Study: Homeopathy and Coffee-Related Insomnia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20673648

Effects of homeopathic medicines on polysomnographic sleep of young adults with histories of coffee-related insomnia.

Bell IR, Howerter A, Jackson N, Aickin M, Baldwin CM, Bootzin RR.

Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA; Department of Psychology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Homeopathy, a common form of alternative medicine worldwide, relies on subjective patient reports for diagnosis and treatment. Polysomnography offers a modern methodology for evaluating the objective effects of taking homeopathic remedies that clinicians claim exert effects on sleep quality in susceptible individuals. Animal studies have previously shown changes in non rapid eye movement sleep with certain homeopathic remedies.
METHODS: Young adults of both sexes (ages 18-31) with above-average scores on standardized personality scales for either cynical hostility or anxiety sensitivity (but not both) and a history of coffee-induced insomnia participated in the month-long study. At-home polysomnographic recordings were obtained on successive pairs of nights once per week for a total of eight recordings (nights 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23). Subjects (N=54) received placebo pellets on night 8 (single-blind) and verum pellets on night 22 (double-blind) in 30c doses of one of two homeopathic remedies, Nux Vomica or Coffea Cruda. Subjects completed daily morning sleep diaries and weekly Pittsburgh sleep quality index scales, as well as profile of mood states scales at bedtime on polysomnography nights.
RESULTS: Verum remedies significantly increased PSG total sleep time and NREM, as well as awakenings and stage changes. Changes in actigraphic and self-rated scale effects were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the feasibility of using in-home, all-night sleep recordings to study homeopathic remedy effects. Findings are similar though not identical to those reported in animals with the same remedies. Possible mechanisms include initial disruption of the nonlinear dynamics of sleep patterns by the verum remedies.

Another Inspiring Homeopathy Project

The vision of Ghana Homeopathy Project
Source: www.ghanahomeopathy.org

"Our vision is the establishment of homeopathy as a recognised part of the health care system in Africa and Ghana in particular. Our charity's main objective is the relief and prevention of disease working closely with local community developments and initiatives. Further, we support the development of homeopathic education and vocational training facilities together with local partners, in conjunction with established health workers and local practices. Our vision extends to make homeopathy available to deprived communities as a valid and affordable form of treatment and to initiate health education."

"At the clinic we work as a team of three including Christopher and Gideon. We take cases and reptertoirize together and then move to the Materia Medica to make sure the remedy selection is good for the patient. We keep the clinic open twenty four hours without any break and sometimes work at midnight during emergencies." - Emperor

All the best to Ghana Homeopathy Project!

Homeopathy for Intestinal Parasites and Worms

Homeopathy for Intestinal Parasites and Worms

Natrum Phosphoricum is to be used in the homeopathic treatment of individuals affected by intestinal parasites and those suffering worm related disorders.

• This problem also results because of excess sugar, milk and over acidity in the blood complicated by the internal parasites.
• Physical symptoms include the persistent sour belching, the production of abundant stools, and heavy sweats and persistent perspiration.
• This remedy is also for use with internal parasites in babies who are still being bottle fed at the time of infection.
• Physical symptoms can also include the production of excessive gas and a persistent colic state in infants.
• The patients will crave and desire fried food-especially eggs, he or she will also love a lot of tangy foods and spices.
• The saliva is yellow, and there is a creamy coating in the mouth and the tongue, this is accompanied by discharges in the eyes.
• An itchy nose also tends to be always present in the person.
• Psychological symptoms include apprehension and persistent anxiety.
• The person is apathetic and seems indifferent to everything happening around him or her.
• The condition of the person may worsen if he or she eats bread and butter.

Sabadilla is to be used in the homeopathic treatment of individuals with internal parasites such as pinworms and related nematodes like the beef or pork tapeworms.

• Physical symptoms in the patients include anal itching which is very persistent; this sensation often alternates with a persistent itching in the nose or in the ears at the same time.
• Physical symptoms also include compulsive muscular twitching, the sudden appearance of convulsions and constant trembling in the body.
• Other conditions that can be triggered are similar to hay fever, sudden bouts of sneezing.
• Conditions such as nausea, vomiting, and colic are also often seen.
• The person is affected by a peculiar condition known as worm headache.
• Psychological symptoms include the presence of persistent and mostly imaginary symptoms.

Spigelias Marilandica is to be used in the homeopathic treatment of patients afflicted by internal parasites such as worms.

• The physical symptoms during the condition are an itching anal region and the presence of a persistent bad breath at all times of the day and night.
• The patient may also complain of a persistent pain around the navel area.
•  The person is very sensitive to the effects of tobacco.
• Physical symptoms also include neuralgia in the face, in the eyes, and a great sensitivity to being touched by others.
• Other symptoms often observed are the presence of a persistent headache from sunrise to sunset and this is repeated daily.
• Psychological symptoms also begin to manifest themselves, and the patients may be very fearful of the future and anxious about things.
• The patient is also often affected by stuttering even though he or she may not normally stutter.
• Symptoms such as palpitations are also seen.
• The condition of the patient often worsens in cold and damp environments.

Tanacetum is to be used in the homeopathic treatment of individuals afflicted with internal parasites.

• Physical symptoms include the persistent muscle spasms which occur over the course of the day and in the night.
• There is as lot of twitching during sleep, and the patient may often wake up in fright at night.
• Physical symptoms also include physical fatigue, other disorders such as epilepsy, which suddenly arrives when the person is sleeping or while he is walking normally.
• Other symptoms also include the presence of sudden bouts of diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain; this situation may only be relieved by passing some stool.
• Psychological symptoms include irritability, and a great sensitivity to noises and loud sounds.
• The person may make many contorted gestures in the face at nighttime, and he or she may suffer from tics.

Teucrium is to be used in the homeopathic treatment of individuals afflicted by internal parasites such as pin and thread worms or even those affected by round worms.

• Physical symptoms include persistent nervousness and irritability.
• The person may be extremely restless and affected by sleeplessness at night.
• Physical symptoms also include crawling and itching sensations in the rectum and the nose, the condition of the patients worsens from the warmth in bed.
• The person may also be affected by a chronic mucus production problem.