M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / The climacteric describes the ongoing changes and symptoms, of the phase or transition period that may last 15-20 years in a woman's lifecycle, when ovarian function and hormonal production declines. Menopause is the permanent cessation of the menses, identified retrospectively after one year without menses and occurs within this period of climacteric (Bernstein et al. 1996). The most common symptoms of climacteric include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, nervousness, depressive moods, feelings of vertigo, inability to concentration, joint pain, headache and heart palpitations. The most commonly used allopathic medication to palliate these symptoms is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are adverse side effects and risks associated with this treatment and not all women feel better on HR.T (Stoppard, 2001). The aim of this research study was to determine the efficacy of the Homoeopathic complexes Dr Reckeweg RI0® and R20® (Homoeopathic complexes) in relieving the symptoms of the climacteric. The methodology and Ethics were accepted by Higher Degrees Committee and Academic Ethics Committee on the 25 August 2008 (Ethical clearance no: 40/08). Participants were recruited by advertisements (Appendix A) at the University of Johannesburg, in health food shops and in pharmacies. This was a double blind, placebo controlled study involving thirty-two participants who were divided into two matched groups based on the severity of the menopausal symptoms. Volunteers were selected . using the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Volunteers meeting the inclusion criteria completed the information and consent form (Appendix B), and a patient profile and case history (Appendix C) were taken. The participants were randomly allocated to an experimental or control group, and given sets of medication (Remedy A and B, 50ml bottles) to take for a period of eight weeks (Appendix D). The participants took 10 drops of Remedy A (R10® or placebo) in the morning and Remedy B (R20® or placebo) at night. The participants were requested to complete the abbreviated Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI) weekly. The abbreviated KMI (Appendix E) scores were added...

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M.Tech. / Psoriasis vulgaris (plaque psoriasis) is a chronic recurring inflammatory skin disease that manifests most commonly as well-circumscribed, erythematous papules and plaques of varying sizes, covered with silvery scales (Beers et al., 2010). The condition itself is considered to be difficult to treat and manage by many types of healthcare practitioners, due in part to its unknown aetiology/trigger and partly due to the nature of the disease itself (Medonça and Burden, 2003). The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of a Homoeopathic complex remedy on psoriasis. A group of twenty seven participants completed the study. Participants were of both sexes, had to be between the ages of 18 and 65 and had to have been previously diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. The study was conducted over four consultations, two weeks apart, over a six week period. The study followed a double-blind, placebo controlled format. Participants were grouped into matching pairs in terms of age and severity of disease and were then randomly assigned into either the treatment or placebo group for the study duration. Participants were evaluated at each consultation using the three primary assessment tools, namely: the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) used to assess erythema, thickness and scaling of lesions; the psoriasis disability index questionnaire (PDI), a subjective participant-orientated evaluation of the psychological impact of the disease and the 5-D itch scale used to quantitatively rate the subjective experience of pruritus. The secondary tools used at each consultation were for monitoring purposes only and were used to determine: changes in selected lesion area, as well as the effects of the intervention on the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by psoriasis. The TBSA tool was also used to determine whether new lesions developed during the study period. Using non-parametric analyses, the results of the study demonstrated statistically significant improvement in three of the five variables tested. This includes improvement in: lesion appearance (erythema, scaling and thickness) as determined by PASI; improved psychological experience of the disease quantified by PDI and improvement in the degree of pruritus. It was noted that non-parametric analyses also showed improvement in lesion area. However, lesion area measurement was a secondary tool used for monitoring purposes and it was noted that the use of the tool demonstrated short-comings with regards to consistency and reliability. Parametric analyses showed improvement of statistical significance in one of the five variables tested, namely that of pruritus levels as determined by the 5-D itch scale. It was concluded from this study that the homoeopathic complex remedy was found to be effective in the treatment of certain symptoms of psoriasis and as such should be considered as an adjunct therapy in its treatment.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The purpose of this randomised double blind study was to evaluate the efficacy of the homoeopathic complex (Cantharis vesicatoria 12CH, Equisetum hyemale 12CH, Sarsaparilla 12CH, Delphinium staphysagria 12CH, Uva ursi 12CH) in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis with regard to the number of wet nights per week. It focused on children between the ages offive and eighteen, residing at children's homes in the greater Durban area. It was hypothesised that the homoeopathic medication would reduce the weekly incidences of bed wetting and thus provide a, safe, viable and effective alternative to existing treatment options. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Diploma in Technology in the Department of Homoeopathy at Technikon Natal, 1994. / The object of the present research trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a single homoeopathic medication, Cholesterinum, in the ninth atcenuation (9CH) in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Special attention was paid to its effect on total choles~erol (TC) levels and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/ low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C/LDL-C) ratio. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy at Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The purpose of this double blind randomised study is to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic simillimum versus high doses of vitamin C in the treatment of Influenza Type Syndrome in terms of subjective symptoms assessed by the patient, and objective clinical signs assessed by the researcher / M

M.Tech. / Menopause refers to the natural cessation of the menstrual cycle at the end of the reproductive years, and is usually defined retrospectively after twelve consecutive months of amenorrhoea. Climacteric is the term used to describe the life period surrounding menopause. It begins with physiological changes that mark the transition between the reproductive and post-reproductive years (Lewis and Bernstein, 1996). The mean age of menopause is 51 years, with a normal range from 45 to 56 years (Chamberlain and Malvern, 1996). There are many symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flushes and night sweats, headaches, sleep difficulties, vaginal dryness and loss of libido, urinary problems, joint and muscle pains, depression, irritability, and poor memory and concentration. Long-term risks and effects include osteoporosis and coronary heart disease (MacGregor, 2000). The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the homoeopathic similimum in the treatment of climacteric symptoms. The research study was advertised in local newspapers, pharmacies, and on the Doornfontein campus of the University of Johannesburg in order to recruit volunteers for the study. All volunteers were required to complete a Suitability Criteria Questionnaire. Following this, ten participants were selected who met the inclusion criteria. The study involved four homoeopathic consultations for each participant over a period of three months. During the first consultation a consent form was completed, the procedures of the research were explained to the participant, a full case history was taken, and a physical examination was performed. According to each participant’s individualized physical, mental and emotional symptoms ascertained from the case history, the researcher determined a suitable similimum remedy. A similimum remedy can be defined as the single remedy that fits the symptom picture (Digby, 1997). The abbreviated Kupperman Menopause Index was completed by each participant at the beginning of the treatment, and then at four-weekly intervals for the duration of the twelve week trial. The results were then transferred to the participants’ main Kupperman Menopause Index and compared, thus determining the effect of the homoeopathic similimum in treating climacteric symptoms.

Dr. J. Torline Dr. S. Sarawan Dr. H. Engelbrecht

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Please refer to full text to view abstract