Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Introduction More and more people are becoming concerned about the effects of drugs, particularly in relation to children. There is an alternative in homoeopathy (Speight, 1983). Families need more options. Homoeopathy is a wonderful option because homoeopathic remedies are safe, cause no side effects or allergic reactions, and are inexpensive. They are easy to use because they taste good and above all, they are curative, not suppressive (Ullman, 1992). It was therefore necessary to determine the perception or perceptions towards homoeopathy as a treatment method and in terms of a primary health care option. The study population selected for this research is required to attend pre primary school in the Pinetown district. This district was chosen for the diversity in race, religion, and socio-economic factors, as well as the mixture of both rural and urban areas in this district. Purpose/Aim The purpose of this survey was to assess the perception, extent of knowledge and general understanding of as well as misconceptions about homoeopathy, including attitudes towards homoeopathy as a primary health care option in order to determine possible needs for homoeopathic services. The aim of this study is to develop and improve the knowledge and general understanding of homoeopathy and the perception towards the profession of homoeopathy amongst the general public by means of an information pamphlet (Appendix E). Methodology The research instrument used was a quantitative questionnaire (Appendix A), aimed at parents of children aged 3 to 7 years old in pre primary schools in the Pinetown district , as laid out by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education – map version 2 October 2007 (Appendix H and I) EduAction (2007). It was introduced to the principals of randomly selected (stratified random sampling method was used) pre primary schools (Appendix J) of the Pinetown district, and arrangements were made with those principals for distribution and collection of the completed questionnaires. The questionnaire was adapted from Moys, (1998) Small, (2005) Paruk, (2006) and Khoosal, (2007). Anonymity was maintained as no names, addresses or other information was required, thereby preventing identification of the respondents. The data accumulated was evaluated and analyzed statistically using the SPSS® version 15.0 for Windows™ and Excel® XP™. According to statistician Tonya Esterhuizen, a p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Comparisons between demographics and areas were achieved using Pearson‟s chi-square tests. Descriptive analysis involved frequency tables showing counts and percentages of categorical variables. Bar or pie charts were used to show responses graphically. The profession can then use this information to decide what steps can be taken to rectify the misconceptions, improve general knowledge and attitudes towards homoeopathy; through education, media, community talks and the like. This information can also be used to plan for the necessary services required for the children (Khoosal, 2007). Results Of the 1400 questionnaires distributed, 508 questionnaires 36.3% from 13 different schools (Appendix J) were completed and considered evaluative. Not every question was answered on every questionnaire giving rise to some results that do not tally. Respondents answered questions on the extent of knowledge and general understanding (as well as misconceptions) regarding homoeopathy and it was found that more than half 56.1% had heard of homoeopathy. Of the sample, 22.7% had previously taken their child to a homoeopath for treatment, and the level of satisfaction with homeopathic treatment was 48.6%. According to the respondents 40.9% of children were in good health, while 33.9% was in excellent health and 24% in reasonable health. As anticipated a number of the respondents were unsure of the various roles of a homoeopath or did not know enough to comment. While 46% thought homoeopaths emphasize a healthy lifestyle, 45% thought that homoeopaths boost the immune system and 39% thought they prescribe plant extracts. Over half (51.2%) thought that homoeopathy had a valid scientific basis. And 32.4% agreed that homoeopathy takes longer to work than orthodox medicine although most (42.4%) were unsure about this question. On analyzing the attitudes towards homoeopathy as a primary health care option only 12.8% of respondents would contact a homoeopath if their child were ill. Most would contact a General Practitioner (GP) (61.3%). The majority (65.6%) thought homoeopathic treatment should be available in hospitals and clinics. While 40% saw homoeopathy as preventative medicine, 37.6% saw it as supportive and 35.7% as first choice treatment. On analyzing the conditions for which respondents would seek homoeopathic treatment, allergies ranked highest (43.5%) for which they would seek treatment, while hay fever was second (38.1%), followed by eczema (37.6%). The condition that was least agreed on was toothache (11.3%). A small percentage (3%), of respondents had a religious objection to seeking treatment from a homoeopath. Conclusion It can be concluded from the study that more than half of the public surveyed (56.1%) were aware of homoeopathy but levels of understanding and knowledge were lower than expected even where there had been partial experience with a practitioner. More detailed education on this modality of medicine is required in order to improve exposure to homoeopathy and to allow more informed decisions. It can also be concluded that a majority of respondents (65.6%) are in favour of homoeopathy having a place in primary health care. This study actually found that 65.6% of respondents felt that homoeopathy should be available in hospitals and clinic – this may not mean as a primary health service, but perhaps as an available alternative. / M

This double-blind placebo-controlled study investigated the relative efficacy of Homoeopathic similimum treatment as compared to psychological counselling (Cognitive therapy combined with Behavioural therapy), in the management of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). / Mini dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006.

