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Homeopathy will derive its remedies from all kingdoms of matter. Although nearly 60% of the Homeopathic Materia Medica is comprised of plant sources, homeopathic remedies are also made from everything from minerals and animals. There is also something else called nosodes. These are special homeopathic remedies developed from a disease to combat what is called miasms.
Miasms can be best described as the chronic effect of an underlying disease that is found in an individual, or in generations of the person’s family history.
This article will further explain miasms and nosodes, as well as some of the most common nosodes used within homeopathy.
What Are Miasms?
Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates was the first to use the term “miasm.” It is a word that has Greek origins that mean “taint or fault.” Hippocrates hypothesized that certain infectious diseases were transmitted to humans from water and air tainted by miasms.
In the late 18th century, miasms were believed to be impure air responsible for spreading epidemic diseases among certain groups of people. Homeopathy founder Dr. Samuel Hahnemann agreed that air carries infectious diseases, but he did not consider them to be gaseous by nature. In other words, epidemic diseases do not possess the qualities of the air.
After several years of developing his ideas, Hahnemann noticed that some of his patients would seemingly not respond to prescribed remedies, or they even relapsed after a short period of time.
In the late 1790s, Dr. Hahnemann discovered syphilis was an infectious disease that may mask symptoms of various other illnesses. This was when he developed a special preparation called Mercurius Solub1ilis Hahnemanni, which became the standard treatment for syphilis in Europe. He found that the mercury in homeopathic potency worked better on syphilis than the poisonous form, and he recorded several permanent cures with the remedy.
Later, Dr. Hahnemann believed that microorganisms were at the root of various infectious diseases. He suggested that certain skin eruptions were the result of microscopic “miasmic animalcules”—or microorganisms.
At that time, there were numerous theories about infectious diseases that spread, including “the theory of animalcule” and “the zymotic theory.” Dr. Hahnemann combined the ideas and redefined the Hippocratic term “miasma” to express constitutional derangements caused by parasitic infections. He separated the miasms from syndromes of long-term diseases and began to develop a special material medica and repertory for the treatment of these miasms.
As a result, Dr. Hahnemann’s version of the word “miasm” means the effects of microorganisms on vital force, which include the symptoms transmitted to future generations. These miasms can lead to autoimmune diseases, degenerative diseases, and immune-deficiency disorders.
Dr. Hahnemann discovered three miasms: sycosis that is linked with gonorrhea, syphilis associated with syphilis, and psora that is related to scabies. Dr. Hahnemann’s theory of miasms led to great interest in chronic diseases and their anti-miasmatic homeopathic remedies. All of Dr. Hahnemann’s research was published in his book The Chronic Diseases in 1828.
The History of Nosodes
Dr. Hahnemann developed remedies to counteract the miasms that he believed were sometimes preventing or blocking the treatment. These were made from infected bacteria or tissue but considered completely safe since the substances are highly potentized and sterilized.
Shortly after Dr. Hahnemann published his chronic disease theory, this piqued the interest of an American homeopath, Dr. Constantine Hering. Dr. Hering had re-proven the homeopathic remedy psorinum—made from a scabies mite.
Dr. Hering is credited with coining the term “nosode.” It comes from the Greek word “noso,” which indicates a disease being the root of the problem. “Nosode” also comes from the Latin word “noxa,” which is the root of the term noxious or damaged.
Homeopathic nosodes have been used in homeopathy for around 200 years and are prescribed for acute, chronic, intercurrent, and miasmatic conditions.
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The concept of miasms proposes the notion that a person’s health has many layers of imbalance or concerns that predispose that person to that particular health problem. At a certain stage of the treatment, the underlying miasm may become clear, and then a treatment can be used for the disease.
That said, it does not mean that the person has the disease that implies the names of the miasms. On the other hand, it is simply the name that describes a specific pattern of symptoms or a person’s susceptibility to an illness.
Basically, each miasm has its own set of physical, emotional, and mental symptoms that describe the person that best suits a particular nosode. The following is a deeper synopsis of the most popular miasms and related nosodes used within homeopathy.
1. Psorinum (Scabies)
Dr. Hahnemann believed that the scabies infection reflects a deeper, underlying disease. This miasm could then be uncovered and treated properly with the nosode called psorinum, which is created from the infection. The finding was published when it was re-proven by Dr. Hering in 1831.
Psorinum is best suited for anxious people that are prone to feeling abandoned, pessimistic, and forsaken. The person is also very thin in stature, despite a huge appetite.
Also, a lack of stamina is a common trait in people that require psorinum. As a result, the person is susceptible to viruses and infections.
Psorinum is a remedy commonly prescribed for skin, respiratory, and bowel disorders. It is also used for ear and eye infections, as well as depression.
2. Medorrhinum (Gonorrhea)
The nosode medorrhinum is made from gonorrhea, which is the sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The symptoms of gonorrhea include a greenish yellow or whitish discharge, burning when urinating, and swollen glands in the throat.
Medorrhinum was published in Henry C. Allen’s book called Materia Medica of Nosodes in the late 1800s.
Medorrhinum is often used for those with a tendency of feeling anxious, but yet in an isolated and empty detached state. The person will have various behaviors such as feeling withdrawn to being egotistical or selfish. It is most often prescribed for urinary tract infections, reproductive disorders like testicular pain, genital warts and herpes, and sinusitis, asthma, or rhinitis.
3. Syphilinum (Syphilis)
Syphilis is another highly contagious STD that is spread through sex or prolonged kissing, and it is caused by the bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The homeopathic nosode syphilinum is made from syphilis.
