Abstract
Oedema is the presence of excess fluid in the body tissues (Guyton & Hall, 1997). During long air flights, blood pools in the body tissues due to decreased muscle movement. This causes bilateral ankle oedema and results in an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis as well as discomfort to the passengers after their flight (Hope et al., 2001).
Hamamelis virginica is clinically indicated as a homoeopathic remedy which acts upon the venous system (Nash, 2002). Apis mellifica, Apocynum cannabinum, Natrum muriaticum and Natrum sulphuricum are all homoeopathic remedies used in the treatment of oedema.
The aim of this study is to ascertain the efficiency of the Homoeopathic complex formula, Hamamelis virginica 30cH, Apis mellifica 6cH, Apocynum cannabinum 6cH, Natrum muriaticum 6cH and Natrum sulphuricum 6cH in the treatment of swelling (bilateral oedema) in the lower extremities in women during and after long air flights.
This study is a double blind, placebo controlled trial. Forty female participants, between the ages of eighteen to thirty-nine, with a previous history of ankle swelling after long air flights and who were planning long air flights of eight hours or more, were recruited by means of advertisement for this study. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria underwent an examination and were matched in terms of age and risk factors; weight, cigarette smoking, oral contraception, alcohol and coffee consumption. The participants within the matched pairs were then assigned to one of two groups. One group was randomly assigned the experimental group and the other the control. Participants were required to take six powders sublingually without water. The first powder was taken two hours before the actual flight. The second, third and fourth powders were taken every two and a half hours during the course of the fight and the fifth powder was taken after the flight landed. The sixth powder was taken the day after the flight. The participants were measured by the researcher (Appendix D), measuring the circumference of their calf, ankle and foot. The participants were instructed to do three measurements, the first on the day of their flight, the second on the day they arrive at their destination and the third, on the day after their last dose of medication. The measurements were recorded and a questionnaire completed (Appendix E).
The data obtained from the participants measurement and questionnaire form was statistically analysed using the repeated measures test, paired t-test, descriptive statistics the crosstab, and the Huynh-Feldt test. Statistical analysis showed significant differences, P<0.05, between the control and medicated groups for the measurements in centimetres of the left ankle and right ankle. The results obtained from the research show that the homoeopathic complex medication in this study significantly reduces lower extremities oedema during long air flights, as compared to the control group. The control group, on the other hand, did show an increase in measurements of the lower extremities during the air flight. This implies that the placebo did not provide any benefit towards reducing the oedema of lower extremities in women during long air flights. Therefore the null hypothesis was rejected
Preliminary findings suggest that the homoeopathic complex preparation of Hamamelis virginica 30cH, Apis mellifica 6cH, Apocynum cannabinum 6cH, Natrum muriaticum 6cH and Natrum sulphuricum 6cH, is effective in reducing the oedema of ankles during long air flights but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Dr. E.M. Solomon
Dr. J.L. Schultz