A Randomized Trial of Three Homeopathic Drugs: Rauwolfia serpentina, Viscum album, and Spartium scoparium in Essential Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension (HTN) remains one of the major risk factors for heart failure, stroke, and coronary heart disease worldwide. This study was undertaken to compare the antihypertensive effects produced by the mother tinctures (MTs) of three homeopathic drugs—Rauwolfia serpentina (RS), Viscum album (VA), and Spartium scoparium (SS; also known as Cytisus scoparius [CS]) in essential hypertension. This open-label, randomized, three parallel arm, pragmatic, pilot trial was conducted on 60 participants with essential hypertension in the outpatient department of D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Participants were randomized into three groups: RS, VA, and SS equally. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at baseline and after 30 and 60 minutes. Group differences at different time points and overall were measured using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and three-way repeated measure ANOVA models, respectively, after adjusting for baseline differences using intention-to-treat approaches. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Endpoint analysis included 60 participants. Although the highest mean reductions in SBP and DBP with time were achieved in the RS group, all three medicines revealed similar antihypertensive effects without any significant differences (SBP: F _{2, 57} = 1.710, p = 0.190; DBP: F _{2, 57} = 0.732, p = 0.485). No harm or serious adverse events were reported from either of the groups. All three medicines (RS, VA, and SS) produced similar antihypertensive effects in essential hypertension.

Trial registration: CTRI/2021/02/031548; UTN: U1111–1264–6856.

Keywords

homeopathy - hypertension - Rauwolfia serpentina - Viscum album - Spartium scoparium

Author Contributions

D.M., S.M., and S.K.M. were responsible for concept development and literature search. D.M., S.M., A.R.S., S.A., and P.G. contributed to clinical study and data acquisition. P.G., M.K., and S.S. were responsible for the concept, study design, data interpretation, statistical analysis, and preparation of the article. All the authors reviewed and approved the final version of the article.

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 October 2023

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