Homeopath Dr. Samuel Swan first proved the nosode syphilinum in the late 1800s, and it was published in Materia Medica of Nosodes. The remedy is most effective for people with concentration and memory problems.
Syphilinum is also used for those with compulsive and obsessive tendencies. It is most often used for health conditions such as asthma, ulcers, constipation, headaches, eye inflammation, and menstrual and miscarriage issues.
4. Carcinosin (Cancer)
Homeopathic carcinosin is the homeopathic remedy made from cancerous tissue often obtained from the breast. William Boericke was the first to establish carcinosin. But, later in the late 19th century, the development of a remedy made from cancerous tissue was associated with British homeopaths, Dr. J.H. Clarke and Dr. James Compton Burnett.
Carcinosin was among the homeopathic remedies used to interfere with the division of human breast cancer cells, according to research published in International Journal of Oncology in 2010.
The person that benefits from carcinosin has low self-esteem and self-confidence, and has strong cravings for fatty foods like butter and chocolate. Besides treating cancer, carcinosin is often prescribed for diabetes, tuberculosis, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, abdominal pain, skin problems, and respiratory illness.
5. Tuberculinum (Tuberculosis)
In 1890, British homeopath Dr. Compton Burnett proved the homeopathic remedy called tuberculinum, which is made from dead tuberculosis bacilli.
The homeopathic nosode is mainly used for respiratory tract problems like the common cold, coughs, nasal congestion, and acute bronchitis. The remedy is also used for persistent tiredness and arthritis pains.
People who require tuberculinum are often prone to longing for constant stimulation, and a desire to change everything about their lives, including their jobs, romantic partners, homes, and travel plans. The person will also desire sweets and cold milk, and a tendency of heavy perspiration at night.
6. Bacillinum (Tubercular Lung Tissue)
The homeopathic nosode bacillinum is made from sterilized tubercular lung tissue that is dissolved in purified water, diluted, and succussed.
Depression and melancholy are typical in people that respond well to bascillinum. They also tend to be irritable, and often complain and whine. Also, they will start one task before beginning another.
Bacillinum is used for all sorts of respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, asthma, hacking coughs, and sharp pains in the heart area. It is also used for pneumonia, tuberculosis, and skin conditions, including pimples, eczema, ringworm, hair loss, and fungal skin infections.
7. Lyssin (Rabies)
Lyssin is the nosode made from rabies, which is also known as the saliva from a rabid dog. The saliva for this preparation is rendered sterile before being made into a homeopathic remedy.
Lyssin is most appropriate for people that are mentally excited, hyperactive, and are sensitive to noise, light, and odors. There may also be a parental or personal history of rabies vaccination in the person that suits lyssin.
The remedy is often used for excessive sexual energy and pain during sex, as well as nervous system, throat, and sexual organ disorders like uterine prolapse. It is also used to treat fear and irritability, and the desire to urinate or pass stools triggered by the sound or sight of running water.
8. Oscillococcinum (Flu Virus)
Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic product that many choose for the first signs of the flu virus. It is made from the liver and heart of migrating geese, which are considered carriers of the flu virus. The formula contains anas barbariae hepatis and cordis extracum 200C.
Oscillococcinum is also called Oscillo. It is a go-to remedy to lessen the effects of flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, chills, fever, body aches, and respiratory tract inflammation.
A review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2015 suggests that Oscillococcinum can reduce flu symptoms.
9. Influenzinum (Flu Virus)
Influenzinum is often called the homeopathic flu nosode. It is a remedy made from the approved seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine and is considered a natural alternative to the flu shot.
The remedy provides natural support for strengthening the body and increasing its resistance to the flu virus. It will also protect against cold and flu symptoms, including congestion, sore throats, coughs, body aches, nausea, fever, headaches, and chills.
If you did take the flu shot, Influenzinum would alleviate adverse effects from the shot. There is also proof that Influenzinum is great for boosting the immune system.
An in vitro study published in Homeopathy in 2013 found that Influenzium significantly altered MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) mitochondrial activity and certain white blood cells called J774G8 macrophages.
Final Thoughts on Miasms, Nosodes, and Homeopathy
The nosodes mentioned above are just a small scale of what there is within homeopathy. The reason is that nosodes can be made from nearly any disease or condition.
Miasms are an interesting topic. Prescribing on the miasmatic level requires training and experience to identify the miasmatic picture, while also assessing the effects of the remedy. This is why self-prescribing nosodes is not recommended.
It is best to seek the advice of a qualified homeopath. They will interview you in a comprehensive session, where they will retrieve emotional, mental, and physical symptoms. This will help determine whether a nosode is the right remedy for you.
I will leave you with this. The following are nine reasons a homeopath may use nosodes.
- The mental, emotional, and physical symptoms match the remedy, and therefore the nosode is the person’s constitutional remedy.
- Well-chosen remedies do not hold, act, or just change the symptoms.
- There is a lack of symptoms, and therefore a strong inherited or acquired miasm has repressed the ability to show symptoms.
- The person has not recovered from a miasmic infection or its suppression.
- When a partial picture of constitutional remedies manifests, but a specific remedy doesn’t completely fit the case.
- When a miasmic layer obstructs the progress of a constitutional remedy that was helping the patient.
- The remedy is related to the disease genus, such as the pertussin remedy for whooping cough.
- The nosode is used for homeopathic prophaylaxis for the prevention of specific infectious diseases.
- The nosode is made from the patient’s own disease substances, where this is called the auto-nosode.
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