Anthroposophical Medicine

Anthroposophy comes from the Greek Anthropos, meaning Human Being, plus the Greek Sophia, meaning Wisdom, combining them into Anthroposophy for Human Wisdom.
Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), a scientist & artist, developed Anthroposophical Medicine around 1913 based on his studies of natural, social & spiritual realms and his conclusions that plants, animals, humans, earth & the cosmos are all living things with vital forces. Greatly influenced by the German philosopher, Goethe (1749-1832), Steiner developed not just theories and systems around health, but also education (Waldorf schools), agriculture (Biodynamic Farming), astronomy, color, movement (Eurythmy) and other sciences.

Dr. Rudolf Hauschka (1891-1969), an Austrian chemist, worked with Rudolph Steiner to develop remedies using Anthroposophical theories and understanding of plants, minerals & metals and their interactions and effects on human health and vitality. Based on in depth studies of rhythm, and a combination of homeopathic potentiation and rhythmic exposure to elemental polarities, Dr. Hauschka, along with Dr. Ita Wegman, another Steiner associate, developed what were to become the WALA (Warmth/Ash, Light/Ash) remedies. The plant-based remedies are made from wild or biodynamically grown plants. Dr. Hauschka collaborated with Elisabeth Sigmund (1924), a cosmetologist, and they co-founded Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Products.

Long a traditional form of medicine in Europe, with worldwide headquarters in Switzerland, anthroposophical medicine is not so well known in the United States. In recent years the cosmetic and body care products of the Dr. Hauschka and Weleda companies have become fairly prevalent in the United States, but anthroposophical medicinal remedies are still harder to come by (see below for remedy resources), as are physicians schooled in this specialty, which shares many principles of homeopathic medicine, and is often incorporated into European Biological Medicine.

Anthroposophical medicine can be very effective on its own or in conjunction with other modalities, and offers a touch of beauty and grace to the world of medicine. Listed below are informational resources and doctors in Vermont, New Hampshire, & Massachusetts.

Book Resources:
Spiritual Science and the Art of Healing, by Victor Bott, Healing Arts Press, Rochester, VT 1996; 0-89281-636-8
The Fourfold Path to Healing, by Thomas S. Cowan, MD w/ Sally Fallon & Jaimen McMillan, New Trends Publishing 2004. Combines anthroposophical medicine with the Dr. Weston Price diet.

Web Resources::
Association for Anthroposophical Health Professionals - www.artemisia.net

Physicians Association for Anthroposophical Medicine - www.paam.net

Anthroposophical Society of America – www.anthroposophy.org

Lilipoh Magazine – www.lilipoh.com

Remedies:
Uriel Pharmacy, East Troy, Wisconsin, www.urielpharmacy.com. Natural, herbal remedies made from biodynamically grown plants on the Uriel farm and prepared according to anthroposophical standards like the WALA remedies

Weleda, Spring Valley, NY, www.weleda.com

Dr. Hauschka, www.drhauschka.com

Ceres, http://www.niskos.com/CERES/

Doctors in the Area:
Vermont:
Dr. Bill Warnock, ND, Champlain Center for Natural Health, Shelburne, VT, www.vtnaturalmed.com
New Hampshire:
Dr. Pamela Herring, ND, Naturopathic Clinic of Concord, Concord, NH, www.pamelaherring.com
Massachusetts:
Dr. Kent Hesse, MD, Michael Community Therapeutics, 138 Russell St., Hadley, MA 01035, 413-587-4680