Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published October 21, 2022, Last updated October 21, 2022

BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is a common cause of vertigo. The meaning of vertigo is that there is a false sensation of dizziness or rotation or spinning of the head. BPPV suggests that the cause of the vertigo is in the inner ear. Before we come to the homeopathic medicines for BPPV, let us understand a bit more about the disease, its cause and symptoms.

What is BPPV

As I have mentioned earlier, BPPV is a problem of the inner ear. As the name suggests, it is benign. This means that it is not life threatening in itself. Driving or working with fire and other such potentially harmful things may endanger the life of a person suffering from BPPV. Since it is paroxysmal in nature, the vertigo does not happen daily. It occurs in paroxysms and then stays normal for some time. Positional means that it occurs in certain positions or change of positions of the head or the body.

What causes BPPV

Our inner ear has a sensory organ by the name of utricle. It has a number of tiny calcium carbonate crystals. In some cases, these crystals called otoconia get detached from their normal location. These otoconia travel to the semicircular canals and get trapped. They push on the cilia which further trigger the eighth cranial nerve causing vertigo.

This occurs most prominently on change of position.  The common positions which trigger the vertigo are quick head movements, rolling over in bed, bending forwards and bending one’s head backward.

Symptoms of BPPV

BPPV is mostly present in one ear though it can occur in both ears simultaneously. The main and the most prominent symptom of BPPV is vertigo. There is dizziness and lightheadedness. This sensation of vertigo gets triggered by movement or change of position. There may be nausea and vomiting too in some cases. Balance may be an issue for some patients and they tend to fall when trying to stand or walk. In some cases, vision symptoms like blurred vision and nystagmus may also be present.

Homeopathic treatment of BPPV

Homeopathy is very effective for the treatment of BPPV. Homeopathic medicines are able to stop the dizziness, lightheadedness and the vertigo that are the main symptoms of BPPV. It stops the calcium carbonate crystals from getting discharged from the utricle in the inner ear.

5 Best Homeopathic medicines for BPPV

There are a number of Homeopathic medicines that come into use for the treatment of BPPV. Homeopathy works on the principle of similarity and the medicine which matches the symptoms of the patient more closely will work better to cure the patient. This means that even if the disease diagnosis is similar in a number of patients, every patient cannot be given the same medicine. Therefore, it is important to match the symptoms of the medicine to that of the patient. The 5 most commonly indicated homeopathic medicines for BPPV are as follows-

• Conium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for BPPV with vertigo on turning the head

• Bryonia – One of the best homeopathic medicines for BPPV with vertigo on slightest movement

• Calcarea Phos – One of the best homeopathic remedies for BPPV with accompanying cervical pain

• Cocculus – One of the best homeopathic remedies for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo with concomitant nausea

• Natrum Mur – One of the best homeopathic medicines for BPPV with vertigo on rising

Here is a brief description of the symptoms of the above mentioned medicines, so as to give you a general idea of how individualization leads to the choice of the right medicine. Blindly giving just one medicine to all patients of BPPV will not yield the desired results.

• Conium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for BPPV with vertigo on turning the head

When vertigo is worse on turning the head in any direction, Conium is one of the best homeopathic medicines for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. It is worse on lying down, when turning over in bed, when turning head sidewise, shaking head or even turning eyes. Slight noise or conversation can also increase the vertigo. There is general weakness in the morning. Both mind and body feel weak. Trembling and palpitation also accompany the other symptoms.

• Bryonia – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo with vertigo on slightest movement

  When the vertigo is worse on the slightest movement in any direction, Bryonia is one of the best homeopathic medicines for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. There is a general aggravation too on movement. There seems to be some confusion in the mind on rising from bed. Increased dryness and thirst are other strong pointers to this remedy.

• Calcarea Phos – One of the best homeopathic remedies for BPPV with accompanying cervical pain

  When there is accompanying cervical pain due to spondylitis, Calcarea Phos is one of the best homeopathic remedies for BPPV. Calcaneal spurs are commonly seen in many areas of neck and heel in such patients. At the same time, there is detachment of the calcium carbonate crystals from the utricle in the inner ear. Anaemia is another common pointer to this medicine.

• Cocculus – One of the best homeopathic remedies for BPPV with concomitant nausea

  When there is quite a bit of nausea with vertigo, Cocculus is one of the best homeopathic medicines for BPPV. Travelling increases the vertigo as well as nausea. There is a sensation of emptiness in the head. The patient finds it difficult to lie on the back part of the head. Occipital region is one of the most sensitive regions and a sensation of opening and shutting is present there.

• Natrum Mur – One of the best homeopathic medicines for BPPV with vertigo on rising

  When there is vertigo on rising, Natrum Mur is one of the best homeopathic medicines for BPPV. There are roaring and ringing noises in the ears. Throbbing in the head is a common sensation. Anaemia is often an accompanying symptom. The patient is usually thin and emaciated. There is increased desire for salty things. Thirst is also intense. He or she cannot tolerate heat.