Similar Thought

Joseph Kellerstein, DC, ND

Geraldo is 55 years old and of Spanish descent. He is tall and has an athletic build – an imposing presentation. His intake form does not list any chief complaint.

The Case

Geraldo speaks openly and comfortably:

“I am a relaxed person but I feel a kind of anxiety. I am getting older. I have worked for 30 years in the same firm. What’s next? After all, my peers are retiring. Perhaps it is a question of being able to fill the time.”

I asked him to describe his anxiety.

“It is a tension across the chest. It seems better when I am occupied.”

He also gets pain in the hip region, which is worse from lying on the painful side.

Reflecting further on aging, he says, “It is always a concern that I will be left alone. Will I have enough money to support the family? This is major. I do see what it is like. My parents are older.”

Geraldo continues: “I like it cooler, but in general I adjust to temperature well. It has not changed. I do sweat a lot from the armpits, going to work.

“My eating is routine, healthy. I have an aversion to slimy textures. I do like salty flavors.

“In general, my nature is to show control. I am not emotional. I do not verbalize anger. I keep emotions inside.

“Some time ago my wife noticed a Peyronie’s curvature in my penis. It is substantial. For the past year my sex drive has been down. I do not react as fast in sexual situations. My erections are not as hard. It seems to me that my penis is smaller. It is, however, very sensitive, and there may be premature ejaculation.

“For the past year, I’ve felt very tired despite good sleep.”

Repertorization & Remedy

The rubric “hypochondriasis” was used in my analysis, not because of undue concern over health, but rather in the broader meaning of great concern over his general condition and of preoccupation with his future.

Geraldo is very reserved with his emotions, in general, and especially when upset. He likes salt and is averse to slimy. This makes me consider Natrum muriaticum.

On consulting the chart, we see only 2 remedies that have all the features: Lycopodium and Nat mur (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Repertorization

(Source used for repertorization was George Dimitriadis’ edited version of the TBR2)

On reading about Nat mur in Allen’s materia medica, we find the following under “Systemic, Genitalia, sexual desire diminished”:

Lack of erections (first day)

Voluptuous irritation suddenly while sitting, disappearing on walking about

The sexual desire was unusually weak during the whole proving

Coition weak; emission speedy, and rather cold (seventh day)

This sounds quite similar to my patient.

Plan: Natrum muriaticum 30C, 2 pellets once daily

Two-Month Follow-up

At his follow-up appointment 2 months later, Geraldo reported that his erections were definitely “better” and that there had been no premature ejaculation. He also reported increased stamina. Perspiration in the axillae was even far less. His tiredness had persisted.

Plan: Continue Nat mur for 2 more months and follow progress related to his tiredness

Closing Comments

This is a very routine case. And I think it demonstrates the immense utility of homeopathy in naturopathic practice. When practiced according to Hahnemann, nothing we do is actually more scientific than this. Nothing is more precise. It is evidence-based and more.

The trend we see these days towards marginalizing homeopathy in our schools is regressive and very harmful to our profession. In fact, it strikes at the heart of our holistic tradition.

Joseph Kellerstein, DC, ND, graduated as a chiropractor in 1980 and as an ND in 1984. He graduated with a specialty in homeopathy from the Canadian Academy for Homeopathy, and subsequently lectured there for 2 years. He also lectured in homeopathy for several years at CCNM; for 8 years at the Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine; and for 2 years at the British Institute for Homeopathy. Dr Kellerstein’s mission is the exploration of natural medicine in a holistic context, especially homeopathy and facilitating the experience of healing in patients.