 I realized the other day that I have been ignoring the homeopathic term “miasm.” I haven’t been intentionally avoiding it — it’s just that it is an enormous topic, and, the more you look, the more you find, so let's go to the very beginning (it is, after all, a very good place to start). It’s a funny word, miasm. My what? Some people might equate the term “miasm” with “miasma.” The Oxford Dictionary of English, 2nd edition (Soanes and Angus Stevenson 2006) tells us that a miasm (in homeopathy) is a supposed predisposition to a particular disease, either inherited or acquired. It goes on to tell us that this word comes to us from mid-19th century German, stemming from the Greek “miasma.” A miasma, again according to the OED, is an unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor or an oppressive or unpleasant atmosphere which surrounds or emanates from something. This time, the word derives from mid-17th century Greek, literally meaning, “defilement.” If you’re new to homeopathy, perhaps this isn’t enough to get us where we’re going. If you have any understanding of homeopathy, I think the connection begins to makes some sense. Basically, talking about a miasm is a shorthand way of saying the vital force has been contaminated by something. I still don’t get it. I don’t blame you. Miasms can be a little tricky to explain — it’s an idea that is a little “out there” for those of us raised on an allopathic understanding of the human body. Peter Fraser, in his book Using Miasms in Homeopathy says, “As the concept has no foundation outside homeopathy there is little to anchor and define it” (2008). Let’s look a little deeper. In the early pages of Louis Kleins’ Miasms and Nosodes (2009) he tells us “Hippocrates used the term [miasm] to describe the idea of tainted water or air that he believed was responsible for the spread of infectious diseases.” Hippocrates was thinking these thoughts back in 460 - 370 BC. Let’s stick with Louis Klein as he tells us that in Dr. Samuel Hahnemann’s day (1755 - 1843), “Diseases such as cholera, dysentery, leprosy, malaria (which actually means ‘bad air’), bubonic plague, and pulmonary tuberculosis were all understood to be caused by ‘miasma.’ Miasma was considered ‘a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere’ - the ‘contamination’ or ‘pollution’ that one absorbed when exposed to sickness, death and decomposition.” Dr. Hahnemann took hold of this word to “remold its definition to envelop the whole of his theory regarding the origin of chronic disease. He included the role of specific infectious agents, but also drew attention to the creation of a long-lasting ‘miasmatically induced’ ‘change of state’ as a result of a disturbance in the energetic field, or the vital force surrounding and permeating the body. “In Hahnemann’s view and in subsequent usage within the homeopathic profession, the word evoked both the energetic and contagious aspect. This ability to combine simultaneously energetic, vitalistic views with scientific ones is part of the splendor of homeopathy. To effectively grasp the meaning and utilize the concept of miasm, a description needs to include the energetic and infectious facets” (Klein 2009). That’s all fine and dandy, but I still don’t understand what a miasm is. In short, a miasm is an inherited taint — a susceptibility, a fundamental disturbance or disease state that can be inherited or acquired. Lisa Strbac describes it in The Trailblazer’s Insight into Homeopathy (2024) as “Acquired Energy Patterns.” How are these patterns acquired? From our parents and grandparents as well as picking them up on our own… trauma, illness… anything that leaves a mark on us can affect us in our own futures as well as affecting our offspring. The term epigenetic — fascinating topic (see here or here for a brief introduction to epigenetics.) Back to the good, old OED for another definition for epigenetic: resulting from external rather than genetic influences. This is the idea that something that has happened to you (trauma, illness, diet, lifestyle, etc.) can turn genes on and off. See also, “Can the legacy of trauma be passed down the generations?" So, I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say Dr. Hahnemann was on to some pretty cool stuff way back when when he came up with the idea of miasms. Back to miasms and homeopathy, in general… Dr. Samual Hahnemann “regarded the three diseases that have Miasmatic properties, Psora, Sycosis and Syphilis, as the chronic diseases and so the root of all chronic illness” (Fraser 2008). (Please