8 Miasms 4 Seasons

Samuel Hahnemann noted that family members tended to suffer from illnesses that were very similar in character and pattern. He also noticed that after people were cured of a disease they remained vulnerable to related afflictions – which could be traced to a common root in that "cured" disease.

From these observations he realized that most diseases are the results of something harmful and noxious hidden below the surface. He identified three noxious archetypal forces, which he called miasms – from Latin meaning, stain, pollution, defilement or blemish.

Several miasms were later discovered. Dr. Rudi Verspoor and Patty Smith of Canada building of the original work of Dr. Elmiger of Switzerland found a link between the miasms and the four seasons.

Fall: Psora and Malaria

Winter: Tuberculosis and Ringworm

Spring: Sycosis and Cancer

Summer: Syphilis and Lyme

Fall

Psora manifests as a relatively minor, but itchy skin lesion. Psora is a disease of deficiency at all levels – deficiency of thought, physiology and nutrition. Psora is associated with the prefix hypo – hypotension, hypochondriasis, hypotrophy, etc. It causes little or no structural change, but much disturbance of functions, feelings and sensations. The Psoric state of mind feels it does not have enough of anything – money, food, energy, love, warmth, etc.

Malaria has a passive sense of victimization. The Malarial state of mind feels that people and circumstances are picking on them and singling them out. There is a very heavy energy, sleepiness, stupor and forgetfulness on the mental sphere and diarrhea, colic and liver pain on the physical.

Winter

Tuberculosis manifests as restlessness and consciously directed destruction. The feeling is of intense oppression and a desire for change. The reaction is intense, hectic activity in order to break free from this oppression. The Tubercular person has a great desire for change – they often travel, change jobs and change houses. Physically there is sensitivity to environmental toxins and to atmospheric changes. There is a tendency to emaciation and feebleness, as well as weak lungs, respiratory system imbalances and frequent colds.

Ringworm feels depressed, angry and trapped. They want to accomplish something, but can’t. It is characterized by an alternation between periods of struggle with anxiety about success, and periods of despair and giving up. Physically there are fungal infections of all kinds, including the actual ringworm. There are periods of acute itching, alternating with quiet periods. The symptoms never become destructive and the person typically feels they have to live with the problem.

Spring

Sycosis leads to various excesses in mind and body function. The state of mind is of excess – the sex, drugs and rock-and-roll. The feeling is that there is a fixed, irremediable weakness within the self that must be hidden from others with egotism, compulsive acts and secrecy. Physically there is a lot inflammation and conditions involving the prefix hyper: hypertension, hyperactive, etc. There is excess in mind and tissue, providing the foundation for later tissue degeneration.

The essence of Cancer is resignation, a loss of the self, living for others and not realizing their own destiny. There is a feeling of weakness and incapacity within, and the need to perform exceedingly well and live up to very high expectations. The reaction is a superhuman effort in a continuous, prolonged struggle, which seems to have no end. Cancer is very sensitive to the world and to criticism.

Summer

Syphilis involves ulcerative conditions. It is marked by tissue destruction and degeneration, involving various conditions marked by the prefix dys: such as dystrophy, dystonia, etc. There is mental destruction: suicide, serious mental disorders and physical destruction: ulcers, decay, congenital defects. The Syphilitic state is of a situation beyond salvage, leading to complete hopelessness and despair. A desperate effort to change the situation inevitably results in destruction.

Lyme is a withdrawal from society. It is the alienation that modern day people feel – a sense of not belonging anywhere, of no roots, no acceptance, a feeling that we are alone and life has no meaning, that we are too weak an inconsequential to leave a mark in the world. Mentally there is depression, memory loss, irritability, trouble finding words, dissociation, problems doing calculations, dyslexia, mistakes in speaking or writing, and spatial disorientation. Physically there is weakness, prostration, chronic malaise, hypersensitivity and pain.