Constantine Hering

Although of German descent, Hering is known as the "Father" of American homeopathy. Before emigrating to America, he had studied the writings of Hahnemann in order to "disprove" the legitimacy of homeopathy. Hering is the author of the popular classic: The Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica.

"With every breath I take I cherish the memory of my fatherland. Never have I forgotten it, for a moment. No one knows what he loses when he leaves the land of his birth, a stranger in a strange land; I bore it all for the sake of homeopathy. This, now, is the country of my children."

— Constantine Hering

Constantine Hering was born on January 1, 1800, in Oschatz, Germany. This very notable birthday could certainly be considered the foretelling sign of a man destined to be of great contribution to the new century. He is respectfully considered to be one of the founders of homeopathy in America.

While attending Leipzig University, in Germany, Hering was the student assistant of a doctor who had been asked to write a book to disprove the legitimacy of homeopathy. However, the doctor's busy schedule forced him to refer the project to his assistant, who eagerly accepted the assignment. Hering ardently studied the writings and teachings of Samuel Hahnemann, known as the "founder" of homeopathy; and expanded his research by conducting experiments and repeated provings.

Hering had a dramatic change of heart when he received successful homeopathic treatment for a wound that had become inflamed and seriously infected. After this experience, he decided to quit his job and leave the University.

Hering went on to become highly influential in the expansion of homeopathic studies; and he is known for making many great contributions, including observations of the healing process, known as "Hering's Law of Cure".

Hering observed that the body seeks to externalize disease, noting that symptoms will surface as part of the curative process.

According to one of Hering's "laws", a person's symptoms will appear and disappear in the reverse order of their appearance upon the body. Thus, a patient might re-experience symptoms during the healing process.

Another observation was that the body heals from top to bottom, and from more vital organs to less vital organs.

These guiding principles are used in helping homeopaths to understand whether a patient's health is improving or deteriorating.

Among his other contributions to homeopathy was Hering's discovery, during a trip to South America, of the important remedy Lachesis, the bushmaster snake.

Hering used nitroglycerine for heart problems 30 years before it was used in conventional medicine. Ironically, he died suddenly of a heart attack while returning from a house call to a patient.

Hering's motto was: "The force of gentleness is great." Further Reading:
If you appreciated this article, you can learn more about Hering's contribution to the Homeopathic Materia Medica in this article:

Hering's Guiding Symptoms

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