note there is a spelling difference here and “sycosis” is very different than “psychosis” even though my spell check doesn’t want to believe that!) Psychosis is “a mental disorder in which there is severe loss of contact with reality” (Venes and Clarence Wilbur Taber 2013) and Sycosis derives from Syco which is Greek for fig and Sycosis is named for the fig wart disease. Miasms can be active, inactive or exposed. Miasms lie beneath the susceptibility of both acute and chronic diseases. Miasms affect the mental and emotional state as well as physical symptoms. Miasms are a way to categorize and understand various diseases. Dr. Hahnemann believed all chronic diseases are the result of three miasms which stemmed from: suppressed skin conditions (psora); gonorrhea (sycosis) or syphilis. In general, Dr. Hahnemann’s three miasms can be summed up thusly:
To complicate matters, there are crossovers between diseases and miasms. Of course there are — we wouldn’t want to have this totally clear cut and simple, would we?! At this point, to continue writing on miasms would mean I would be writing for days because I have literally just scratched the very surface of the idea of miasms. It is important to remember, though, that one does not personally need to be infected with these diseases to be afflicted with these miasms. Heck, your parents or grandparents don’t even have to have it in their history. We all carry miasms and they can be brought forth through living life: stress; illness; trauma… when one is in a weakened state, their underlying miasm can show through. Discerning which miasm is “speaking” can help lead a homeopath to the best homeopathic remedy to dig deep into an individual to help root out the cause of their symptoms. Like everything else, Hahnemann’s original miasmatic theory has evolved. New miasms have been declared: cancer (which combines elements of psora, sycosis and syphilis), tuberculosis, typhoid, malaria, ringworm, leprosy, AIDS … the list is ever-growing. Why am I even telling you about miasms? Because it is a major piece of the homeopathic puzzle. If you are interested in studying homeopathy, you will be learning about miasms. If you are a casual home user, you most likely will see the word “miasm” or “psoric” or one of the others and I thought it might be helpful to have the briefest of introductions to this idea. If you would like to continue reading, here are a few sites that looked good and I wish I had found them prior to writing this — I would have just sent you, dear reader, to these websites, instead! Miasms in general:
Additionally, I have included a reference list below for those who would really like to investigate this idea further. Have I completely covered the idea of miasms? Absolutely not. I have simply touched the surface. As I said at the beginning, the more you look at miasms, the more you find. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Choudhury, H., 2015. Indications of miasm. New Delhi: B. Jain. Clever, 2020. PSORA – THE MOTHER OF ALL CHRONIC DISEASES [online]. Clever H. - the Mag! Fraser, P., 2008. Using Miasms in Homeopathy. West Wickham, Kent: Winter Press. Ghosh, 2015. Hahnemann’s Theory of Psora in the Light of Modern Science. Alternative & Integrative Medicine [online], 04 (01). Hahnemann, S., 1845. The Chronic Diseases, Their Specific Nature and Their Homeopathic Treatment. Kindle. Wm. Radde. Hahnemann, S. and Wenda Brewster O'reilly, 1996. Organon of the medical art. Palo Alto, Ca: Birdcage Books. Henriques, M., 2019. Can the legacy of trauma be passed down the generations? [online]. Bbc.com. Klein, L., 2009. Miasms and nosodes : origins of disease. Volume. 1. Karden, Germany: Narayana Publishers. Little, D., n.d. The Homoeopathic Compendium [online]. https://simillimum.com/. Norland, L., 2018. Miasms and Mythology [online]. Luke Norland | Homeopath & Massage Therapist. Resonance School of Homeopathy, 2020. Understanding Miasms | Resonance School of Homeopathy [online]. www.resonanceschoolofhomeopathy.com. Roberts, B., 2022a. Syphilitic Miasm [online]. Homeopath Barbara. Available from: [Accessed 20 Jan 2025]. Roberts, B., 2022b. Sycosis [online]. Homeopath Barbara. Available from: [Accessed 20 Jan 2025]. Roberts, B., 2022c. Miasms [online]. Homeopath Barbara. Available from: [Accessed 20 Jan 2025]. Roberts, B., 2022d. Psora [online]. Homeopath Barbara. Available from: [Accessed 20 Jan 2025]. Soanes, C. and Angus Stevenson, 2006. Oxford dictionary of English. Accessed through Oxford Dictionary of English, 2nd edition software. