 Can you catch vertigo*? Gosh, it seems like it cuz all of the sudden, everybody around me is complaining of dizziness. (See also: It’s Never Too Late, part 2: Balance.) I’ve been there done that — it’s a miserable experience. Some people experience it as being lightheaded or unsteady on their feet. Others experience it as the room spinning around them and still others experience it as if they themselves are spinning. Some may feel they are falling to the left, or the right. Some people have it only when they’re in bed and others have relief when they get into bed. What causes vertigo/dizziness? Lots of things: Upper respiratory viruses can set it up. Head injuries. Ear infections or inner ear problems. Motion sickness. Anxiety. Infections, in general — viral or bacterial. Migraines. These are all some “benign” causations. Vertigo can also be caused by some more serious issues: some medications, heart problems, stroke, MS — so if you are a vertigo sufferer, be sure to work with your physician to uncover the cause. Another cause of vertigo is a “silent” migraine, also known as vestibular migraine, which can affect the inner ear and the balance system but without the typical headache usually associated with migraines. Typical migraine triggers may set this off (caffeine, bright lights, changes in weather) and these episodes can last for minutes or for days. So, how can homeopathy help when your world is spinning? Murphy’s Repertory lists 974 rubrics for vertigo with some pretty specific symptoms and I’ve seen some pretty pleasing results for this nasty condition. (There are so many homeopathic remedies that can help with vertigo that it can make your head spin!) Perhaps some of the frequent vertigo I am hearing about lately is coming from the world at large feeling all topsy-turvy right now — these are some dizzying times, politically and culturally speaking. (See also: Homeopathy can make a heavy world a little lighter.) When anxiety is related to the dizziness, Cocculus may be of some assistance. A trembling/fluttering sensation in the heart (palpitations) during vertigo; mental confusion; mental exhaustion. Vertigo following emotional excitement; vertigo from loss of sleep. Travel may bring on dizziness (see also, Seasickness). Another remedy which can be useful for vertigo and anxiety is Nux vomica. I have watched Nux vomica work beautifully (and quickly!) for dizziness as a result of fatigue. (See: Too Much.) As we all know, fatigue can be brought on from not enough sleep — not enough is another way of saying “too much.” More broadly, Nux vomica can be useful for dizziness as a result of eating, drinking alcohol or smoking. If there is tendency to fall or if there is staggering or if fainting accompanies the vertigo. Dizziness from the smell of flowers or gas; Mental exertion; or, from being in a room with too many lights. Think of Nux vomica also for vertigo that is worse in bed. If turning in bed is worse, look to either Belladonna or Conium. Belladonna is a good one to think of when a headache accompanies the dizziness. Anxiety might be part of this picture. Pupils may be dilated. Walking may be tricky, or, the vertigo may actually come on while walking. Visually speaking, dizziness may be accompanied by dim or obscured vision. Nux vomica is very highly indicated if there is “vanishing” sight with vertigo. Gelsemium for vertigo with vision issues: double vision; obscured or dim vision, or, even a loss of vision during the vertigo. Head position can play a big part in vertigo. There is something called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) (which is different from “silent” migraine mentioned above). BPPV is very common and results in “the sudden sensation that you are spinning or that the inside of your head is spinning” (Mayo Clinic 2018) . If moving the head makes the dizziness worse, think of either Bryonia or Conium. (Remember, Bryonia is very commonly worse for movement no matter what is going on, they prefer to remain still.) Another way of looking at this one, is that keeping the head perfectly still makes the vertigo better. Borax is a little remedy which has a great affinity for downward movement. If the vertigo kicks in when descending stairs, Borax is the place to start. (Think of Borax also for sleeping babies who startle awake as they are being placed in the crib.) If dizziness occurs when going up the stairs, look to Calc carb. There are so many reasons why one may be experiencing vertigo/dizziness. Be sure to work with your physician to rule out anything serious. In the meantime, a well-chosen homeopathic remedy may help stop the merry-go-round while you figure out what is causing the dizziness/vertigo. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits * I will be using vertigo and dizziness interchangeably in this article, though National Dizzy & Balance Center (Balance 2021) -- (I have no idea who they are, but it’s an interesting website) describes vertigo as “a false sense of movement — almost making it feel as if you, yourself, are spinning even when you’re standing still.” They describe dizziness as a “term often used to describe a variety of balance issues… a term that may apply to motion and balance sensations including light-headedness, faintness, wooziness, or unsteadiness. While not all dizzy spells point to vertigo, vertigo can fall under the umbrella of general dizziness for diagnostic purposes.” Balance, 2021. Dizziness vs. Vertigo - National Dizzy & Balance Center [online]. National Dizzy & Balance Center.
Mayo Clinic, 2018. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - Symptoms and Causes [online]. Mayo Clinic.
