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Dizziness & Vertigo

Dizziness and Vertigo are classed as Wind diseases in traditional Medicine. Humoralists would classify some as Phlegm, some Bile and some Melancholy. Phlegm refers to what TCM calls Wind-Phlegm, Bile equates with Wind-Heat and Melancholy with Yin and Essence deficiency.
  • Wind-Phlegm–pale face and tongue, white coating, sound of phlegm in the throat or expectoration of phlegm, feels heavy, mind is dull or foggy, pulse is low
  • Wind-Heat–red face, red tongue, big or bounding pulse, headache, maybe constipation and high colored urine
Modern TCM differential diagnosis has added Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis and Deficiency as other causitive factors.

The Stomach and digestion were frequently regarded as a primary cause in the Western Tradition. In such cases, vomiting and purging, in addition to diet regulation are required. In such cases, Stomach Pills are very effective. We can also see many formulas based on the seeds of Apiaceae (Cuming, Caraway, Anise, Fennel etc) combined with spices. These formulas settle Wind, move Qi, clear Phlegm and Damp and regulate digestion.

If there is excess Heat or Blood, bleed the Cephalic vein. Cupping with scarification can be applied to the forehead or rear iof the Head, also the tips of the Shoulders and base of the Neck (C7).

Gargles, Masticating medicines, oils and various scents all have some benefit in the right cases.



See also
The Treatment of Vertigo (Adam)

Treatment of Vertigo from Praxis Medicinae Theorica et Empirica

Western Tradition

Simples
Stoechas
Peony
Bryony
Cinnabar

Rosemary
Mistletoe
Agaric
Lapis Armenius

1. Steep Cumin in vinegar for 3 days, dry it. Before bed, chew the seeds as long as possible, then swallow them. (Brunschwig, 1561)

Vertigo and Dizziness

Primary compounds:
1. Diamargariton (Cooling Pearl Powder)
2. Dianthos (Powder of Rosemary)
3. Pleres Arconticon (Restorative of Nicholas)


Vinegar of Squill
Oxymel of Squill
Confection of Musk
Electuary of Horehound (Diaprassium)

Cephalic Decoction (Charras)
Decoction for Vertigo (Culpeper)

Powder for Dizziness and Vertigo (Gabelhover)
Powder of Galangal Comp. (Diagalanga) (Mesue)
Powder of Juniper for Vertigo (Wirtzung)
Special Powder for the Memory (Wirtzung)
Electuary for the Head

Electuary of Great Virtue for Vertigo (Hartman)
Electuary of Black Hellebore (Zenon)
Electuary of Peony

Triphala of Coriander (Itraphil Kishneez)
Antidotum Augustini (Nicholas)
Diamuscum
Hiera Hermetis

Hiera Pachi, or Hiera Archigenis
Sugar for Vertigo
Tincture of Valerian
Tincture for Vertigo
Rosemary Wine
Troches of Agaric
Arabian Pills (Nicholas)
Imperial Pills
Oil of the Philosophers


Nux Vomica 13 (Ko byi bcu gsum) (Tibetan Medicine)



Qi Stagnation

Cephalic Decoction (Charras)
Powder of Rosemary Compound
Electuary for the Head
Special Powder for the Memory (Wirtzung)

Internal Wind
Electuary of Peony

Electuary for the Head

Qi and Blood Deficiency
Restorative of Nicholas

Kidney Deficiency
Restorative of Nicholas

Blood Stasis

Cephalic Decoction (Charras)
Powder of Rosemary Compound

Phlegm & Damp
Pills of Mastic
Stomach Pills

Special Powder for the Memory (Wirtzung)
Cephalic Decoction (Charras)

Vertiginem purgant–
Purge in Vertigo and Dizziness


Squill
Sagapen
Black Hellebore
Colocynth

Arab Confect Purging Melancholy (Confectio Hamech)

Triphala of Coriander (Itraphil Kishneez)
Special Powder for the Memory (Wirtzung)
Hiera Hermetis
Hiera Logadii
Hiera Pachi, or Hiera Archigenis

Pills of Mastic
Stomach Pills

Arabian Pills (Nicholas)

To Strengthen
Aromaticum Rosatum
Diarrhodon Abbatis
Diatragacanth Frigidum

Powder of Three Sandalwood
TCM Classification

Liver Qi Stagnation
dizziness, headache, depression, chest tightness, abdominal distension, irritability, irregular menstruation

Xiao Yao San
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San



Liver Wind, Liver Yang Rising
dizziness, headache, blurring vision, red complexion, irritability, insomnia, maybe has Hypertension

Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Niu Huang Jie Du Pian
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Nux Vomica 13 (Ko byi bcu gsum) (Tibetan Medicine)



Wind-Phlegm and Damp Obstruction
dizziness, tinnitus, nausea, poor appetite, stuffiness in chest, no energy, feels heavy, sleepy, thick tongue coating

Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang


Liver Blood Stasis
dizziness, stubborn and fixed headache, forgetfulness, insomnia, palpitations, depression, maybe some cyanosis of the lips, tongue and nail beds, darkness under the eyes.

