Editorial: Amazing Insects

Insects rank among the most successful creatures on Earth. Ten years ago, there were approximately 750,000 named insect species. Today, that number is over 1,000,000. According to a recent article in Scientific American, entomologists estimate that there are likely over eight million different species. Some scientists approximate that there are over 200 million insects for every human on the planet.

Homeopathy utilizes only a handful of the enormous number of insect species in the world. Clearly, we have much work to do with this pervasive and relevant resource. In this edition of Interhomeopathy, we proudly present a new addition to our materia medica with the proving of the Leaf Footed Bug or Acanthocephala terminalis by Patricia Maher.

Insects perform a vast number of important functions in our ecosystem. They aerate the soil, pollinate blossoms, and control insect and plant pests. They also decompose dead materials, thereby reintroducing nutrients into the soil. Burrowing bugs, such as ants and beetles, dig tunnels that provide channels for water, benefiting plants. Bees play a major role in pollinating fruit trees and flower blossoms. Gardeners love the big-eyed bug and praying mantis because they control the size of certain insect populations, such as aphids and caterpillars, which feed on new plant growth. Finally, all insects fertilize the soil with nutrients from their droppings.

The relationship between an insect and its environment can be seen in the curative properties of homeopathic remedies. We offer two articles exploring this phenomenon about Doryphora (Colorado potato beetle)and its relationship to the Solanaceae family. Nancy Fredrick presents a wonderful case of a child with a “potato head” and Marty Begin compares three successful cases.

An intriguing homeopathic perspective of this group of remedies is the relationship of insects to their nests and spiders to their webs. Matilde Flores presents a new proving of Vespula Vulgaris Nest and Carol Jones an acute case of Vespa vulgaris. Side by side, the two articles show the difference between the characteristics of the insect itself and its home, where themes of sexuality and security are prominent.

Rounding out this great group of offerings is a striking case of Praying Mantis illustrating a fascinating, if gruesome, characteristic of the insect: killing their mate! Marty Begin gives us a better understanding of his well-known proving of Lamprohiza splendidula; the magical firefly.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Interhomeopathy. Best wishes to all for a wonderful summer!

References:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect
www.riverdeep.net