Massimo Mangialavori et al. - Milk Remedies

In the introductory chapters to this beautifullywritten book, Massimo Mangialavori and his collaborators Krista Heron,John Sobraske and Betty Wood outline the structure and methodology theyhave adopted to present their material. They state that complexity theory informstheir work, a form that being associative and emergent (coming into existence),rather than causal and linear, suits this presentation in particular, andindeed, homeopathic thinking in general; it fits like a glove fits a hand.Categorizations do not follow taxonomy or DNA mapping, but rather associativepathways that are much more complex, based upon a lifetimes homeopathicexperience.

I would like to write a few words about Massimo. Hisname translates as massive work eater, and it is true, Massimo Mangialavorihas never shirked work, or shied away from commitment and deep thinking. Bothhis volume of output and his relentless striving for excellence attest to this.He has also never backed down from pursuing highest ideals, staying true tohimself, his friends, colleagues, patients and students at all times.

This book is undoubtedly a master-work. There aremany golden nuggets in it! The clinical approach to homeopathic understandingis fundamental, for, as Massimo discusses and explores, it is only throughremedy usage that the genius of a medicine is fully revealed. A proving givesus symptoms and rubrics from which repertorisations may follow, and a signature gives us an overall intuition about the nature ofthe remedy, but only repeated clinical usage can highlight a remedys healinggenius, then providing the prescriber with the most reliable guidance for itsemployment. To do this, cases that have remained unswerving (that is to say,have returned to their remedy upon relapse over a sustained period of time) arecited.

Reading Massimos cases is never arduous. Hechronicles carefully, so that the patients soul is revealed. Furthermore, thisis achieved in an apparently charmed manner. Indeed, charm is intrinsic to theentire process, is central to both the witnessing of the patient and theuncovering of what is salient. What do I mean by this? I mean Massimo has thegrace to be there with the patient in a manner that does not intrude with hisagenda, but that flows with associations that arise from the case-giver and areattended to with compassion by him, the witness. This is an art that isportrayed in every case given in this book.

From the presented case material and the evidence ofthe outcome, it becomes clear what the remedy (through the patient) is teachingus. A distinctive remedy voice becomes apparent that is described in depth anddetail. In the case of Milk remedies, they reach us though our heart, becausethey are particularly resonant. Milk is our primary nutrition, and throughsuckling the breast, our bond with mother and indeed, our species istransmitted. It is the receptive, civilizing influence that sets the individualwithin the wider context. Herein lies a possibility for primary conflict,should lactation be disrupted, of pitting self against society. This is notonly true for Lac humanum, but also,more or less, for all Milk remedies. They are a family of remedies within whichwe can easily find states corollary to our own. Through studying them to thedepth that this

book presents us with, we gain not only newunderstanding of individual medicines, but also a deeper insight intoourselves.

Misha Norland

July, 2015