I recently re-released my most controversial podcast episode - it’s subject matter was on German New Medicine (GNM) and it was with my repeat guest, the firecracker that is the one and only Biba Tanya and you can listen to it here … it got me thinking about GNM and the overlap with homeopathy.
I’d like to emphasise how much I love the concept of GNM and I do think it compliments homeopathy but we also need to be mindful of other potential causes of dis-ease too. Read on to learn more…
Exploring German New Medicine: A Homeopath's Perspective
German New Medicine (GNM) is a fascinating and revolutionary approach to understanding health and disease. Developed by Dr. Ryke Geerd Hamer in the late 20th century, GNM posits that diseases are not random malfunctions of the body but rather meaningful biological responses to emotional and psychological conflicts. As a homeopath, I find the principles of GNM resonant with our practice, particularly in our shared focus on understanding the cause, or aetiology, of illnesses.
What is German New Medicine?
At its core, German New Medicine is based on five biological laws that describe the natural, predictable, and scientifically explainable relationship between the psyche, the brain, and specific organs. Dr. Hamer discovered these laws after his own bout with testicular cancer, which he linked to the traumatic shock of his son's untimely death. Through extensive research, he concluded that diseases start as a result of unresolved emotional conflicts, which then manifest in the body through specific brain-organ connections.
The Five Biological Laws of GNM:
The Iron Rule of Cancer (though this applies to other disease too): Every shock or trauma that catches an individual off guard will result in a lesion in the brain and a simultaneous tissue response in the body.
The Law of Two Phases: Every disease progresses through two phases if the conflict is resolved — an active conflict phase and a healing phase.
The Ontogenetic System of Tumors and Cancer-Equivalent Diseases: This law states that the level of the brain which is affected by the shock determines how the corresponding tissues will react.
The Ontogenetic System of Microbes: Microbial organisms are not the cause of disease but rather play a role in the healing phase, aiding in tissue restoration.
The Quintessence: Diseases are not malfunctions but rather meaningful special biological programs designed to assist the organism in coping with unexpected stress.
The Overlap with Homeopathy
As homeopaths, we seek to understand the root causes of our patients' ailments. Our approach involves delving deep into the patient's emotional and psychological history, much like the investigation into the shock or trauma central to GNM. In both modalities, the aetiology is crucial — we believe that in many cases understanding the underlying conflict or emotional disturbance can help guide us to the correct remedy.
Homeopathy operates on the principle of "like cures like," using highly diluted substances to trigger the body's natural healing response. GNM's perspective that diseases are biologically meaningful responses aligns with our belief that symptoms are expressions of the body's attempt to restore balance. By identifying and addressing the core conflict, both homeopathy and GNM aim to facilitate true healing, not just symptomatic relief.
A simple case comparing nail biting is shown below. This is taken from the amazing book Homeopathy for Body & Soul by Antonie Peppler. Peppler documents in detail the conflict shock that created the energetic state of the corresponding homeopathic remedy (and as a side note the homeopathy function in my much loved mini frequency device, the Healy, is based on her work - so when you run a scan of your biofield it will tell you which 5 homeopathic remedies are the best match and the conflict behind them - you can learn more here). Peppler states
‘Symptoms do not lie, they show us where in the human system the (mostly unconscious) conflict situations are located.’
Recognizing the Limits of German New Medicine
While GNM provides valuable insights, it's essential to recognize that not all health issues can be explained through its framework. For instance, as Dr Katherine Willow, author of ‘German New Medicine’ points out, it can be advised NOT to use GNM where an individual’s ‘condition is due to a cause that does not fall within the context of GNM, such as poisoning from toxins, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, injuries etc. These issues can have significant impacts on health and require different approaches for treatment.
Homeopathy’s Comprehensive Approach
Homeopathy offers a broad range of remedies that can address various causes of illness, beyond emotional and psychological conflicts. Here are some key aspects:
Tissue Salts: These are minerals found in the human body that are essential for maintaining health. When these are out of balance, they can lead to various health issues. Tissue salts can be used to restore this balance (in fact Schuessler, the founder of tissue salts, believed that every single disease was due to a deficiency of one of these 12 salts).
Organ Support: Homeopathic remedies can support the health and function of specific organs. For example, remedies like Carduus marianus can support liver health, while Crataegus can support heart function.
Isopathic Remedies: These are remedies made from the substances that cause the disease, used to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms. For example, a homeopath might use a dilution of a toxin to help the body eliminate it more effectively. More information on this type of prescribing is coming soon - you can get on the waitlist here.
Miasmatic Remedies: This approach considers the inherited predispositions to certain diseases or health patterns, known as miasms. Homeopathic remedies are selected to address these deep-seated tendencies, promoting overall health and preventing future illness. You can learn more here.
The Synergy in Practice
Integrating insights from GNM can enhance homeopathic prescribing; by identifying the specific conflict and its biological impact, we can more accurately select the remedy that resonates with the patient's experience. However, we also need to remain vigilant about other potential causes of illness, such as toxins or nutritional deficiencies, and address these with appropriate remedies.
Conclusion
German New Medicine offers a profound and insightful framework that complements and enriches homeopathic practice. Both modalities emphasize the importance of understanding the origin of disease and view symptoms as meaningful expressions of the body's intrinsic wisdom. As a homeopath, integrating GNM's principles allows for a deeper, more holistic approach to healing, while also utilizing the full range of homeopathic remedies to address the myriad causes of illness, ultimately supporting our shared goal of restoring health by addressing the root causes of illness.
What’s your experience? I’d love to hear, please feel free to share below.
My issue with GNM is that I cannot find out how exactly do they address the issues found. I can't tell how they do this. Is it talk therapy? Is it deep tissue massage?
Thank you for this important piece showing how GNM and Homeopathy can work together. 🙏🏻