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Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)

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    An analysis of selected Bach flower remedies and their relationship to existing Homoeopathic Materia Medica
    (2021-05-27) Andrew, Crystal Jade; Maharaj, Mandusha
    With the increase of daily stressors in our lives, an individual may find it debilitating and can subsequently reduce the quality of life. According to a study done on the life time prevalence of common mental disorders in South Africa, it was found that anxiety disorders have the highest prevalence in life time disorders. Thus, appropriate treatment or management of anxiety disorders and fear-related disorders may be necessary. The Bach flower remedies have been used to treat mental or emotional states. These remedies were discovered by Dr Edward Bach. Dr Bach analysed the flower remedies and categorised them distinctively into groups based on similar characteristics of which flower remedies displayed. The Bach flower remedies Aspen, Cherry plum, Mimulus, Red chestnut and Rock rose have been placed into the fear group as a result of being collectively fearful, although the cause of the fear and anxiety are diverse. AIM The aim of the study was to explore the relationship of selected Bach flower remedies, the fear group, to the existing Homoeopathic Materia Medica noting the themes that emerged. METHOD This study paradigm involved an intensive literature-based review study with detailed analysis of data in the public domain. There were no participants needed for the study. The repertorisation method has been used extensively in Homoeopathy to detect the remedies of repertorial similarity. In other words, the common remedies that arise in symptom patterns. The development of the repertory came from the idea of having multiple remedies which was difficult to memorize. This study employed this method to detect the emerged Homoeopathic remedies per selected Bach flower remedy. The mental/emotional symptoms of the Bach flower remedies were converted to rubrics with the use of Schroyens (2012) repertory. The study integrated thematic analysis using the data achieved after repertorisation. RESULTS The remedies of repertorial similarity were determined by the repertorisation of the characteristic symptoms of the selected Bach Flower remedies. Three best suited remedies were selected per Bach flower remedy of which the researcher thoroughly analysed to distinguish common themes that arise. Upon further comparison between the selected Bach flower remedy mental and emotional symptomology and the emerged Homoeopathic remedies, the researcher noted the results showed significant similarities of the mental/emotional symptoms between the Bach flower remedies and the Homoeopathic remedies. CONCLUSION After much analysis, the researcher found that for each Bach flower remedy there was a distinctive Homoeopathic remedy which showed similarities of the Bach flower remedies pertaining to the mental/emotional symptomology. The Homoeopathic remedies following simply displayed the main themes of anxiety and fear, but not in detail when analysed with the corresponding Bach flower remedy. The researcher thus noted that since there are similarities between the Bach flower remedies and the emerged Homoeopathic remedies, the Bach flowers will be of aid as a conjunctive therapy which will enhance the treatment of the Homoeopathic remedies for anxietybased disorders.
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    The efficacy of a herbal complex (Gingko biloba, Panax ginseng, Bacopa monerii and Rhodiola rosea) in the management of excessive daytime sleepiness
    (2018) Mazibuko, Sindisiwe Sthembile; Naude, D.F.
    BACKGROUND Good sleep is essential to health, yet university students are sleep deprived due to later bedtime and experience sleepiness during the day (Patte et al., 2017), Sleepiness is referred to an increase propensity to fall asleep and excessive sleepiness and sleep disorders are common in our society today (Bittencourt et al., 2005). Previous research suggested that sleep can affect academic performance (Halik et al.2016), this is because students were observed falling asleep in university rooms (Eden, 2006). Brand et al., (2009) also mentioned that students feel sleepy during certain periods of the day especially during classes, during low stimulation and during car or bus rides. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of a herbal complex (Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Bacopa monerii & Rhodiola rosea) in the management of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in terms of Epworth sleepiness scale (John, 1991) and Stanford sleepiness scale (Hoddes et al, 1973). METHODOLOGY The study was conducted at the Durban University of Technology and 31 participants were chosen according to a specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample was then randomly divided into an active group (herbal treatment) consisting of 21 participants and a placebo group of 10 participants. The measuring tools that were used were Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) (Appendix C) and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) (Appendix D). The initial consultation with the researcher consisted of signing the informed consent forms, case taking, physical examinations and filling in the ESS. Thereafter there were two follow up consultations; a week after the first consultation (the second consultation) at which point the treatment/placebo was dispensed and again two weeks from the second consultation which was the last day of the study and at which point medication containers were returned and final case taking and physical examinations were performed. The ESS was completed at recruitment, at the second consultation (both pre-treatment) and at close out and the SSS was completed for a period of three weeks (one week pre-treatment) and two weeks post treatment. RESULTS The data analysis methods that were used in the study were; Cronbach alpha score, One sample Kolmogorov-Simrnov test, Fisher‟s exact test, Pearson‟s correlation test, Independent sample test and ANOVA for ESS and mixed factorial ANOVA was used to evaluate the SSS. In conclusion in terms of the ESS both groups improved significantly over time; degrees of improvement however were not statistically dissimilar although a review of mean scores indicates the active group as having lower scores suggesting a clinically significant trend. SSS data however confirmed statistically significant differences between groups in favour of the active group confirming the herbal complex superior effect over placebo in the treatment of EDS.
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    A double-blind homoeopathic drug proving of Curcuma longa 30CH, analysing sympotomatology [i.e. symptomatology] in relation to the doctrine of signatures
    (2011) Pillay, Karasee; Naude, David F.
