In this report: Dr. Latino inspects the ingredients of ZyVestra – a homeopathic treatment for Vertigo.

Zyvestra: Homeopathic Treatment for Vertigo Clinical Breakdown
Dr. Thomas Latino

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is not a disease or disorder; rather it is a sensation or a symptom of a much larger problem that effects the functionality and efficiency of the inner ear.  The sensation of “Vertigo” is largely categorized by experiencing periods of dizziness, discombobulation, disorientation and anxiety; furthermore, numerous individuals report having nausea during these experiences.  The symptoms associated with Vertigo are relatively common across all demographic groups.  The condition is not gender nor race biased and there have been studies conducted to determine if one group is more prone to the disorder than others.

What causes Vertigo?  There are a myriad of conditions that can cause the onset of the qualities of Vertigo; however the main cause of the sensation germinated within the structures and chambers of the inner ear.  The inner ear contains cochlear fluid which is vital in proper alignment of spatial orientation and balance for the human body.  The Vestibular System is the collection of the inner ear, the Vestibular nerve, brainstem and cerebellum.  The Vestibular System is responsible for integrating sensory stimuli and movement and for keeping objects in visual focus as the body moves.  A common form of Vertigo associated with the Vestibular System is referred to as “Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo”. BPPM affects the signal transduction between a structure known as the “Labyrinth” within the inner ear.  This apparatus is comprised of semi-circular canals encased in fluid.  The Labyrinth then transmits movement information to the Vestibular Nerve and the Vestibular Nerve carries the information to the brainstem and cerebellum.

A common disorder/disease that is normally associated with Vertigo is Meniere’s Disease.  This is a disorder of the inner ear that causes dizziness and sensations of “fullness” within the head; Tinnitus is also a corollary to the onset of Meniere’s Disease.  Meinier’s Disease is found in approximately 615,000 Americans each year. Those who are diagnosed with the disease often report feelings of extreme anxiety as a result of the sensations of “falling” or “dizziness”.

Currently, treatments for Vertigo involve over the counter medications such as the anti-anxiety medication Diazeapam.  Diazepam is a member of the drug family Benzodiazepines and has the following side effects: (1) Drowsiness; (2) Fatigue; (3) Muscle Weakness and (4) Upset Stomach.  In many cases, the side effects can worsen the condition of the individual.  However, there is a new treatment available for those who suffer from the symptoms associated with Vertigo.  Zyvestra, is a homeopathic remedy that incorporates four essential ingredients necessary to treat and minimize the sensations and symptoms normally associated with Vertigo and Meneire’s Disease. The ingredients of Zyvestra are : (1) Cocculus Indicus; (2) Echinacea; (3) Gelsemium Sempervirens; (4) Phytolacca Decandra and (5) Pulsatilla. Each of these homeopathic treatments work in concert with one another to create an innovative and less harsh treatment for the conditions associated with Vertigo.

Ingredients

Cocculus Indicus

Cocculus Indicus is used to treat nausea and headaches that are common attributes of Vertigo.  C. Indicus has been clinical shown to be free of harmful side effects when used to counteract the effect of spatial disorientation that is experienced by pilots when training on various flight simulators.  Lucertine, et. al. (2007) conducted a study to compare the effectiveness of C. Indicus with Cinnarizine in the treatment of spatial disaggregation (Lucertine, 2007).  The three groups were divided into their respective drug populations, placebo (control); Cinnarizine and C. Indicus.  The results demonstrated that both C. Indicus and Cinnarizine performed better than the placebo (Lucertine, 2007).  Furthermore, the results also indicated that C. Indicus did not demonstrate any negative side effects after administration; a quality that separated the drug from the other treatments administered (Lucertine, 2007).  The demonstration of a lack of negative side effects post-administration, renders C. Indicus a vital component of any homeopathic treatment, especially a treatment for a condition as pervasive as Vertigo.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herbal supplement that has gained notoriety for comprising qualities that rendered the herbal remedy a potent immunostimulant.  The exemplary characteristics of Echinacea as an immunostimulant (Benson, 2010; Tyler, 1988).  In addition to Echinacea being used as an immunostimulant; the herbal supplement has also been demonstrated to exhibit substantial and significant anti-inflammatory qualities as well (Moore, 2003).  These properties are important in any herbal component treating Vertigo and its symptoms.  Vertigo, as mentioned previously, is brought about by malfunctioning components within the inner ear. Researchers have stated that part of the dysfunction may result from inflammation within the inner ear that could adversely impact the draining functions of the Endolymphatic Sac; thereby causing a downstream effect that could ultimately lead to the onset of Vertigo and its many manifestation (Derby, 1996).  Echniacea’s anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory qualities are vital components of an herbal/homeopathic treatment for Vertigo.

