Overview

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent maladies of the day. It may be wrong to classify it as a malady; one can call it a symptom or fore teller of various maladies. The problem lies in the fact that, if ignored, it can lead to serious consequences at one’s own peril. If the blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and eyes. If one has high blood pressure, reducing it even by a small amount can help lower risk of these conditions.

There are various means and ways of dealing with hypertension it could be controlled by allopathy, homeopathy, Yunani, Ayurvedic medication, even by yoga or even by some tantric or touts medication. It may be prudent to analyze these media and then adopt a method that one finds most suitable. A few of these have a serious side effect, others are either very slow or are not reliable to give desired results. Ayurveda is a time-tested medication, with no side effects, light on the pocket and yet reliable.

The pressure of the blood in the circulatory system often measured for diagnosis.

Persistent high blood pressure can increase the risk of serious and life- threatening diseases like heart attack, heart strokes, kidney, vascular and arterial dementia. It is difficult to put a finger on one cause or situation that is responsible for high blood pressure but there are certain aggravating factors or conditions that are known to result in high blood pressure.

These or a combination could be

  • If one is over sixty-five years of age.
  • Persons who are overweight.
  • Have heredity records of high blood pressure.
  • Sedentary lifestyle or job profile.
  • Dietary habits of eating junk food, red meat, fried items, consuming excessive alcohol, Smoking.
  • Making conscious efforts to change daily routine, alter dietary habits, include physical activity in a daily regimen can help reduce the blood pressure.
  • Even if after doing all the above the blood pressure does not abate then medication is a must.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Hypertension

  • Blood pressure is the result of narrowing of arteries resulting in constrictions leading to blood pressure. It makes the heart to work harder to pump in the same amount of blood in a given time, thus making taxing the heart, this activity of taxing the heart is detrimental to the individual’s health.
  • This requires a measured approach to treating the malady and Ayurveda is ideally suited for this.
  • Rakta Chappa Vridhi is the classification for high blood pressure in Ayurveda. There are many herbs prescribed by professionals to mitigate the effects of high blood pressures and to control the same.

Some of these are explained here in

Rauwolfis Serpentine:

  • It is popularly known as Sarpagnadha, it is an herb that is increasingly taken to treat high blood pressure.

Gokshura:

  • It is diuretic and is an excellent herb for treating various health ailments, in addition, is addresses the high blood pressure.

Gulkand:

  • Popularly known as rose petal jam it is sweet and is known to have a soothing and calming effect on body and mind resulting in reducing tension and thus lowering of blood pressure.

Ashwagandha:

  • Ashwagandha is a very effective herb for treating blood pressure.

Arjuna

  • Arjuna bark and leaves are put in a tumbler of water overnight and in the morning these are boiled till the half glass is left. This should be cooled and then taken empty stomach.
  • This herb helps to manage the low-density lipids. Its intake helps to prevent these lipids from entering the blood vessels thus preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaque responsible for narrowing the arteries.
  • It also helps in avoiding damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels.

Jatamansi:

  • Grind the herb till it becomes powder. Strain this powder to remove impurities. This powder can be taken with water on empty stomach, about four gram be mixed in water overnight and in the morning the water is boiled till half of it is left, once it is warm the same can be taken empty stomach.
  • It can also be taken with honey, two gm of powder mixed with two gram of honey. If the high BP is on account of pitta dosha then the powder is taken with Mishri in the proportion of two gram of Mishri and two gram of the powder.
  • It must be ensured that this herb is not taken in excess of five gram per day as it can have ill effects.
  • Hawthorne:
       
    • An effective herb which helps in treating high BP. Its intake aids in dilating the coronary blood vessels, which is the main cause of high BP. The results would be apparent in four to six weeks of the continuous taking of the herb.

    Trikatu:

       
    • As the name suggests it made from three spices i.e. black pepper, ginger, and long pepper. This potion lowers bad lipids LDL and has anti- inflammatory properties thus proving good for the condition of the heart.
    • A normal person BP should read 120/80 anything higher than 140/90 needs to be addressed immediately. Some simple do’s and Dont’s can help

    Note

    • Don't:- Sodium rich food (salt) is bad and should be avoided or reduced, accordingly chips, papad, fried items and pickle should be avoided. Whole milk, canned items, coffee, tomato sauce, eggs with yolk are best kept out of the menu. If there is less salt in a dish, one should not add salt to the dish to make up the salt content. This for a high BP patient is very dangerous.
    • Do’s:
    • Items rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium are good. Hence all fruits especially banana, black grapes pomegranate, and papaya should be taken. All vegetables especially palak (lettuce) beet root, amla and methi are beneficial.
    • In non-vegetarian menu fish and egg less yolk is fine.
    • In addition, long walks for about forty-five minutes to one hour, yoga specially pranayama, taking one garlic bit every morning on empty stomach or three to four gm of powdered methi in the morning on empty stomach will help immensely. It would do considerable good if one drinks only warm water as routine.
    • High blood pressure is a complex and daunting ailment. It has to be fought with determination and commitment.
    • Lethargic lifestyle is inviting hypertension with open arms, it must be changed. High Blood pressure opens up the body system to many other diseases hence it cannot be left unattended.
    • There are many herbal drugs like Punarnava, Barberry, Rouwolfia, Garlic, Ginger, Ginseng, Indian snake root and Arjuna which can safely be used for the treatment of hypertension.
    • High blood pressure during pregnancy is dangerous for the mother and the child. High BP requires continuous medication which is costly and leads to side effects. Ayurveda provides best alternative both reliable and effective.
    • Author's Bio: 

    DR. Vikram Chauhan, MD - AYURVEDA is an expert Ayurvedic practitioner based in Chandigarh, India and doing his practice in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda Ancient healing treatment, not only in India but also abroad. He is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic and Krishna Herbal Company. For more info visit our website: http://www.planetayurveda.com