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press. Strbac, L., 2024. The Trailblazers Insight into Homeopathy. www.lisastrbac.com. The Jackson Laboratory, 2018. What is epigenetics? YouTube [online]. Tyler, G., 2005. Miasms - Understanding and Classifying Miasmatic Symptoms - Gina Tyler [online]. Hpathy.com. Venes, D. and Clarence Wilbur Taber, 2013. Taber’s cyclopedic medical dictionary. [22nd ed., ISBN: 9780803629776]. Philadelphia, Pa.: F.A. Davis. Vithoulkas, G., 2014. The Basic Principles of Homeopathy. Kindle. Vithoulkas, G. and Chabanov, D., 2022. The Evolution of Miasm Theory and Its Relevance to Homeopathic Prescribing. Homeopathy. Watson, I., 2009. The homeopathic miasms : a modern view. Devon, England: Cutting Edge Publications. What is epigenetics, 2017. Epigenetics: Fundamentals, History, and Examples | What is Epigenetics? [online]. What is Epigenetics?
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 I have a confession to make: I’m always amazed when somebody says they don’t experience headaches. As someone who has been known to experience headaches, it’s unfathomable to me that people exist who have never experienced such a thing. We headache sufferers assume everybody knows what we’re talking about. According to Stovner (et al. 2022), 52% of the world population experiences headaches. 14% experience migraines. Up to 1 adult in 20 has a headache every - or nearly every - day (World Health Organization 2014). Wow. Painful. Disabling. Disruptive. Exhausting. Boring. Troublesome. Worrisome. Irksome. Annoying. I don’t think there are any pleasant words to use for headaches because having a headache is a thoroughly unpleasant experience. I have written previously about headaches and homeopathy (see: “The Road Less Traveled” and now let’s take a look at how the cell salts may help. Headaches are well indicated in most cell salts with the exception of Calc fluor and Kali mur. But, as we have learned previously, my headache is not like your headache and your headache is not like your neighbor’s headache, and so on, and so on, and so on… (See “Garbage In, Garbage Out”.) So let’s break down the cell salt headaches, shall we? Location, causation, pain quality and concomitant (accompanying) symptoms all play an important role in landing on the “right” cell salt for headaches. Calc phos may be worse near the region of sutures (a seam-like immovable junction between two bones; where the skull bones meet). The pain may be burning or throbbing and may be brought on by over-study, watching television or after receiving sad or bad news. Gut issues may be involved, like: diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea. Musculoskeletally speaking, these headaches may accompany trembling hands or rheumatism. Calc sulph has pain around the whole head. It may be caused by injuries or blows or sinusitis and may be accompanied by vertigo and nausea. A Ferr phos headache may feel as if a nail has been driven into the head with throbbing in the temples or over the eyes. These headaches could be caused by weather (cold, sun or heat) or a rush of blood to the head and may be accompanied by fever; photophobia; red eyes and face; a tender scalp or vomiting. Motion and noise may make it worse. Kali phos headaches may be described as “nervous headaches” with what feels like a weight in the back part of the head. Students or others who are worn out and exhausted may need this and may find an empty feeling in the stomach or vomiting with weariness and yawning. These headaches might be worse in the evening or in a heated room and extraneous noise may be unwanted. Kali sulph may feel like the head has been placed in a vice or as if a metal band has been put around the head. These headaches often begin in the evening and may result from becoming heated. Accompanying chills, dizziness or nausea may be present. Mag phos headache pain may be described as darting or excruciating, pounding, shooting, sharp, stinging or spasmodic. These headache sufferers may be irritable with possible sparks in their vision before or during the headache. Nat mur is a big headache remedy — for hammering, throbbing, dull, or periodical headaches with a lot of mucus and/or lachrymation and profuse saliva. Vision may be disturbed. There may be chills or constipation or eye pain. These headaches may be before, during or after a fever. Becoming heated, over-exertion of the eyes, injuries, walking or running, sun exposure or sinusitis may bring this headache on. The person may feel depressed or dull; the headache may be worse in the