Quickie: Obstacles to Cure
A really beautiful little phrase: Obstacle to cure… which means quite simply that something is getting in the way of your ability to feel well.
Homeopathic medicines are incredibly powerful and can work really well despite any roadblocks we may put in our own way. However, once in a while we homeopaths are met with a client who is not getting to the point of wellness which they would like and often there is something in their daily lives that is getting in the way.
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was a pretty clever fellow and his words from more than 200 years ago still hold true today. Let’s look at aphorism 77 from his Organon of the Medical Art: (see also: the Organon). (Note, I have inserted my thoughts in italics beneath the good doctor’s words.)
§77
“Diseases caused by continual exposure to avoidable noxious factors are not true chronic diseases. Health returns spontaneously when the obstacle to cure is removed, provided there is no chronic miasm in the body. Those diseases are improperly called chronic that are suffered by people who:
continually expose themselves to avoidable malignities
food allergies or sensitivities
that harsh soap provided at your place of employment that keeps your hands perpetually cracked and miserable
medications (take a look at Drugs.com and sneak a peek at the side effects of any over the counter or prescribed meds you may be taking*)
shampoos, lotions, cosmetics
laundry detergent
repetitive strain injuries
habitually partake of harmful food or drink
good, fresh food is so important!
alcohol**
is that afternoon espresso what is actually keeping you up at night?
abandon themselves to intemperances of all kinds, which undermine health
get some sleep! (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 2022)
moderation is, generally speaking, a good thing
undergo prolonged deprivation of things that are necessary for life
extreme diets (Mohan and Joshi 2018)
sunshine (Alfredsson et al. 2020)
hydration (NCOA 2024)
sleep
live in unhealthy places (especially marshy areas)
if your environment isn’t working for you, maybe it’s time to consider a move
reside only in cellars, damp workplaces or other confined quarters
living with mold/mildew? (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2024)
suffer lack of exercise or open air
move your body! (Booth et al. 2012)
get some sunshine
deprive themselves of health by excessive mental or bodily exertions
all work and no play does you no favors; your mind, body and soul need rest
conversely, depending on your circumstances, punishing yourself physically with regular grueling exercise may have negative consequences
live in constant vexation, etc
chronic, severe stress can have serious long-term effects on health (American Psychological Association 2024)
These kinds of ill-health that people bring upon themselves disappear spontaneously under an improved lifestyle, provided no chronic miasm lies in the body. These cannot be called chronic diseases.”
I shall now return to the last few days of my vacation. Carry on. 😎
Julia Coyte, CHom
Classically Practical homeopath
#wellness awaits
* If you are suffering side effects from medications, work with your physician to find an alternate solution.
** I haven’t read this book and I have no affiliation with it or the author, but I know a good number of people who have read it and have consequently happily given up alcohol in their lives: Alcohol Explained: Understand Why You Drink and How to Stop by William Porter.
Reference list
Alfredsson, L., Armstrong, B. K., Butterfield, D. A., Chowdhury, R., de Gruijl, F. R., Feelisch, M., Garland, C. F., Hart, P. H., Hoel, D. G., Jacobsen, R., Lindqvist, P. G., Llewellyn, D. J., Tiemeier, H., Weller, R. B. and Young, A. R., 2020. Insufficient Sun Exposure Has Become a Real Public Health Problem. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [online], 17 (14).
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2024. Toxic Mold Syndrome: Separating Fact from Fiction [online]. Aaaai.org.
American Psychological Association, 2024. Stress Effects on the Body [online]. American Psychological Association.
Booth, F. W., Roberts, C. K. and Laye, M. J., 2012. Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases. Comprehensive Physiology [online], 2 (2).
Cleveland Clinic, 2024. What is overtraining syndrome? [online]. Cleveland Clinic.
Colten, H. R. and Altevogt, B. M., 2019. Extent and health consequences of chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders [online]. nih.gov.
Drugs.com, 2025. Prescription drug information, interactions & side effects [online]. Drugs.com.
Hahnemann, S. and Wenda Brewster O'reilly, 2001. Organon of the medical art. Kindle. Palo Alto, Ca: Birdcage Books.
Mayo Clinic, 2023. Chronic stress puts your health at risk [online]. Mayo Clinic.
Mohan, V. and Joshi, S., 2018. Pros & cons of some popular extreme weight-loss diets. Indian Journal of Medical Research [online], 148 (5), 642–647.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2022. How Sleep Works - Why Is Sleep important? [online]. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
NCOA, 2024. The National Council on Aging [online]. www.ncoa.org.
Porter, W., 2018. Alcohol explained. Lexington, Ky: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.