Animal types
How do animals act, and what issues seem to be important to them? Animals move around looking for food, water, sex, a comfortable place to sleep, warmth, and protection from the elements. Wild animals are highly competitive, which is necessary for their survival. They compete for food, mates, territory, and superiority. Animals draw attention to themselves. They often try to be more attractive and colourful than those around them are, although some animals are also masters of camouflage. People who need homoeopathic remedies from animal sources are animated, expressive, and full of life. They, like animals, are alert and quick to act and react. They often dress attractively and enjoy calling attention to themselves. Their eyes are often striking. These individuals tend to be aggressive, pushy and competitive and may attack if provoked. They may have issues of jealousy, envy and competition for work and social position. There are often issues of fighting or battling and such animal-like behaviours as hitting, kicking, biting, scratching and even growling. These individuals often recount feelings and situations of domination or being dominated. They may have feelings of insecurity or worthlessness. Animals fear loss of power, of mates and territory and dread isolation, neglect and rejection. People needing animal remedies may complain of ravenous, or canine, hunger and may tend towards crude or even primitive behaviours. In general, they have problems getting along with others in their daily lives.

Plant types
Individuals needing remedies from plant sources think and behave very differently. Plants tend to be sensitive and so are plant-like people. Plants need regular sunshine, water and healthy soil in order to survive. There are some extremely hardy plants, but most plants need certain conditions to thrive. Plants try to adapt to weather changes. Plant-like people are much more adaptable than animal types. They often try to go along with others wishes at the expense of their own needs. They are often soft and gentle people who love nature, plants and flowers. They often wear clothing with flower or plant designs. They may lack firm structure and have a changeable nature. Their feelings are easily hurt. Just as plants send out runners to occupy the surrounding space, absorbing what is necessary for life, plant-like people are often diffuse by nature, wandering in thought, speech and action. They tend to be very emotional. They seek support and nurturing. They are often creative and artistic, and desire to surround themselves with beauty, art and music. During the homoeopathic interview, people needing plant remedies often wander from subject to subject. They may seem disorganised or whimsical.

Mineral types
Now think of the mineral kingdom. What are minerals like? They are fixed, solid and structured. People needing mineral remedies tend to have these traits. They can be highly organized, orderly, structured individuals. They are often concerned with issues of safety, security, performance, finances, or relationships. They are deliberate, determined and are logical rather than intuitive. They often speak in facts and figures, percentages, and chronological order. Mineral types tend to choose careers as accountants, engineers, bookkeepers, scientists, computer programmers, and time-management consultants. They place a high emphasis on getting their jobs done efficiently and correctly. They tend to see things in black and white and may become very frustrated with their intuitive, plant-like associates and spouses. These people like rocks and gems. Their clothing is unusually simple, earth-toned and often marked with geometric designs. They often come to the homoeopathic interview with a detailed list of symptoms they prepared on their computer. Mineral-type individuals may complain of structural problems with their bodies or their lives. They may have difficulties with the minerals of the body resulting in such conditions as bone and teeth problems or muscular cramping.

This animal, plant and mineral classification can be useful in our attempt to recognise an essential, individual nature in each person.  Many people clearly fit into categories such as these, but many do not. People are infinitely more complex than any system of classification. The homeopath tries to listen to, and connect with, the unique individual nature of each person.