Lanthanides and allergies

In November 2005 Jan Scholten's book "Secret Lanthanides" was published, in which he explains the significance of these new homeopathic remedies derived from contemporary, "secret" metals. They are particularly helpful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. During an international seminar in May 2006 Jan documented the use of the lanthanides in atopic eczema (neurodermatitis) with two paediatric cases that had been successfully treated with Neodymium carbonicum.

About 400,000 people in the Netherlands suffer from atopic eczema; that is about 2.5% of the population. This makes atopic eczema the fourth most common of the ten most frequent chronic conditions. In children it is, after asthma, the most important chronic disease.

• Foods that provoke allergies (cow's milk, eggs, nuts, fish) or factors that cause respiratory allergies (pollen, house dust mites, animal hair) etc.
• Psychosocial factors such as emotions, nervousness, stress
• Bacterial and viral infections
• Irritants such as cosmetics, soap, wool etc.
• External factors such as heat, cold, water etc.

Neodymium carbonicum
Carbon is an important substance in homeopathy for the treatment of skin disorders. It is present in some traditional, well-known skin remedies such as Graphites, Petroleum and Calcium carbonicum. Graphites ointment is known as a remedy for skin fissures and athlete's foot. Tar ointments are commonly prescribed for eczema.

Neodymium is a metal from the lanthanide series. The lanthanides are used for independent, precocious children who do not like to follow rules. They often have large eyes and take a very careful look at everything. Other indications supporting the choice of a lanthanoid are dyslexia, a strong craving for meat and problems following vaccinations.

After the seminar I prescribed Neodymium carbonicum a few times to children with atopic eczema, but without success. Only then did I realise that children who need Neodymium carbonicum have a father who is not present or is even entirely absent (the father figure is understood as a protagonist for carbon). Thus one little boy whose father was often absent due to work could be helped; even when his father was at home he was absorbed in his work, and the boy sighed, "I wish my dad were here more often!" I have also prescribed the remedy successfully to patients whose biological father was unknown.

Jan Scholten associates Neodymium carbonicum with the "unreachable father" who is unavailable and absent. Group 6 of the periodic table symbolises courage and the need to prove oneself. It also has a mysterious aspect: "to hide, to cover oneself, to keep secret" are words that describe this aspect. In response to the lack of paternal attention the patients take a hard path: "They become brave daredevils." They must prove to the world that they are independent and do not need a father to give them a sense of worth (carbon). It is as if their skin is a kind of armour behind which they hide their vulnerability. The skin becomes thicker, red, itchy and hypersensitive.

Irritable bowel
Another complaint for which the lanthanides can help is irritable bowel syndrome. Spastic colon and irritable bowel syndrome are just other names for the abdominal pain and the constantly changing stool patterns (alternating between diarrhoea and constipation) that belong to these complaints. As with atopic eczema, food allergies, psychosocial factors and bacterial or viral infections can play a role.
I was able to help a little boy who suffered from stomach pains and food intolerances with Europium phosphoricum. Europium is a lanthanide that suits highly intelligent children. This boy loved fish; he was rather restless and easily distracted. Repertorisation indicated Phosphorus as the remedy of choice: aversion to milk, craving for fish, bluish discoloration around the eyes, exam anxiety, concentration difficulties when studying.
This Europium phosphoricum child followed advice very attentively; he was probably the brightest child in his class ("clever little chap"). He had many plans, but when it came to turning anything into action he did not dare to try. One could describe his problem like this: too clever (stage 9), rote learning at school (Phosphorus), fear of losing face (stage 9) in front of his class (Phosphorus), being misunderstood (stage 9) by classmates and teachers (Phosphorus). This boy had large eyes, was independent, and had the aura of a New Age child — all indications for the lanthanides and reasons for choosing Europium, stage 9 of the lanthanides.

The lanthanides are new to homeopathy. It is to be expected that in future they will prove useful not only in autoimmune diseases but also in allergies and hypersensitivities where a kind of hyper-reactivity of the immune system plays a role. The following scheme shows the transition between allergies and autoimmune diseases:

Type 1: Mast cells bind the antibodies IgE and thereby release mast cell mediators such as histamine, which induce an allergic inflammation. The reaction occurs after about 20 minutes. Testing is by blood test for IgE (RAST test), skin test, elimination diet. Examples: anaphylaxis (fainting and shock); atopy (asthma and eczema); food allergies; drug hypersensitivities; hay fever.

Type 2: An antibody (IgG or IgM) is directed directly against antigen-bearing cells. This can induce cytotoxic reactions or the killing of cells by stimulation of killer cells, as can occur after a blood transfusion with an incompatible blood group. The reaction occurs after several hours. Examples: autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (destruction of red blood cells); myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness due to disturbed nerve-to-muscle signal transmission); pemphigus (blistering of the skin); drug hypersensitivity.

Type 3: Immune complexes (antigens together with IgG or IgM) that deposit in tissues. This attracts leukocytes and leads to local tissue damage and inflammation. Occurs after 6 to 8 hours. Examples: polyarteritis nodosa (inflammation of the arteries); post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney's filtering system); systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease).

Type 4: Antigen-sensitised T cells produce cytokines that cause local inflammatory reactions, e.g. after organ transplants. Occurs after 48 to 72 hours. Examples: nickel allergy, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease.

This article appeared in abridged form in the Dutch journal "Homoeopathy", 2/2008

Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Categories: General
Keywords: Lanthanides, autoimmune diseases, allergies
Remedies: Europium phosphoricum, Neodymium carbonicum