The influence of Aconitum Napellus versus placebo, on anxiety and salivary cortisol, in stress induced by intense and short term physical effort

Background: Intense and short term physical effort is a stress factor for sedentary persons. The correctly chosen homeopathic remedy, in other words the simillimum, modulates physical, emotional and mental level of the person to whom it was given, therefore also the psycho-emotional state stress-induced. Aconitum Napellus (AN) is characterized by a state of anxiety, anguish of mind and body, fear, physical and mental restlessness.

Aims . The objective of the study is to highlight the AN influence on the dynamic of two parameters, anxiety and salivary cortisol, in peri - stress changes induced by intense and short term physical effort, on sedentary subjects.

Methods: All chosen subjects (n = 30) had AN recommendation and had voluntary participated, according to the requirements of the study. Stress was represented by an intense and short term physical effort, made with a Monark Ergomedic 839E cycle ergometer. Three groups of subjects were selected, the first, the control group (C), who was not given anything; the second, who received placebo (P); and the third who received AN. Test was made the days after taking P and AN. Analyzed indicators were anxiety and salivary cortisol. Statistical evaluation was made on the basis of Student test.

Results: Although the values for anxiety and salivary cortisol were slightly higher on C compared with P, differences between them were not significant. At all peri-stress times, anxiety and salivary cortisol values in C and P were higher than in AN, significant differences being: immediately pre-stress for anxiety; immediately pre-stress and immediately post-stress for salivary cortisol.

Conclusions: 1) Influence on anxiety and salivary cortisol was significantly more intense in AN compared to P. 2) Under AN influence, anxiety and salivary cortisol were significantly reduced immediately pre- and post effort. 3) AN significantly influenced more anxiety than salivary cortisol, immediately pre- and post-stres times. 4) AN may be an effective, safe and accessible modulion path for stress caused by intense and short term physical effort, on AN constitutional sedentary persons.

Keywords:

Stress - Homeopathy - Aconitum Napellus remedy - Anxiety - Salivary cortisol - Physical effort