Biotherapeutic Drainage

Biotherapeutic Drainage

Biotherapeutic Drainage

Biotherapeutic drainage is a form of Biological Medicine.

Our bodies are influenced by environmental or exogenous (from outside the body) toxins as well as endogenous (from inside the body) toxins produced by human cells. Toxic material has detrimental effects on the body and leads to organ dysfunction and disease.

A toxin is anything that the body cannot use or causes harm to the body. Toxins can be from environmental sources such as chemical pollutants, pesticides, inorganic/organic wastes to food chemicals, preservatives, artificial flavouring and colouring agents. Toxins can also be created internally from waste byproducts.

Biotheraputic drainage seeks to repair the internal environment and have a positive impact on one’s health. The Biological terrain can be classified into 3 groups:

Lymphatic:
Although little is appreciated (and often ignored) by modern medical doctors, the body has a secondary circulation system called the lymphatic system which is critically important in eliminating toxins. The lymphatic system consists of over 600 collection sites which are called lymph nodes and a network of connecting vessels which are more numerous then the entire venous blood system. The lymphatic system also functions as the body’s primary immune defense mechanism. It is responsible for carrying disease fighting material to cells attacked by germs and transporting dead germs away. When the lymphatic system becomes blocked infection fighting material is prevented from destroying disease causing organisms and cell nourishing elements are prevented from reaching the blood. This affects cell functioning and can lead to lymph node swelling. Blocked lymphatics prevent the body from eliminating chemicals and toxins produced by cells and organs leading to toxin deposition in the body’s cells and tissues.

Blood:
Blood is the major nutrient carrying medium of the body and transports much needed oxygen to the cells of the body. Blood also exchanges oxygen for carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste products within all cells so it acts as a transporter of food and a remover of waste. The blood directly exchanges material with the lymphatic system so toxicity and blockage of one system will lead to disruption of the other.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM):
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex structural entity surrounding and supporting cells that are found within all tissues. Think of the ECM as the foundation that holds all the cells together. If the foundation is weak due to toxicity, nutrient deficiency or improper blood and lymphatic flow then the tissues begin to become dysfunctional. The ECM is often referred to as the connective tissue. The ECM is composed of 3 major classes of biomolecules:

  • 1. Structural proteins: collagen and elastin.
  • 2. Specialized proteins: ex. fibrillin, fibronectin, and laminin.
  • 3. Proteoglycans: these are composed of a protein core to which is attached long chains of repeating disaccharide units termed of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) forming extremely complex high molecular weight components of the ECM. Proteoglycans are covered in the section on Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans.

Biotherapeutic Drainage Remedies

Dr. Dickson Thom, ND, describes biotherapeutic drainage as the process of “opening the doorways of the body to remove unwanted waste.” Drainage remedies are remedies which promote the excretory functions of a particular organ or organ system. The goal in biotherapeutic drainage, and naturopathic medicine is to assist movement towards a higher state of health balance.

The reason this is necessary can be compared to repainting your car. Before you paint your car, you must first wash the car, sand the rust spots, repair the holes, tape the edges and then clean the surface again for painting. If you paint the wall before removing impurities, the finished job will be flawed and will eventually have to be re-done. The same is true for healing the body. The body must be able to remove toxins through the proper drainage channels before proper healing can begin.

The Unda, Reckeweg, Sanum, Pascoe and Heel remedies of our natural dispensary are considered biotherapeutic drainage medicines and are complex homeopathic formulations that originated in Belgium in the 1930s. Formulated on the basis of homeopathic, botanical, Chinese medicine and anthroposophical traditions, these powerful remedies are dilutions of plants, minerals and metals. The plants have an affinity for particular organ and tissue systems and are the “carriers” of the metals and minerals, thereby directing treatment to the appropriate system. The metals are in D6, D9 and D12 homeopathic dilutions that are compatible with intracellular concentration levels, thereby supporting various cellular functions and detoxification. As a result, these powerful and unique biotherapeutic drainage formulations have a deep effect on organ and tissue function and often work better than typical detoxifications.

Once there has been the gentle elimination of toxins, other therapeutic remedies are utilized to help achieve and maintain a level of optimal health. Drainage helps to start the process of cleansing and clearing tissues of toxic accumulations that will help you on your path to a higher level of health.

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