ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: The human organism has the inherent ability to regulate and coordinate physiological functions to establish well-being. If this ability is disturbed, eg, in cases of orthostatic syndrome with purely functional disorders, an herbal remedy based on anthroposophical medicine may be able to regulate such rhythmic disturbances. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the anthroposophical herbal remedy on stimulating the ability to regulate and coordinate physiological functions in healthy subjects. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-nine healthy subjects; 49 received the remedy, 50 received the placebo. INTERVENTION: Oral administration of the remedy for 4 weeks, 20 drops 4 times daily. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cardiorespiratory interaction was analyzed by 2 measures: the heart-respiratory ratio and the phase-coordination ratio of heartbeat and respiration. They were calculated from heart rate and respiratory rate, which were derived from 24-hour electrocardiogram recordings before and after the administration of the remedy. Improved normalization of these measures during nighttime sleep after administration of the remedy indicates a stimulation of regulation. RESULTS: Oral administration of the remedy resulted in an improved normalization of heart-respiratory ratio, phase-coordination ratio and heart rate during nighttime sleep. These results were not observed in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: The remedy stimulates the regulation of cardiorespiratory interaction during nighttime sleep. Furthermore, improved normalization indicates a general improvement of the regulatory processes of functional rhythms.
