Anthroposophic medicine collections

by Paul G. Werthmann, Lothar Kindermann, Gunver S. Kienle

ABSTRACT

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive, neuroendocrine skin tumor with frequent local recurrence, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, and a high mortality rate. Viscum album extracts (VAE) are a widely used adjunct in cancer treatment and show cytotoxic and immune-modulating effects. Case presentation: A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with a MCC of the left forearm. In the following course of 21 years, she experienced 4 episodes of lymph node relapse (axillary, submandibular, axillary, clavicular). All lesions were surgically excised. The patient declined chemotherapy and radiation and opted for adjuvant treatment with local subcutaneous VAE injections. Currently—21 years after first diagnosis and 9.5 years after the last relapse—the patient is tumor-free, in good health, and without functional limitations. Conclusion: The presented case shows long-time survival in a patient with MCC treated with surgery and VAE injections. The immune system plays a key role in tumorigenesis of MCC. VAE enhances several immune pathways and might therefore contribute to immunologic tumor control in MCC. The role of VAE in MCC should further be investigated.

Keywords: Merkel cell carcinoma, Viscum album, Immune stimulation, Tumor control

Citation: Werthmann, P. G., Kindermann, L., & Kienle, G. S. (2018). A 21-year course of Merkel cell carcinoma with adjuvant Viscum album extract treatment: A case report. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 38, 58–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.04.001

By: Peter Heusser

Translated by Harold Jurgens with permission from Mitteilungen aus der Behandlung maligner Tumoren mit Viscum album. 19(3), 140, 1987, Verein fur Krebsforschung, Arlesheim. Addendum 1990. ©1991 Mercury Press, JAM 8(2), Fall 1991

Introduction

Anthroposophically oriented medicine is sometimes reproached for being based on a world view and not science. 1,2,3 If one thinks about this view one notices two things.

Firstly, those who utter the reproach about a world view are apparently unaware that this also applies to them, because they also represent a world view, namely the modern scientific one. A science of medicine without a world conception is actually impossible. Every therapeutic method presup­poses specific knowledge, concepts and ideas about man and medicine; in short, it presupposes a definite view of man and nature. One can not really reproach someone for having a world conception. The only justifiable ques­tion is to what extent a world conception can be scientifically established. And this applies to every world conception. Therefore critics would have to say why they think their view is scientific while the anthroposophical view is not. However, one finds no such statements because the critics look neither at their own cognitional foundations nor at the anthroposophical ones. 4,5,6,7

This brings us to the second point; namely, anyone who wants to judge the scientific foundation of the anthroposophical world conception has to know it. However, the critics mentioned do not seem to know it. They ac­cuse anthroposophy of not being scientific, but paradoxically they do this without taking the anthroposophical cognitional foundations and the latter's connection with natural science into account. This is paradoxical be­cause the consideration of this foundation has to be expected precisely from those who believe that they have to defend science against anthroposophy. Under such conditions it is of course impossible for them to understand anthroposophically oriented medicine.

Public discussion about this medical line of thought is usually stirred up by mistletoe therapy for cancer and very often this is in connection with the Iscador therapy developed by the Society for Cancer Research in Arlesheim and Stuttgart. Therefore in this paper we will discuss the foundations of anthroposophically oriented medicine in a general way. We will go into anthroposophical spiritual science and its relation to natural science and then into the relation of the anthroposophical view of man to medicine, and finally into an example of the practical application of these foundations to mistletoe therapy for cancer, as far as this can be done within the framework of this paper. This should make it clear that anthroposophy does not try to oppose natural scientific medicine nor does it try to offer an "alternative" but that it tries to extend natural science in a particular way. Only in this context can mistletoe therapy become comprehensible.

Citation: Heusser, P. (1991). A Basis for the Understanding of Anthroposophical Medicine and Cancer Therapy (H. Jurgens, Trans.). Journal of Anthroposophic Medicine, 8(2), 5–38.

By: Johannes Reiner, MD
Original title: "Ein Fall von chronischem Muedigkeitssyndrom" in Der Merkurstab 1995; 48: 34-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14271/DMS-16665-DE
English by Christian von Arnim, FIL.
This translation is published with the kind permission of the journal Der Merkurstab.

By: Kenneth McAlister, M.D.