0 Comments
 Next up in my series on aging, "It's Never Too Late," is #2, Balance issues. What causes balance issues? Inner ear disorders, head injuries, neurological conditions and even medical issues such as diabetes, heart disease and thyroid problems, or, medications could be the culprit, too. In other words — it could be hard to find out what is causing these balance issues. There are a lot of avenues to investigate. It could make your head spin! Did I mention vertigo is a common cause of balance issues? One of the beautiful aspects of homeopathy is we don’t need to know if it’s a thyroid problem or an inner ear disturbance. We only need to know what symptoms play out with these balance issues. Can it help if we know the cause? Sure, but it’s not necessary. Let me be clear here, though. I am not suggesting to skip the investigation. Definitely figure it out with the help of a medical professional. Signs and symptoms of balance problems include (Mayo Clinic 2018):
This could become a long article with lots of twists and turns (a little vertigo-causing itself it could be, actually!) but we’re not going there. We’re going to make it simple. We’re going to look at the top homeopathic remedies for vertigo, dizziness, falling and the sensation of falling. Calcarea carbonica, Calc carb for short. Clumsy, awkward, falls easily. Feet may turn inward when walking. Get tired from a short walk. There may be a tendency to fall to either side, particularly the left side, or backward. Vertigo can be caused by turning the head, looking upward or going upstairs/uphill. This is an excellent remedy for the elderly in and of itself, regardless of a tendency to fall. Cocculus indicus has a fear of falling and a tendency to fall to either side. Cocculus has an affinity for the spine, and especially of its motor nerves. “There may be a weakness in the small of the back, as if paralyzed; the small of the back gives out when walking; the soles of the feet feel as if they were asleep; the thighs ache as if they had been pounded; first one hand then the other goes to sleep; sometimes the whole arm falls asleep … These symptoms lie at the foundation of the symptomatology of the whole drug; they all seem to depend upon spinal weakness” (Farrington 2010). In most cases which respond well to Cocculus, there is some component of vertigo at play and may be accompanied by nausea which may be worse in a sitting position or when changing from a reclining to a sitting position. Natrum muriaticum. Nat-mur has a fear of falling, too. With vertigo, this remedy has a tendency to fall forward or to the left. The vertigo feels as if they are falling and may be worse standing near a window (or looking out of a window) or on closing the eyes and is improved when lying with the head propped high. Vertigo may be worse in the morning, especially when getting out of bed and occasionally the vertigo may be accompanied by nausea or nosebleeds. Nux vomica fears falling, too, but particularly in the afternoon. (Homeopathy never fails to amaze me with its odd specificities!) With vertigo, a person who may benefit from Nux vomica isn’t so particular which way they fall: forward, backward or to the side. The vertigo of Nux-v feels as if the brain (and other objects) turn in a circle. Rhus toxicodendron tends to fall backward, forward, or, to the right. It’s a major remedy for the tendency to fall when rising from bed. Or, they may have the sensation as if they would fall over. There may be a fear of death or a weakness of memory during the vertigo. Vertigo may be worse when lying down. Rhus tox is also noted in a form of vertigo common in old age which gives a sensation of confusion and dullness (Choudhuri 2016). Stramonium popped up in the search as the only remedy listed for the following: tends to fall backward while walking; tends to fall in the dark; tends to fall to the right while sitting or rising from bed from a sitting position. There is also a tendency to hallucinations that they are falling. Vertigo is worse walking in the dark or when the eyes are closed. A few other remedies with some particular falling tendencies (single remedy rubrics): Phosphorus for vertigo with a tendency to fall from a chair. Causticum tends to fall to the left while looking upward. Spigelia tends to fall while looking down. Strength and balance training are always a good thing, despite your age. I know nothing about Elderlygym.com, but they had some good, common sense information and some clever exercises to get started on reclaiming your balance. Or, find a well-qualified yoga or pilates teacher who has experience working with people your age. If you (or a loved one) finds yourself no longer vertical on a regular basis, get it checked out. “To put everything in balance is good, to put everything in harmony is better.” Victor Hugo. Homeopathy can help with both. Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits Reference list
Choudhuri, N. M., 2016. A study on materia medica : an ideal text-book for homoeopathic students. Accessed through Radar Opus software. Noida, U.P., India: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd. Elderlygym.com, 2019. 12 Best Elderly Balance Exercises For Seniors to Reduce the Risk of Falls [online]. Eldergym® Senior Fitness. Available from: . Farrington, A., 2010. Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica in Family Order. Accessed through Radar Opus software. Mayo Clinic, 2018. Balance problems - Symptoms and causes [online]. Mayo Clinic. Morrison, R., 1998. Desktop companion to physical pathology. Nevada City, Calif.: Hahnemann Clinic Publ. Murphy, R., n.d. Repertory, version 3. Accessed through Radar Opus software.
