What is Artemisia?

Artemisia

Association for Anthroposophical Health Professionals

Artemisia is an association dedicated to work in the healing arts in the light of anthroposophy. Our members include doctors, nurses, and therapists of many kinds who integrate alternative methods into their professional practice. Anthroposophical medicine offers a holistic patient care just as the more widely known ayurvedic or traditional Chinese medicine. A physician, nurse, or therapist who has first trained in modern conventional methods may extend their theory and practice drawing from the insights of spiritual science. There are many anthroposophical hospitals and clinics worldwide, the most developed being in Switzerland, Germany, and Holland. In America there are office practices in many states, several multidisciplinary clinics, and access to hospital care in a few areas. The anthroposophical approach to understanding illness and healing was inaugurated by Dr. Rudolf Steiner and Dr. Ita Wegman in the 1920's. They recognized that a real human medicine could only exist with modern understanding of the metaphysical. You might be familiar with other fields of human endeavor enriched by Rudolf Steiner, including education (Waldorf schools), agriculture (Biodynamic farming), and architecture (organic functionalism). Specific therapies utilized include plant and mineral medications, sometimes potentized as in homeopathy, nursing applications including compresses and baths, as well as patient education in home remedies, child care, etc. There are many movement, massage, speech, and art therapies. Counseling and seeing the meaning or context of an illness in an individual's life is often considered in the anthroposophical approach. Our speaker's bureau offers a group of experts in their field who can competently share their expertise with audiences of diverse backgrounds. Topics can be specific, such as holistic approach to treating middle ear infections or depression, or care of the dying or the newborn, or they can be general such as an introduction to anthroposophical medicine or nursing care. "Hands-on" workshops are available and our speakers have a reputation for their lively style. Artemisia works in cooperation with the Medical Section of the School of Spiritual Science at the Goetheanum in Switzerland. We sponsor conferences and publish a professional's directory and a quarterly newsletter. Affiliated professional organizations that serve individual professions include the Anthroposophical Nurses Association of America (ANAA), Physicians' Association for Anthroposophical Medicine (PAAM), Rhythmical Massage Therapy Association (RMTA), Association for Anthroposophic Art Therapy in North America (AAATNA) and Association for Therapeutic Eurythmy in North America (ATHENA). Please feel free to visit these organizations using the links located below.