Homoeopathy in hypercholesterolaemia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Chelidonium 3X in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in terms of changes in the blood cholesterol levels in order to determine the extent to which homoeopathic medicine could be used in the treatment of this condition. It was hoped that there would be a drop i n the total cholesterol levels and an increase in the ratio of high density / low density lipoprotein. Participants in the trial were drawn from the staff at Technikon Natal, convenience sampling being used. For acceptance into the trial, 'participants had to have an elevated total cholesterol level together with a raised low density lipoprotein value according to age. Drawing of blood was performed following an overnight fast. Of those participants meeting the above criteTicrthirty were chosen to participate in the trial. Half constituted the control and were given a placebo and the other half made up the experimental group and were treated with Chelidonium 3X. This was a double blind study with the medicine being dispensed on a random basis by a qualified pharmacist. After commencement of the trial venous blood was collected once a month for three consecutive months from both the control and experimental groups. The participants were asked to make no changes to their normal lifestyle. Statistical analysis of the results using paired T-tests revealed no statistical difference between the initial and final total cholesterol or ratio reading of the control group. However, with the experimental group a statistical difference was noted between both the initial and final total cholesterol reading