A shy, cerebral five-year old girl presented with a long-standing history of psoriasis and constipation with encopresis. On examination, she was covered from head to foot with the characteristic psoriatic patches. She was prescribed Aquilinum comp., Hepatodoron and Quartz DIG in the morning, ASrgentum D6 in the evening, and Calendula Stibium cream. The mother was instructed to bathe the patient twice weekly in water with olive oil, milk and Plumbum D30 (1 amp). On follow-up one month later, the skin on the sun-exposed areas was much improved, and the truncal lesions were resolving. After four months of treatment, the skin was completely clear except for a few, small patches on the scalp. A diagnosis of megacolon was found underlying the constipation. The encopresis has cleared up using adjuvant conventional therapies, and the constipation is slowly improving to the point where she has a bowel movement every four days instead of every two to three weeks. The child is more outgoing and has brightened considerably since her skin has cleared.

Background: The integration of conventional and complementary medicine reflects the pluralism in science. Still, a critical issue is the conception of the natural world. Many complementary therapy systems seem to contradict the reductionist-atomistic paradigm that all of natural reality is essentially based on the physical interactions of atoms and molecules. Thus, a fundamental question about the natural world is: Do other than the physical forces exist? Summary: The assumption that no other than physical forces exist and work in the natural world is not tenable. For example, the formation and maintenance of the functional Gestalt of organisms cannot possibly be explained by molecular processes (e.g., from DNA to RNA and further to amino acids and proteins). The processes on each structural level – from molecules, organelles, cells, organs up to the whole organism – are regulated in regard to the formation of the next higher level. Specific Gestalt-forming forces exist and can be systematically investigated. Their existence implies an extended conception of matter. The Gestalt-forming forces and the extended concept of matter may be relevant for the scientific assessment of complementary therapies. Key Messages: (i) In the natural world, specific Gestalt-forming forces exist in addition to the physical forces, and can be systematically investigated. (ii) The existence of these forces implies an extended conception of matter. (iii) These forces and this extended concept of matter may be relevant for the scientific assessment of complementary therapies, e.g., homeopathy.

Keywords: Biological organisms, Concept of matter, Homeopathy, Specific forces, Working principle

External link to article: https://doi.org/10.1159/000534592

Citation: Kiene, H., & Hamre, H. J. (2023). A Fundamental Question for Complementary Medicine: Are There Other Forces in the Natural World Besides the Physical Forces? Complementary Medicine Research, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1159/000534592

Introduction

Pervasive refusal syndrome (PRS) describes children with social withdrawal who become unable to walk, eat, or care for themselves. This case report examines whether an integrative medicine approach is useful for treating PRS.

Case Presentation

A seven-year-old girl with symptoms most consistent with PRS and depression was admitted to a pediatric ward in Germany that integrates conventional pediatric and psychosomatic care with anthroposophic medicine. She was integrated into the structured activities of the ward and received massages, movement therapy, and color light therapy. Her parents were fully integrated into her care. After four weeks, she talked again, showed increased appetite, and supported herself when moved passively. She made a full recovery within four weeks after hospital discharge.

Discussion

Integration of parents and an integrative medicine approach providing a variety of comforting sensory experiences was helpful for this patient with PRS.

Citation: von Schoen-Angerer, T., Helmschmidt, E., Madeleyn, R., Kindt, R., Möller, C., Kienle, G. S., & Vagedes, J. (2016). A General Pediatrics and Integrative Medicine Approach to Pervasive Refusal Syndrome: A Case Report. The Permanente Journal, 20(4), 15–238. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/15-238

• Medical Anthropology as the Basis of Integrative and Personalized/Person-Centered Health Care

• Body, Soul and Spirit in Psychological Research: An Enquiry into Human Individuality

• Addressing Patients’ Spiritual Needs in Health Care

• The Concepts of ‘Individualised’ or ‘Personalised’ Medicine among German Experts of the Health Care System: A Sociological Discourse Analysis

Citation: Heusser, P., Weinzirl, J., Ebersbach, R., Berger, B., Weger, U., Büssing, A., & Schwiegershausen, M. (2017). A Humanistic Understanding of Persons as a Prerequisite for Person-Centeredness. Complementary Medicine Research, 24(Suppl. 1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000460271

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By: Helmut Kiene, M.D.
Original title: Eine Methode zur Wirksamkeitsbeurteilung bei kleinen Patientenzahlen. Der Merkurstab 1996; 49:277-9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14271/DMS-16907-DE
English by A. R. Meuss, FIL, MTA.
This translation is published with the kind permission of the journal Der Merkurstab.

JAM Vol. 14(1), Spring 1997

The method presented in this paper will, in the author's opinion, serve to document clinical results when numbers are small. There is no need for controls, and documentation may also be retrospective.

