Perhaps it's because I'm a mother who raised three boys myself. Or it may simply be due to observations I made as a former feminist that I now see somewhat differently. But have you noticed that men have been losing out over the past ten years? I have.
There are, for example, support programmes specifically aimed at making it easier for girls to access the sciences; large companies are required to commit to a women’s quota, while men receive little attention; and then there is the way the education system deals with boys' behaviour in our schools. Boys are expected to behave more like girls.
It saddens me that we do not sufficiently celebrate true masculinity and instead shame men and expect them to "chick-a-fy", as we Americans put it. Indeed, in Western countries the tide turned in favour of women decades ago. That is why I sometimes wonder how women's support programmes affect men.
There is a difference
In case anyone has missed it: men are different from women … and — if I may say so — wonderfully different! I encounter these differences every day in my practice. Although the homeopathic remedies I prescribe are not always gender-specific – arthritis can be treated with Rhus toxicodendron whether it affects a woman's finger joints or a man's knee – there are major differences in remedy selection for men and women. Men and women differ, for example, in their emotions and hormones. Allow me to elaborate. If a woman feels emotionally upset because she feels overwhelmed by her duties as a mother, the problem is often resolved with Sepia 200 or Ignatia 200. More information on dosage and potency can be found here. But when a man is overwhelmed by his responsibilities, the remedy Aurum metallicum 200 often helps.
The gold medal for men
Aurum metallicum (homeopathic gold) is a good choice because men often work in very demanding positions that call for a stoical demeanour. Aurum can be the homeopathic saviour when these stresses lead to depression and a feeling of being overwhelmed. Roger Morrison writes in his Handbook of Pathology for Homeopathic Differential Diagnosis about Aurum metallicum: "The patient feels no connection to life and exists in a dark and isolated void." People who need this remedy report an irresistible urge to avoid their responsibilities. This is often accompanied by chronic fatigue. Even when a man is solely chronically exhausted, this remedy can help.
Interestingly, Aurum metallicum ranks first when it comes to the loss of male sexual performance. It is given for low sperm count, lack of libido and impotence. In addition, homeopathic gold is one of the best remedies for angina pectoris and particularly for emotional- and anxiety-related palpitations that worsen at night. It is not uncommon to find this long list of complaints in the same man. Taking Aurum metallicum 200 every other day over a period of several weeks often brings such a man back into balance.
Homeopathy for hidden grief
Another remedy that can help with men's worries and distress is Staphisagria. In today's times of high unemployment, when women often find jobs more quickly, many men spend months or even years at home after losing their work. This demoralising state can trigger silent grief. Even when they do find another job, the psychological strain can leave these men more susceptible to physical complaints and constant emotional restlessness. Such suffering is palpable and not infrequently ends in depression, self-disgust and shame. Staphisagria 200 can help these men become more optimistic so they can find the right path in life. In my experience, taking the remedy once daily is sufficient, for days, weeks or even months if necessary. It rebuilds the patient and gives hope and confidence in a better future.
Can these remedies also be indicated for women? Certainly they can. But men suffer differently from women.
Homeopathy and male fertility
Take disorders of the reproductive organs as an example: prostatitis — an inflammation of the prostate — occurs very often in older men and can be successfully treated with the homeopathic remedy Thuja occidentalis. Time and again it has been shown to reduce the inflammation and resolve urinary retention. It is also helpful for many other male-specific complaints. Dr William Boericke writes in his Handbook of Homeopathic Materia Medica: "Pain and burning around the neck of the bladder, accompanied by frequent and urgent urination. Prostate enlarged." Thuja occidentalis is also a principal remedy for men who have been vaccinated very frequently, e.g. men who served in the armed forces.
This reminds me of Albert, whom his doctor told that his prostate was so enlarged it had to be treated to avoid a possible cancer in the future. An interesting side note is that Stanford University writes on its website under "Pelvic Pain Help": "Most men whom we diagnose with prostatitis are Type A personalities — successful, intelligent, ambitious and responsible." These facts were probably hardly considered by the doctor who prescribed Albert antibiotics, although he had not found a bacterial infection. Albert used his Type A personality to look for a smarter solution. He came across Thuja occidentalis 30 and took it intermittently for about two months twice daily. In addition, he took Sabal serrulata D6 each day shortly after taking the Thuja.
The second night after starting the two remedies was of particular significance for Albert, because he slept through the night without having to go to the toilet three or four times as he used to. Having no experience with homeopathy, he considered it a coincidence. In the following week the constant feeling of sitting on a rubber ball subsided and urgency and dribbling were noticeably reduced. He was so enthusiastic that he told his brother, who had the same problems and subsequently was able to treat them successfully with Thuja occidentalis 30 and Sabal serrulata D6.
A gesture of appreciation
Although as a society we have been fighting masculinity for decades, I do not worry about men. Fundamentally, I am firmly convinced that men are naturally strong. How else could they have sailed the seas, crossed the skies, built aeroplanes and composed great symphonies? Furthermore, they have repelled all hostile forces for the benefit of their families and communities. As a token of my appreciation, I would like to give the sex that has achieved so much the gift of tiny homeopathic globules. I believe they deserve our great respect and our care. That is the least I can do as a woman to express my gratitude.
Warmly,
Yours,
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This article first appeared in Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts, a quarterly journal of the Weston A. Price Foundation in Winter 2016.
