Can Ayurveda Cure Hypertension?

When blood flows through the blood vessels with more force than usual, it is a condition called Hypertension. It is also known as High blood pressure or High BP. Throughout the day, blood pressure may fluctuate. When people first wake up, right after an exercise session, or when they are stressed, it is usually higher. It's normal to have brief spikes in blood pressure. On the other hand, high blood pressure that persists for an extended period might have detrimental effects on one's health. It can put stress on the heart, harm blood vessels, raise the chance of Heart attack, Stroke, or Kidney issues, and even cause death.

Do you know?

57% of fatalities from stroke and 24% of deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) in India are directly attributable to HTN. According to a study of global data on the prevalence of HTN, 20.6% of Indian males and 20.9% of Indian women had the disease. By 2025, it is anticipated that the percentage rates for HTN will increase to 22.9 and 23.6 for Indian men and women, respectively. According to recent studies from India, 25% of urban and 10% of rural residents have HTN.

Read on to learn more about Hypertension and how ayurvedic treatment for hypertension can assist you. 

Types of Hypertension

High blood pressure can be categorized into the following groups based on its etiology:

1. Primary or Essential Hypertension: Primary or "essential" Hypertension has no known cause. However, many lifestyle factors contribute to this condition. About 90–95% of cases of Hypertension are categorized as Primary Hypertension with no obvious underlying cause.
2. Secondary Hypertension: Caused by some other medical conditions/problems or the use of certain medications. The incidence of Secondary Hypertension is comparatively very low. The causes of Secondary Hypertension include: Kidney diseases (Reno-vascular disease, Chronic Renal Disease etc.) are the most common secondary causes of Hypertension, Endocrine disorders, Pregnancy, Use of contraceptive pills, etc.
3. Isolated Systolic Hypertension: Most common in elderly patients due to reduced vascular compliance, systolic B.P > 160 mm Hg with diastolic pressure < 90 mm Hg.
4. Neurogenic Hypertension: Caused by strong sympathetic nervous system stimulation. (e.g., when a person becomes excited for any reason or in a state of anxiety). 

Symptoms of Hypertension

Listed below are the common symptoms of Hypertension:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vertigo
• Vomiting
• Feeling of tiredness, restlessness
• Breathlessness
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in chest
• Discomfort
• Bleeding from nose
• Swelling in legs and under eyes
• Irritability
• Haziness of vision
• An abnormal sensation in the hands and feet, such as burning or numbness.

Ayurveda Perspective on Hypertension  

There isn't a single condition that resembles Hypertension that is described in Ayurveda. By Ayurveda principles, the doctor should first attempt to identify the nature of the condition by looking at Dosha, the place of expression, and etiological variables before beginning treatment. For a proper knowledge of the condition, its prevention, and its treatment, it is therefore required to investigate several components, including Dosha Vriddhi, Dhatu Dushti, and Stotras involved, and their involvement in the cause of Hypertension.

Management Of Hypertension-

1. Nidana Parivarjana (Avoidance of etiological factors):

Avoiding the underlying cause of a disease is the primary line of treatment in Ayurveda. Excessive salt and fat intake that is excessive should be avoided, and some medications like NSAIDs, steroids, cough syrups, etc. should be taken carefully. 

2. Herbs 

It has been demonstrated that many herbs are effective in treating hypertension. These herbs are:

3. Garlic

According to studies, Garlic's medical benefits are particularly strong in Hypertension, and it also lowers blood cholesterol levels. A raw garlic clove eaten every morning can lower high blood pressure.

4. Arjuna

The Arjuna tree's bark is well known for reducing blood pressure. It reduces plaque buildup in the blood vessels and relieves pressure on the heart.

5. Jatamansi

Jatamansi comes loaded with antioxidants and saves the arteries from free radical damage which in turn controls the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels.

6. Amla

One of the valuable ingredients in Ayurveda, Amla or Indian gooseberry can be consumed raw in the morning with black salt, or its juice can be mixed with a tablespoon of honey and consumed daily. Studies have shown that Amla improves heart health and lowers blood pressure.

Also Read: Hypertension: 8 Ayurvedic Remedies To Manage High Blood Pressure

Do's and Don'ts in Hypertension

Do’s (Pathya’s)

• Regular blood pressure check-ups.
• Lifestyle modifications like timely intake of a balanced diet and more use of fruits and green vegetables.
• Regular physical exercise and brisk walking for half an hour.
• Reduce your intake of oily, salty, sour, and spicy food items.
• Weight reduction
• More use of Barley (Yava), Sorghum (Jowar), Wheat, Green gram (Mudga/Moong dal), Horse gram, Moringa (Shigru), Bitter gourd (karela), Bottle gourd (Ghia/ Lauki), Turnip (Shalgam), Carrot (Gajar), Indian gooseberry (Amla), Cucumber (Khira), Radish (Muli), Pomegranate (Anar), Apple, Black grapes (Draksha), Pineapple, Cold milk, etc.
• Timely sleeping and awakening.
• Regular practice of Yoga, Meditation, etc. under the guidance of a Yoga expert.

Don’ts (Apathya’s):

• Excessive intake of salt (sprinkle over salad, curd, etc.)
• Excessive use of Butter, Ghee, Chillies (Red-Green), Pickles, Til tail, Bengal gram, Mustard oil, Sour fruits, Curd, Tea, Coffee, etc.
• Intake of animal fat, processed or oily food items.
• Alcohol consumption and smoking.
• The practice of day sleeping and awakening at night.

Conclusion

In this post, we've attempted to explain both the Ayurvedic treatment for hypertension and its core concepts. It's crucial to know that high blood pressure is regarded as a symptom in Ayurveda rather than a sickness or illness. A person's elevated blood pressure may also have a variety of underlying causes. An Ayurvedic approach to treating Hypertension seeks to treat the entire person, not just the symptom, to identify the root cause of the issue. Following a thorough examination of the patient's Prakriti, the doctor will recommend a full course of Ayurvedic treatment, including medications, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications. 

Consult top Ayurveda experts, Dr. Sooraj P R, an Ayurvedic Practitioner with more than 16 years of expertise, online at HealthyBazar to learn more or to receive customized treatment for you or your loved ones. HealthyBazar also offers reasonably priced Herbal, Ayurvedic, and Unani products and medicines.