 “Seasickness: at first you are so sick you are afraid you will die, and then you are so sick you are afraid you won’t die.” – Mark Twain (For the purposes of this article, I will use “seasick” as a general term for all motion sickness.) Boats. Planes. Cars. Ohhhhh. There isn’t a word for what travel sickness feels like. Many authors have made valiant efforts at describing the feeling of seasickness, but having experienced it myself, I’m not convinced they have nailed it. Diana Gabaldon’s Jamie Fraser when crossing the ocean “thought then of nothing but death, and that with a fervor of longing.” Spike Milligan, the British-Irish actor, comedian and writer suggested, “A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree” (Anon. 2021). (According to this website, many authors have expressed the same sentiment in similar ways.) The Motion Sickness Guru** (Anon. 2021) has some unusual recommendations to cure seasickness, including taking a bit of earth or mud with you and to sit on it during the voyage. (Even if this one worked, it sounds a little messy.) I have better suggestion, with no mess of any sort. Homeopathy! The World Traveller’s Manual (Lessell and Greenwood 1993, p. 39) talks about beginning treatment two days before traveling for maximum efficacy. Their prescription is a mixture of a few remedies and I’m sure it works well. The authors state their focus with this protocol is on prevention of established seasickness. But, the Banerjis, as usual, have simplified things with their protocol. Tabacum 200c, one dose every hour before starting a journey; three doses to be taken (Banerji and Banerji 2013, p. 122). By beginning the remedy prior to travel, the Banerji's goal is also to stop the seasickness before it starts, but if those initial doses weren't sufficient, take the remedy again. Homeopathic Tabacum makes so much sense! Just think about all those cartoons and old TV shows where we would see someone take their first drag of a cigarette and they would turn green and double over with nausea — it’s like seasickness on land! "Nausea, giddiness, deathly sinking, vomiting, icy coldness and sweat … prostration of the entire muscular system" — those are the first symptoms mentioned in Murphy’s Materia Medica (2006, p. 1896) under homeopathic uses for Tabacum. Is Tabacum the only homeopathic remedy for travel sickness? Nope. For starters, as mentioned above, The World Traveller’s Manual suggests using a combination of remedies: Cocculus indicus 30c and Petroleum 6c as well as Tabacum 6c. Are these remedies only useful for nausea as a result of travel sickness? Nope. Nausea of any kind, from any cause. Run of the mill nausea, morning sickness, nausea as a result of anxiety, nausea as a result of vertigo … even nausea caused from smoking tobacco! What’s the difference between these remedies? All three of these remedies are strongly indicated in seasickness with nausea, but Tabacum is a little more indicated. Tabacum is more highly indicated when: - Seasick with nausea - During vertigo* - During vertigo with noises in ear - SEVERE motion sickness and nausea - Empty, weak, “goneness” sensation in the stomach - With horrible anxiety - With vomiting - During pregnancy - With cold sweats* - constant desire to swallow saliva Cocculus indicus: is more highly indicated when: - Seasickness is better closing the eyes - Sensitive hearing, or noises make it worse - During a headache - During vertigo* - During labor - From sleeplessness (think jet lag and how horrible that makes you feel!) - Air travel* - From the smell of food - Looking at moving objects makes it worse - Riding in a car* - Sitting up in bed - While smoking - During a cough - Great salivation* - for those who get seasick while swimming* Petroleum is more highly indicated for nausea when: - Air travel* - Riding in a car* - Accumulation of saliva in the mouth* - With increased appetite - Eating helps - With cold sweat* - Constant nausea - While standing - During stool - Sudden nausea - for those who get seasick while swimming* * (If the same symptom is mentioned under multiple remedies, that symptom is equally indicated in both remedies.) As you can see, there is a good deal of crossover between these remedies. If one doesn't work for you, try the next one. Ugh. Just thinking about all this makes me feel a little queasy. The next time you are planning an ocean voyage (or a plane trip or car trip if you’re sensitive to them), be sure to slip a tube of homeopathic Tabacum 200c in your bag and in your mouth a couple of hours before your travel begins. It will likely make your trip much more pleasant. **This website does have some homeopathic suggestions, too, I was happy to see! Julia Coyte, CHom Classically Practical homeopath #wellnessawaits REFERENCE LIST
Anon., 2021. A Sure Cure for Seasickness Is To Sit Under a Tree – Quote Investigator [online]. Quote Investigator. Anon., 2021. Motion Sickness Trivia - Outlandish cures, quotes, barf bag fun... [online]. www.motion-sickness-guru.com. Banerji, P. and Banerji, P., 2013. The Banerji protocols : a new method of treatment with homeopathic medicines. India: Pratip Banerji. Gabaldon, D., 2002. Voyager. New York, New York: Bantam Dell A Division Of Random House, Inc. Lessell, C. B. and Greenwood, L., 1993. The world travellers’ manual to homoeopathy. Essex: Saffron Walden. Murphy, R., 2006. Nature’s materia medica : 1,400 homeopathic and herbal remedies. 3rd ed. Blackburg, Va.: Lotus Health Institute, November. Ratera, Dr. M. M., 2016. First Aid with Homeopathy. Kandern, Germany: Narayana Verlag. |
Julia Coyte, CHomI am passionate about homeopathy and I love sharing this passion. Having a working knowledge of homeopathy shouldn't be kept a secret. If people have the ability to help themselves, their children and their friends when they have minor ailments, life just gets better for everyone. That is the purpose behind Ruminating on Remedies. Archives
October 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed