Homeopathic remedies for vertigo
Homeopathic remedies for vertigo involve the use of highly diluted substances aimed at alleviating the sensations of dizziness often characterized by a sense of spinning or movement. Vertigo commonly arises from issues within the inner ear and can occur without actual motion, unlike motion sickness, which is directly linked to movement. Several homeopathic remedies have been studied, including Cocculus, Conium, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, and Gelsemium, each selected based on individual symptom profiles. For instance, Cocculus may be beneficial for vertigo triggered by motion sickness, while Conium is thought to worsen symptoms related to lying down. Some research suggests that a specific combination remedy, such as Vertigoheel, may be as effective as standard treatments like betahistine, although contrasting studies argue against the efficacy of homeopathy for vertigo, with some maintaining that it is only beneficial for motion-induced nausea. Ultimately, the effectiveness of homeopathic treatments for vertigo remains a topic of debate, with varied opinions on their potential benefits.
Homeopathic remedies for vertigo
DEFINITION: The use of highly diluted remedies to treat dizziness accompanied by the sense of movement.
STUDIED HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES: Cocculus; Conium; homeopathic remedy containing Ambra grisea, Conium, Petroleum, and Cocculus; Bryonia; Pulsatilla; Gelsemium
Scientific Evaluations of Homeopathic Remedies
Vertigo is a condition where a person experiences sensations of spinning. Often, the onset of vertigo arrives rapidly and without notice. Vertigo is typically associated with an issue with a person’s inner ear. It is often erroneously mistaken for motion sickness. Vertigo can occur in a person who is not in motion. Motion sickness normally occurs when the person is subjected to actual movement. There are a variety of treatments associated with vertigo. At issue is whether homeopathic treatments are effective. One double-blind study found that a particular combination homeopathic remedy sold as Vertigoheel was just as effective as standard treatment for vertigo. This study followed 105 people with acute or chronic vertigo of various causes, including Meniere’s disease and positional vertigo. The homeopathic treatment used contained Ambra grisea, Conium, Petroleum, and Cocculus. The treatment was compared with betahistine hydrochloride, an antihistamine widely used in Europe for vertigo symptoms. Other sources maintain that homeopathic treatments are not at all effective for vertigo.
To evaluate the success of the treatment, researchers recorded the frequency, duration, and self-reported intensity of participants’ vertigo attacks. The results showed that the homeopathic mixture was as effective as the antihistamine during the six weeks of treatment. However, these results are not as meaningful as they appear; betahistine is at most modestly effective for vertigo, and because there was no placebo group in the study, it is quite possible that the benefits seen in the Vertigoheel group were no different from what would have been seen with placebo treatment.
Another study found this same remedy just as effective as the herb Ginkgo biloba for vertigo. However, because ginkgo itself has not been proven effective for this purpose, these results mean little.
Some recommend the homeopathic remedy Cocculus for the treatment of vertigo, especially when the vertigo results from motion sickness. The symptom picture of this remedy includes a pattern of symptoms being made worse by eating or drinking, rising from bed, or exposure to bright light, along with a sense of confusion and possibly a sick headache. Lying down usually relieves the symptoms. In contrast, the homeopathic remedy Conium is associated with a symptom picture in which vertigo is made worse by lying down, turning over, or moving the head.
Bryonia may be recommended for vertigo that is aggravated by movement and accompanied by nausea and a desire to lie down. Pulsatilla may help people whose vertigo makes them feel warm and faint. Gelsemium is sometimes recommended for vertigo patients experiencing blurred vision and weakness.
Traditional Homeopathic Treatments
There are mixed conclusions about whether classical homeopathy offers possible treatments for vertigo. While some studies indicate potential benefits, others discount this treatment altogether and maintain that only nausea caused by motion sickness can be addressed by homeopathic means. These therapies are chosen based on various specific details of the person seeking treatment.
Bibliography
Issing, W., P. Klein, and M. Weiser. "The Homeopathic Preparation Vertigoheel Versus Ginkgo biloba in the Treatment of Vertigo in an Elderly Population." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 11, 2005, pp. 155–60.
Karkos, P. D., et al. "'Complementary ENT:' A Systematic Review of Commonly Used Supplements." Journal of Laryngology and Otology, vol. 121, 2007, pp. 779–82.
"Motion Sickness." Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/condition/motion-sickness. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
"7 Cures for Vertigo and Motion Sickness." Raleigh Adult Medicine, 28 Mar. 2021, www.raleighadultmedicine.com/blog/7-cures-for-vertigo-and-motion-sickness/#. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
"Vertigo: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment." Cleveland Clinic, 9 May 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21769-vertigo. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
Weiser, M., et al. "Homeopathic vs. Conventional Treatment of Vertigo." Archives of Otolaryngology: Head Neck Surgery, vol. 124, 1998, pp. 879–85.