The homoeopathic treatment of chronic sinusitis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reaction of homoeopathic Luffa Operculata and a combination of Kalium Bichromicum and Cinnabaris on chronic sinusitis patients, with reference to the patients' perception of the treatment and the physical appearance of the nasal mucosa during treatment in order to determine the effectiveness of the two modes of treatment. Fourty patients were randomly selected and divided into two experimental groups . The study was double blind. The one group received Luffa Operculata and the other group received a combination of Kalium Bichromicum and Cinnabaris. Questionnaires were answered before and during the four month treatment period in order to assess the patients perception of the treatment. The physical appearance of the nasal mucosa was inspected on a monthly basis using a nasal speculum. Eight patients dropped out over the four month period. All data obtained from the questionnaires was depicted on spreadsheets and subsequently analysed using frequency tables, cross tabulation ,. Mann-Whitney-U-Test and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The results showed that both modes of treatment were equally effective in reducing the sinusitis headaches, with Luffa Operculata having a 44.1% decrease and Kalium 8ichromicum and Cinnabaris having a 37.3% decrease. The Mann-Whitney-U-Test was done within each group and showed values of P=O.033 and P=O.31 respectively, thereby indicating a statistically significant difference. There was no significant difference between the groups. However Luffa Operculata's results were more positive with respect to post-nasal drip, facial swelling, nasal mucosal swelling and nasal mucosal colour. The most dramatic difference in results occurred in the analysis of the fatigue data, where Luffa Operculata had a 44% decrease and Kalium 8ichromicum and Cinnabar is only had a 6% decrease.