Homeopathy-related Approaches

These include medicines whose manufacturing instructions are regulated in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (German Homeopathic Pharmakopeia - GHP or Homöopathisches Arzneibuch - HAB), but which are not diagnosed and used according to the homeopathic principle of individualised single remedy prescriptions (see concept of individualisation).

The pharmaceutical drugs presented serve as illustrative examples without claiming to be complete. They are not listed for advertising purposes or as treatment recommendations. In case of illness, the appropriate medical expertise should be consulted.

Homeopathic complex remedies

Homeopathic complex remedies were developed out of the desire to enable indication-based prescriptions for homeopathy. Complex remedies are mixtures of at least two, usually several individual remedies in the same or different, but usually low potencies up to D12. In some cases, the individual remedies are also potentised together.

Application is based on clinical indications rather than on the principle of similarity through individual case analysis. Instead, the ingredients are intended to exert a broad effect on various points of action related to the local symptoms. Often, the mixtures are also based on empirical values, the so-called proven indications.

Companies: Madaus, Hevert, Biologische Heilmittel Heel, Meta-Fackler, Pascoe, DHU, Pflüger, Regenaplex, Weber & Weber, etc.

Typical preparations and preparation groups: Oligoplexe, Sinusitis Hevert, Calmvalera, Traumeel, Neurexan, Metavirulent, Lymphdiaral, Klimaktoplant, Pflügerplexe, Sinuvowen, Otovowen, Regenaplexe

The manufacturing process is regulated in the HAB. From a legal point of view, these are therefore homeopathic drugs with a pharmacy obligation.

Homeopathic single remedies with approval

There are also approved homeopathic single remedies with defined indications.

Examples:

Nux vomica D6 DHU - for diseases of the digestive organs.

Rhus toxicodendron D6 DHU - for diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Biochemistry according to Dr Schuessler

Founded by the homeopathic physician Dr Wilhelm Schuessler (1821-1898). According to Schuessler, health complaints are caused by an imbalance in the mineral balance. The total of 12 biochemical functional remedies and their 12 supplementary salts are intended to improve the absorption and distribution of the required minerals in the organism and thus stimulate self-regulation.

Schuessler salts are prescribed according to pathophysiognomics (face diagnosis) and generally indication-related based on the physiological functional concepts of the salts. The potencies D6 and D12 are used both individually or as complex remedies (e.g. "Magnesium phos. Pentarkan DHU"), ointments also in potency D4.

Companies: DHU, Pflüger, Orthim, Bombastus, Adler (Austria), JSO and others.

Preparations: Biochemie Pflüger® No. 3 Ferrum phosphoricum, Magnesium phos. Pentarkan DHU

The manufacturing process is regulated in the HAB, which is why they are formally homeopathic drugs.

Spagyric

Spagyric remedies differ from homeopathic remedies in the way they are prepared. Through a defined process of separation and subsequent recombination of the various starting substances, the effect of the resulting remedy is intended to be differentiated and enhanced.

Plant, mineral and animal substances are used as a starting point, prepared and mixed according to strict rules, regardless of whether they are selected according to indication or individual criteria. The hypothesis of efficacy is partly based on:

the alchemy of Paracelsus,
the doctrine of the elements,
the doctrine of signatures, and
concepts of humoral pathology.

The remedy is intended to stimulate vitality and activate the organism's self-healing powers.

Companies: Soluna, Phylak Sachsen, Heidack (Switzerland), Spagyros (Switzerland), Phoenix, Pekana

Typical preparations: Solunats, Phoenogripp, Phoenoven, Opsonate

The manufacturing process is regulated in the HAB (manufacturing regulations 25, 26, 54a, 54b, 54c), which is why they are formally homeopathic drugs.

Anthroposophic medicines

The development of anthroposophic medicines goes back to the spiritual scientific findings of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) in the development of anthroposophy from 1901 onwards.

Anthroposophy explains its concept as an extension of conventional medical methodology based on scientific methods.

The spiritual-scientific philosophical approach of anthroposophy pursues the concept of existing formative processes of Gestalt and constitution in space, time, inner and outer world relationships as well as cognition as the basis of the meaningfulness of existence itself.

Expanded concept of substance in anthroposophy

The chemical structure of a remedy is only one level. According to the anthroposophical concept, the absorption of the medicine into the organism has further dimensions of processing, which bring the substance to life in the way of Gestalt-forming.

Based on the model of Gestalt-forming processes, these also exist in the mineral, animal and plant kingdoms and can act in a concrete Gestalt-forming relationship to the human organisation.

The fact that there are natural medicines that intervene in the natural processes of human development and their control and organisation according to the lock-and-key principle and stimulate them to self-organisation is based on this dialogical relationship.

Companies: Wala, Weleda

Typical preparations: Aconitum pain oil, Euphrasia eye drops, Cantharis bladder globules velati, Agropyron globules velati; Infludoron, Cardiodoron (prescription only)

E.g. Neurodoron - areas of application according to the manufacturer:

"According to the anthroposophical understanding of man and nature. This includes: Harmonisation and stabilisation of the structure of the being in cases of nervous exhaustion and metabolic weakness, e.g. nervousness, anxiety and restlessness, depressive moods, convalescence, headaches." (Source: https://www.weleda.de/produkt/neurodoron-tabletten-gx0020 Date: 12 June 2025; transl. by the author)

The manufacturing process is regulated in the HAB, which is why they are formally homeopathic drugs.

Sources and references

The basic sources listed here reflect the current status of the individual subject areas as further basic literature. In addition, there are many other compendia and lay literature published by manufacturers.

Casagrande, C. (2019). Spagyrik: Nach Alexander von Bernus (4th revised and expanded edition). Haug reference book.
Feichtinger, T., Mandl, E., & Niedan-Feichtinger, S. (2017). Handbuch der Biochemie nach Dr Schuessler: Grundlagen, Materia medica, Repertorium (6th revised and expanded edition). Haug Fachbuch.
Kienle, G. S., Kiene, H., & Albonico, H. U. (2006). Anthroposophische Medizin in der klinischen Forschung: Wirksamkeit, Nutzen, Wirtschaftlichkeit, Sicherheit ; mit 82 Tabellen. Schattauer.
Roemer, F. (2018). Therapiekonzepte der Anthroposophischen Medizin: Stufenpläne mit Differenzialdiagnostik (2nd updated and expanded edition). Thieme.
Sahler, A. M. (2003). Therapiekonzepte der Anthroposophischen Medizin: Stufenpläne mit Differenzialdiagnostik. Plum.
Soldner, G., & Stellmann, H. M. (with Bartram, U., Huber, B., & Madeleyn, R.). (2018). Individuelle Pädiatrie: Leibliche, seelische und geistige Aspekte in Diagnostik und Beratung: anthroposophisch-homöopathische Therapie (5th, completely revised and expanded edition). Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.

Authors: sfm, glt | Rev.: glt, sfm | Editor: pz | last modified June 12, 2025