Traditional Western Medicine in Munich

Traditional Western Medicine (TWM) refers to traditional European medicine. Its roots extend from the physicians of antiquity such as Hippocrates and Galen, through the monastic medicine of the Middle Ages, to modern times. Its basis was the theory of the four humours: according to this idea, a person stays healthy when the body fluids are in balance. TWM includes medicinal plants, dietary rules, an orderly way of life with exercise, rest and sleep, and eliminative methods such as bloodletting. The theory of the four humours is regarded as outdated today. Much experience with medicinal plants lives on, however, in modern phytotherapy. TWM is the European counterpart of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Prof. Schulte-Uebbing compared the two in a lecture: “Comparison of Traditional Western Medicine (T.W.M.) with Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.)” (University of Opole, 2013).

In the 12th century, Hildegard von Bingen was an abbess, scholar and practitioner of medicine. Her writings “Physica” and “Causae et curae” describe medicinal plants, foods and illnesses. Today's Hildegard medicine takes up this tradition, especially dietary rules, herbal preparations and the idea of due measure. Important for you: Hildegard's texts are a significant historical testimony, but not scientifically tested treatment instructions. Prof. Schulte-Uebbing therefore places them in a medical context. He has given numerous lectures and seminars on the subject, for example at international Hildegard congresses in Konstanz. One seminar was titled “Naturopathic and Medical Aspects in Hildegard von Bingen (Books Physica, Causae et curae, Scivias, Ordo virtutum)” (Munich, 2012).

In the article series “Integration of Traditional Western Medicine (TWM) into Modern Gynaecology”, Prof. Schulte-Uebbing describes how traditional principles can be combined with today's gynaecology. The articles appeared in 2023 and 2024 in the Journal of Applied Complementary Medicine. One part is devoted to cycle disorders, light menstrual bleeding (hypomenorrhoea) and absence of periods (amenorrhoea). Further parts show examples of Hildegard medicine for practice. He addressed hormonal questions such as progesterone deficiency and oestrogen dominance in the lecture “Endocrinological and Immunological Aspects of TWM (Traditional Western Medicine): Phytosterols, P Deficiency, E Dominance” (Konstanz, 2014). Phytosterols are plant substances whose structure resembles cholesterol.

Nutrition is a core area of Traditional Western Medicine. It stresses moderation and regularity, choosing foods according to tolerance and season, and avoiding foods that are hard to digest. In the Hildegard tradition, spelt plays a special role. Some foods are regarded there as so-called “kitchen poisons” that should preferably be avoided. On this, Prof. Schulte-Uebbing published, for example, “Nutrition Principles of Traditional Western Medicine (T.W.M.)” (Your Health, 2012) and “Foods and Kitchen Poisons” (CO MED, 2012). In the journal “Die Naturheilkunde”, “An Insight into Traditional Western Medicine – The Principles of a Healthy Diet” followed in 2022. We tailor nutritional recommendations to your findings, intolerances and preferences.

Phytotherapy, treatment with medicinal plants, also has its place in modern medicine. There are studies on some herbal medicines, but not on many traditional recipes. Medicinal plants too can have side effects and interact with medication, for example with hormone preparations or blood thinners. That is why we select herbal remedies under medical supervision and ask precisely about your other medication. The possibilities and limits of TWM were also the subject of a workshop by Prof. Schulte-Uebbing: “TWM (Traditional Western Medicine): Theory and Practice, Possibilities and Limits, Examples from the Gynaecological Consultation” (University of Warsaw, 2019). On phytotherapy he spoke, among other things, about “Traditional Western Phytotherapy, Examples from Gynaecological Practice” (Konstanz, 2010).