Clinical
evaluation of predefined
homoeopathic medicines in the management of essential hypertension
Objectives: Encouraging results obtained from the open clinical trial of essential
hypertension at Drug Standardization Unit, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh) from 1990
to 2003 prompted Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to carry out
further study. A trial was conducted to ascertain the pathogenesis of fourteen
predefined homoeopathic medicines selected on the basis of their traditional /
empirical use as mentioned in the literature in the management of Essential
hypertension and the encouraging results obtained in the open clinical trial
and to identify their reliable indications.
Methods: Central Council for Research in
Homoeopathy conducted this study at its
Clinical Research Unit, Gangtok (Sikkim) from 2003 to 2005. For this
observational clinical trial, 109 cases were enrolled involving 38 males and 71
females. The cases of both sexes and all age groups were included in the study
on the basis of presence of subjective and / or objective symptoms, guiding to
the diagnosis of Essential hypertension and other predefined parameters. The
medicines were prescribed mainly in 30 C potency.
Results: Seventy seven cases were followed up regularly and varying degrees
of improvement were observed with the use of predefined medicines, i.e. marked
improvement in 28 cases, moderate
improvement in 21 cases and mild improvement in 28 cases. Belladonna and Glonoine
were found to be most effective in alleviating signs and symptoms of
hypertension. Belladonna was found
effective in 63.6% (14 out of 22) cases and Glonoine
in 70.3% (57 out of 81)) cases.
Conclusion: Trial medicines have
been found effective in the management
of essential hypertension and their indications were re-verified. Positive results of homoeopathic medicines
encourage for taking up further controlled studies with improved
laboratory parameters to substantiate the present findings.
Keywords: Homoeopathy; essential
hypertension; diastolic blood pressure; systolic blood pressure; Rauwolfia serpentina; Glonoine
B. C. Lakhera
Clinical Research Unit, Gangtok (Sikkim)