Altitude Sickness: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a condition that occurs when the body cannot adapt quickly enough to high elevations, typically above 8,000 feet.

It's caused by a rapid decrease in oxygen levels, leading to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and nausea. If left untreated, AMS can have severe negative impacts on health, including respiratory problems and even death. To alleviate these symptoms, herbal remedies like Rhodiola rosea and Andean mint can be used to boost oxygenation and reduce inflammation.

However, it's essential to consult with a medical professional before using medicinal herbs, and to start with low doses to avoid adverse reactions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of altitude sickness, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of altitude sickness?

The main causes of altitude sickness are the rapid increase in atmospheric pressure, resulting in a decrease in available oxygen for the body to breathe.

At high elevations, the atmospheric pressure is lower, leading to a decrease in oxygen availability, which can cause the body's tissues to become hypoxic. Hypoxia triggers a series of physiological responses, including increased breathing rate, heart rate, and cardiac output, as the body attempts to compensate for the lower oxygen levels. Additionally, the decreased oxygen availability can lead to a buildup of lactic acid, which can exacerbate symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches and fatigue.

Research has shown that individuals who ascend to high altitudes too quickly are more likely to experience altitude sickness, with most cases occurring above 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) in elevation.

• Rapid Ascent: Rapid ascent to high altitudes can cause altitude sickness due to the insufficient time for the body to acclimatize to the lower oxygen levels, which can lead to dehydration, headaches, and other symptoms.
• High Altitude: High altitude itself is a primary cause of altitude sickness, as the air pressure and oxygen levels decrease with increasing elevation, making it difficult for the body to function normally.
• Physical Conditioning: Poor physical conditioning can increase the risk of altitude sickness, as individuals with pre-existing health conditions or those who are not physically fit may be more susceptible to the effects of high altitude.
• Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation can exacerbate the symptoms of altitude sickness, as lack of sleep can impair the body's ability to adapt to the high altitude environment and increase the risk of dehydration and other complications.
• Dehydration: Dehydration is a common cause of altitude sickness, as the dry air at high altitudes can cause excessive water loss, leading to headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms.
• Genetic Predisposition: Some people may be genetically predisposed to altitude sickness due to differences in the way their bodies respond to high altitude, with certain genetic variants increasing the risk of developing altitude sickness.
• Age: Older adults may be more susceptible to altitude sickness due to decreased lung function and other age-related health changes that can impair the body's ability to adapt to high altitude.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant women may be more susceptible to altitude sickness due to the increased metabolic demand and decreased oxygen delivery to the fetus, which can increase the risk of complications.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and anemia can increase the risk of altitude sickness, as these conditions can impair the body's ability to adapt to the high altitude environment.
• Medication Use: Certain medications such as sedatives and antidepressants can increase the risk of altitude sickness by impairing the body's ability to adapt to the high altitude environment and increasing the risk of dehydration and other complications.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for altitude sickness?

The main medicinal herbs used for altitude sickness are Ginkgo biloba, Withania somnifera, Rhodiola rosea, Panax ginseng, Cinchona officinalis, Rauvolfia serpentina, Astragalus membranaceus, Zingiber officinale, Ephedra sinica, Aconitum carmichaelii.

Ginkgo biloba helps alleviate altitude sickness due to its antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, has adaptogenic properties that aid in reducing stress and anxiety associated with high altitudes. Rhodiola rosea and Panax ginseng both have antioxidant and adaptogenic properties that help counteract the effects of high altitude on the body, including fatigue and decreased oxygenation.

Cinchona officinalis and Rauvolfia serpentina help to alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness due to their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to increase oxygen delivery to the body, while Astragalus membranaceus, Zingiber officinale, Ephedra sinica, and Aconitum carmichaelii all have different mechanisms that contribute to their effectiveness in mitigating altitude sickness symptoms.

• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps alleviate altitude sickness by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the brain due to its flavonoid and terpene content, which improves cerebral function and reduces the risk of high-altitude cerebral edema.
• Withania somnifera: Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, may help combat altitude sickness by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, thereby mitigating the negative effects of high altitude on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
• Rhodiola rosea: Rhodiola rosea may alleviate altitude sickness by reducing fatigue and improving mental performance, possibly due to its ability to regulate cortisol levels and increase the body's resistance to stress and high altitude.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng may help combat altitude sickness by reducing fatigue and improving cognitive function, possibly due to its ginsenoside content, which may increase the body's ability to adapt to high altitude and reduce oxidative stress.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, which may help alleviate altitude sickness by reducing the severity of malaria symptoms, such as fever and chills, but there is limited evidence of its direct effect on altitude sickness.
• Rauvolfia serpentina: Rauvolfia serpentina may help alleviate altitude sickness by reducing anxiety and stress, possibly due to its reserpine content, which may help regulate the body's response to high altitude and reduce the risk of high-altitude pulmonary edema.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus may help combat altitude sickness by reducing inflammation and improving the body's immune response, possibly due to its saponin and polysaccharide content, which may increase the body's resistance to high altitude and reduce oxidative stress.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, may alleviate altitude sickness by reducing nausea and vomiting, possibly due to its gingerol and shogaol content, which may help regulate the body's response to high altitude and reduce the risk of acute mountain sickness.
• Ephedra sinica: Ephedra sinica may help combat altitude sickness by increasing oxygenation to the brain and reducing respiratory distress, possibly due to its ephedrine content, which may increase the body's ability to adapt to high altitude and reduce the risk of high-altitude pulmonary edema.
• Aconitum carmichaelii: Aconitum carmichaelii may have a potential therapeutic effect on altitude sickness, but its efficacy and safety are not well established due to its toxicity and potential side effects.

What are the main herbal preparations used for altitude sickness?

The main herbal preparations used for altitude sickness are Decoction, Tincture, Salve, Capsule, Cream, Powder, Suppository, Elixir, Gel, Poultice.

Decoction of Rhodiola rosea is used to reduce fatigue and stress due to its adaptogenic properties. Tincture of Andrographis paniculata is used to alleviate symptoms of high-altitude sickness by reducing inflammation. Salve of Arnica montana is applied topically to reduce swelling and bruising associated with high-altitude injuries.

Capsule or Powder of Sambucus nigra is used to reduce symptoms of altitude sickness by acting as a natural diuretic and expectorant.

• Decoction: A decoction of Rhodiola rosea, an adaptogenic herb, helps with altitude sickness by reducing oxidative stress and improving mental performance.
• Tincture: A tincture of Ginkgo biloba, a plant with antioxidant properties, helps with altitude sickness by improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation in the body.
• Salve: A salve of Arnica montana, a plant with anti-inflammatory properties, helps with altitude sickness by reducing swelling and pain in the body due to high altitude.
• Capsule: A capsule of Sutherlandia frutescens, an adaptogenic herb, helps with altitude sickness by improving physical performance and reducing oxidative stress in the body.
• Cream: A cream of Aloe vera, a plant with anti-inflammatory properties, helps with altitude sickness by soothing and calming skin irritations caused by high altitude.
• Powder: A powder of Cordyceps sinensis, a fungus with antioxidant properties, helps with altitude sickness by improving physical performance and reducing fatigue in the body.
• Suppository: A suppository of Cannabis sativa, a plant with anti-inflammatory properties, helps with altitude sickness by reducing pain and inflammation in the body.
• Elixir: An elixir of Andrographis paniculata, a plant with antioxidant properties, helps with altitude sickness by improving immune function and reducing oxidative stress in the body.
• Gel: A gel of Acmella oleracea, a plant with anti-inflammatory properties, helps with altitude sickness by reducing swelling and pain in the body due to high altitude.
• Poultice: A poultice of Plantago major, a plant with anti-inflammatory properties, helps with altitude sickness by reducing swelling and pain in the body due to high altitude.