G. Sempervirens

The most critical and effective ingredient within Zyvestra is G. Sempervirens.  This homeopathic aide is used most often as a nerve agent relaxant and also used to treat mental irritability, headache, hypermia and convulsions.  Additionally,  the roots of G. Sempervirens have been used to treat neuralgia and neuralgic pain.  The main Alkaloid of G. Sempervirens is Gelsemine. An alkaloid is the main chemical derivative that is produced by plants and herbs.  There has been an extensive and exhaustive clinical study on the relationship between G. Sempervirens, Gelsemine and the occurrence of such neurological conditions of anxiety-which is a key component and symptom of Vertigo.

Vernard (2009) conducted an in depth study of the effects these two homeopathic treatments have on the bio-synthesis of a critical neural transmitter that is a vital component within the Hippocambus-Amygdala complex that leads to the onset of anxiety (Vernard, 2009).  The key Neurosteriod that regulates anxiety through the nervous system is 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone, also named allopregnanolone plays a key role in the modulation of neurological/psyco-pathologic symptoms such as anxiety (Vernard, 2009).  Tissue samples from both the Hippocampus-Amygdala Complex along with the Spinal Cord were measured for increases in 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone bio-synthesis post administration of G. Sempervirens and its alkaloid Gelsemine (Vernard, 2009).  The levels of the homeopathic treatments varied from 5, 9 and 15 Centesimal dilutions (cH) (Vernard, 2009).  The results of the study were significant and substantial in terms of impact these homeopaths had on production of 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone.

G. Sempervirens and Gelesemine demonstrated a heightened ability to convert [³H]Progesterone into 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone at fairly high levels in both the Hippocampus-Amygdala Complex and Spinal Cord tissue (Vernard, 2009).  Specifically, the results demonstrated that introducing 5 cH, G. Sempervirens in the Spinal Cord tissue, induced a staggering 547% increase in the synthesis of [³H]3?,5?-tetrahydrogrogesterone and Gelsemine induced an equally  substantial 193% increase in the neurosynthesis of [³H]3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone from [³H]Progesterone, the neurotransmitter precursor (Vernard, 2009).  Conversely, when applying the same amount of G. Sempervirens and Gelsemine to the Hippocampus-Amygdala Complex, G. Sempervirens induced a 178% increase in 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone bio-synthesis; whereas Gelsemine induced a 94% increase in the bio-synthesis of 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone (Vernard, 2009).  This data suggests that G. Sempervirens administered on their own may have the potential to induce higher levels of 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone than its alkaloid Gelsemine (Vernard, 2009).

These results are significant when reviewing the ingredients of Zyvestra in that G. Sempervirens is a critical component of both the tablets and the cream.  G. Sempervirens plays a direct role in the bio-synthesis of the neurotransmitter 3?,5?-tetrahydroprogesterone that is critical in the regulation of anxiety in the Hippocampus-Amygdala Complex as well as the Spinal Column.  To possess drastic bio-synthesis and up-regulation properties as G. Sempervirens does renders the homeopath a vital and necessary ingredient in any homeopathic treatment that is aimed at reducing the harmful effects of Vertigo.

Phytolacca Decandra

Phytolacca Decandra has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory properties.  The herbal remedy contains numerous chemical compounds that have been demonstrated through clinical research to induce anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant responses directed at minimizing the onset of Histamine attacks.  These compounds include: (1) Alpha Spinasterol; (2) Ascorbic Acid; (3) Calcium Oxalate; (4) Caryophylline; (5) Isoquercitin;(6) Jialigonic Acid and (7) Oleanolic Acid (Shirley, 2010).

