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Direction of Cure in the homeopathic literature generally refers to a grouping of three philosophical concepts:

1) Symptoms that first appeared in a certain chronological order disappear in the reverse order,

2) Deep psychological symptoms and symptoms involving bodily functions essential for survival improve first, followed by improvement in the other symptoms,

3) Symptoms located closer to the top of the head improve first, and symptoms located lower in the body or closer to the ends of the limbs improve later.

Origin

Constantine Hering described these concepts in his 1845 foreword to Samuel Hahnemann's Chronic Diseases. James Tyler Kent popularized the terms "Hering's Law" and "Direction of Cure" to describe the grouping of these three concepts. These concepts are often referred to in homeopathy books with the phrases, "reverse order of their appearance," "from innermost outward," and "from above downward".

Current use

In the homeopathic literature, the first concept is generally described as useful for evaluating the action of a homeopathic remedy. This can apply to individual symptoms or sets of symptoms. In individuals whose current set of symptoms are different from symptoms that occured in the past, improvement of current symptoms first would be considered correct direction of treatment.

In the homeopathic literature, the second concept is generally described as essential for evaluating the action of a homeopathic remedy. Initial improvement in deep psychological symptoms, the endocrine system, and vital organs, followed by improvement in other organs, is considered to be correct direction of treatment. Initial improvement in superficial symptoms such as skin eruptions, without improvement in vital organs, the endocrine system or psychological symptoms, is considered to be incorrect direction of treatment. Decrease or elimination of a discharge from any body part, without improvement in general health, is considered to be incorrect direction of treatment.

The third concept is also described in the homeopathic literature, occasionally with anecdotal evidence. However, its philosophical utility is questioned by some homeopathic practitioners.

These three concepts have not been critically evaluated in indexed peer-reviewed medical journals.

Further reading

• Winston, Julian. The Faces of Homeopathy. Tawa: Great Auk Publishing, 1999.
• Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1892). "Hering, Constantin" . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.