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.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Hypertension is a serious problem in South Africa, affecting 18.8 percent of women (South African Demographic and Health Survey, 2003), prompting investigation into treatment. In total, approximately 6.1 million people suffer from Hypertension in South Africa. AIM The purpose of this double-blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Homoeopathicsimillimum and a Homoeopathic complex (Aurummetallicum6CH, Lachesismuta6CH, Natrummuriaticum6CH, and Veratrum album 6CH) in the treatment of Primary Hypertension in adult females. METHODOLOGY A minimum of 30 patients were recruited and were selected on the basis of specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, and randomly divided into two equal groups by the research supervisor, with the first group receiving the Homoeopathic simillimum andthe second group receiving the Homoeopathic complex.The initial consultation took place at the Durban University of Technology or at the Umlazi Medical Centre after obtaining informed consent from the patients (Appendix D).A detailed case history was taken, followed by a complete physical examination, including blood pressure readings and cardiovascular system examinations. Follow up consultations occurred weekly for a period of four weeks to record blood pressure readings, any changes in the general health and well being of the participants, in order to prescribe more medicines if needed. A mercury sphygmomanometer and a Littmann Classic 2 stethoscope were the tools of measurement and was used according to the method outlined by Bates (2007), which states that an accurate measurement of blood pressure is dependent on the appropriate cuff size of the sphygmomanometer and whether the type of gauge used needs to be calibrated or not. SPSS version 18 was used to analyse the data. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Repeated measures ANOVA tests were done to compare the blood pressures over time between the treatment groups. Specific remedies used at each time point were described by treatment group. Potencies of the remedies were compared within each remedy between the treatment groups using Pearson’s chi square tests. RESULTS Within each of the two treatment groups there was a highly significant decrease in systolic blood pressure over time (p<0.001). This means that both treatments were effective at lowering systolic blood pressure. Within each of the two treatment groups there was a highly significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure over time (p=0.001 and p<0.001 respectively). This means that both treatments were effective at lowering diastolic blood pressure. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures at five time points were compared between the two treatment groups using repeated measures ANOVA. There was an overall significant change over time in both groups (p<0.001), but the change over time was not different according to treatment groups (p=0.355). The decrease in systolic blood pressure over time was nearly identical in the two groups as the profiles are almost parallel. Therefore in terms of systolic blood pressure there was no statistical evidence for one treatment being more beneficial than the other. There was an overall significant change over time in both groups (p<0.001) but the change over time was not different according to treatment groups (p=0.187). The decrease in diastolic blood pressure over time was almost the same rate in both groups as the profiles are almost parallel. Therefore in terms of diastolic blood pressure there was no statistical evidence for one treatment being more beneficial than the other. CONCLUSION The results of the study led to the conclusion that both the simillimum and complex treatments were effective at reducing blood pressure over time, but there was no evidence that one treatment was more beneficial than the other, since the rates of change over time in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were similar in both treatment groups.

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Hypertension is one of the major cardiovascular diseases worldwide. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and this is mainly caused by heart and renal diseases (Alhalaiqa et al., 2011). Hypertension is common in South Africa. About a quarter of all South Africans, 15 years and older, suffer from hypertension (Steyn, 1998). There are 6.1 million people with a blood pressure equal to or above 140/90 mmHg, 23% of South African men are hypertensive and for women the equivalent prevalence is 16% (South African Demographic and Health Survey, 1998). Allopathic anti-hypertensive drugs are not always effective or well tolerated due to their many harmful side effects (Ahmad, 1999). Homoeopathy though, does not have unwanted side effects (Digby, 1997). The aim of this study is to ascertain the efficacy of a homoeopathic complex containing Crataegus oxycantha 6CH, Viscum album 6CH, Glonoine 6CH and Digitalis purpurea 6CH in treating essential hypertension in black adults between the ages of eighteen and fifty five years. The study was a randomised double-blind placebo controlled study and thirty male and female participants were recruited and divided into the treatment and the placebo group. Three participants withdrew from the study during the trial period and therefore twenty seven participants were in this study. The treatment group was administered the homoeopathic complex remedy and the placebo group was administered the placebo. Participants received medication which they took for six weeks according to proper instructions. They were requested not to make any substantial changes to their lifestyle and diet. The blood pressure readings were monitored every two weeks for the six weeks duration of the study. Collected data was analysed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test to determine the statistical significance of changes in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in the symptoms that the participants had during the study. The analysis compared the variables between and within the two groups. The inter-group statistical analysis was done using the Mann-Whitney Test. The intra-group statistical analysis was done using the non-parametric test (Friedman Test). The difference between the two groups over time was done using the Post-Hoc Test. The Post-Hoc test analysis with Wilcoxon The homoeopathic remedy complex provided a statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure readings compared to the placebo. The diastolic blood pressure of the treatment group also decreased, and that of the placebo group decreased gradually. In the treatment group the most significant symptomatic relief was from headaches and vertigo. The other symptoms slightly decreased in the second week and then remained constant. In the placebo group there was a slight relief of the headache and vertigo symptoms but it was not significant. The homoeopathic complex remedy provided a statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure readings. This provides a safe and effective alternative treatment for essential hypertension.