In a study conducted by Shirley, et. al. (2010), both Alpha Spinasterol and Oleanolic Acid were observed to determine the extent of their anti-inflammatory behavior.  The results of the study conclusively determined that both compounds possessed the ability to trigger immune responses within the tissue to reduce the onset and severity of inflammation (Shirley, 2010).  Anti-inflammatory behavior of P. Decandra is significant in the treatment of Vertigo given that recent research has come to light that demonstrates Vertigo and its symptoms as well Meniere’s Disease may be induced by inflammation within the inner ear.

Researcher suggest that inflammation caused by deposits of circulating immune complexes may interfere with the Endolymphatic Sac’s filtering capacity (Derebery, 1996).  This interference can cause inflammation of the sac, causing it to swell and adversely affect the critical structures of the inner ear that lead to the onset of either Vertigo or Meneire’s Disease (Derebery, 1996).  Including homeopathic components in an overall treatment that is well known for its anti-inflammatory behavior can only add to the significance of the treatment.

Pulsatilla

The final ingredient in Zyvestra is Pulsatilla, an herbal therapy that is used to treat Neuralgic Pain.  The clinical impact of Pulsatilla on pain management has been well documented.  In 1997, Frise, conducted a pain management study comparing Pulsatilla to a traditional antibiotic therapy.  The study group included a group of 200 children who were suffering from Otitis Media (inflammation and Infection of the Inner Ear).  The children were divided into two groups, Group A-received the homeopathic treatment of Pulsatilla and Group B which received the traditional antibiotic (Frise, 1997). The results indicated the homeopathic treatment was more effective at preventing subsequent re-occurrences within a year (Frise, 1997).  Those who received Pulsatilla were 70.7% free of occurrence of the infection one year later; while those who received the traditional antibiotic treatment were 56.5% free of occurrence after one year. This data demonstrates the comparable difference in significance and effectiveness of the Pulsatilla homeopathic treatment versus the standard antibiotic.

Conclusion

Vertigo in its various forms including Meneire’s Disease impacts nearly 1 million Americans each year. The symptoms and sensations include dizziness, disorientation, pain, nausea and anxiety.  These conditions render the individual incapacitated until the occurrences subside.    Currently, traditional pharmacological treatments include anxiety medications and antidepressants.  Each of these drugs possesses harmful side effects that leave the individual feeling worse than before they administered the medication.  However, Zyvestra, offers an innovative, less harsh and homeopathic alternative for treating the symptoms and potential causes of Vertigo.  The homeopathic ingredients contained in both the tablets and cream act in concert to demonstrate a universal ability to lessen and prevent the onset of Vertigo without the harsh side effects of traditional pharmacological treatments for the disorder.

Lucertini, Marco, et al. “The effect of cinnarizine and cocculus indicus on simulator sickness.” Physiology & Behavior 91.1 (2007): 180

Treatment of Vertigo. R.Schwarz, P.Longwell, Am Fam Physician, 2005, vol. 71, pp. 1115–1130

Benson, J. (2010). “Echinacea Purpurea Extracts Modulate Murine Dendritic Cell Fate and Function.”  Food Chemistry Toxicology, 48(5);1170-77

Venard, C. (2009).  “Comparative Analysis of Gelsemine and Gelsemium Sempervirens Activity or Neurosteroid Allopregnanolone Formation in the Spinal Cord and Limbric System. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine; 80-89

Frise, K.K. (1997). “The homeopathic treatment of Otitis Media in Children-comparisons with conventional therapy” International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Therapeutics, 25(7); 296-301

Lewis, W.H. (2003). Medical Botany. 2^nd ed, Hoboken: Wiley, pg. 82

Shirley, B. (2010). “Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Crude Extract and Isolated Compounds from B. Illinita DC in active skin Inflammation. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 130(2); 262-266

Tyler, V. (1988). “Plant Drugs in the Twenty First Century” Economic Botany, 40(3);279-88

Moore, S. (2003). “A Prairie Pharmacy: Introduction to Herbalism. The American Biology Teacher, 65(4); 249-256

For more information on ZyVestra visit the websites below:

www.zyvestra.com
www.twitter.com/zyvestra
www.facebook.com/zyvestra

Related posts:

1. Vertigo Causes Dizziness: Can Zyvestra Help Vertigo?