​Anthroposophic Medicine​
 

​Enhancing the body’s innate healing power


“A real medicine can only exist when it penetrates into knowledge which embraces the human being in respect to body, soul and spirit” Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophic medicine is a branch of Integrative Medicine founded by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, one of the greatest scientists, educators, and healers of our times who lived from 1861 to 1925. Steiner made impressive contributions in the fields of medicine – anthroposophic medicine, education - Waldorf School, and bio-dynamic farming to name a few. Anthroposophic medicine, which has been popular in Europe since the late 1800’s, fosters greater and optimal health by focusing on the patient’s body, soul, spirit and their relationship to the environment. Anthroposophy, which means “wisdom of man“, is rooted in scientific research. It makes use of conventional diagnostics and evidence-based mind, body, spirit and soul connections to treat the person as a whole entity. This philosophy takes into account the unique individuality of the person in assessing and treating illness and restoring one’s vitality. Unlike conventional medicine, which views disease as impersonal and disconnected from the individual, anthroposophic medicine is unique in that the remedies used are formulated to stimulate the patient’s innate self-healing potential and to realign the connection to the soul. That is, the understanding of who the individual and his or her disease are and how they connect to the individual’s essence and his/her life story are essential to successfully diagnose and treat the disease. An example in understanding this principle is the anthroposophic approach to a child with a fever. The conventional medicine approach is to suppress the fever as quickly as it comes on. The anthroposophic medicine approach is to - whenever possible and with good judgment - support the child through the illness without necessarily suppressing the fever. Fever is seen as the immune system’s chance to strengthen itself while the child’s inner forces such as his spirit and soul are themselves evolving. In other words, fever is understood as a natural weapon to fight off germs. A well-controlled high temperature (once major life debilitating diagnoses have been ruled out) is more than a number on the thermometer - warmth manifests activity in the spirit and soul. Often after an illness the child will make developmental milestones such as more coordinated walking or talking. Anthroposophic medicine believes that a body overly treated with fever reducing medication does not get a chance to strengthen itself and therefore will be weaker when confronted with more serious illnesses later in life.

Anthroposophic medicine is practiced by fully trained medical doctors and licensed practitioners in hospitals and outpatient practices around the world. They incorporate mineral, vegetable, metal, and animal-based raw materials in the production of the remedies. Depending on the type of disorder in question, the substances may be administered in a variety of forms: externally as eye drops, nasal sprays, emulsions, gels, essences, oils, pastes, ointments, tinctures, and powders. Internally as drops, powders, pellets, tablets, capsules, teas, suppositories, and vaginal suppositories. Injection and Inhalation as sterile dilutions and ampoules. Anthroposophic medicine applies to all aspects of medical care from pediatrics to geriatrics including cancer care where ISCADOR has been widely used as an adjuvant to chemotherapy.

Anthroposophic medicine is best summed up by a story retold by Dr. Michaela Gloeckler of 5 doctors and the wise Paracelsus standing around a dead person contemplating the reason for his death of an early age to cholera. The first doctor says the patient definitely died from the cholera infection - as he has seen many people die of this. The second doctor says - I do not think so for I have seen many people survive this illness- he had a weak immune system. The third said - oh no a good healthy immune system depends on clear positive thoughts and good physical health - he was lacking in positive thoughts. The fourth said - I know many people who have survived through horrible circumstances and still have positive thoughts - it is the character of personality and genetic constitution that matters - he must not have cared for, or could not identify with himself and was not yet centered in his personality. The fifth said that this all sounded rational but he had learned about reincarnation and divine guidance and some die young and some die old and in reincarnation one steps out of his life - as destiny is gods will - he must have been called home. The wise Paracelsus said - you know, dear colleagues, you are all right - for if you isolate your reasons you will never understand - the human body is complex and it is wise to reflect on all aspects of life.

For more information contact Dr. Melanie Gisler at drg@drgisler.com.  Dr. Gisler is a Waldorf mother who is very involved in the Waldorf principles of education and healing.  Dr. Gisler is a Board Certified Family Physician.