Vertigo is sensation of objects moving and spinning around. It’s an inner ear disturbance involving the eyes or visual stimuli. Your inner ear’s function is for balance and perception for positioning.
Causes are most commonly inflammation of inner ear parts, acoustic neuroma (nerve blockage), cerebral artery disease, spinal degeneration, high blood pressure, anemia, thyroid problems, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, hyperventilation syndrome, anxiety disorders, stroke, Parkinson’s, or Meniere’s syndrome.
Most common acute cause is inner ear inflammation (Labyrinthitis) and responds quickly to homeopathy. Acute vertigo is associated with upper respiratory infections and tinnitus (ear noises). Be aware that dizziness can also be a warning sign of heart attack, stroke, concussion, or brain damage.
According to Dr. Robin Murphy, N.D., my mentor, if the episodes are short, the prognosis is good. If the episodes are long lasting it is usually neurological. In older women, it may be a sign of mini-strokes or TIA, or could be a sign of Meniere’s disease where there is an infection of the Eustachian canals. The chronic condition of Meniere’s syndrome has severe nausea, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ear noises), and may lead to total one-sided hearing loss. It may also be a sign of a tumor.
Modern medicine treats vertigo with anything from low-sodium diets and diuretics to nausea medicines, antidepressants, or surgery.
From the natural point of view, vertigo should be looked at as either a nerve problem, ear or Eustachian tube blockage, or kidney weakness.
Natural solutions include feeding the nerves, reducing Eustachian tube mucus, and strengthening the kidneys. One of the best things you can do is go off dairy products as well as tobacco, alcohol, coffee, black tea, and soda pop. This will help keep the ears clear and functioning better.
Herbs for Vertigo
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
The following herbs are directed toward helping the body to clear the ears of inflammation and congestion, or feed the nervous system.
Herbs to feed the nerves:
Dave’s Mood Formula – nourishes the nervous system
Lavender – nourishes the nerves
Melissa (Lemon balm) – nerves, also helps with sleep
Herbs to strengthen the kidneys: Dave’s Kidney Formula – protects and nourishes the kidneys and urinary system
Parsley root tincture – clears mucus congestion, tones urinary tract
Dandelion leaf – increases urine production
Other herb singles: Catnip – for stress-induced vertigo or digestive upsets and congestion in the ears
Cloves (whole) – make a tea for digestive upsets and congestion
Coriander seeds whole – also a tea for digestion and congestion
Dandelion root – vertigo from liver weakness and toxicity
Gingko Biloba – vertigo from lack of circulation to ears and head
Valerian – vertigo from nervous exhaustion
Cell Salts to Help Vertigo
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#4 Ferr phos 6X – inflammation
#6 Kali phos 6X – nerve weakness
#9 Nat mur 6X – nausea and vertigo, tendency to fall to the left
#12 Silicea 6X – dizzy from bending, Meniere’s disease
Vertigo Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
For vertigo caused by injury look to Arnica montana, Hypericum, or Natrum sulph.
Argentum nit – Dizziness from fright or eating sugar; vertigo from looking down or looking up at a tall building, or from looking out of a window. Fear of heights, also that they might jump – gets impulse to jump; fear of falling. Better cool air, cold, motion, pressure; worse anxiety, apprehension, fright, sugar, sweets, cold food. Fear of heights and flying in airplanes, anticipation, hurried, timid and anxious. Panic attacks; palpitations and blood sugar dropping = vertigo.
Conium – Vertigo when lying down and turning over in bed, turning head sideways or turning eyes, worse shaking head. Better motion, pressure, fasting; worse from seeing moving objects, turning in bed. Slow grasp, unable to maintain mental effort, indifferent, depressed.
Gelsemium – Dizziness with blurred vision; weakness and debility causes vertigo. Light headed and dizzy, worse sudden movement; dizzy on rising. Better profuse urination, sweating, stimulants, mental efforts; worse bad news, humid weather, spring. Mental dullness, dizzy, drowsy and droopy. Stage fright; fear of dentists and doctors.
Kali muriaticum – for Eustachian tube blockage, (Merc dulcis for closed Eustachian tubes). History of allergies or sinus congestions before or with Meniere’s. White thick or egg-white mucus; hearing loss with Meniere’s. Flying with painful ears popping. Better rubbing; worse open air, dampness, motion, rich fatty food. Irritable and angry at trifles, fears evil, sits in silence. *Children with chronic ear infections or threat of ear tubes, use Merc dulcis.
Nux vomica – Intoxicated feeling (Tabacum) worse morning or from mental exertion. Vertigo in a crowded room (Pulsatilla). Fainting relating to digestive problems. Vertigo from excessive drugs, alcohol, coffee. Vertigo with morning sickness. Better resting in damp wet weather, strong pressure, naps, hot drinks; worse early morning, cold open air, uncovering, noise. Irritable, fiery temperament with digestive problems.
Tabacum – Sick headaches; vertigo with copious cold sweat, worse on opening eyes; intoxicated feeling; sudden loss of energy, deathly sinking and nausea. Better uncovering abdomen, open fresh air, closing eyes; worse on rising, indoors, motion of boat, pressure, and stimulants. Despondent, disconnected, indifferent.
Source: Dave’s Healing Notes
