Abstract
M.Tech.
Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is an initiator and promoter of cardiovascular disease and end organ damage. Primary or essential hypertension is an elevated blood pressure due to an unknown or unidentifiable pathology. Secondary hypertension may be caused by underlying pathology or certain medication. Although a number of allopathic drugs are available, hypertension may remain uncontrolled despite lifestyle changes combined with adequate allopathic treatment. This is termed as refractory hypertension. Poor patient compliance, inadequate diuretic therapy, inappropriate drug combinations, and obesity are the leading causes of uncontrolled or refractory hypertension.
Crataegus oxyacantha θ is a homoeopathically prepared mother tincture (θ) that has been clinically used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular complaints. However there is insufficient research to confirm its efficacy in the treatment of hypertension.
The aim of this study is to ascertain the efficiency of Crataegus oxyacantha θ in the treatment of refractory hypertension in adult males aged between thirty-five and sixty-five years, currently taking allopathic treatment, namely Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors combined with a diuretic, and to evaluate the effect of Crataegus oxyacantha Ө on associated symptoms of hypertension. These include headaches; palpitations; vertigo; blurred vision and tinnitus.
The study was a placebo controlled double-blinded trial that extended over a period of 12 weeks.
Thirty male participants between the ages of thirty-five to sixty-five, that were pre-diagnosed with refractory hypertension for a minimum of two years with a fluctuating blood pressure reading above 150/95 mmHg and currently on allopathic medication i.e. ACE-inhibitor with a combined diuretic were recruited for the study by means of advertisements placed at the University of Johannesburg health clinic, pharmacies and community clinics. Participants were randomly placed in either the experimental or the control group.
Participants meeting the inclusion criteria underwent a physical examination and consented to the study (Appendix A). The participants blood pressure was measured on both arms as advised by Milne in the South African hypertensive guidelines 2003 (Annexure A), at the first visit and for two consecutive mornings in order to obtain a baseline reading. He was randomly assigned in either the experimental or the control group. The control group received a 50ml bottle of the 20% alcohol placebo and the experimental group received a 50ml bottle of the homoeopathic remedy, Crataegus oxyacantha θ. He was instructed to take 10 drops in 125ml water twice daily after meals. During the trial period the participant’s blood pressure was assessed every 2 weeks against the measured baseline readings for a period of 12 weeks. The severity of the following symptoms was assessed every 2 weeks, headaches; palpitations; vertigo; blurred vision and tinnitus and other symptoms that he may have experienced. These results were graded and recorded on the progress form (Appendix C).
The data obtained from the participants was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). The blood pressure of the experimental group was compared to the control group as obtained at the first consultation and each of the six follow-up visits. Groups were compared using the Chi-Square test and the Non Parametric Mann Whitney U test. Statistical analysis showed significant differences, P <0.05 for the systolic blood pressure between the experimental and control group. There was a significant decline in the diastolic blood pressure of the experimental and the control group. The diastolic pressure of the control showed a significant decline between day one and week six, however remained constant from week six to week twelve. This implies that the placebo may have provided some benefit towards the lowering of diastolic blood pressure in adult males. The associated symptoms were investigated and the results obtained indicate that headaches and blurred vision remained a constant mild symptom that was experienced throughout the twelve week trial period. Due to the statistical difference between the experimental and the control group in favour of the experimental group, the null hypothesis was rejected.
Preliminary findings suggest that Crataegus oxyacantha Ө, is effective in reducing elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adult males with refractory hypertension, however more research over a longer period of time is needed to confirm theses findings.