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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.
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.
- 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
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
The Treatment of Vertigo (Adam)
Treatment of Vertigo from Praxis Medicinae Theorica et Empirica
Special Formulas:
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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 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. |
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.
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.