Este estudo analisa o processo terapêutico da Medicina Homeopática, destacando a relevância de seus componentes na construção de um espaço interativo entre médicos e pacientes, capaz de propiciar novos sentidos para a compreensão do adoecimento e para a perspectiva da cura. As questões que motivaram o trabalho surgiram a partir de preocupações a respeito da insuficiência do tecnicismo da medicina atual para atender às expectativas dos sujeitos participantes das práticas de saúde. Discutimos que a centralidade da pessoa, no paradigma da Medicina Homeopática. ao privilegiar a situação de adoecimento dos pacientes, confere características específicas à sua abordagem, capazes de resgatar a dimensão do cuidado na ação terapêutica. Tomamos, como base empírica, duas unidades de saúde da cidade de São Paulo, onde foram realizadas entrevistas com médicos e pacientes, e colhidos depoimentos espontâneos que surgiram durante o atendimento clínico da autora. O material obtido foi trabalhado qualitativamente e permitiu identificar certos núcleos de sentidos, tais como, St~jeito, Pessoa, E-;cuta, Ver. Vinculo, Tempo, Cura e Medicamento, capazes de refletirem as dimensões essenciais, que traduzem a especificidade do processo terapêutico da Homeopatia. Através das narrativas de sujeitos da prática homeopática, pudemos evidenciar que a construção de um espaço de intersubjetividade, em que pacientes e médicos possam compartilhar a experiência do adoecer, permite introduzir a perspectiva do cuidado e a possibilidade de um projeto de recuperação da saúde. Tais aspectos foram considerados, ao buscarmos compreender a efetividade da Homeopatia, como prática terapêutica. Um desdobramento relevante deste estudo pode ser a análise dos fundamentos da legitimidade da Medicina Homeopática nas práticas de saúde, segundo critérios que preservem a identidade de sua episteme. / This study analyses the therapeutic process of Homeopathic Medicine. It highlights the relevance o f the components o f homeopathy in the construction o f an interactive setting between doctors and patients capable of providing the process o f becoming ill and the perspective o f cure with new meanings. Concems with respect to the insufficiencies of contemporary technological medicine in attending to the expectations and demands of subjects participating in health practices were the issues that motivated this research. The central position occupied by the person in the paradigm of Homeopathic Medicine is discussed. By granting a privileged position to the situation of becoming ill, specific characteristics are conferred to the approach in question, which enable it to redeem the dimension o f care to therapeutic action. Two health units in Sao Paulo City constitute the empírica! basis for the present study. Interviews with doctors and patients were carried out there, as well as clinicai consultations conducted by the author during the course of which spontaneous statements also emerged and were recorded. The material obtained was submitted to a qualitative analysis which led to the identification of certain nuclei of meaning such as, Subject, Person, Hearing, Looking, Bond, Time, Cure, Medication, capable of reflecting essential dimensions which translate the specificity ofthe homeopathic therapeutic process. The narratives of the subjects involved in homeopathic practice document the construction of an intersubjective setting, where patients and doctors may share the experience of becoming ill. Within this setting, it is possible to introduce the perspective of care and the possibility o f a project o f health recuperation. These aspects were taken into consideration when we strove to comprehend the effectiveness of homeopathy as a therapeutic practice. One of the relevant extensions of this project may be the analysis of the basis of legitimacy of Homeopathic Medicine on health care practices through criteria that preserve the identity of its epistemic.

