The Theory of Plants

Jan Scholten 15/01/2015

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Introduction

The theory of plants is a systematisation of the plant kingdom, as I have already described in my book 'Wondrous Plants'. This theory has for the plant kingdom the same significance as the theory of the elements has for the mineral kingdom: it is a systematic recording of all the plants known to us. One can compare this system with a navigation system and understand it as a guide in the proverbial jungle of the plant kingdom. It helps us to get to know the herbal remedies better and to develop a deeper understanding of the relationships between remedies.

The theory of the elements

To understand the theory of plants, one must know the theory of the elements with its corresponding series and stages. The systematic recording of all elements found there describes them with regard to their position in the periodic table: the corresponding series and the corresponding column. The rows (series) give us a description of the theme present, i.e. they explain in which area the problem lies. The silicon series, for example, has a lot to do with relationship problems and contains the major "relationship remedies" such as silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine. The columns (stages) describe a person's subjective experience in relation to their problems and how they approach them – are they rather hesitant or do they act decisively?

The theory of the elements is easy to explain: each element or atom has two aspects – a series and a stage. The underlying order can be easily represented using a table, a two-dimensional diagram. With the salts the matter becomes a little more complicated, because in these cases two elements meet and one is dealing with two series and two stages. Nevertheless, it can be captured without difficulty in a graphical representation.

The theory of plants

The systematics of plants are more complex than the theory of the elements. While the periodic table of the elements can be presented in a two-axis format, i.e. an overview chart, the more complex structure of the plant kingdom calls for several dimensions. The central structure of the theory of the elements – the series and stages – is retained, but is supplemented by phases and subphases (see also below). For this reason we do not present the structure of the plant kingdom two-dimensionally, but in the form of a tree, which of course comes very close to the nature of this theory. Each "main branch" of the tree represents a series of the periodic table, e.g. the carbon series or the silver series, and is numbered accordingly. Each further branching of the tree also receives a number and so on until the last "leaf" – the genus. Thus we have a sequence of 6 numbers, read consecutively, which guide us to find the placement of the plant in the system.

The "main branches" of the tree correspond to the phyla (divisions), which are described as follows:

Branch 1: divides the plant kingdom into 7 phyla or divisions, which correspond to the 7 series:

1. Hydrogen series: red and brown algae

2. Carbon series: green algae

3. Silicon series: Bryophyta, mosses, liverworts, hornworts

4. Iron series: Pteridophyta, spore-bearing plants such as ferns and Lycopodium

5. Silver series: Gymnospermae (naked-seeded plants), i.e. pines and cycads (Cycadales)

6. Gold series, lanthanides: Angiospermae (flowering plants)

7. Uranium series: fungi

A large proportion of the plants we use in homeopathy come from the division of angiosperms, the flowering plants, which are represented in the system by the first digit 6. In most cases this number plays no role. The plants in this division represent the currently highest stage of development and have a direct connection to our era. All other divisions can be considered remnants of the past, reminding us of the age of the dinosaurs or even earlier. Plants from these divisions are indicated only in special situations.

Let us take the example Tradescantia virginiana (spiderwort), for which we also present a case study in this issue: the numbering of the plant is 633.46.13, the first digit 6 stands for the phylum, or the division of flowering plants.

Branch 2: The next branch corresponds to the classes, a subordinate rank to the division.

The classes correspond to the series as we know them from the periodic table. The corresponding themes are taken up here in a more refined manner. One can describe it as a fractal structure, composed of several reduced copies of itself. It is not only about single series, but about strata in which all preceding series unite. Take for example the Magnolianae: there we find the themes of the carbon series and the hydrogen series. In the Malvanae, on the other hand, the themes of the hydrogen series, the carbon series, the silicon series, the iron series and the silver series are contained.

In the division of flowering plants the series are assigned as follows:

1. Hydrogen series: Amborellanae

2. Carbon series: Magnolianae

3. Silicon series: Lilianae, the monocotyledons

4. Iron series: Fabanae, eurosids I, including Proteales, Sabiales, Trochodendrales, Buxales, Gunnerales, Vitales

5. Silver series: Malvanae, eurosids II, including Saxifragales, Geraniales, Myrtales, Santalales

6. Lanthanide/Gold series: Asteranae

7. Uranium series: not yet known

The second digit in our example Tradescantia virginiana is 3: 633.46.13. The digit 3 in second place means that the plant is assigned to the Lilianae and that the themes of the first 3 series are represented: hydrogen series, carbon series and silicon series. This digit is of central importance. It leads us to the main problem of a case, i.e. to the corresponding series. One reads the tree diagram from the bottom up and can thereby work out at which level the problem is situated, i.e. which series is being addressed. In other words: this allows the exclusion of certain groupings – classes. If, for example, no aspects of the lanthanides are found in a problem situation, then the Asteranae can be excluded. If no themes of the silver series are recognisable, the Malvanae are not an option, etc.

Branch 3: Subdivision of classes into subclasses

The classes are – similar to the divisions into classes – subdivided into subclasses. For this purpose, as with the divisions, the series are also used in order to name distinctions. At this point it becomes apparent which series the emphasis is on.

The Lilianae, for example, can be subdivided as follows:

3.1 Silicon, Hydrogen: Acoridae, Acorus calamus

3.2 Silicon, Carbon: Aridae, the Araceae family (arum family)

3.3 Silicon, Silicon: Liliidae, a large part of the monocotyledons

The third digit for Tradescantia virginiana is also a 3 - 633.46.13. The 3 in third place means that the emphasis is on the third series, i.e. the silicon series. We can also recognise themes of the carbon series, such as money worries and health problems, but the emphasis is on issues of relationships and family.

