Homeopathy & Herpes
objective signs attributed to Natrum muriaticum include recurrent herpes
Herpes is classified as an epidemic disease,(1) common human herpesviruses are:
· Human herepesvirus-1, commonly known as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)
· Human herpesvirus-2, commonly known as herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)
· Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), commonly known as shingles
· Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
· Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)
· Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
· Human herpesviruses: HHV-6A, HHV-6B, and HHV-7
There are herpesviruses which have potential to cross the species barrier, including B virus disease (CeHV-1), Marek's disease virus (MDV), Equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) or pseudorabies virus (PRV) - the most probable are zoonotic infections via B virus disease.(2)
A 2016 Randomized, blinded placebo-controlled pilot trial PCR viral assay became negative in 80% of cats with feline herpesvirus 1 one-year post treatment with a homeopathically prepared signalling molecule preparation.(3)
Paracetamol/acetaminophen is the recommended treatment for pain management in shingles(4) as there is no evidence for antiviral therapies having any positive effect on reducing postherpetic neuralgia.(5) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoid, nerve-blocking therapy, mental and psychological interventions are also prescribed for pain relief(6-8) all of which show unstable effect in pain management and may increase renal burden and impact the immune system, especially in renally insufficient or immunodeficient people.(9)
Healing of infections caused by herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus has been observed in the laboratory with several natural products, including a homeopathic formulation.(10) An 80% reduction in HSV-1 specific proteins was observed after treatment with Engystol (a homeopathic preparation) post infection,(11) and HSV-1 antiviral activity was found for Euphorbium compositum SN (a homeopathic preparation) - Euphorbium resinifera and Pulsatilla pratensis, but not luffa, as components of Euphorbium compositum SN were found to be responsible for its antiviral activity.(12)
Observational studies suggested homeopathic products reduced or prevented chronic recurrent HSV-2(13) which affected 13% of the world’s population of 15-to-49-year-olds in 2016.(1) Typically manifesting on the genitals, rectum, skin, hands or meninges,(14) an HSV-2 infection without genital lesions is atypical.(15)
Homeopathy defines an atypical symptom as a characteristic symptom, outlined by Hahnemann in Aphorism 153:(16) …striking, singular, uncommon and peculiar signs and symptoms…chiefly and solely to be kept in view; for it is more particularly these that very similar ones in the list of symptoms of the selected medicine must correspond to… Boger citing Boenninghausen stated that striking alterations in day-to-day personality are classified as characteristic symptoms.(17) Allen outlined(18) The concomitant symptom is to the totality what the condition of aggravation or amelioration is to the single symptom. It is the differentiating factor. Dhawale wrote(19) By modality we mean the circumstances of occurrence, aggravation and amelioration of any abnormal sensation reported…From the standpoint of individualization, modalities assume the highest importance.
In Aphorism 5, Hahnemann tells us that the most significant aspects of an individual’s history allows for discovery of the aetiology (cause) of the disease, which is usually due to a chronic miasm;(16) according to Banerjea(20) This is a condition, a state of altered or deranged health; resulting after the invisible, inimical infection with the specified miasm. Here miasm is the cause, and the miasmatic state is the effect or manifestation. We do prescribe for the miasmatic state and not for the miasm.
Advancements in homeopathic theory state Hahnemann’s miasms are but a glimpse into understanding genetic predisposition, and it is descent through the Levels of Health which enables the miasms to start effecting the individual.(21,22)
An individual can be classified within a Level of Health to help glean better understanding of their disease state - a person with many hereditary predispositions and a history of poorly treated infectious diseases descends down through the levels becoming chronically ill - being greatly affected miasmatically / encumbered by genetic predisposition - and usually further convoluted by medical interventions.(22) Vithoulkas states Since allopathic drugs are never selected according to the Law of Similars, they inevitably superimpose upon the organism a new drug disease which then must be counteracted by the organism.(21) Group B (Levels Four to Six) indicates a weakened immune system which will manifest frequent acute infections; typically, susceptibility to viruses and bacteria causing epidemic disease are found in people of Levels Two, Three and Four.(22)
The Totality of Symptoms is the incorporation of carefully selected and distinct characteristic / concomitant / peculiar, quick, rare, strange (PQRS) symptoms(23) to transpose the tapestry of an individual and the nature of their disease into usable, analytical data. It is only the correct totality of symptoms which leads to the similimum, and, to construct the correct totality every symptom must be of proportionate importance comprising mental, physical and local symptoms as these are immensely significant to the individual.(24)
Careful history taking and observation of the person is necessary to ascertain the aetiology and location of a complaint, associated sensations, factors that aggravate or ameliorate symptoms, the emotional and mental state, general observations, and PQRS symptoms.(25) The emphasis of homeopathy is INDIVIDUALIZATION,(26) unsurprisingly researchers recently found ‘the reliability of homeopathic prescriptions may increase through resource to objective signs and guiding symptoms with significant positive likelihood ratio (LR)’ estimating that ‘LR for six objective signs attributed to the homeopathic medicine Natrum muriaticum included recurrent herpes’ concluding ‘objective signs with significant positive LR might increase the reliability of homeopathic prescriptions.’(27)
Chronic stress significantly effects the immune system elevating levels of catecholamine and suppressor T cells which suppress the immune system and increase susceptibility to viral infection.(28) Chronic stress can be especially harmful in children during the vulnerable, sensitive and critical developmental prenatal period, early childhood, and adolescence.(29-31) Many clinicians and theoreticians understand the birth of a baby sibling as a developmental crisis, a stressful time(32) suggesting that children with enhanced emotional understanding and reactivity may comprehend a new sibling as the herald of significant change within their family, and can manifest emotional instability post the birth.(33) These behavioural changes, which can be extreme, are amplifications of innate psychological traits referred to by some as the accentuation principle.(32,34)