mornings. Nat phos headaches may be felt on the top of the head, especially on waking in the morning. These headaches are felt as pressure, intense with heat and nausea; the skull feels too full and there is a tight feeling in the head. Drinking wine or milk, as well as eyestrain may bring on this headache which may also be accompanied by gastric issues or sour vomit. Nat sulph is well known for its use in head injuries. These headaches may be felt as a pulsation on the top of the head and may be described as a “sick” headache and be accompanied by nausea and a bitter taste in the mouth with salivation. Dizziness and the vomiting of bile may be worse in damp, warm weather. Silicea headaches may be chronic and experienced as coming up from the nape of the neck. These headaches may be brought on from heat, eyestrain, fasting, overdoing it physically (lifting/straining of muscles), study or sex. The person may be oversensitive. The pain may be accompanied by chills, fever, insomnia, vomiting or weakness. Vision may be disturbed or dim and they may experience noises in the ears, a roaring, as well as being sensitive to noises. Generally speaking, headaches in children respond well to Ferr phos or Calc phos; Calc phos especially if the headache occurs during dentition. Students may respond well to Nat mur, Calc phos or Silicea. Headaches are terrible. Chronic headaches are nearly unbearable. If you are a chronic headache sufferer, click here for a free introductory chat to see if homeopathy may be helpful to you. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Stovner, L. J., Hagen, K., Linde, M. and Steiner, T. J., 2022. The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates. The Journal of Headache and Pain [online], 23 (1). World Health Organization, 2014. Headache disorders: How common are headaches? [online]. www.who.int. My copy of Homeopathy at Home: Everyday Treatments for Common Complaints by Marcus Fernandez has arrived and it is every bit as good as I expected! (See here and here for a little about Marcus.)
Let me begin by saying how much I enjoyed his introduction. Following his own story of finding homeopathy (I love to hear how people have found their way to homeopathy! -- see below), he states: “My aim is to enhance the health and wellbeing of humankind through the use of homeopathy.” What a wonderful goal! He continues: “I wanted to write a simple and accessible guide to managing common acute and minor complaints using homeopathic remedies at home. I want people to feel empowered. We all have innate health. Homeopathic remedies act like keys to a lock — choose the correct key and it turns the lock, stimulating the body to heal itself. It’s good to remember that the body has a natural healing wisdom; we just need to turn the key and remind it what it needs to do.” I told you I enjoyed reading his introduction! What follows is a simply organized A-Z list of common complaints with a page or so describing each condition suggesting possible causations, as well as some “actions that might help” to relieve symptoms. Then, a nice selection of (mostly) commonly available remedies to choose from with clearly written descriptions of each to help the reader differentiate between them . This book is just what the beginning homeopath/mom/family/student needs in their life! In addition to his well chosen homeopathic remedies for each symptom, he also offers suggestions for other home remedy ideas. For instance, since we’re in the middle of the flu season, he suggests a couple of lovely sounding drink blends to soothe sore throats and reduce inflammation. If you are ready to take the next step in helping yourself and your families, Homeopathy at Home is the perfect place to start. But wait, there’s more! I have a copy to give away. Write in the comments below how you were introduced to homeopathy and I will put those names in a hat and choose one commenter at random and ship the book to you, free of charge. (I will be picking the name at random on 1/16/25.) Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits * I have no affiliation with Marcus Fernandez or this book. I’m just a big fan! |
Julia Coyte, CHomI am passionate about homeopathy and I love sharing this passion. Having a working knowledge of homeopathy shouldn't be kept a secret. If people have the ability to help themselves, their children and their friends when they have minor ailments, life just gets better for everyone. That is the purpose behind Ruminating on Remedies. Archives
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