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Anthroposophy and anthroposophic medicine have been in the world since before former Harlem councilwoman Mariah Stokes declared it as her doctor daughter’s newfound love and calling in 2018. Dr. Tilda Stokes Johnson used anthroposophic medicine to heal residents and immigrants in Harlem, much to her mother’s dismay. The latter at first wanted her to be a more conventional doctor. But what are anthroposophy and anthroposophic medicine anyway? Mere herbal treatments? Hoodoo-voodoo? Don’t worry; the answers will be coming up faster than Luke Cage can say, “Sweet Christmas.”
Anthroposophy Explained
Anthroposophy is a human-oriented spiritual philosophy that Rudolph Steiner mainly developed between the end of the 1800s and the start of the 1900s. It reflects on human beings’ basic artistic needs, their need to relate to the world without a purely scientific mindset, and their need to freely develop a relationship with the world based on completely individual judgments and decisions. It also seeks to answer humanity’s deep spiritual questions. Anthroposophy is also “an impulse to nurture the life of the soul in the individual and in human society.” Followers of anthroposophy believe people must nurture their respect for and interest in others on a purely human basis that isn’t dependent on their place of origin and personal views and opinions.
It is a path of spiritual knowledge or research and can also be called spiritual science. It is an effort to develop natural scientific methods and spiritual-scientific research based on ideological traditions that led to the development of modern science. Certain applications of anthroposophy are biodynamic farming, anthroposophic education, and anthroposophic medicine.
Anthroposophic Medicine?
Anthroposophic medicine is founded on evidence-based medicine and adds an anthroposophic, or total wellness-centered, understanding of the human being and the world. It is integrative medicine that focuses on practices and products that can help boost the human body’s natural healing process in an increasingly over-medicated society – most of its medicinal products are organic and naturally sourced. In 1920, anthroposophic medicine was started by physician Ita Wegman MD and the founder of anthroposophy Rudolf Steiner Ph.D. Although the branch of medicine has faced controversy for its anti-vax sentiments and almost purely plant-based treatments for diseases, it has since been continually developed and improved. Anthroposophic physicians, pharmacists, and therapists work to support the whole human being, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. This branch of medicine is more patient-centered, enriching and supplementing diverse applied medical disciplines such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, and psychiatry. Regenerative medicine can also be supplemented by anthroposophic medicine. Shaman Total Wellness sounds like a good name for such a clinic. Both branches of medicine are currently practiced in many hospitals, private practices, and therapeutic centers worldwide.
One can learn about anthroposophy and anthroposophic medicine in more than one way. Their interdisciplinary nature is so because they are committed to being scientifically and clinically verifiable, on the one hand. Yet, on the other hand, they aim to integrate a rich understanding of the inner soul and spirit of the human being. Therefore, we can consider anthroposophy and anthroposophic medicine from various disciplines’ points of view, including practical uses in the healthcare industry, complementary therapy, and spiritual healing.
Author’s Bio:
Though not a medical professional, Hodge Racter knows a lot about medical topics, including regenerative medicine and total wellness that treats people from the inside out. Today, he remains spry and energetic despite his age, and when he’s not doing freelance work, he’s having quality time with his wife and two dogs.