Essentially the method bases on a criterion often used in everyday clinical practice - the ratio of times for which symptoms persisted before and after treatment. If the time for which symptoms persisted after starting treatment is relatively short compared to the time before treatment, this may be taken to indicate that the treatment was successful. Results are most impressive if the post-treatment period comes close to zero. This is the kind of "instant cure" known from neural therapy, for instance. But when symptoms have persisted for five years, for example, and have disappeared four weeks after starting treatment, this, too, is a powerful indication of efficacy.

Such an indication may actually gain power of evidence if a similar situation can be shown for several patients and if this is also the total number of patients who have had the treatment in question. (This is the crux of the matter. There must be no selection of successful cases!) A highly convincing documentation of the efficacy of a treatment would be the following (unselected) complete set of six case records.

Citation: Kiene, H. (1997). A Method of Assessing Efficacy with Small Patient Numbers (A. R. Meuss, Trans.). Journal of Anthroposophic Medicine, 14(1), 47–49.

Comparative study on the treatment of stroke with homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines in a geriatric rehabilitation clinic

Summary

In a pilot study[ 1 ] on 172 patients, it was retrospectively examined to what extent an influence of supplementary homeopathic treatment or treatment according to a WALA regimen on the consequences of stroke could be assumed. In both groups, treatment consisted essentially of the use of snake venom and Arnica in homeopathic doses. There was a slightly better effect in the homeopathic therapy arm.

As a result of this practical experience, a therapy scheme could be found in a second step, which on the one hand takes into account the needs of anthroposophic medicine for a ratio based on pathophysiology and the needs of homeopathy for individual treatment and has proven itself in everyday life.

Abstract

In a pilot study with 172 patients it was examined retrospectively, to what extent an influence of a complementary homeopathic treatment, or a treatment according to a WALA scheme on the effects of an apoplexy can be assumed. In both groups, the treatment consisted mainly in the use of snake poisons and arnica in homeopathic doses. The effect in the homeopathic therapy arm turned out to be slightly better.

As a result of this practical experience it was possible to find in a second step a therapeutic scheme, which takes into account on the one hand the need of anthroposophic medicine for a reason from the field of pathophysiology, and on the other hand the need of homeopathy for an individual treatment and which proves to be worthwhile in everyday life.

[1] The work received the 2002 advancement award for naturopathy from Continental Insurance.

Citation: Wilkens, J., Lüdtke, R., Stein, F., Schuwirth, W., & Karenovic, A. (2002). Vergleichende Untersuchung zur Behandlung des Schlaganfalls mit homöopathischen und anthroposophischen Arzneimitteln in einer geriatrischen Reha-Klinik. Erfahrungsheilkunde, 51(06), 397–404. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2002-32438

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Key words: Antiproliferative activity, human tumor cell lines, mistletoe extracts, stimulation of tumor growth.

Citation: Maier, G., & Fiebig, H.-H. (2002). Absence of tumor growth stimulation in a panel of 16 human tumor cell lines by mistletoe extracts in vitro. Anti-Cancer Drugs, 13(4), 373–379. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001813-200204000-00006

Anxiety is a major problem for many individuals, causing impairment in daily life. Art therapy is often deployed and although positive results are communicated in clinical practice, its effectiveness and working mechanisms have hardly been studied. Therefore, it is important to systematically describe the intervention process and to detect the working mechanisms to be able to evaluate them. Narrative case studies help to understand the intervention in more depth. A typical case file was selected for case reporting according to scientific (CARE & CARE-AAT) guidelines, with the aim to explore the therapeutic elements that contributed to the reduction of anxiety. The report describes the intervention process of a 54-year-old female, suffering from anxiety since childhood and diagnosed with panic disorder, agoraphobia, claustrophobia and hypochondria. After 14 sessions of anthroposophic art therapy, reduction of anxiety was shown, as well as improvements of emotion regulation and executive functioning. The client indicated that she became more tolerant and accepting towards her anxiety. She noted a softened attitude towards herself and her complaints, even one year after art therapy. The course of treatment suggests that aspects of emotion regulation and executive functioning were addressed through implicit learning processes in different art therapy assignments.

Citation: Abbing, A. C., Baars, E. W., Van Haastrecht, O., & Ponstein, A. S. (2019). Acceptance of Anxiety through Art Therapy: A Case Report Exploring How Anthroposophic Art Therapy Addresses Emotion Regulation and Executive Functioning. Case Reports in Psychiatry, 2019, e4875381. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4875381

For the pilot phase of an integrative pediatric program, we defined inpatient treatment algorithms for bronchiolitis, asthma and pneumonia, using medications and nursing techniques from anthroposophic medicine (AM). Parents could choose AM treatment as add-on to conventional care.

