“The development of the human being is:
Igniting in the spiritual fire of love
The luminous wisdom of the spirit”
(Rudolf Steiner, 09/25/1909)
This week Brazil is celebrating. A celebration marked by the World Youth Day, held in Rio de Janeiro, which attracted the visit of the newly appointed global leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. A simple man who, with his humble demeanor, has touched millions of people regarding the importance of spirituality. In his first homily in Brazil, held on 07/24/2013 at the Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida, he summarized his message of faith: "to keep hope, to be surprised by God, and to live joy" (1);
You may be wondering: why talk about the Pope's visit in a text about Anthroposophical Medicine? Simply because the Pope's visit brings back the theme of “spirituality,” which we have been addressing in recent posts and, by revisiting this theme, opens the door for us to talk about another medicine considered complementary and alternative: Anthroposophical Medicine, which is based on the method of Spiritual Science or Anthroposophy.
Anthroposophy (from the Greek "knowledge of the human being") was introduced in the early 20th century by the Austrian Rudolf Steiner. It starts from the principle that human beings, in addition to their biological and social constitution, are endowed with a spiritual essence (2). The pedagogy proposed by this philosophy is Waldorf Education, known for respecting the natural development of the child, without prematurely forcing their intellectualization (3).
It is a fascinating science that evaluates the human being through a holistic view, based on knowledge such as: threefoldness, fourfoldness, seven-year cycles, elemental, planetary, and zodiacal archetypes (3). We can say that Anthroposophy reaches a supersensible knowledge of the reality of the world and human destiny.
In summary, we will touch on some important concepts of this science:
Threefoldness: is the observation of the individual from the systems: Neuro-sensory (whose center is located in the head and represents the bodily support of mental life); Rhythmic (whose center is in the thoracic organs and represents the bodily basis of emotional life); Metabolic (whose center is found in the lower region of the human being and represents the bodily basis of volitional life, that is, of will) (4);
Fourfoldness: is the evaluation of the archetypes Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, which represent, respectively, the physical body, vital body (or etheric body), astral body (or soul body), and human individuality ("I") (3);
Seven-year cycles: seven is one of the mythological numbers of Creation - in the Bible, the world was created in seven days. Similarly, human existence is subdivided into cycles of seven years (the seven-year cycles): from 0 to 7 years, 7 to 14 years, 14 to 21 years, and so on. Every seven years, something significant happens in the archetypal constellation of the person (3);
Zodiacal archetypes: Anthroposophy identifies the cosmic essence of the human being, relating it to the configurations of the zodiac. It is the duodecimal view of man and nature (3).
According to Anthroposophy, the four human characteristics that must be preserved and developed are: consciousness, self-consciousness, individuality, and freedom (5). These are the words of Rudolf Steiner: “Nature makes the human being a mere natural being; society, a being that acts according to laws; only he himself can make himself a free being.”
When a patient is evaluated by an anthroposophical physician, all these aspects mentioned are assessed, and treatment options are varied, including: natural medicines obtained from the three kingdoms of nature (mineral, plant, and animal) properly prepared and dynamized, artistic therapy, curative eurythmy, rhythmic massage, hydrotherapy, friction, music therapy, chirophonetics, etc. (5).
Numerous scientific articles have already shown the benefits of Anthroposophical Medicine. Cohort studies conducted in Germany, with an average duration of 2 years, involving patients with asthma (n=90), chronic diseases (n=665), migraine (n=45), and children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (n=61) confirmed the benefits of this medicine through symptom improvement and reduction of disease severity, associated with improved quality of life for patients. In these studies, the following treatments were used: medication, eurythmy, artistic therapy, and therapeutic rhythmic massage (6,7,8,9).
A review of the 265 clinical studies published up to 2011 concluded that, although the methodological quality varied among the trials, and some had limitations, most studies showed positive results, rare side effects, and high patient satisfaction regarding the outcomes (10).
It is worth noting that Anthroposophical Medicine is promoted and practiced in 56 countries, and its greatest expression is in Germany. To practice, physicians need conventional clinical training (with registration in the Regional Medical Council - CR), and specific complementary training in Anthroposophical Medicine in Brazil or abroad.
The area of Well-Being Sciences at Natura has a great interest in Anthroposophy, mainly because it is a science that considers the human being in its different dimensions, the integral human being, and even uses it as an epistemological basis for conducting some research in the area. The research conducted for the development of the massage gesture between grandparents and grandchildren, for example, encompassed knowledge about the seven-year cycles and rhythmic massage.
In the next post, we will talk a little more about this topic, with a novelty for the Blog: an interview with Dr. Marieta Marques – an angiologist and vascular surgeon trained at UNICAMP, with training from ABMA – SP (Brazilian Association of Anthroposophical Medicine) and biographical training from the Sagres Association in Florianópolis. We look forward to you sharing with us a bit of the experience of this excellent professional and charming person!
By knowing the world, the human being finds themselves,
And by knowing themselves, the world reveals itself to them.
(Rudolf Steiner, 08/17/1920)
Vânia Hercilia Talarico Bruno is a Pharmaceutical-Biochemist, with an emphasis on Food and Nutrition from UNESP and a postgraduate degree in Industrial Administration from Fundação Vanzolini - USP. A massage therapist trained by the Amor School (Association of Oriental Massage) and mother of Gabriel (3) and Guilherme (1.8). Currently, she dedicates herself to motherhood, studying philosophical themes, and providing services in Scientific Consulting.
Contact: vaniatal@yahoo.com.br
References:
1) Pope's first homily, available at: http://www.cnbb.org.br/site/imprensa/noticias/12468-primeira-homilia-do-papa-francisco-no-brasil-conservar-a-esperanca-deixar-se-surpreender-por-deus-e-viver-a-alegria,
2) MORAES, W. A. Anthroposophical medicine: a paradigm for the 21st century. 2nd ed. ABMA Brazilian Association of Anthroposophical Medicine; p. 61 - 62, 101, 35-145, 181-182, 327-328; 2007;
3) HEYDEBRAND, C. The animic nature of the child. Antroposophical Publishing Ltd, Ed. 2006, Reprint: 2011;
4) HAUSCHKA, M. Rhythmic Massage according to Ita Wegman: Fundamentals;
5) Content available at: http://www.sab.org.br/antrop/ANmainFrame.htm. Consultation on 07/27/2013;
6) HAMRE H, et al. Anthroposophic therapy for asthma: A two-year prospective cohort study in routine outpatient settings. Journal of Asthma and Allergy 2009:2 111–128;
7) HAMRE H, et al. Outcome of anthroposophic medication therapy in chronic disease: A 12-month prospective cohort study. Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2008:2;
8) HAMRE H, et al. Anthroposophic Therapy for Migraine: A Two-Year Prospective Cohort Study in Routine Outpatient Settings. The Open Neurology Journal, 2010, 4, 100-110;
9) HAMRE H, et al. Anthroposophic therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity: a two-year prospective study in outpatients. International Journal of General Medicine 2010:3 239–253;
10) KIENLE GS, GLOCKMANN A, GRUGEL R, HAMRE HJ, KIENE H. Clinical research on anthroposophic medicine: update of a health technology assessment report and status quo. Forsch Komplementmed. 2011;18(5):269-82;
*Quotes from Rudolf Steiner found on the website of the Anthroposophical Society: http://www.sab.org.br/steiner/afor-autod.htm;
