What is Pleomorphism?

by James Mattioda, Licensed Pharmacist and Homeopath

The idea that bacteria and other micro-organism can change their form and adapt to their environment is not new. While the germ theory (mono-morphism) proposed by Louis Pasteur has become the dominant theory, it was continually challenged in his day (and today) by a polymorphic school of thought.

Pleomorphism (poly or many forms) believes that humans host primal micro-organisms which can change in form though environmental influences like nutrition and acid-alkaline imbalance. Allopathic medicine (antibiotic therapy) rests in mono-morphism, which assigns only a single form and function to micro-organisms and does not recognize the ability of these germs to change their growth and development. Thus pleomorphists believe in fundamental adaptability in bacteria, yeast, and fungus and that these micro-organisms can abruptly change from a friendly form to a potentially disease-producing form depending on the nutritional environment of its human host.

Building on research of Pharmacist Antoine Beauchamp, German researcher Gunther Enderlein devoted his life work to proving pleomorphic theory and to developing isopathic/homeopathic medicine. Enderlein discovered in 1916 that primitive micro-organisms prepared in a homeopathic remedy, when combined with a change in the nutritional status of the body, could induce the disease-causing forms to return to their original non-pathogenic state, which then leave the body through the natural organs of elimination.

Enderlein devoted the bulk of his scientific work to the complex question of symbiosis, which he described as a mutually beneficial arrangement between the friendly forms of microbes and its human host. However, the capacity for regenerating symbiosis is usually weakened through unhealthy lifestyles. This weakened state allows the independent development of parasitic forms of the same microbe to grow unchecked. Enderlein explained that these more developed forms have complex metabolism that produce toxins harmful to the body fluids and functions. These disease processes make themselves known as functional disturbances and may manifest as headaches, high or low blood pressure, lack of appetite, diarrhea, food cravings, fatigue, depression or poor memory.

Disease, however, also indicate healing processes, which attempt to return a disturbed symbiosis to the original healthy condition. If the inner balance is damaged resulting in disturbance in the acid-alkaline equilibrium through environmental toxins, constant infections or psychological depression, our self-healing forces may be incapable of restoring us back to balance.

As already mentioned, fluctuations in blood acid-alkaline equilibrium give support for the development toward parasitic germination and for diseases. Many of civilization's diseases today are conditioned by poor nutritional habits. Excessive protein intake and poor digestive function can produce a pathological acid-alkaline imbalance, which can create a low defensive factor. These are criteria for metabolic imbalance and bio-chemical disturbance, the condition for parasite development.

Isopathic/homeopathic medicines are not directed at disease or its symptoms, but they support the body's own capabilites for regeneration and genuine healing processes.