By
Maria Teresa De Donato,
PhD, RND, CHom
Despite
all the similarities that we share as human beings, be it within the
same ethnic group or even family, we find that there are,
nonetheless, plenty of biological differences which all contribute to
make each of us a unique Universe, quite different from all the rest.
Each medical system has come up with its own classification and way
to identify people according to their own constitutional type each
including not only genetic, inherited traits, but also specific
emotional, mental and psychological states.
Ayurveda,
the Indian holistic healing methodology which is some 5,000 years old
and is known as the oldest health care system, recognizes three
constitutional body types: vata, pitta and kapha,
respectively representing the force or movement, the biological fire
and transformation processes, and the supportive structure. Each
type is associated to specific physical features, emotional and
mental characteristics, attitude towards life, way of expressing
oneself, sleep pattern, social skills, and body system(s) and
its/their consequent activity. According to Ayurveda, although each
individual may manifest several characteristics belonging to a
specific category and, consequently, be identified as primarily
either vata, pitta or kapha type, the true of the matter is that all
of us – to an extent or the other – are generally a combination
of them. This proves that
Ayurveda does understand that the uniqueness of each and every single
individual is quite a complex and very articulated phenomenon
characterized by the blending of components each of them contributing
in distinct percentage, quality, and to various degrees to the
formation of different people.
The
understanding of Homeopathy of Constitutional Type, however, goes far
beyond these notions. Homeopathy recognizes constitutional type as
depending on specific physical features, temperament, emotional
response and mental attitude, along with genetic factors, miasmatic
aspects which constitute the underline cause of chronic diseases, but
also, and more importantly, sees the term 'constitution' as a way to
describe both the persons' state of health, including all inherited
and acquired characteristics, and their mental and emotional state of
wellness. In so doing Homeopathy transcends all other alternative
disciplines by acknowledging the fundamental role that the vital
force exercises in the life and, consequently, in the physical,
mental and emotional well-being of each and every single individual.
In
this regard Homeopathy has always played a revolutionary and unique
approach to the concept of Constitutional Type: it has fully
comprehended that the term 'constitution' and its inner implications
must be regarded as the consequence of the quantity, quality and
activity of the 'life force' that animates the body. This implies
that when referring to 'constitution' from a homeopathic perspective,
we are referring to dynamic energy, to something that is by nature in
perpetual movement and subject to many changes, modifications and
transformations within the same body in the course of its life.
Hence, depending on the strength and ability of the life force itself
to counterbalance potentially harmful viruses and bacteria, stress
factors and/or pollutants and to help the body to repristinate a
state of order and equilibrium at all levels, each individual may be
identified -- at any given time and throughout his or her life --
with a different kind of constitutional type and cured by the most
appropriate remedy representing him/her at that specific time
(Arsenicum, Belladonna, Lachesis, Sepia, etc.).
For
further details about how Homeopathy might help you no matter what
your circumstance is, you can visit the following links
or contact me at info@dedoholistic.com
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