Este estudo analisa o processo terapêutico da Medicina Homeopática, destacando a relevância de seus componentes na construção de um espaço interativo entre médicos e pacientes, capaz de propiciar novos sentidos para a compreensão do adoecimento e para a perspectiva da cura. As questões que motivaram o trabalho surgiram a partir de preocupações a respeito da insuficiência do tecnicismo da medicina atual para atender às expectativas dos sujeitos participantes das práticas de saúde. Discutimos que a centralidade da pessoa, no paradigma da Medicina Homeopática. ao privilegiar a situação de adoecimento dos pacientes, confere características específicas à sua abordagem, capazes de resgatar a dimensão do cuidado na ação terapêutica. Tomamos, como base empírica, duas unidades de saúde da cidade de São Paulo, onde foram realizadas entrevistas com médicos e pacientes, e colhidos depoimentos espontâneos que surgiram durante o atendimento clínico da autora. O material obtido foi trabalhado qualitativamente e permitiu identificar certos núcleos de sentidos, tais como, St~jeito, Pessoa, E-;cuta, Ver. Vinculo, Tempo, Cura e Medicamento, capazes de refletirem as dimensões essenciais, que traduzem a especificidade do processo terapêutico da Homeopatia. Através das narrativas de sujeitos da prática homeopática, pudemos evidenciar que a construção de um espaço de intersubjetividade, em que pacientes e médicos possam compartilhar a experiência do adoecer, permite introduzir a perspectiva do cuidado e a possibilidade de um projeto de recuperação da saúde. Tais aspectos foram considerados, ao buscarmos compreender a efetividade da Homeopatia, como prática terapêutica. Um desdobramento relevante deste estudo pode ser a análise dos fundamentos da legitimidade da Medicina Homeopática nas práticas de saúde, segundo critérios que preservem a identidade de sua episteme. / This study analyses the therapeutic process of Homeopathic Medicine. It highlights the relevance o f the components o f homeopathy in the construction o f an interactive setting between doctors and patients capable of providing the process o f becoming ill and the perspective o f cure with new meanings. Concems with respect to the insufficiencies of contemporary technological medicine in attending to the expectations and demands of subjects participating in health practices were the issues that motivated this research. The central position occupied by the person in the paradigm of Homeopathic Medicine is discussed. By granting a privileged position to the situation of becoming ill, specific characteristics are conferred to the approach in question, which enable it to redeem the dimension o f care to therapeutic action. Two health units in Sao Paulo City constitute the empírica! basis for the present study. Interviews with doctors and patients were carried out there, as well as clinicai consultations conducted by the author during the course of which spontaneous statements also emerged and were recorded. The material obtained was submitted to a qualitative analysis which led to the identification of certain nuclei of meaning such as, Subject, Person, Hearing, Looking, Bond, Time, Cure, Medication, capable of reflecting essential dimensions which translate the specificity ofthe homeopathic therapeutic process. The narratives of the subjects involved in homeopathic practice document the construction of an intersubjective setting, where patients and doctors may share the experience of becoming ill. Within this setting, it is possible to introduce the perspective of care and the possibility o f a project o f health recuperation. These aspects were taken into consideration when we strove to comprehend the effectiveness of homeopathy as a therapeutic practice. One of the relevant extensions of this project may be the analysis of the basis of legitimacy of Homeopathic Medicine on health care practices through criteria that preserve the identity of its epistemic.

Thesis (PhD (Phytomedicine Programme) (Paravet. Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

Ο προσδιορισμός του προφίλ των καταναλωτών ομοιοπαθητικών φαρμάκων και φυτικών καλλυντικών. Να προσδιορίσουμε ειδικότερα τα δημογραφικά και ψυχογραφικά χαρακτηριστικά τους, όπως το φύλο τους, την ηλικία τους, την οικογενειακή τους κατάσταση, το επάγγελμά τους, την αγοραστική τους συμπεριφορά, την κουλτούρα τους, την προσωπικότητά τους, να εντοπίσουμε τις ομάδες αναφοράς τους και να διαπιστώσουμε ποιοος ο βαθμός ικανοποιήσής τους από τη χρήση αυτών των προϊόντων. / The determination of the profile of consumers of homeopathic medicines and herbal cosmetics.More particularly to identify demographic and psychographic characteristics such as gender,age, marital status, profession, their purchasing behavior, their culture, their personality, to identify the reference groups and to ascertain what is the degree of satisfaction with the use of these products.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology in Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2018. / Research Problem Statement Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that involves a combination of emotional and physical symptoms that result in significant functional impairment. PMDD can be debilitating and there are multiple treatment options available, but these are not without side effects. Although complimentary or alternative medicine may be beneficial in treating PMDD, however, there is not enough data available to validate their effectiveness. This study aimed at comparing and determining the efficacy of a homoeopathic mother tincture complex (Vitex agnus castus, Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis) compared to placebo in the management of PMDD. Methodology A sample size of 30 consenting female participants with PMDD who met the inclusion criteria as set