Oligotherapy is a holistic discipline that uses minerals to rebalance the “soil” of the organism . Let’s find out better.

>   What is oligotherapy

>   How does it work?

>   What ailments  does oligotherapy cure

>   For whom is oligotherapy designed

>   The law in Italy and abroad

>   Associations and reference bodies

What is oligotherapy?

The word oligotherapy comes from the Greek and means treatment with “oligos”, or “little”. In fact, oligotherapy is a natural therapy that makes use of some minerals with such a small molecular size that it makes them capable of dissolving completely in water. These substances present in reduced concentrations are also “trace elements” in our organism in a concentration lower than 0.01% of the total body weight. Minerals perform important functions regardless of their quantity, participating in the structure of organs and tissues, or acting as coenzymes that activate important biochemical reactions .Their deficiency induces physiological and structural alterations, therefore their contribution prevents or heals some organic imbalances deriving from their lack. Among the trace elements 15 are to be considered essential for the body. Of these, 4 are metalloids: Fluorine, Iodine, Selenium and Silicon. The other 11 belong to the group of transition metals, namely Cobalt, Chromium, Copper , Iron, Lithium, Manganese, Molybdenum , Nickel, Tin, Vanadium, Zinc. There are some trace elements which, although not considered essential, can perform a therapeutic activity and are: Aluminum, Silver, Gold, Bismuth, Germanium.

How does it work?

Oligotherapy is a therapy that works according to the mechanism of diathesis , or the four organic terrains defined in the 1930s by its inventor, the French doctor Jacques Ménétrier , considered the father of this discipline. It is a treatment that acts in depth, changing the terrain, that is, the nature of the patient; according to Ménétrier, it is only with the constancy of the intake of the various trace elements, which must in any case respect its own methods, times of intake and its own dosages, that healing can be generated. These diatheses correspond to conditions of the organism characterized by specific physical, intellectual and emotional components, specific to the subject. The four categories can be divided into birth diathesis (1st and 2nd) and involutionary diathesis (3rd and 4th), characterized by a deterioration of the cellular soil caused by a bad lifestyle and / or aging. Oligotherapy essentially treats areas compromised by one or more diathesis. There is a fifth diathesis , a condition that also reflects the so-called maladjustment syndromes, more specifically linked to hormonal disorders that can arise at any age. Diathesis can have a genetic origin or develop following conditions of particular psychophysical stress.Trace elements are found in homeopathic pharmacies and specialized herbalists and are sold in the form of single- dose vials or in 50 ml bottles. The intake, which requires the control of the naturopathic doctor, is done in the morning, strictly on an empty stomach, holding the liquid under the tongue for a minute, before swallowing.The treatments range from a minimum of 40 days to a maximum of 120 days, in the case of deeper problems, in which certain chemical reactions must be kept constant. Due to the high reactivity of trace elements, before and after taking (for 15 minutes) it is important not to drink, eat, smoke, brush your teeth and in general do not introduce any substance into the mouth that could interfere with their absorption via the sublingual mucosa.

What disorders does oligotherapy cure

The symptoms, suffering and pathologies that oligotherapy can cure can be identified by single diathesis:

• Allergic or arthritic diathesis: diathesis which includes all those disorders of a mainly allergic type. Manganese (Mn) is its bio-catalytic remedy. It is characterized at the psychoemotional level by the assumption of a behavior oriented towards optimism, emotionality and hyperactivity. While in the face of stressful situations, anger and irritation are manifested. The subject is usually lazy and in a bad mood, moreover he is asthenic in the morning but euphoric, tireless and in good shape in the evening. It will develop when its soil is altered, allergies of various kinds, asthma and food intolerance, circulatory and gastrointestinal disorders, hyperthyroidism.

• Hypostenic or arthrotuberculous diathesis: diathesis which includes in itself a predisposition to contract diseases characterized by relapsing infectious processes, affecting the respiratory system (cough and bronchitis), ENT (colds and otitis), gastrointestinal and even urinary (cystitis). Its remedy is Manganese-Copper (Mn-Cu). The person concerned is characterized by a calm, thoughtful and methodical behavior. It also has little resistance to intellectual or physical effort, therefore projected towards easy exhaustion and towards evening asthenia.

• Dystonic or neuro-arthritic diathesis : indicates that set of morbid tendencies generated by a dystonia of the autonomic system. Manganese-Cobalt (Mn-Co) is the remedy. As already mentioned, this diathesis is one of the “old” ones, because it tends to manifest itself after the age of 40. For this reason it can also be defined as “involution diathesis” since it appears following the symptoms of alterations in the first and / or second diathesis. The affected person is characterized by anxiety, morning asthenia, tachycardia and hypertension, insomnia, irritable bowel, gastritis, decreased memory and concentration capacity and mainly by progressive daily fatigue which manifests itself through a feeling of tiredness in the legs. .

• Anergic diathesis: diathesis definable as the most serious but also the “oldest”, because it concerns the compromise of the general state of health rather than localized disorders; characterized by an absent or very reduced reactivity of the organism. Its remedy is Copper-Gold-Silver (Cu-Au-Ag). Such diathesis is characterized by a lack of vitality, reduced ability to adapt and creativity. It can be mild and only transient when it comes to recovery periods after debilitating illnesses. Or it can be severe and chronic, when it is a prelude to degenerative manifestations. In this case, the subject progressively loses the intellectual faculties such as attention, the ability to coordinate, memory, and manifests an attitude of renunciation which leads to isolation and depression.

Who is oligotherapy intended for?

Oligotherapy is designed for all those people who want a deep, gentle, natural but lasting and effective cure for their more or less chronic symptoms. The recognition of one diathesis rather than another is determined through an in-depth interview and mutual collaboration with the person . The lack of trace elements found in the organism leads, over time, to the appearance of initially mild and minor disturbances, responsible for the drowsiness of some functions, such as glandular ones, for example; subsequently if the lack of minerals continues, the pathology deepens with organic damage and more relevant clinical pictures. We therefore range from hair problems to cellulite, premature aging of the skin, up to more consistent disorders such as digestive and stomach problems, anemia, states of psycho-physical imbalance such as depression and asthenia, asthma, allergies, rhinitis, eczema, urticaria, lowering of the immune system defenses, sexual dysfunctions , hormonal and metabolic imbalances. 

The law in Italy and abroad

Current oligotherapy is divided into: catalytic, nutritional, pharmacological. Oligotherapy is a natural therapy that can be used alone or together with other alternative therapies and medicines, such as homeopathy, phytotherapy and naturopathy ; who takes care of it is the figure of the naturopath. In Italy there is still no single and definitive legislation for naturopathy . However, there are legal ways to protect operators and users, projects and bills at various stages of validation. The situation is different in the other countries; if, for example, we dwell on the reality of naturopathy in Germany, we find a reality in which professionals are respected, therapeutic practice goes hand in hand with legislation and people’s needs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a document containing guidelines for naturopathy, where various areas are covered, including the training of practitioners in naturopathy.

Associations and reference bodies

Oligotherapy is considered to be part of naturopathy. In Italy there are many bodies and associations that deal with oligotherapy and that organize courses, conferences, meetings, for example Ain , the Italian Association for naturopathy. Just as there are universities, public or private, which include oligotherapy in their study plans, for example the Aicto Popular University .