Branch 4: The subdivision of subclasses into orders using the phases.

The "phases" are a new concept, which is, however, directly connected to the periodic table of the elements. The phases correspond both to the botanical rank of orders and to the 8 columns as found in the first series of the periodic table (carbon series and silicon series). Here we see the progressive development in a person's life according to their position within the social structure. Phase 1, for example, corresponds to the elements lithium and sodium: one is at the beginning and is still far from being a component of the group. Phase 4 stands in the middle and corresponds to the elements carbon and silicon, both of which have a fixed place in the group. As in column 10 of the periodic table, one is very aware of one's own position there. Phase 7 can be compared to fluorine and chlorine and roughly corresponds to the feeling of stage 17 – feeling expelled from the group. In the theory of plants there are only 7 phases and not 8 stages as in the carbon and silicon series. Column 8 is the column of the inert gases, i.e. the unreactive gases or noble gases, which do not exist in the plant kingdom. In the plant kingdom everything revolves around growth and reaction; there is no corresponding "inert" state.

A subdivision of the subclass Lilianae into phases (orders) reads as follows:

1. Alismatales

2. Dioscoreales

3. Pandanales

4. Commelinales

5. Asparagales

6. Liliales

7. Orchidales

The fourth digit in our example (Tradescantia virginiana) is 4 – 633.46.13. A 4 in fourth place means that the plant is assigned to phase 4, i.e. the order Commelinales. This assignment shows that these people have a sense for stability and loyalty, that things are rather rigid and should remain so. For Tradescantia this theme relates to their relationships; they place great value on stability and firm relationship structures. They feel most comfortable within their family and are very loyal to it.

Branch 5: Subdivision of orders into botanical families according to the subphases.

The term "subphase" is also new and represents a further subdivision of the phases, comparable to the smaller twigs of a tree. As with the phases, there are 7 subphases here as well, which relate to the concept of family in the botanical sense. A subphase raises the phase to another level and allows for finer differentiation. At this point we examine a person's subjective experience in detail. We look at how the person experiences their position within their social structure. With the phases, by contrast, we consider the situation as it actually is. In our example case of Tradescantia virginiana the patient occupies a central role within the family and expresses the opinion that a relationship should last forever (phase 4). Her subjective experience (subphase) of the situation is quite different: she feels exploited and taken advantage of (633.46.13). Subphase 6 corresponds very closely to oxygen and sulfur, both of which are in stage 16 of the periodic table, where one feels used, abused, taken advantage of and believes one must give more than one receives and therefore feels excluded. A Tradescantia patient quickly feels exploited in relationships with friends or partners.

The Commelinids are divided into subphases as follows.

1. Cyperaceae

2. Poaceae, the grasses

3. Dasypogonaceae

4. Arecaceae; the palm family

5. Zingiberales

6. Commelinales

7. Bromeliaceae

In our example of Tradescantia virginiana (633.46.13) phase 4 is combined with subphase 6. Phase 4 means that the patient actually wishes for a stable and long-term marriage or relationship, but is insecure and has the feeling that the relationship is already half over (subphase 6).

Phase and subphase often blend together because they are so closely interwoven. In all situations, in all group dynamics, both aspects play a role, which often leads to conflicts. At times phase and subphase can hardly be separated because they convey the same information, only in different ways. The difference is that the phase is something more fundamental; it shows how the situation really is or how it should be, for example that someone is actually the head of the family. The phases represent a deep-rooted, central delusional idea. The subphases show us how the affected person feels in their situation, why something is not as it should be, as in our case where the patient expresses the feeling that her relationship is already half over, that she no longer "properly belongs to the family".

Branch 6: Subdivision of families into genera and species according to the stages.

Each botanical family can be divided into 17 stages, corresponding to the 18 stages of the periodic table (stage 18, the column of the inert gases, is not considered in the theory of plants). Using the stages one can distinguish the genera of a family; it is as if one were taking a closer look at the individual leaves of a tree. One can compare it to a differentiation of the families using the miasms, but the stages are more precise in application and lead us directly to the remedy.

Some families have only a few stages, seven or even only one. For example, the Acorales have only one genus, namely Acorus.

The final number in the numbering of Tradescantia virginiana is 13 – 633.46.13. The number 13 in sixth place means that Tradescantia is in stage 13. They are bitter and angry but cannot express their anger and must keep their rage to themselves most of the time. Tradescantia feels exploited in a relationship and would like to end it, but feels bound and is generally very loyal. At the same time they feel unable to vent their anger and prefer to suppress their feelings.

Development

The theory of plants is based on the APGIII classification (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III). The classification of angiosperms according to APGIII is considered the most modern tool for the systematic recording of the plant kingdom and examines the affiliation of individual plants using DNA analysis. It is recognised by many scientists as the most reliable method currently available. But even the APG3 classification does not follow the rigid rules of the periodic table. It is still in development, as can be seen from the fact that the research group's publications are continuously updated.

Although the theory of plants largely relies on the APG3 classification, there are clear deviations. These deviations are mostly insignificant and are not in conflict with the findings of APGIII, for example when groupings need to be merged or split. In some cases, however, entire groupings have been moved and, over time, it will become clear which placement is best suited to our purposes.

The naming of the groups is strongly oriented towards the APG3 classification, particularly with regard to the families and orders. Groupings of higher ranks, such as classes and subclasses, do not necessarily correspond to the APG3 classification.

Lily; Russavia; Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license