Sarah Penrose BSc(hons)Hom. is an Australasian homeopath and can be contacted at goodhealthforgreatlife.com
References
1 WHO, 2020. Billions worldwide living with herpes. World Health Organisation. Available from https://www.who.int/news/item/01-05-2020-billionsworldwide-living-with-herpes
2 Woźniakowski & Samorek-Salamonowicz, 2015. Animal herpesviruses and their zoonotic potential for cross-species infection. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(2):191-4. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26094506/
3 Fiorito et al., 2016. Clinical improvement in feline herpesvirus 1 infected cats by oral low dose of interleukin-12 plus interferon-gamma. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2016 Oct;48:41-7. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27638118/
4 Dworkin et al., 2007. Recommendations for the management of herpes zoster. Clin Infect Dis. Jan 1;44 Suppl 1:S1-26. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17143845/
5 Chen et al., 2014. Antiviral treatment for preventing postherpetic neuralgia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Feb 6;(2):CD006866. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24500927/
6 Aydın et al., 2019. Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for the Management of Herpes Zoster Pain: Observational Study. Cureus. Oct 11;11(10):e5891. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31772861/
7 Ducic & Felder, 2013. Peripheral nerve surgery for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Ann Plast Surg. Oct;71(4):384-5. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23528637/
8 Haythornthwaite et al., 2003. Pain coping strategies play a role in the persistence of pain in post-herpetic neuralgia. Pain. Dec;106(3):453-460. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14659529/
9 Huang et al., 2022. Efficacy and safety of fire needle combined with cupping for acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: A protocol for systemic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). Dec 16;101(50):e32251. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9771183/
10 Martin, 2005. Etheric biology. Exp Mol Pathol. Jun;78(3):221-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15893748/#affiliation-1
11 Oberbaum et al., 2005. Antiviral activity of Engystol: an in vitro analysis. J Altern Complement Med. Oct;11(5):855-62. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16296918/
12 Glatthaar-Saalmüller & Fallier-Becker, 2001. Antiviral action of Euphorbium compositum and its components. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. Aug;8(4):207-12. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11574744/
13 Jenaer et al., 2000. Evaluation of 2LHERP in preventing recurrences of genital herpes. Institut International 3IDI. Br Homeopath J. Oct;89(4):174-7. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11055774/
14 Goodman et al., 1996. Goodman and Gilman’s the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. Ninth Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, Health Professions Division.
15 Kurosawa et al., 2019. Unusual manifestation of disseminated herpes simplex virus type 2 infection associated with pharyngotonsilitis, esophagitis, and hemophagocytic lymphohisitocytosis without genital involvement. BMC infectious diseases.19(1), 65. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6337778/
16 Hahnemann, S. 2005. Organon of Medicine. Sixth edition. Translated from German by W. Boericke. New Delhi. Indian Books and Periodicals Publishers. (Originally published in 1842).
17 Gunavante, S, M. 2010. Roadmap to the correct prescription. Fourth Edition; Fifth impression. New Delhi: New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
18 Allen, T. F. 2010. Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book. 13th Impression. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers.
19 Dhawale, M. L. 2008. Principles & Practice of Homeopathy; Part 1. Fifth reprint. Mumbai. Dr. M. L. Dhawale Memorial Trust.
20 Banerjea, S. 2001. Miasmatic prescribing. Second extended edition. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
21 Vithoulkas, G. 2014. The Science of Homeopathy; Seventh edition. Alonissos: International Academy of Classical Homeopathy.
22 Vithoulkas, G. 2017. Levels of Health, The second volume of the Science of Homeopathy, revised edition. Alonissos: International Academy of Classical Homeopathy.
23 Chatterjee, T.P. 1982. Fundamentals of Homoeopathy and Valuable Hints for Practice. New Delhi. World Homeopathic Links.
24 Master, F. and Fernandes, N. 2008. How to study Materia Medica? Templom köz: Remedium.
25 Brennan P. Homeopathic remedies in prenatal care. J Nurse Midwifery. 1999 May-Jun;44(3):291-9. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10380447/
26 Mathie, 2022. Individualisation: The Heart of Homeopathy. Homeopathy. Feb;111(1):1. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35100648/
27 Eizayaga et al., 2021. Prevalence and Likelihood Ratio of Six Objective Signs among Good Responders to Natrum muriaticum: Multi-centre Observational Assessment. Homeopathy. Feb;110(1):36-41. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33482668/
28 Salleh, 2008. Life event, stress and illness. The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS. 15(4), 9–18. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22589633/
29 Andersen, 2003. Trajectories of brain development: point of vulnerability or window of opportunity? Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Review. Jan-Mar; 27 (1-2): 3-18. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12732219/
30 Condon, E. M. 2018. Chronic Stress in Children and Adolescents: A Review of Biomarkers for Use in Paediatric Research. Biological research for nursing. 20(5), 473–496. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6346321
31 Fox et al., 2010. How the timing and quality of early experiences influence the development of brain architecture. Child Development. Jan-Feb; 81 (1): 28-40. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20331653/
32 Volling, 2012. Family transitions following the birth of a sibling: an empirical review of changes in the firstborn's adjustment. Psychological bulletin. 138 (3), 497–528. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3341504/
33 Kuo et al., 2017. VII. Developmental trajectories of children’s emotional reactivity after the birth of a sibling. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development. 138 (3), 497–528. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5596886/
34 Elder & Caspi, 1988. Human development and social change: An emerging perspective on the life course. In: Bolger N, Caspi A, Downey G, Moorehouse M, editors. Persons in context: Developmental processes. New York. Cambridge University Press. pp. 77–113.