Direction of Cure - What is it?
The Direction of Cure is based on Dr. Constantine Hering’s Law of Cure which is an observable healing process that we look for to tell if there is genuine healing taking place, and not merely palliation or suppression of symptoms. In other words, we homeopaths look at the direction of your symptoms to tell us whether you are getting better, or if things are being driven deeper into the body.
The 4 principles of Hering’s Law of Cure are:
From Within Outward - healing starts with vital organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys and moves towards less vital organs like the skin or your extremities.
For example: a person’s asthma improves, while a temporary return of eczema flares up.
From Above Downward - symptoms improve from head to feet.
For example: A headache improves before leg pain disappears.
From More Important to Less Important Organs - diseases affecting vital organs like the liver or heart will heal first, while less important organs like the skin or joints may show symptoms temporarily.
For example: A heart condition improves before joint pains subside.
In Reverse Order of Symptom Appearance - symptoms disappear in the reverse order of their original occurrence.
For example: A person with a history of asthma after their eczema was suppressed with steroids, will see the asthma clear first.
Sometimes after taking a homeopathic remedy, the body responds with a fever and we understand this as a positive sign of healing. This reflects healing From Within Outward.
Understanding, monitoring, and working with the body’s Direction of Cure is vital in homeopathic treatment and is an integral part of genuine healing, and it’s also why we ask for regular follow-ups.