Anthroposophic medicine is a holistic medical approach with a great deal of spirituality. In this sheet, you will discover this approach in more detail, its principles, anthroposophic remedies, its history, the controversies surrounding this practice, its benefits, who practices it and how, and finally, the training courses to access it.

Coming from the Greek words “anthropos” which means “human” and “sophia” which indicates wisdom, anthroposophic medicine is founded on anthroposophy, a social and philosophical system created at the beginning of the XNUMXth century by the Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolph Steiner. This approach offers a vision of the humanist world which integrates the material and spiritual dimensions of the human being. Practical and applied, anthroposophy offers concrete tools applicable to all kinds of fields, and all closely related: children’s education (Waldorf schools), agriculture (biodynamics), architecture, food, science social, arts (eurythmy, art therapy, music therapy, etc.) and medicine (anthroposophic medicine and medicine extended by anthroposophy).

Although they do not reject the drugs of classical medicine, anthroposophic physicians avoid potentially toxic synthetic drugs as much as possible and use them as a last resort. Thus, we will turn less to antibiotics and we will not systematically vaccinate children against contagious diseases.

The main principles

According to anthroposophy, the human being is made up of 4 elements, or bodies, both different and inseparable: the physical body, the etheric body (the forces of life), the astral body (feelings and sensations), and the me or ego body. The latter corresponds to the conscious mind, to the force to order, to lead and to give form. The disease would result from imbalances between these 4 constituents of the human being.

Anthroposophists conceive of the physical body according to 3 physiological systems which are constantly in dynamic relationship with one another:

• The neurosensory system is the main agent of sensitive perceptions and representational faculties. It is akin to thought.
• The metabolic system (nutrition-digestion-assimilation-excretion…) constitutes the physiological basis of life and enables action. It is akin to the will.
• The respiratory-circulatory system (blood-heart-lungs) bridges these 2 poles and keeps them in balance. It is akin to feelings.

According to Rudolph Steiner, disease appears when a natural physiological process occurs in the wrong place at the wrong time. The goal of therapy is therefore to “re-educate” the sick person, so that they regain the balance that will allow natural processes to take place again in the right place and at the right time.

Anthroposophic remedies

Typical anthroposophic remedies are prepared with natural substances obtained from minerals, plants or animal organs. They are designed with the aim of bringing back harmony within the person. The basic preparations, mother tinctures or strains, are generally diluted and energized in the manner of homeopathic remedies. However, anthroposophic apothecaries exclusively use decimal dilutions (1 drop of mother tincture for 9 drops of solvent), while the majority of homeopathic preparations are percent dilutions (1 drop of mother tincture for 99 drops of solvent). In addition, while homeopathic preparations are most often presented in the form of granules to be allowed to melt under the tongue, anthroposophic remedies are generally liquid preparations, often given by injection.

The remedies proposed by the anthroposophic doctor aim to intervene as much on the etheric, astral and ego bodies as on the physical body itself.

The anthroposophical approach has been the subject of scientific studies which have demonstrated its effectiveness in certain fields. Thus, it would make it possible to:

Decrease symptoms of long-term chronic illnesses

Recently, 5 prospective studies, carried out by a group of Swiss researchers, evaluated the anthroposophic approach (anthroposophic drugs, art therapy, massage, eurythmy) in children and adults suffering from various chronic respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal, neurological or mental. In all studies, significant decreases in symptoms – leading to better quality of life – were observed. In addition, these improvements persisted when the study was discontinued, i.e. for 6 months for children and up to 2 years to 4 years for adults.

Help improve the health and quality of life of people with cancer

Several therapeutic programs offered in anthroposophic hospitals are aimed at improving the health and quality of life of cancer patients. Two articles published in 2006 report on the evolution of the condition of 144 patients suffering from skin cancer treated in a Swiss anthroposophic hospital. The treatments included, in addition to the classic treatments, baths, massages, eurhythmia, art therapy, a lacto-vegetarian diet and the intake of Iscador®, which is undoubtedly the most famous remedy of this approach. The authors concluded that these treatments could lead to improvements, especially on the emotional level, but also on the physical, cognitive-spiritual and social levels.

Prevent allergies

In an observational study published in 1999, 295 children aged 5 to 13 years who had an “anthroposophic” lifestyle were compared to 380 other children. The anthroposophical way of life was characterized, among other things, by attending Waldorf schools, less use of antibiotics, a lower rate of vaccination and greater consumption of lacto-fermented vegetables and “local” food. The results indicate that the “anthroposophic” children had fewer allergic disorders than those in the control group. However, this type of observational study does not allow us to conclude that the decrease in allergies is directly attributable to the anthroposophic lifestyle.

In addition, observational studies report that certain drugs, often herbal, have a beneficial effect in the treatment of acute infections of the ears and respiratory system, conjunctivitis and certain symptoms associated with chronic hepatitis C. , but their clinical efficacy has not been scientifically proven.

The specialist

Anthroposophical doctors are first and foremost doctors duly trained and authorized to practice their profession according to the rules in force in our modern societies. In their therapeutic approach, they go beyond the physical body. They see their patient as a complex whole and consider that to treat him adequately, it is imperative to take into account his multiple dimensions: emotions, spirit, character, past history, physical characteristics, education, living environment, aspirations, etc.

Course of a session

A consultation in anthroposophic medicine is generally longer than in classical medicine, especially the first visit. On this occasion, the doctor collects as much information as possible about his patient in order to be able to draw as accurate a portrait as possible of his entire person. He will then make a diagnosis that will allow him to make his prescriptions. In addition to medications for the physical body, he can therefore prescribe or advise plastic art or music workshops, massage sessions, lifestyle changes, certain types of food or the practice of curative eurhythmia. . The therapeutic approach takes on the appearance of a global intervention on the lifestyle of the patient who is called upon to take charge of his own healing process.

Become a practitioner of Anthroposophic medicine

Anthroposophical medicine practitioners are physicians duly trained and licensed to practice medicine in the country in which they practice. They follow their training in anthroposophic medicine after completing their classical medical training. To find out more about courses and training courses, consult the various professional associations (see Sites of interest).

Contraindications of anthroposophic medicine

It is strongly recommended to be followed and advised by a qualified doctor when one wishes to undertake an approach in anthroposophic medicine, in particular if one intends to avoid certain vaccines.

It was in Switzerland that the medical aspects of anthroposophy took shape, in 1920, when Steiner gave a series of 20 lectures for physicians and medical students. Then, the Dutch doctor Ita Wegman joined him to design the applications. This was followed by the opening of a first anthroposophical clinic and the publication of a book on this medical approach: Diagnosis and Therapy from the Knowledge of Spiritual Science, which appeared after Steiner’s death in 1925.

Anthroposophic medicine is still in the early stages of its development. It has especially prospered in Europe where its practice is recognized in several countries. Where it is best established, consultations and care are covered by social security or by current health insurance. Although it still shows itself timidly, it has started to make a place for itself in North America.

Controversy around anthroposophy

In 2000, in the MILS report (Interministerial Mission for the Fight against Sects in France), anthroposophy was first designated as a sect, then withdrawn from the report. Nevertheless, this practice is monitored and subject to controversy. Indeed, Rudolf Steiner’s ideas have been harshly criticized and refuted by the scientific community. In addition, the exorbitant price of anthroposophical schools, the non-vaccination of children and the methods of recruiting teachers are all elements which alarm the high authorities.