out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The duration of the study was three months for each participant. Participants were randomly divided into experimental and placebo groups with three consultations over the study period where Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and Visual Analogue Scale were applied. Non-parametric and inferential analysis of data were performed to analyse and compare the effects of treatment and time on symptoms over the three consultation periods (α.05). Results Results for both scales showed no statistical significance in the interaction between time and treatment. The results showed no statistical differences between the control and experimental group in the management of PMDD. However, the mean value measured in the experimental group were consistently lower than the control. Conclusion The conclusion derived from this study is that the homoeopathic complex studied is not effective in the treatment of PMDD. None of the results showed significant differences between the treatment and the placebo group trials. Further studies are highly recommended in this field. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology in Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2018. / Dysmenorrhoea is the term used to describe painful menstrual cramps, and is the most commonly encountered gynaecological disorder. It affects more than 50% of women of reproductive age, of which 10% to 12% experience severe dysmenorrhoea that interferes with their daily lives by incapacitating them for 1 to 3 days each month. Dysmenorrhoea is estimated to be the single greatest cause of working hours lost by women and school absence in teenage girls (Dawood 2008; Lindeque 2015: 6-9). Primary dysmenorrhoea is defined as painful, spasmodic cramping in the lower abdomen just before and/or during menstrual bleeding, in the absence of any identifiable macroscopic pathology. It is related to increased levels of inflammatory markers such as vasopressin, prostaglandins (PGF2α) and leukotrienes from the secretory endometrium. These induce ischaemia due to excessive prolonged uterine contractions, increased the sensitivity of pain fibres, and cause vasoconstriction (Iacovides, Avidon and Baker 2015: 1-17; Stewart and Deb 2014: 296-302). This double-blinded randomised study aimed to establish the efficacy of a homoeopathic complex (consisting of Angelica sinensis 6cH, Dioscorea villosa 6cH, Matricaria chamomilla 6cH, Viburnum opulus 6cH and Zingiber officinalis 6cH) compared to a homoeopathic similimum in 30cH plussed potency in the treatment of the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea, in terms of the participants’ perception of the treatment. Thirty female students, who signed the inform consent forms (Appendices B and D), from the Durban University of Technology were selected based on specified inclusion and exclusion criteria after they underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination (Appendix D) by a gynaecologist. They were randomly divided by means of convenience sampling according to a randomisation sheet into two groups. There were 20 in the experimental group which received the homoeopathic complex, and 10 in the control group which received the homoeopathic similimum. The study took place at the Homoeopathic Day Clinic, located at the Durban University of Technology. It was conducted over a period of three menstrual cycles per participant. The initial consultation took place prior to a menstrual period and the subsequent three follow-ups took place once a month, a week after each menstrual period. During each consultation, a detailed homoeopathic case history was conducted and a physical examination including an abdominal examination was performed. In addition, the participants were required to complete the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (Moos 1968) (Appendix G) and the Pain Rating Scale (British Pain Society 2006) (Appendix H). SPSS version 23.0 software was used to analyse the data collected from these questionnaires. The quantitative variables across the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test since the captured data was non-parametric. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare intra-group data. Quantitative variables were expressed as a mean ± standard deviation. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. The intra-group analysis using the PRS and the MDQ scales (Appendices G and H) showed statistically significant changes in the subcategories of pain in the simillimum group, while these changes were noticed in the complex group only with the PRS scale, when different follow up mean pain score was compared to that at baseline. The different comparisons and p-values can be found in the Appendix G1. The homoeopathic complex group showed more statistically significant changes in the subcategories of behaviour change, negative affect, and control (Appendix G1); while the homoeopathic similimum also revealed other statistically significant changes in the autonomic response and appetite change subgroups (Appendix G1). The inter-group analysis did not reveal any statistically significant change between the groups, although a decrease in the majority of the various mean scores was observed throughout the study. The study’s results led to the conclusion that both the homoeopathic complex and homoeopathic similimum were effective (Appendix G1) in the treatment of symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea during various follow-ups, as well as reducing the need for allopathic pain medications in the participants during the study. However that efficacy shown by the presence of statistically significant results could not been maintained throughout the study from the baseline to the third follow-ups, this could be due to the smaller sample size of the participants, the need for a better suited similimum remedy with a higher potency for the control group; or the need for another complex remedy, It was also noted that there was no evidence that one treatment was more beneficial than the other even though a decrease in the mean scores was observed in both groups. / M

