GoetheanumResearch InstituteThe Laboratory for Sensitive Crystallisation

Copper chloride without added blood Copper chloride with blood added

Example of a polar pattern

Ehrenfried Pfeiffer'sSensitive Crystallisation MethodApplied to Blood

Four Levels of Observation for Characterising Blood Crystallisation Pictures

1. Basic Structure

2. Disease-specific Disturbances (selected details)

3. Organ-specific Forms (selected details)

4. Areas Where Disturbances are Located

Fine-needled, dense basic structure and lack of form of neurasthenia in a 33-year-old patient

Star form;acute inflammation

Star form with holey subsidiary deposits; chronic inflammation

Hollow formation with transverse structures; malignancy

Hollow formation; benign processes that create space

Holey structures; degenerative processes

Coarse-needled, open basic structures and poorly organised, 'restless' forms in a 14-year-old female patient with a lymphatic constitution

Polygon in the heart zone; circulatory disturbances

Rosette in the gastrointestinal zone; digestive complaints

Double wing formation, specific for glands, with small single-layered hollow form; right ovarian cyst

Fan with drawn-out tips, specific for bone and joint system; degenerative changes of the lumbar spine

Fans in the kidney zones; bilateral kidney insufficiency

The centre of the picture is the eccentric point where the first crystal seeds by chance. The crystallisation divides into two fields with bilateral symmetry, one with short rays and one with long rays.If, by rotating the glass plate, the centre of the picture is given a fixed position, for example below the geometric centre, the forms can be assigned to a specific location. This location corresponds approximately to the position of the organs in the body and the centre of the picture to the point in the medial plane on the boundary between the upper abdomen and the chest cavity. This enables assignment of the observed forms or disturbances to specific organs or organ systems.This localisation is an overall formative principle that influences the crystallisation in a way that is typical of the individual. The scheme shown in the diagram serves as a help in orientation.

head-neck-zone

uterus orprostate,bladder andrectum

rightkidney

left ovaryor testicle

abdominal region

small intestine

descending Colonascending Colon

spleenpancreas

stomach livergallbladder

left breast heart thoracic regionrightlung

Ehrenfried Pfeiffer's laboratory investigational method of sensitive crystallisation can be applied to whole blood. It is based on the principle that, when a salt crystallises out of an aqueous solution, the crystal growth is influenced by the presence of other substances in the solution, such as blood or plant extracts. Copper chloride (CuCl2.2H2O) has been found to be especially sensitive for this purpose. If a mixture of copper chloride solution with a small amount of whole blood (haemolysate of capillary blood) is allowed to crystallise on a level glass plate under controlled experimental conditions, an aggregate of crystals forms, the blood crystallisation picture (BCP), which is specific for the blood that is used.

Many investigations of blood have revealed empirically the relationships between various disease processes and the phenomena of the BCP. The specific morphological features and the overall impression of the crystallisation resulting from the blood indicate illnesses such as inflammatory processes or tumour development. The crystal pattern is significant not only for its disease-specific characteristics but also because of its position in the field of crystal growth. The latter indicates which organs or organ systems are affected.

A decade of experimental research has shown that the morphological features of the crystallisation are an expression of not only a clinically present illness but also illness tendencies. Thus BCP can give the doctor information about disease processes and their early stages. This is particularly important in the development of cancer. The method has also proved itself in monitoring the progress of therapeutic procedures, especially during treatment with mistletoe.

Blood crystallisation is separate from the usual clinical diagnostic methods because it is not a test procedure in the strict sense, i.e. patients are not tested for cancer or some other illness. The result of the investigation is not primarily an indicator of changes in the body that present clinically, such as pathological anatomy for which good imaging procedures already exist. Instead, its main purpose is to give a pictorial impression of the patient's disposition to illness and the status of their reaction to it at the level of organ functions.

The BCP enhances the analytical findings because, as a picture, it is holistic in character and makes visible the functional relationships and early pathological processes in the human organism. The practitioner can use it as an aid to orientation in diagnosis even though it does not constitute a diagnostic result per se.

Interpreting the Blood Crystallisation PictureReading a blood crystallisation picture involves four levels of observation:1. The basic structure is the radial arrangement of the crystal needles that grow from a primary

centre towards the periphery. Their composition gives indications as to the vitality and functionality of the organism.

2. The disease-specific disturbances, which interrupt the arrangement of the basic structure, point to disease tendencies, for example towards inflammation or tumorous formations.

3. The organ-specific forms give expression to disturbances in the functions of organs.4. An overall formative principle shows itself on the one hand in the individual nature of a

particular blood crystallisation picture and, on the other hand, in the localisation of the disturbances in the field of growth. Through this it is possible to assign the disturbances to particular organs or organ systems.

The next stage requires that the interpretation is placed in context. This comprises:1. The extent of variation of the experimental conditions.2. The patient with their medical history and clinical findings.3. The clinicians giving treatment who have particular questions and wish to integrate the result

into their diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.4. The experiences and intentions of the person who examines the crystallisation pictures.

The result is a characterisation of how the patient engages with the disease process at the level of organ functions.

Research AimsOur research focuses on further developing how to read the pictures in accord with medical science extended by anthroposophy, and on the four aforementioned contextual aspects. At the same time, we pay a lot of attention to constantly improving the methodological basis of the procedure, aiming to increase the reliability of its evidence and thus support as best we can the diagnostic and therapeutic concerns of clinicians.

In this respect we follow Ehrenfried Pfeiffer's original intention: 'Crystallisation research was started in order to apply "intuitive perception" to life processes, i.e. in order to get closer to the etheric and formative forces'.

Investigations of blood are carried out only at the request of a doctor. The resulting report is sent to the doctor concerned unless they have requested otherwise.We supply the equipment and directions for blood sampling as well as the form for submitting patient information.Reimbursement of the costs of blood investigation through health insurance schemes is optional.

For further information please contact:The Laboratory for Sensitive CrystallisationGoetheanum Research InstitutePostfachCH-4143 Dornach 1Tel.: +41 61 706 4363 / +41 61 706 4365Fax: +41 61 706 4366Email: kristallisation@goetheanum.chwww.kristallisationslabor.ch

We look forward to hearing from you.Dr. med. Birgit SeitzKlaus Suppan, technician

Text: Haijo Knijpenga; Photos Beatrix Waldburger

Ehrenfried Pfeiffer'sSensitive Crystallisation MethodApplied to Blood

Kristallisation:Kupferchloridlösung mit Blutzusatz in der Kristallisationskammer

Getrocknet auf Filterpapier istdas Kapillarblut etwa eine Wochelang haltbar und kann per Postverschickt werden.

Das getrocknete Blut wird in destilliertem Wasser gelöst.Das Hämolysat wird in die Kupferchlorid-Lösung pipettiert.

Der Beurteilung werden 6 Kristallisationsbilder zugrunde gelegt

The Laboratory for Sensitive Crystallisationat the Goetheanum

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