olfaction and homeopathy”,

“aromatherapy and homeopathy”.

From these searches and the reading it became evident early on that the amount of research into these areas was limited.

Findings

Understanding Olfaction

Olfaction, or smelling, is when molecules hit the olfaction bulbs in the nose and an impulse transports directly to the limbic system (Tortora, 2000).  It is in the limbic system (hippocampus, amygdala, the septal area and several regions of the cerebral cortex, Worwood, 1997) that the emotions, sexual feeling, learning and memory of an individual occur (Wabner, 1998, Worwood, 1997).  By getting molecules, or a signal, to directly go to the centre of our emotions and memories as an electrical impulse, there is an immediate effect, as shown when aromas change actual brain wave patterns (Woods-Lavoie 2001).

What Methods of Delivery Are Utilised?

In homeopathy olfaction is not a usual method of delivery for the medicines as classically administration by mouth tends to be used (either by pillules or drops of liquid).   However, in the 4th and 5th editions of the Organon (Farr 1996), the method of preference given by Hahnemann was olfaction.  Within the 6th edition of the Organon (O’Reilly, paragraph 284) Hahnemann still mentions olfaction as a method of delivery of medicines as he states that the nose and respiratory organs are receptive to the effect of medicines in the liquid form.  Given that the methodology of olfaction is still relatively unknown, the effect of the homeopathic medicines could probably be delivered to the limbic region in much the same methodology as the aroma molecules.

Also within the 6th edition of the Organon (O’Reilly, 1996, aphorism 285) Hahnemann further states that very old diseases can benefit from the rubbing onto the body of the same medicine that is being taken internally, so long as the medicine has proven to be of use when taken internally.

Aphorism 285: Thus, the cure of very old diseases can be furthered by the physician rubbing (on the back, arms, upper and lower legs) the same medicine which is being taken internally and proves itself to be salutary to the patient when taken internally

This may relate well to the use of the essential oil and homeopathic medicine, both derived from the same source, at the same time, so long as the homeopathic medicine has worked well initially for the patient.

Aromatherapy has many methods of delivery but generally the essential oils enter the body either as airborne particles coming into contact with mucous membranes (inhalation, suppositories, pessaries, and oral) and olfaction bulbs, or through absorption via the skin (massage, baths).

What Dilutions Are Used?

For the preparation of homeopathic
medicines, the principle of dilutions, or triturations, with the addition
of the idea of potentisation (succussion of the liquid between dilutions)
(O’Reilly, 1996 aphorism 269) is utilised.  The homeopathic dilutions start
with a mother tincture and from there the dilutions/tirturations and potentisations
are performed.  The 1X potency is equivalent to 1% dilution (1 in 10).  After
a very short number of dilutions the quantity of the original substance within
the medicine has dropped below Avagardro’s number resulting in there being
no scientifically observed matter remaining in the potency (Gerber, 2001,
p81).

A similar principle
is used in the preparation of oils for use by Aromatherapists.  Typically
aromatherapists use essential oils in a 1 – 2% or 1 – 3% dilution (15 – 20
or 15 – 30 drops in 50ml of carrier oils, Price & Price, 2007, p149, Battaglia
1995, p272) when massaging the body and this has an effect on the physical
body directly.  After dilution, the mixture is typically mixed together by
stirring.  When approaching the use of oils within subtle aromatherapy, or
aromatherapy for the emotions, Davis (1991, p17) recommends that the dilutions
be as low as 0.5% to 1% and the oil does not have to be applied directly to
the body.  This dilution is then similar to the homeopathic medicine potencies
of 1X and 2X (see previous), with the incorporation of a similar step to potentisation,
mixing with some vigour.

An interesting point to note is that when an essential oil “mixes” with water
where the water appears to be untouched by the oil (visually), the oil can
still be tasted in that water, Worwood 1997.  Is this an indication that the
vibration of the essential oil has been transferred to the water?  Something
to be further investigated at the molecular level.

Law of Similars

Homeopathy is based on
the principle of “like cures like”.  This principle was researched extensively
by Hahnemann himself and is shown throughout the Organon with examples such
as “disease is born of like things, and by the attack of like things people
are healed – vomiting ends through vomiting” from a book by Hippocrates (O’Reilly,
1996, p57) amongst others.  This led Hahnemann to his Law of Similars that
is based on the statement that “in the living organism, a weaker dynamic
affection is permanently extinguished by a stronger one, if the stronger one
(while differing from it as to mode) is very similar to the weaker one in
its manifestations” (O’Reilly, 1996 paragraph 26).

Aromatherapy
may also utilise similar principles in the use of the essential oils for certain
ailments in which the raw material may cause similar complaints, without actually
calling it a law of similars.  This can be shown with German Chamomile where
it is known that the fresh plant can cause dermatitis (Chevallier, 2001, p80)
and the essential oil is used in treating skin conditions, especially where
the skin is very sensitive, red and dry (Battaglia, 1995, p152).

