According to Rudolf Steiner's teachings, anthroposophical medicine divides the human body into the physical body, the etheric body, the astral body and the ego body. This division corresponds to the elements water, air, earth and fire. When a person is healthy, there is complete balance between the four elements. If the balance is disturbed, illnesses arise.

 

The etheric body determines breathing and circulation.

 

The astral body and the ego body act on the nervous and sensory system.

 

The physical body and the etheric body determine the movement and digestive system.

 

A distinction is made between two main groups of diseases:

 

Degenerative diseases.

If the atrial body dominates, wear and tear diseases develop. These degenerative disorders also include immune deficiencies, overstimulation, exhaustion, concentration disorders, anxiety and insomnia.

 

Inflammations and febrile illnesses.

Anthroposophy states that if the musculoskeletal and digestive systems are predominant, net diseases and febrile illnesses develop. This also includes the usual childhood illnesses, which, however, strengthen the child's immune system.