G

galactagogue A substance or agent that stimu-
lates the secretion of milk.

Galen, Claudius Greek physician and writer
(129–ca. 199) and founder of experimental physi-
ology whose theories on medical practice were
acclaimed during the Middle Ages and the Renais-
sance and are still considered pivotal in medical
history. The distinguished Galen served as chief
physician to the gladiators in Pergamum, after
which he went to Rome to be admitted to the court
of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Aurelius Verus.
Later he became physician to Commodus, son of
Aurelius. One of Galen’s ideas was that light and
darkness could affect one’s mental state: “The color
of the black humor induces fear when its darkness
throws a shadow over the area of thought,” he
wrote. He is also believed to have said, “He cures
most in whom most are confident,” referring to a
mind-body influence on healing and the relation-
ship between healer and patient.

gan In traditional Chinese medicine, the term
designating herbs that are sweet-tasting, such as
gan mao ling, prescribed for the initial symptoms of
a cold.

Gandhi, Mohandas K. (Mahatma) Leader of the
Indian nationalist, nonviolent movement against
the British and known as father of his country
(1869–1948) who championed the integration of
mind, body, and spirit. For example, he believed
exercise was as necessary to the quality of life as
air, water, and food and that lack of exercise
affected the mind as well. Called the Mahatma, or
Great Soul, Gandhi greatly influenced political, lit-
erary, ethical, and spiritual thinking throughout
the world.

Gattefossé, René-Maurice The French chemist

who coined the term aromatherapyin 1937 and

developed it as a method of healing. After he

burned his hand while working in his family’s per-

fume laboratory, he put his injured hand into

lavender oil, which reduced the redness and helped

stimulate healing of the area. This gave Dr. Gatte-

fossé the idea to explore curative properties of

other fragrant substances.

See also AROMATHERAPY; ESSENTIAL OILS.

generals In homeopathic medicine, the counter-

part of particulars, or symptoms that are expressed

in terms of “I am,” which refer to the whole person.

See also HOMEOPATHY.

Gerson therapy The German physician Max Ger-

son (1881–1959) in the 1930s immigrated to the

United States and developed nutritional treatments

for diabetes, migraines, tuberculosis, and cancer.

Born in Wongrowitz, Germany, and considered a

humanitarian physician, Gerson treated Dr. and

Mrs. Albert Schweitzer for diabetes and other prob-

lems, believed that a low-salt vegan diet; additional

fruit and vegetable juices; various supplements

such as iodine, niacin, potassium, and pepsin;

detoxifying coffee enemas; and enzyme therapy

could both prevent and eliminate cancer. His meth-

ods proved successful for patients in various stages

of melanoma; survival rates studied in 153 of Ger-

son’s cancer patients were higher than those of

patients receiving conventional treatment for

melanoma. Gerson’s daughter, Charlotte, and her

staff continue his work at The Gerson Institute, in

Tijuana, Mexico. Gerson organizations are the Max

Gerson Memorial Cancer Center of CHIPSA, 670

Nubes, Playas de Tijuana, B.C., Mexico; the Gerson

Research Organization, 7807 Artesian Road, San

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