Worwood (1999, p128 – 130) states that in order to practice holistic aromatherapy,
the practitioner needs to include physical, emotional and spiritual assessments
for the individual and for the oil.  Within homeopathy it is also
understood that both the individual and the medicine are to be similar in
all aspects, ensuring that the totality is obtained.  This will include the
physical, emotional and spiritual assessments (O’Reilly, 1996, aphorisms 18,
21) of both the individual and the medicine.

Vibrational Therapy

According to Davis (1991, p16 -17) overall vibrational therapies aim to restore
harmony to a body by subtle means, by gently restoring health through a rebalancing
of the vibrations of the body.  It is not the aim of the oil or the medicine
to directly heal the physical damage, but to restore the harmony in the subtle
body, the vibrations of the body, and it is from there that physical healing
progresses.  This is the aim in all vibrational therapies.  These vibrational
therapies include subtle aromatherapy, homeopathy, flower remedies, acupuncture
and others.

Combined Therapies For Treatment of Physical and Emotional Conditions

When treating with aromatherapy
a word comes to mind, that of “synergy”.  The synergistic effects of essential
oils is such that when an active ingredient of the oil is separated from the
oil and used medicinally, the overall effect is less than when the essential
oil is used (Worwood, 1997, p18).  A typical example of this is the use of
lavender oil on burns and it’s healing effects on the skin.  This action does
not seem to be yet replicated by science when a combination of the same chemical
constituents known to be present in lavender is used for the same purpose
(Worwood, 1997, p21).

The
synergistic effect is also evident when two oils are applied at different
times, the overall effect is less than if the two were applied together (Worwood,
1997, p19).  Could this principle of synergy be effective between
modalities when using the same source plant and different preparations from
that plant, i.e., essential oils and homeopathic medicines, resulting in differing
energetic quantities?

From
the literature (Westwood, 1998, Hall, 1994/95, Loushran, 1998, Davis, 1991)
there have been reported benefits when essential oils have been used in conjunction
with other types of therapies (flower essences, kinesiology, counselling,
meditation, crystal therapy and hypnotherapy), including other vibrational
therapies.  Presumably this is due to the synergistic effect of using more
than one type of therapy.  Each therapy alone would have some benefit, but
the two together has a greater benefit than the two separately.

Davis
(1991, p153) discusses flower essences and essential oils actually complementing
each other in that they bring to the body slightly differing vibrations, one
will have vibrations that the other doesn’t and in this way they are complementary. 
It is felt that this is a way of broadening the range of the plants available
for use in vibrational therapies.

There is still discussion however that aromatherapy antidotes the effects
of homeopathy, but as previously mentioned (Davis, 1999) there are wide opinions
that covers this statement, so no definitive statement can yet be made.

Properties of Chamomilla

(Homeopathic medicine) and

Matricaria chamomilla

(German Chamomile, essential oil)

In aromatherapy German chamomile
has been used for calming, internal or external inflammations (e.g., boils,
inflammation of ureter due to stones, teething inflammations), menstrual pains
and skin problems where the skin is dry, flaky, itchy and red (Battaglia,
1995, p152), see details below.

While
in homeopathy, it is difficult to sum up the personality in a single sentence. 
A typical chamomilla person exhibits the irritability, anger and sensitivity
that the essential oil personality also exhibits.

Physically both the homeopathic medicine and the aromatherapy essential oil
cover inflammations in similar areas (anger, digestive, teething, menstrual),
see details below.

Properties

Aromatherapy Physical Uses:

(Worwood,
1999, p202, Battaglia, 1995, p152):

Analgesic
– pain relieving

Anti-allergenic
– reduces symptoms of allergies

Anti-inflammatory
– alleviates inflammation, or antiphlogistic, reduces inflammation

Anti-spasmodic – prevents
and eases spasms and relieves cramps

Bactericidal
– destroys bacteria

Cicatrisant
– helps form scar tissue, vulnerary – prevents tissue degeneration and arrests
bleeding in wounds

Digestive
– aids digestion of foods, cholagogue – increases secretion and flow of bile
into the duodenum, carminative – settles the digestive system, expulsion of
gas from the intestines, stomachic – digestive aid and tonic, improving appetite

Emmenagogue – promotes and
regulates menstrual flow

Febrifuge
– cooling and reducing high body temperature

Hepatic
– stimulates and aids function of liver and gall bladder

Sedative
– reduces functional activity, calming

Sudorific
– increases perspiration

Vasoconstrictor
– contraction of blood vessel walls

Vermifuge – expulsion of worms

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Sandra Venables

Sandra Venables