This issue of SPECTRUM will surprise its readers because it offers an abundance of new findings and discoveries about the very well-known remedies such as Natrium (Sodium), Sulphur or Phosphorus. Many elements and compounds of the Silica series have already been examined by Hahnemann and used successfully to this day in homeopathic practice. However, astonishing new perspectives are revealed when these polychrests are considered systematically, theatrically or on the level of sensation in addition to the Materia medica. Our authors analyse the remedies of the 3rd series on the basis of the Periodic Table of Elements, which have been translated into human developmental periods, phases and stages by Jan Scholten.
“Me and You” is the comprehensive theme of the 3rd series. According to Jan Scholten, the Silica series corresponds to the life phase of a teenager with the main theme of relationships within the family and with friends. In addition to the body-oriented “I” of the Carbon series, in the 3rd series we come into contact and communication with another person who we want to like us, who we love or who we hate. The position that we assume within a relationship and the feeling of belonging to a group, characterise the respective level in the development with regard to the other person. In his analysis, Scholten writes about these phases of the Silica series and shows parallels to the plant world, as Martin Jakob explains in greater detail in his article.
With his case examples...

Rheumatism is a widespread and multifaceted disease. Rheumatic disorders include around 240 various illnesses with differing symptom pictures and treatment modalities. The number of homeopathic remedies that can be used to treat rheumatism is even larger. We have chosen a selection of remedies to highlight certain trends, at the same time presenting various homeopathic approaches in the treatment of patients with rheumatism.

In the reading sample, author Jürgen Hansel shows how the picture of the classic rheumatism remedy Ruta graveolens encompasses not just the physical symptoms of chronic polyarthritis but also the typical personality traits of rheumatism patients. In the Rue remedy family, Ruta is assigned to the cancer miasm, which is also found in additional articles on rheumatism. For example, Artur Wölfel recognises the cancer miasm in a woman with lupus erythematodes, whose case is characterised by conformity and perfectionism. Suppressed feelings, also an aspect of this reaction pattern, play a major role in Urvi Chauhan‘s case of sero-negative polyarthritis. The remedy in this case is Opium, which is also assigned to the cancer miasm in the poppy family.

Taciturnity, emotional repression and perfectionism are also prominent in Massimo Mangialavori‘s case, pointing here to the Primrose family. If the emotional isolation takes the form of deep depression with inner rigidity and painful stiffness, Lapis lazuli – a semi-precious stone remedy – can at least heal the p...