Understanding Hering’s Law of Cure: The Law of Direction of Cure
Hering’s Law of Cure, also known as the Law of Direction of Cure, was formulated by the renowned homeopath Dr. Hering, often referred to as the “Father of American Homeopathy.” According to this law, the cure progresses in a specific direction:
“The cure takes place from above downwards, from within outwards, from the more important organ to the less important organ, and in the reverse order of the appearance of symptoms.”
This law, often likened to a compass for a navigator, provides insight into the curative process. The four steps of the law explain the progression of the cure:
1. From Above Downwards: When a similimum (a remedy selected based on symptom similarity) is administered, symptom annihilation occurs from proximal anatomical parts to distal parts. For instance, in a patient with polyarthritis, joints closer to the trunk improve before those farther away. This reflects the remedy’s homeopathic and curative action.
2. From Within Outwards: Homoeopathic philosophy posits that diseases originate in the internal vital force, later manifesting in anatomical organs. The curative process, therefore, begins from the vital organs and extends to the outer body. Kent’s general symptoms, representing the inner self, take precedence over particular symptoms. After a remedy, patients often feel better internally despite the continued existence of physical symptoms.
3. From the More Important Organ to the Less Important Organ: In contrast to the disease process, where ailments progress from less important to more important organs, the curative process operates in the reverse order. For example, in rheumatic fever, administering a remedy addresses cardiac symptoms before joint issues, prioritizing the more vital organ—the heart.
4. In the Reverse Order of the Appearance of Symptoms: Particularly relevant in chronic diseases, this step involves the disappearance of symptoms in the reverse order of their historical appearance. Old symptoms may resurface, indicating a rapid, gentle, and permanent cure. For instance, if a patient had skin eruptions for 20 years, followed by hemorrhoids for 5 years and bronchial asthma for 2 years, a curative remedy would alleviate asthma symptoms first, followed by hemorrhoids and then skin eruptions.
Quick Recap: These steps are interpreted as a unified whole. The law provides guidance to physicians in predicting the prognosis of a case. Once symptoms align with Hering’s Law of Cure, repetition of the medicine should cease. Any substance interfering with the remedy’s action must be withdrawn. Hering’s Law of Cure serves as a guide for physicians on the path to achieving the highest ideals of cure.
Understanding Hering’s Law of Cure is crucial for homoeopaths, providing insights into the curative process. Questions or doubts can be addressed in the comments, and updates are available on Instagram.