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-07-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:09:15Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 werkman_c_me_sjc.pdf: 536599 bytes, checksum: 7def8f8672e76b8811df840d31139525 (MD5) / A osteoporose, doença caracterizada pela perda de massa óssea, tem sido alvo de estudos nos últimos anos. Fraturas decorrentes da osteoporose são muito comuns e podem apresentar consolidação mais lenta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do risedronato (medicamento alopático) e da Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (medicamento homeopático) no processo de reparo ósseo em ratos machos com osteoporose induzida por castração. Para tanto, foram utilizados oitenta e quatro ratos de três meses de idade separados em quatro grupos de vinte e um animais, sendo três grupos submetidos à castração e um grupo a falsa cirurgia (sham). Um mês após, foram realizadas lesões ósseas monocorticais na tíbia de todos os animais e a partir do dia seguinte, os respectivos tratamentos foram iniciados de acordo com os seguintes grupos: CR - castrado/ risedronato (1mg/kg/dia); CCp - castrado/Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (três gotas/dia); CP - castrato/placebo e SP - sham/placebo que receberam apenas três gotas ao dia de água destilada. Os animais foram sacrificados aos sete, catorze e vinte e oito dias após o início do tratamento e as tíbias removidas. Radiografias digitais foram realizadas e avaliadas pelo programa Image Tool para obter a densidade óptica na área do defeito. Então as tíbias foram descalcificadas e processadas para a realização das análises histológicas. A histomorfometria mediu a porcentagem de osso formado utilizando um retículo graduado colocado no centro da lesão através do programa Image J. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram submetidos aos testes de ANOVA, Tukey e Dunnett, ao nível de 5%. Segundo a análise da densidade óptica, o grupo CCp apresentou os melhores resultados aos sete e catorze dias, mas foi superado pelo grupo CR aos vinte e oito dias. Segundo a histomorfometria o grupo SP apresentou o melhor resultado aos sete dias,... / Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by progressive bone loss, has been the target of several studies lately. It results in a much higher risk for fractures and might cause slower bone consolidation. The aim of this work was to study the effects of Risedronate (allopathic medicine) and Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (homeopathic medicine) to repair bone lesions in male rats with osteoporosis, induced by castration. For this, eighty-four three-months-old rats were used divided in four groups of twenty-one animals. Three groups where castrated and one group was submitted to Sham surgery. One month later, monocortical lesions were made in all animals' tibiae and after one day they began the different treatments according to the following groups: CR - castrated/Risedronate (1mg/kg/day); CCp - castrated/Calcarea phosphorica 6CH (3 drops/day); CP - castrated/placebo and SP - Sham/placebo that received 3 drops/day of distilled water. The animals were sacrificed at seven, fourteen and twenty-eight days after the beginning of treatment and had their tibiae removed. The tibiae's digital XR was analyzed in order to evaluate optical density, using the Image Tool program. Then, they were decalcified and processed for histologic analysis. Histomorphometric measures of bone percentual formation were evaluated using a graticule in the central area of the lesion, with the Image J program. Data was submitted to ANOVA, Tukey and Dunnett tests (5% level). According to the optical density, the CCp group showed the best results at seven and fourteen days, but it was surpassed by the CR group at the 28th day. The histomorphometrical analyses showed that the SP group had the best result at seven days but the CR group formed more bone than all the other groups at 14 and 28 days.Measuring the bony callus, the CR group had the thicker callus at seven and 28 days. It... Complete abstract, click electronic address below)

M.Tech. / Stress is a normal physiological response to stressful stimuli. If, however, one is exposed to stress for long periods of time it can be harmful to one’s body. There is a lack of research on the treatment of stress both pharmaceutically and naturally. Many undesirable side-effects are associated with the current pharmaceutical treatment of stress. AdrenoState® is a nutritional supplement indicated for people who live a stressful lifestyle. The aim of the study was to determine whether Adrenostate® would have an effect on salivary cortisol and perceived levels of stress in men. Thirty eight male participants, who scored in the eligible range in the screening questionnaire and who fitted the criteria, completed the study. The study was a double blind placebo controlled study. The participants were placed into either group A or B, with equal distribution of age and levels of physical exercise. The study revealed that Group A was the placebo group and B the experimental group. The study was conducted over six weeks. Salivary cortisol, perceived stress levels, blood pressure and heart rate were measured and obtained at the first consultation (0 weeks), second consultation (3 weeks) and final consultation (6 weeks). The salivary cortisol was measured by means of an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).