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang



Qi and Blood Deficiency
dizziness, palpitation, forgetfulness, panic attack, blurring vision, insomnia, pale complexion, poor appetite, dry skin, dry hair, heavy menstruation.

Gui Pi Tang

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang


Kidney Essence Deficiency

Kidney yin deficiency, facial flushing, mild dizziness, worse after sex, fever in afternoon, fatigue, insomnia, tinnitus, heel pain, sore and weak lower back, heel pain.

You Gui Wan
Zuo Gui Wan




Special Formulas:

A POWDER OF PIG BRAINS
    Pig Brains dried
    Cumin
    Peony seed
    Pennyroyal
    Mistletoe                           equal parts
(Brunschwig, 1561)

POWDER FOR VERTIGO

    Caraway seed
    Coriander seed prepared
    Anise
    Fennel                               2 ½ drams
    Cardamon
    Cubeb                               1 ½ drams
Form a powder.


POWDER FOR VERTIGO
    Coriander seed prepared    
    Caraway seed                  2 drams
    Cinnamon                         ½ oz.
    Galangal
    Cubeb                               2 drams
    Rosemary                         1 dram
    Chicken Gizzard skin
    Marjoram

    Nutmeg                            1 ½ drams
    Sugar                          weight of the rest

The above 2 formulas are typical of numerous formulas used for Vertigo caused associated with the Stomach and Indigestion, or Wind-Damp / Wind-Phlegm. (Grulingus, Medicinae Practica, 1665)

POWDER FOR VERTIGO
    Galangal
    Orris root
    Citron peel
    Mistletoe
    Peony seed
    Coriander seed prepared
    Cubeb
    Nutmeg                             2 drams ea.
    Rosemary flower              1 dram
    Rotal of Anise oil *            1 oz.
      of Clove oil *                    ½ oz
    Sugar Candy                     3 oz.
* Rotal means sugar mixed with the oil into a type of conserve.
Form a powder; Dose: 1 dram (Grulingus, Medicinae Practica, 1665)


CONFECTION OF STOECHAS
    Hiera Picra powder        10 drams
    Agaric
    Dodder                              4 drams ea.
    Myrobalan Chebula
      Black
      Emblic
      Belleric
    Stoechas                           3 drams ea.
    Indian Salt                         2 drams

Form a confection with Oxymel.
Dose: 2–3 drams with warm water (De Morbis Internis Curandis, Mesue, 1551)
Used specifically for Dizziness and Vertigo.


PILLS OF ALOE AND MASTIC
    Aloe                                 
½ oz.
    Mastic                              1 dram
Form small pills and take 3–5 each nigh for a week. This is a variation of Stomach Pills, which may also be used.

ELECTUARY FOR VERTIGO
    Galangal
    Zedoary                          4 scruples ea.
    Sage                                2
½ drams
    Preserved Ginger
          1 oz.
    Nutmeg
    Cinnamon                       1 dram ea.
    Peony seed                    1
½ drams
    Juniper                            1 dram

    Mint                                  1 ½ scruple
Make a soft Electuary with Syrup of Roses. (Praxis medicinæ, Bruele, 1632)


PILLS FOR VERTIGO
    Nutmeg
    Clove                                ½ drams each
    Zedoary                           2 scruples
    Gentian                            1 scruple
    Rose
    Yellow Sandalwood.      1 ½ drams each
    Aloes                                6 drams
    Rhubarb                           3 drams
Powder, sprinkle with Rose water, let dry, and repeat 7 times. Then with Syrup of Violets make a pill mass.
Dose: 1 scruple. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)


TROCHES FOR VERTIGO OF CRATO
    Prepared Cinnabar        
½ oz.
    Red Coral
    Pearl                                  2 scruples each
    Saffron                              1 scruple
Dose: 10-12 grains in Lily of the Valley water
.
These were noted by various authors to be extremely effective, and to work when all other means had failed.
Some versions added 15 leaves of Gold leaf.

Research
1. The Role of Phlebotomy (Fasd) and Wet Cupping (Hijamat) to Manage Dizziness and Vertigo From the Viewpoint of Persian Medicine

Case History
A male in his late 70's came for treatment for back pain. He was a farmer and still very active, had a strong pulse, a red tongue with a yellowish coating, and was of a robust constitution. While questioning him he said that he had suffered from Vertigo for decades and that he'd had various treatments over the years and nothing had worked. I had recently made my first ever batch of Stomach Pills (Aloe, Rose and Mastic) and knew that they had been used for diseases of the Head, including Dizziness and Vertigo, when associated with the Stomach. Due to his strong constitution and yellow tongue coat I decided 5 days of these pills, taken once per day before bed, would help cleanse the system in preparation for a more targeted formula. The next week he came back and, to both of our amazement, his Vertigo had been completely relieved after 3 doses. He said 'you've cured it. No more Vertigo. Now can you fix my back?'
  I told him that a week would probably not be long enough treatment to cure it, but it was great that it was relieved so quickly. Treatment focused on his Back and he was given Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with Pearl added for a month. Follow up months later showed no return of his Vertigo.
  This illustrates the usefulness in judicious purging. His presentation suited a formula such as Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin which I expect would've needed weeks, perhaps months of treatment, to achieve similar relief.

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