Abstract
M.Tech.
Haemostasis is an internal mechanism to stop bleeding from a damaged blood vessel. Conceptually this process occurs in a number of essential steps following tissue injury. Although the herbal preparation of Arnica montana has been well documented for its tendency to prolong bleeding, according to the Law of Similars, homeopathically prepared Arnica montana 6C is well indicated for traumatic injuries and post surgical bruising. Arnica montana 6C can be used when there is mechanical trauma that causes wounds, haemorrhages, haematomas, sore-bruised bone and muscular pains, inflammations, fractures, muscular strains and sprains. The remedy is often prescribed before and immediately after surgery to reduce post-operative pain and to speed up recuperation.
Three in vitro studies conducted at the Technikon Witwatersrand (now the University of
Johannesburg) on various potencies of homeopathically prepared Arnica montana showed lowered overall coagubility of blood, but no significant difference between the experimental and control groups. Bengsch (2000), Hohl (2005), Vermeulen (2000) and van Tonder (2005) recommended that studies on the effect of homeopathically prepared Arnica montana on blood coagulability be repeated in vivo.
This study formed part of a three part in vivo study to determine the effect of Arnica montana homeopathic preparations on blood coagulation by measuring the Bleeding Time (BT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aP'TT) and Prothrombin Time (PT). This study investigated the effect of Arnica montana 6C on these measurements.
Eighty participants were allocated a participant number and randomised by the research supervisor into four groups of twenty participants. Twenty participants were in the placebo group that was shared by all three studies. Twenty participants were allocated to the experimental group for this study. The study was conducted over a period of two weeks at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Doomfontein Campus Homeopathy Health Centre. Consenting participants were screened by means of a questionnaire (Appendix D) regarding relevant medical history and other background information. A case history was taken and a physical examination was performed. Any prospective participants that were diagnosed with and/or suffer from hypertension, hypotension, heart disease, a
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bleeding disorder, anaemia, iron or any vitamin deficiency, liver disease, malaria or are currently on aspirin or anticoagulants (Appendix D) were excluded from the study.
The bleeding time was measured by a trained medical technologist using a standardised bleeding time technique. Blood samples drawn by a phlebotomist went for coagulation tests comprising of aPTT and PT at the NHLS Main Haematology laboratory of the Johannesburg Hospital. Twenty participants were given a 25mL bottle of Arnica montana 6C in 20% ethanol. Twenty participants received an identical bottle containing only 20% ethanol. All participants were requested to take ten drops twice a day for two weeks. All three coagulation test measurements were performed again at the end of the second week.
The BT, PT and aPTT results were analysed by using ordinary descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. Changes over time in blood coagulation were ascertained utilising ANOVA (analysis of variance). The results showed that there is no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group in BT, aPTT and PT. There was also no statistically significant difference between the first BT, PT and aPTT before medication and the second BT, PT and aPTT after two weeks of medication.
The results of the study support the hypothesis that Arnica montana 6C would have no effect on the bleeding or coagulation times in vivo. These results support the view that prescribing the remedy before surgery is not likely to increase the post surgical risk of haemorrhage