Clinical research in anthroposophic medicine.

Altern Ther Health Med. 2009 Nov-Dec;15(6):52-5

Authors: Hamre HJ, Kiene H, Kienle GS

Anthroposophic medicine includes special medications and special artistic and physical therapies. More than 200 clinical studies of varying design and quality have been conducted on anthroposophic treatment. Half of these studies concern anthroposophic mistletoe therapy for cancer. Clinical effects of mistletoe products include improvement of quality of life, reduction of side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, and possibly increased survival. Apart from cancer therapy, the largest studies of anthroposophic treatment have been 2 naturalistic system evaluations: In German outpatients with mental, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and other chronic conditions, anthroposophic treatment was followed by sustained improvements of symptoms and quality of life. In primary care patients from 4 European countries and the United States treated for acute respiratory and ear infections by anthroposophic or conventional physicians, anthroposophic treatment was associated with reduced use of antibiotics and antipyretics, quicker recovery, and fewer adverse reactions; these differences remained after adjustment for relevant baseline differences.

Dr.Steve's BOTTOM LINE: Anthroposophical medicine is a holistic approach to medicine, with origins in the 1920s, which focuses on strengthening individual ability to fight disease, heal and maintain health. It's an extension to conventional Western medicine which seeks to find the imbalance in individuals and employs treatment strategies intended to restore this balance, including homeopathy and restricted conventional use of antibiotics and other "standard" medications. There are hospitals around the world, including the USA, which support his approach and, as this article notes, this is based in substantial evidence of efficacy. The problem is that the evidence ranges from good to mediocre. However, the idea bridges conventional and homeopathic principles.