    The aim of this study was to determine the effect that Curcuma longa 30CH would have on healthy individuals, and record the particular signs and symptoms produced. These signs and symptoms determine the therapeutic indications of this remedy, so that it may be prescribed according to the homoeopathic Law of Similars. The second aim of this study was to analyse the symptomatology of Curcuma longa 30CH in relation to a Doctrine of Signatures analysis of the Curcuma longa plant, in order to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the materia medica of this substance. Design The homoeopathic proving of Curcuma longa in 30CH potency took the form of a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial. Thirty healthy provers were selected on the basis of them meeting with the necessary inclusion criteria (Appendix A). The provers were randomly divided into 2 groups, of which 20% (6 of the 30 provers) formed the placebo group and received non-medicated powders, and the remaining 80% (24 of the 30 provers) received medicated powders (verum). The 2 groups were not aware of the nature of the substance that they were proving or the potency used. The provers recorded their mental, physical and emotional states over a period of a week prior to taking the remedy in order to establish a baseline for comparison after the administration of the remedy. Both verum and placebo were dispensed in the form of 6 powders. Each powder was taken sublingually 3 times daily for 2 days or until the prover experienced the onset of any symptoms. Each prover kept a journal and recorded their proving signs and symptoms daily after administration of the remedy or the placebo. The data was collected and extracted from these journals and then assessed by the researcher for suitability to be included in the materia medica of Curcuma longa. All data gathered from the case histories (Appendix C), physical examinations and group discussions were also considered for inclusion. Results A variety of mental, emotional and physical symptoms were produced and included in the materia medica of Curcuma longa. There were a total number of 202 symptoms that were produced as a result of the remedy, which resulted in the formulation of 141 rubrics. The main mental and emotional symptoms that surfaced during the proving were depression, a deep sadness, changeability of moods, courage/confidence, relaxed/ calm and less anger, agility, increased concentration, and vivid dreams. The physical symptoms noted were diarrhea, change in energy levels (too much or too little energy), burning sensations, headaches, heart palpitations and increased breathing rates. The symptoms that came about during the proving clearly showed correlation and association with the nature and description of the Turmeric plant, this is in keeping with findings of previous provings (Pistorius, 2006; Webster, 2002; Speckmeier, 2008 & Pather, 2009), furthermore as suggested by Richardson-Boedler (1999:173) the Doctrine of Signatures analysis of the Turmeric plant facilitated in the interpretation of the proving symptoms and thus the materia medica of the remedy.
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    A double-blind homoeopathic drug proving of Curcuma longa 30CH with the subsequent comparison to the Ayurvedic and phytotherapeutic indications thereof
    (2011) Rajkoomar, Suhana; Naude, David F.
    Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic potential of Curcuma longa 30CH when administered to healthy individuals, thus revealing the materia medica of the substance. It was also the aim of this study to compare the existing therapeutic indications of the substance to the proving symptomatology. Methodology The proving took the form of a double-blind placebo controlled study and was conducted by two Master’s in Technology: Homoeopathy students using 30 healthy subjects. Twenty four provers were given the active medication and six provers were given the placebo. The remedy was manufactured according to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia in 30CH potency. The proving ran for a period of six weeks. Results The symptoms extracted from the proving were placed in different sections according to the repertory and was compared to the Ayurvedic and Phytotherapeutic indications of Curcuma longa. There were 202 symptoms produced as a result of the remedy, 141 rubrics were formulated using these symptoms. The largest number of rubrics i ii was allocated to the mind, head and dreams section of the repertory, other smaller sections of prominence included the eye, ear, nose and throat sections. A wealth of information was gained once the comparison was made between Curcuma longa 30CH and the Phytotherapeutic and Ayurvedic indications of use. Similarities between the materia medica of Curcuma longa and the Phytotherapeutic indications of use were found to exist with respect to sections such as eye, nose, face, stomach, stool, respiration, back, extremities, skin and generals. Conclusion The administration of Curcuma longa 30C to healthy provers according to the methodological protocol of this study resulted in the production of a variety of defined proving symptoms which comprise the materia medica thereof (first objective of the study). The subsequent comparison of the proving symptoms with the existing indications of Turmeric as an Ayurvedic and Phytotherapeutic medicine (second objective of the study) revealed clear correlations in a variety of defined areas.
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    A homoeopathic drug proving of the plant Peucedanum galbanum, analysing symptomatology in relation to the doctrine of signatures
    (2007) Wagner, Abbey; Maharaj, Madhueshwaree
    The first objective of this study was to determine the symptomatology that the plant remedy Peucedanum galbanum 30CH, produced in healthy individuals, so that it could be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. The second objective was to analyse this symptomatology in relation to the doctrine of signatures. It was hypothesised that Peucedanum galbanum 30CH would produce symptomatology in healthy individuals which would correlate to the doctrine of signatures of the plant.
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    An investigation of the rate of change of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte counts and viral loads in HIV infected patients on immune boosters
    (2007) Mkhize, Brenda Thabisile; Madurai, S.; Adam, Jamila Khatoon
    In 2004, it was reported that KwaZulu-Natal had the greatest number of HIV infected people, approximately 1.8 million people, of whom an estimated 450 000 were in need of antiretroviral drug therapy based on their Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4) counts and clinical status. Studies on the success of antiretroviral drugs in improving the quality of life in HIV infected individuals have been extensively performed and published. However, there are no published data on the effect that immune boosters have in improving the quality of life in such persons. Considering the side effects, toxicity, multi-drug regimens and drug resistance problems associated with antiretroviral therapy, alternative or supplementary therapies may play an important role in improving the quality of life in HIV infected people. Such therapy might help in situations where some patients who qualify for antiretroviral treatment are unable to access them because of several reasons such as long waiting lists, travelling costs, unwilling to take antiretroviral drugs, etc. Some patients have reservations in taking antiretroviral drugs. The stigma associated with the disease may be a major factor. The aim of this study was to investigate the change in the immune status of HIV infected patients that were on the Inochi New Medicine immune booster, as well as, to assess the safety and efficacy of this immune booster in improving the patients’ quality of life.