Material and methods

To evaluate the 18-month pilot phase, parents of AM users were asked to complete the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) and a questionnaire on the AM treatment. Staff feedback was obtained through an open-ended questionnaire. Economic data for project set-up, medications and insurance reimbursements were collected.

Results

A total of 351 children with bronchiolitis, asthma and pneumonia were hospitalized. Of these, 137 children (39%) received AM treatment, with use increasing over time. 52 parents completed the questionnaire. Mean CSQ-8 score was 29.77 (95% CI 29.04–30.5) which is high in literature comparison. 96% of parents were mostly or very satisfied with AM; 96% considered AM as somewhat or very helpful for their child; 94% considered they learnt skills to better care for their child. The staff questionnaire revealed positive points about enlarged care offer, closer contact with the child, more relaxed children and greater role for parents; weak points included insufficient knowledge of AM and additional nursing time needed. Cost for staff training and medications were nearly compensated by AM related insurance reimbursements.

Conclusions

Introduction of anthroposophic treatments were well-accepted and led to high parent satisfaction. Additional insurance reimbursements outweighed costs. The program has now been expanded into a center for integrative pediatrics.

Keywords: Integrative medicine, Complementary medicine, Anthroposophic medicine, Anthroposophy, Pediatrics, Bronchiolitis, Asthma, Pneumonia, Health care quality, Access, Evaluation

Citation: von Schoen-Angerer, T., Vagedes, J., Schneider, R., Vlach, L., Pharisa, C., Kleeb, S., Wildhaber, J., & Huber, B. M. (2018). Acceptance, satisfaction and cost of an integrative anthroposophic program for pediatric respiratory diseases in a Swiss teaching hospital: An implementation report. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 40, 179–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.10.005

Abstract The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Switzerland is rather high, and therefore, the occurrence of accidental intakes of CAM remedies by children and associated intoxications is to be expected. In the present study, the inquiries to the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre that took place from 1998 until 2007 and concerned accidental, unintended intakes of CAM remedies by children were analysed. Inquiries for information were performed by concerned care-givers, physicians, pharmacists and others in case of acute accidental intake of CAM remedies. Feedbacks from physicians about paediatric patients with acute intoxication possibly associated with the accidental ingestion of CAM remedies were as well considered. During the study period, 3,158 accidental intakes of CAM remedies (1,015 of herbal and 2,143 of homeopathic remedies) were reported, corresponding to 8.6% of all reported accidental intakes of pharmaceutical products by children. No significant increase of the yearly number of accidental intakes of CAM remedies was detected during the study period. There was no accidental intake of CAM remedies leading to severe signs or symptoms. Concerning the herbal remedies, three intoxications of moderate and 28 of minor severity were reported. Nine children with intoxication from homeopathic remedies were reported, with minor symptoms only. All other accidental intakes of CAM remedies did not lead to intoxications and evolved without manifestations. The data show that accidental, unintended intake of CAM remedies happened in children, but developed mostly harmlessly. Comparing herbal with homeopathic remedies, accidental intakes with homeopathic remedies were more common, but intoxications associated with manifestations were observed more frequently with herbal remedies.

Keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine, Intoxication, Homeopathy, Herbal, Children, Accidental intakes

Citation: Zuzak, T. J., Rauber-Lüthy, C., & Simões-Wüst, A. P. (2010). Accidental intakes of remedies from complementary and alternative medicine in children—Analysis of data from the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre. European Journal of Pediatrics, 169(6), 681–688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-1087-9

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Among the approximately 400 species considered to be venomous, only a few have so far qualified for the inclusion in our materia medica: chiefly Lachesis muta, Crotalus horridus and Naja tripudians (Naja naja). Other species of Crotalus (the Central American Cr. durissus terrificus and the South American Cr. terrificus terrificus under the name of Cr. cascavella), Bothrops lanceolatus (B. atrox), three species of the genus Vipera W. berus, V. redii and V. Russellii), Agkistrodon mokeson under the name of Cenchris contortrix, and lastly Elaps corallinus are still of minor importance. These few represent the most poisonous families fairly well. …

From the foregoing survey it will be obvious to what different degrees the drug pictures of the snake venoms have been elaborated up to the present juncture. Any survey of this kind is bound to be pro tempore and to expose the gaps of our knowledge and experience. On the other hand, this chapter of our materia medics stands to gain in perspicuity, when seen in the broader context with the venoms of other classes of animals, such as spiders, scorpions and insects.

Reprinted with permission from The British Homeopathic Journal, 74, 153, 1958.

