Zingiber
officinale (Ginger)
Ginger is widely
known for its use as a spice, but
its medicinal uses date back
thousands of years. Today,
Ginger is
used to treat a number of
conditions, including stomachaches,
diarrhea, toothaches, and nausea. [9] A study done in 1982 provided the
first documented research, touting
ginger to be a more superior
treatment for nausea and vomiting
than Dramamine. [10] Since then, several studies have
supported this claim. Other
studies have shown that ginger,
when taken
orally, may reduce symptoms of
vertigo, including nausea.
However, the occurrence of nystagmus was not reduced in this
particular study. [11]
Ginger has also been
shown to reduce the hypergastric
motility present with motion
sickness. [12]
This seems to be its mechanism of
action when reducing symptoms of
motion sickness, but there have
also been claims that ginger has
an effect on the inner ear and the
brain. [13]
More research is necessary to
validate this claim.
Gingko biloba
Gingko biloba is
often referred to as a living
fossil, as the ginkgo tree dates
back more than 200 million years
to the fossils of the Permian
period. [14] Its medicinal uses have roots in
China and is now well known is the
Western world for its ability
to help with brain function.
The use of gingko is widely applied in
medical conditions involving
cognition, memory, and learning. It is among the leading prescribed
medicines (including standard
pharmaceuticals) in both Germany
and France.
The oral
administration of ginkgo leaf seems to improve
symptoms of vertigo and
certain equilibrium disorders. [15,
16,
17]
Two clinical studies demonstrate
that ginkgo leaf extract is more
effective than placebo in reducing
symptoms of vertigo,
and potentially just as helpful as betahistine for improving vertigo
caused by vascular vestibular
disorders; as well as other
vestibular disorders of unknown
cause. [18,
19,
20]
Pyridoxine
(Vitamin B6)
Vitamin B-6 is
critical for the metabolism of
many nutrients, including amino acids, lipids, and
carbohydrates. It is also involved in approximately 60
different enzyme systems. Vitamin B6 plays a
significant role in healthy brain
function because of its function in
the production of the
neurotransmitters serotonin,
dopamine, melatonin, epinephrine,
and norepinephrine.
The dietary
supplementation of vitamin B6 may
prove especially relevant to
vertigo sufferers, as it has been
very helpful in those suffering
from nausea and vomiting. In a
study involving 59 expecting
women, 31 received vitamin B6 in a
regimen of oral tablets every 8
hours for 72 hours, while 28
received a placebo in the same
manner. At the completion of the
study, only eight of 31 patients
in the vitamin B6 group had any
vomiting, as opposed to 15 of 28
patients in the control group. [21]
