Dr John D. Millar BSc, ND, DHANP, CCH, Hom
Miasms, Nosodes and Epigenetics
An examination of Hahnemann’s miasmatic theory in light of the science of epigenetics, with an emphasis of non-classical nosodes in cases of suppression
Handouts
Presentation Clip
Abstract
Bio
One of the more contentious issues arising from Hahnemann’s work was his concept of chronic disease, and in particular his theory of miasma. Miasma was at the root of chronic disease and could be acquired or inherited. The idea that something could be inherited beyond the gene was contrary to scientific knowledge until 2003 when the human genome project was completed.
The science of epigenetics, a term coined by Conrad Waddington in 1942, describes and explains a group of phenomena that sound very much like what Hahnemann called miasma. Hahnemann, through meticulous observation and the use of inductive logic, grouped his miasms into three main groupings and later a fourth. Much of modern-day research into epigenetic confirms to some extent Hahnemann’s conclusions. However, while Hahnemann suggested that “animalcules” were are the base of some miasms, his understanding of modern-day bacteriology and virology was sorrily lacking and there is much to discredit within his miasmatic theory. However, is it the presenter’s position that his fundamental concepts are correct.
Basic Contentions of this presentation
- Miasms are a type of epigenetic alteration. These epigenetic alterations can be both acquired and inherited. Rather than talking about the miasma of psora, sycosis, syphilis etc, we should be talking about the epigenetics of psora etc.
- Homoeopathic remedies act at the epigenetic level. As chronic disease proceeds from the inside (genetic/epigenetic) outwardly to the symptomatic and pathological levels, changes of the epigenome are manifested.
- Dietary excess and deficiency, environmental toxins, emotional stress and trauma and the suppression of acute infections, all these produce epigenetic alterations (the inner root of chronic disease).
- The curative remedy(s) corrects these epigenetic (inner) alterations and nosodes make up a large group of these curative medicines.
Though the use of a series of case examples, and a review of the scientific literature, the presenter will demonstrate how contemporary nosodal remedies such as e-coli, pneumococcinum, chlamydia, candidinum etc can be used in the treatment of conditions that have been complicated and confounded by modern day suppressive therapies. As the epigenome has been altered, so these alterations are corrected.
John Millar received his Bachelors in Experimental Psychology from Trent University in 1978. He attended one year of pre-med studies at the University of Waterloo and then went on to the Ontario College of Natural Medicine (OCNM) where he graduated in 1988 with a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. He has studied homoeopathy throughout the world with the likes of André Saine, Jeremy Sherr, Vassilis Ghegas, Rajan Sankaran and others, receiving his Diploma of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians in 1999.
He has taught extensively, including 12 years as a clinical supervisor at Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and nine years at Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine (OCHM). He has been on staff at the Canadian College of Homeopathy and the American Medical College of Homoeopathy. In addition, he has taught and been a keynote speaker in his involvement with Homeopaths Without Borders (HWB) in Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
John has sat on the Board of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians, the Council on Homeopathic Education, and Homeopaths Without Boarders, where he was also the Executive Director of the North American branch and former President of the Canadian branch. From 2009-2014 he sat as a member of the Transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario. In the past few years, Dr Millar has been involved with developing core curriculum in homoeopathy and online courses and acts as a consultant to educational institutions.