ME/CFS/PVN Research
Alternative
& Complementary Therapies
Homœopathy
A randomised, double-blind trial 64
patients was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of single selected homœopathic
remedies compared to placebo tablets in the treatment of patients diagnosed with
M.E. The
patients were randomly selected to either a treatment or control group and completed
monthly visits to the same homœopathic practitioner who, using classical
homœopathy, sent prescriptions to a homoeopathic pharmacy who interpreted the written
prescriptions in accordance with a randomisation code to which only the pharmacy had
knowledge.
The results were obtained by (a) a daily record kept by
each patient and (b) a self assessment chart that each patient completed at the end of the
year’s treatment.
The data revealed that 33 per cent of the treatment group
reported significant improvements whereas only 4 per cent of the placebo group reported
any improvements.
Whilst these results suggest that homœopathic
treatment offers appreciable benefits for patients suffering from C.F.S., the impact of
the treatment is, by the author’s admission ‘unpredictable and very
variable’. The nature of the report suggests that a consistent and reliable
homœopathic treatment for C.F.S. is still very far from being found and strongly
indicates that the correct homœopathic remedy to treat this condition is yet to be
identified.
R Awdry. Homoeopathy and chronic fatigue - the search for
proof. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1996; 14: 2,19-22
return to top
Colonic
Hydrotherapy
The Health Education Council, National Advisory
Committee on Nutrition Education (September 1983) reported that 85% of the
population have slow bowel movements with as many as 40% of the population
in the United Kingdom being regularly constipated. When the colon does not
function properly, other elliminating organs (e.g., skin, kidneys, lungs
and lymph) become overloaded and subsequently they too become affected.
Whilst there have been no clinical trials to our knowledge related to
Colonic Hydrotherapy and M.E., there seems little doubt that Colonic
Hydrotherapy is indicated whenever there is constipation or any other
digestive disorder.
The Colonic International Assocation recommends that
Colonic Hydrotherapy "is best used as a complementary technique to
other therapies. By improving elimination, response to dietary, homœopathic,
herbal, manipulative and other therapies is markedly improved."
Dr Belinda Dawes, a British doctor who specialised
in the treatment of M.E. and CFS states; "I would say that without
doubt, candida infection plays a role in the ill health of all the
patients I see. Although their illness may not be directly related to the
candida problem, eliminating the candida from their body and its related
consequences has certainly been one of the factors in their
recovery." (1) Bearing this mind, Colonic Hydrotherapy would appear
to be an excellent treatment to help rectify the condition as it cleans
the colon of accumulated waste including fungus and bacterium.
The Ayurvedic Institute and Wellness
Centre,
Albuquerque, New Mexico has reported good results within 2-3 months for (PVN)
M.E. sufferers. They use a bowel cleansing programme including laxatives,
enemas, aloe vera juice and psyllium husks with herbs such as
Arogyavarenini to cleanse the liver (2).
(1) Better Nutrition for Today's Living 1990, v52
p20
(2) East West January 1989 v.19, N1, P44).
return to top
|