Background

We examined which adaptive coping strategies, referring to the concept of 'locus of disease control', were of relevance for patients with chronic pain conditions, and how they were interconnected with patients' life satisfaction and interpretation of disease.

Methods

In a multicenter cross-sectional anonymous survey with the AKU questionnaire, we enrolled 579 patients (mean age 54 ± 14 years) with various chronic pain conditions.

Results

Disease as an adverse interruption of life was the prevalent interpretation of chronic pain conditions. As a consequence, patients relied on external powerful sources to control their disease (i.e., Trust in Medical Help; Search for Information and Alternative Help), but also on internal powers and virtues (i.e., Conscious Way of Living; Positive Attitudes). In contrast, Trust in Divine Help as an external transcendent source and Reappraisal: Illness as Chance as an internal (cognitive) strategy were valued moderately. Regression analyses indicated that Positive Attitudes and higher age were significant predictors of patients' life satisfaction, but none of the other adaptive coping strategies. While the adaptive coping strategies were not associated with negative interpretations of disease, the cognitive reappraisal attitude was of significant relevance for positive interpretations such as value and challenge.

Conclusions

The experience of illness may enhance intensity and depth of life, and thus one may explain the association between internal adaptive coping strategies (particularly Reappraisal) and positive interpretations of disease. To restore a sense of self-control over pain (and thus congruence with the situation), and the conviction that one is not necessarily disabled by disease, is a major task in patient care. In the context of health services research, apart from effective pain management, a comprehensive approach is needed which enhances the psycho-spiritual well-being of patients.

Citation: Büssing, A., Ostermann, T., Neugebauer, E. A., & Heusser, P. (2010). Adaptive coping strategies in patients with chronic pain conditions and their interpretation of disease. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 507. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-507

Background. In Europe, mistletoe extracts are widely used as a complementary cancer therapy. We assessed the safety of subcutaneous mistletoe as a conjunctive therapy in cancer patients within an anthroposophic medicine setting in Germany. Methods. A multicentre, observational study was performed within the Network Oncology. Suspected mistletoe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were described by frequency, causality, severity, and seriousness. Potential risk factors, dose relationships and drug-drug interactions were investigated. Results. Of 1923 cancer patients treated with subcutaneous mistletoe extracts, 283 patients (14.7%) reported 427 expected effects (local reactions <5 cm and increased body temperature <38°C). ADRs were documented in 162 (8.4%) patients who reported a total of 264 events. ADRs were mild (50.8%), moderate (45.1%), or severe (4.2%). All were nonserious. Logistic regression analysis revealed that expected effects were more common in females, while immunoreactivity decreased with increasing age and tumour stage. No risk factors were identified for ADRs. ADR frequency increased as mistletoe dose increased, while fewer ADRs occurred during mistletoe therapy received concurrent with conventional therapies. Conclusion. The results of this study indicate that mistletoe therapy is safe. ADRs were mostly mild to moderate in intensity and appear to be dose-related and explained by the immune-stimulating, pharmacological activity of mistletoe.

Citation: Steele, M. L., Axtner, J., Happe, A., Kröz, M., Matthes, H., & Schad, F. (2014). Adverse Drug Reactions and Expected Effects to Therapy with Subcutaneous Mistletoe Extracts (Viscum album L.) in Cancer Patients. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, e724258. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/724258

By: Ludger Simon, et al.
Original title: Ein anthroposophisches Therapiekonzept fur entzundlich-rheumatische Erkrankungen. Der Merkurstab 1997; 50: 73-84.
Article-ID: https://www.anthromedics.org/DMS-17038-DE
English by A. R. Meuss, FIL, MTA.
This translation is published with the kind permission of the journal Der Merkurstab.

Reprinted from Forschende Komplementarmedizin 1997; 4:17-27, with kind permission.

Summary

18 unselected patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic conditions, including 10 with confirmed rheumatoid arthritis, were treated according to anthroposophical medical principles in an open, prospective, uncontrolled pilot study with a mean follow-up period of 12 months. Main target variables were local and systemic inflammation (joint index, serum CRP), subjective status and functional capacity (MOPO questionnaire).

Treatment consisted mainly of a combination of anthroposophical medicines of plant, mineral and animal origin, selected to meet individual needs, as well as special external applications, eurythmy therapy and in most cases physiotherapy, dietary measures and art therapy. A review of the treatment strategy during an average one-year period of observation showed all patients had experienced subjective and objective improvement in local and systemic inflammatory activity, functional capacity, their symptoms and general condition. This included psychosocial dimensions such as anxiety, depression and social activity.

? JAM Vol. 15(3), 1998 ?