L
Law of Contraries The allopathic principle of
counteracting an ailment, for example, fighting a
fever by administering an antipyretic such as aspirin
and giving a cool bath. Ayurvedic medicine suggests
two treatment options: one based on the principles
of contraries—the cool bath to combat the temper-
ature—or the other based on the homeopathic prin-
ciple of similars (the Law of Similars), which entails
bundling up in blankets and drinking a hot bever-
age until the fever breaks. Each approach is valid,
but the choice of one or the other depends upon
other factors in the patient’s situation.
See also HOMEOPATHY; LAW OF SIMILARS.
Law of Similars The homeopathic principle of
treating ailments with like properties, such as treat-
ing frostbite initially with cold applications that
gradually become warmer. The idea is to trigger the
body’s innate adaptive response rather than shock
it with an opposite stimulus. Immunizations and
vaccinations are considered to follow the Law of
Similars because the injection of minute amounts
of the allergen or pathogen creates an immune
response in the body.
See alsoHOMEOPATHY; LAW OF CONTRARIES.
laying on of hands A healer’s use of touch for the
purpose of transmitting or transferring healing
energy to an individual. Many alternative and
complementary treatments include the laying on of
hands, such as chiropractic and Reiki.
See also BIOENERGETICS; FAITH HEALING; VIBRA-
TIONAL MEDICINE.
light therapy The use of full-spectrum, ultravio-
let laser light and color as treatment for depression,
chronic pain, and other problems, particularly
those caused by malillumination, which is now
linked with suppressed immune functioning, sub-
stance abuse, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, stroke,
alopecia, fatigue, skin damage, dental caries, anger,
and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Tibetan, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and other medical
practitioners throughout history have recognized
that each color—a product of light—has its own
transformational and healing characteristics and
may be directed toward physical, emotional, men-
tal, and spiritual healing. For example, green, asso-
ciated with the liver and gallbladder, is thought to
be a healing color that also evokes comfort, nur-
turing, stability, and balance and counters anger,
judgment, and criticism. Moods and performance
are influenced by the circadian rhythm, that is, our
work-sleep cycle in the course of the 24-hour day.
Superimposed on the daily cycle are other biologi-
cal cycles, such as estrus and, in animals, and diur-
nal or nocturnal lifestyle. winter hibernation. Also,
the substance melatonin, which is produced by the
body during hours of darkness, requires daylight to
keep it in synchronization with the real world.
Without daylight, the body adjusts naturally to a
25-hour rhythm, that requires light to reach the
eyes, which actually transmit not only images, but
fundamental environmental information that helps
regulate hormone levels. Although humans do not
respond to light as plants do, the need for sunlight
is crucial.
“Light therapy has now become an accepted form
of therapy, and a new ingredient of daily routine for
those who find relief from the symptoms,” writes
Michael A. Ferenczi in an essay online at http://www.
nimr.mrc.ac.uk/MillHillEssays/1997/sad.htm. “Treat-
ment is safe. There have been a few reports of
patients temporarily developing a mild form of manic
behaviour as a result of light therapy, and some inci-
dence of headaches, but these have disappeared after75