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n[uΕ‘·Ra
by Paul Bergner
High altitude sickness, also called acute
mountain sickness (AMS), is characterized
by headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of
breath, sleep disturbance and rapid, strong
heartbeat. Only a few of the symptoms may
appear, or different symptoms may appear
at different times. The condition is aggravated
by exertion. It is caused by low atmospheric
pressures at high altitudes, giving a sensation
of gthin airh ? oxygen concentration actually
remains constant at altitudes accessible
to humans, but lower pressure results in
reduced absorption of oxygen. Some symptoms
of AMS may occur with sudden travel from
sea level to altitudes as low as 4,000 feet,
and most individuals who travel to 9,000
feet experience some symptoms. AMS may be
prevented by making only gradual ascents
to elevations above 8,000 ft. About 40% of
experienced mountain climbers will experience
AMS at 15,000 feet, even when ascending gradually.
All forms of altitude sickness include some
level of edema, and more serious cases include
life-threatening pulmonary or cerebral edema.
Ginkgo biloba
Researchers divided a group of mountain climbers
into two groups, which received either a
total of 160 mg of a concentrated Gingko
biloba extract or a placebo in two doses
each day while climbing. The group ascended
gradually to a base camp at 14,700 feet and
from there made ascents to various higher
altitudes. Only 14% of the members of the
group taking ginkgo experienced one or more
symptoms of altitude sickness, while 82%
in the placebo group did so. None of the
gingko group experienced the full symptoms
of AMS, compared to 41% in the placebo group,
The gingko group also had fewer instances
of cold-related vascular problems.
The symptoms of AMS may be due in part to
fluid retention in the cells secondary to
deprivation of necessary oxygen to the cellular
sodium pump. Fluid retention may be aggravated
further in some individuals by an increase
in secretion of antidiuretic hormone secondary
to hypoxia in the brain. Ginkgo may improve
or prevent either situation by increasing
peripheral circulation and oxygenation.
Researchers used a concentrated commercial
ginkgo product, standardized to flavone glycosides
and terpene lactones, with various toxic
substances removed. Note that crude ginkgo
powder and tincture products often produce
headache and gastrointestinal distress.
Chinese herbal formula
Sheng mai san
Generate the Pulse Powder
Panax ginseng : 9 - 15 grams
Ophiopogonis japonicus: 9 - 15 grams
Schizandra chinensis: 3 - 6 grams
Form: Decoction
Dose: one to three times a day. For simple
prevention of altitude sickness, use lower
doses. Note: For prevention of acute mountain
sickness (AMS), 2-3 times the dosage of Codonopsis
pilosula or Panax quinquefolium might be
substituted for the Panax ginseng.
Caution: Not for use in acute or febrile
illness.
(Bensky and Barolet)
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Chinese researchers in 1989 used spirometry
and cardiac function tests to measure the
changes in cardiopulmonary function of healthy
adults living at 7,500 feet who traveled
to a plateau at 13,420 feet. They then tested
two classical Chinese formulas for their
ability to prevent the physiological changes
measured. One of the formulas, sheng mai
yin, according to the abstract of the Chinese
language article, gCould efficiently protect
the villagers from the plateau reaction described
aboveh (Feng et al.). A second formula,
danshen-chuanxiong, was ineffective.
Sheng mai yin (see sidebar) is a tea form
of the classical formula sheng mai san, which
first appeared in Chinese medical literature
in 1247 AD. The formula tonifies Qi and Yin,
in the terminology of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, and its therapeutic action focuses
on the Lung ? a broader term in TCM than
glungh in the anatomical or physiological
terminology of Western biomedicine. In Western
terms, the formula would increase adaptation
to stress, transformation of nutrients and
air into energy, oxygenation of the tissues,
and decrease a tendency to dehydration or
dryness of the lungs.
Either ginkgo or the sheng mai yin formulas
might be indispensable to those traveling
to very high elevations. Either treatment
might also prevent the discomfort of traveling
to much lower elevations as well. Visitors
to the Denver area from sea level, for instance,
often report shortness of breath, afternoon
fatigue, and insomnia at the 5,000+ altitude
in the area. Acclimatization may take 3-6
weeks. Short-term visitors to such altitudes
might obtain relief by taking the herbal
preparations.
References
Bensky D. and Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine:
Formulas and Strategies. Seattle,
Washington: Eastland Press, 1990
Feng SH, Zhang ZH, Chao ZK. Effects of shengmaiyin
and danshen-chuanxiong decoction on preventing
cardiopulmonary changes in adults caused
by a high-altitude environment.
Roncin JP, Schwartz F, DfArbigny P. EGb
761 in control of acute mountain sickness
and vascular reactivity to cold exposure.
Paul Bergner is editor of Medical Herbalism and Clinic Director at the Rocky Mountain
Center for Botanical Studies in Boulder,
Colorado. He is also author of The Healing Power of Echinacea, Goldenseal,
and other Immune Herbs (Prima Publishing, Rocklin California, 1997
ISBN: 0761508090)
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All information Copyright ©1997,1998, 1999,
2000, 2001 PPNF. All rights reserved.
Contact The Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation
at info@price-pottenger.org
page last modified: 01/18/2001
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