I came across a little article by the homeopathy firm Boiron. Normally, I would not mention such promotional literature, but this one is special. Here it is:
These days, leaving home is an exercise in mental fortitude with trying to remember your mask, packing enough hand sanitizer, and taking a host of other precautions. Our daily routines have been upended, leaving us on high alert. As each day brings a new set of challenges — like hybrid learning or work closures — it’s easy for our confidence and self-esteem to take a hit.
If these feelings begin to hold you back, health professionals like Heidi Weinhold, ND, recommend turning to Gelsemium sempervirens. “I think of this remedy whenever I need help facing my fears,” she says.
Dr. Weinhold recommends Gelsemium sempervirens 30C for anyone experiencing nervousness from anticipatory or situational stress. “For college students, that could mean test anxiety before an exam. Some of us are having fears of getting back on a plane or flying, or even going to the grocery store and shopping.”
Gelsemium has a long history as a stress reducer. According to Dr. Weinhold, this remedy was found in Civil War first aid kits where it was used to help give soldiers courage before walking on to the battlefield. Now Gelsemium, too, can help you face your battles and provide you with the strength to persevere through tough times, she says.
Click here to watch this video featuring Dr. Weinhold explaining the uses and benefits of Gelsemium sempervirens.
The short article begs, of course, many questions. What, for instance, is Gelsemium sempervirens? It is a plant sometimes used as a folk remedy for various medical conditions. It looks a bit like honeysuckle but is quite toxic due to the alkaloids that it contains.
Is there any evidence that Gelsemium sempervirens is effective for any condition? No! But that does not matter in the context of homeopathy because a C30 potency would not contain a single molecule of the plant anyway.
And who is Dr. Heidi Weinhold? According to her own website, she
received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Washington & Jefferson College. Dr. Weinhold completed a four-year doctoral program in Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. Her studies included drug-herb interactions, homeopathic intakes, dialoguing with physicians, and incorporating natural modalities to enhance conventional treatment. Dr. Weinhold spent 9 months doing supervised clinical rotations through Arizona Pathways, a drug Rehabilitation Community Center, where she provided Naturopathic support to individuals recovering from addiction. In 2013 she received the Alumni Award from Southwest College in recognition of her contribution towards the advancement of Naturopathic Medicine. In 2017, Southwest College further honored Dr. Weinhold by bestowing upon her an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
From 2008-2016, Dr. Weinhold served as the legislative chair for the Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians (PANP), working with legislators to promote legislation to license Naturopathic Doctors in Pennsylvania. A giant step towards this effort was achieved with the passage of House Bill 516 in 2016. HB 516 provides title protection and registration for Naturopathic Physicians graduating from accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. Full licensure efforts are currently underway. Dr. Weinhold received the 2017 Physician of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Fascinating! I am particularly interested in her studies of drug-herb interactions, homeopathic intakes, dialoguing with physicians, and incorporating natural modalities to enhance conventional treatment. So I looked her up on Medline: nothing! Heidi has not a single publication in her name.
Now, that’s surprising. It could mean that her studies were too important to be published and the findings are still top secret. Dr. Weinhold has received a prestigious award for advancing naturopathic medicine; it, therefore, stands to reason that we can very soon expect the announcement of a major breakthrough regarding the medicinal powers of homeopathic Gelsemium sempervirens preparations that are devoid of any molecules of Gelsemium sempervirens.
I for one am looking forward to it.
13 Responses to Boiron, Gelsemium sempervirens, and an award-winning naturopath
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Many speakers on medical subjects are not reseachers themselves, but they do report on research. This may explain why Eddie doesn’t find published studies by this naturopathic physician.
For those people who are interested in reviewing some scientific literature on Gelsemium, you may enjoy some of the links below, especially the first link that shows some gene expression effects from this plant, including its 30C doses.
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-14-104
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-010-1855-2
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/362517/
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2011.00031/full
thanks for yet again demonstrating that you are unable to understand my perfectly logical argument.
I checked out your first link. Please explain the relevance of a report on the effects of a 2C dilution of this plant on neuroblastoma cells in a lab.
Just in case my friend Dana is too busy for replying: it approaches zero.
I don’t know how the general public in the USA can have any confidence in the educational system. Degrees are handed out like popcorn. Just about anything can be called a university. Anyone can call themselves `doctor’, especially as the legislators are as ignorant as they are.
Yep, USA leading the way in legitimizing quackery!
“Dr. Weinhold recommends Gelsemium sempervirens 30C for anyone experiencing nervousness from anticipatory or situational stress.”
You easily recognise the highly individualised approach of homeopathy to find the proper remedy that fits the patient in all her bodily, mental and spiritual aspects.
I am very partial to Gelsemium as a remedy. In my very first homeopathy class I was extremely skeptical, of course, as everyone is when first encountering homeopathy after being weaned on the mechanistic paradigm as we all are. I was extremely jet-lagged after a 13 hour flight from Australia. The teacher mentioned Gels as one of several possibile cures for jet-lag. I started reading about the various remedies. And I got to Gels and read “foggy hazy vision”. I realized that on top of all the common symptoms of jet-lag (fatigue, sleep disruption, etc.), that I was experiencing this peculiar fogy hazy vision. Despite my skepticism I decided to try it. When it hit my tongue my vision cleared and all the common symptoms lifted as well, quite to my surprise.
Lots of evidence in the homeopathic literature for the use of Gelsemium for many conditions. Lots of cured cases. Only takes some curiosity and willingness to experience it for yourself, to lift your own skepticism.
have you considered becoming a stand-up comedian, Roger?
Edzard, have you considered actuallly experiencing homeopathy instead of writing about it from your llimited understanding?
oh Roger, not again!
@Roger
Well, I experience homeopathy every day. Not only do I take multiple doses of water every day, I even apply it topically on a daily basis on many parts of my body.
And you know what? It keeps me alive, vigorous and refreshed. So yes, I can recommend this to everyone! Thank you Roger, for enlightening us about these wonderful lifesaving and hygienic properties of homeopathy!
Play-medicine.