Ayurvedic Medicines for Blood Pressure
Hypertension or blood pressure is a common health condition that is present in one person among every eight Indians. Also called Vyanabala vaishamya in Ayurveda, hypertension is diagnosed to be present when systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mm Hg or higher, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mm Hg or higher.
Blood Pressure commonly found in adults is caused due to excessive stress, unhealthy sedentary lifestyle, genetics, as a side effect of medicines, and underlying health conditions.
As per the national health portal, Blood pressure is categorized as
- Primary or essential hypertension – This is essential hypertension developed over a time frame without any identifiable cause
- Secondary hypertension – developed due to underlying health conditions like thyroid, kidney disease, etc.
- Isolated systolic hypertension -Commonly found in old age cause of decreased vascular compliance. systolic B.P > 160 mm of Hg with Diastolic pressure < 90 mm of Hg.
- Neurogenic hypertension – This can happen due to high stimulation of the nervous system when one gets excited beyond limits with high anxiety levels for a long time.
Classification of Hypertension
Systolic B.P. Diastolic B.P.
Optimal B. P < 120 < 80
Normal B.P. < 130 < 85
High normal 130-139 85-89
Stage 1 Hypertension 140-159 90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension 160-179 100-109
Stage 3 Hypertension 180 > 120
Ati lavana sevana (high salt intake), madyapana (Alcoholic) snigdha bhojana (fatty diet) Divaswap (sleeping in daytime), and manovighata (Mental stress) lead to vitiation of Shonita (impurities in the blood).
The Doshas present in the Shonita (dhatu) indirectly manifest hypertension. Excessive consumption of salt, alcohol degrades pitta and rakta. A sedentary lifestyle impairs Kapha and stress increases vitiation of Prana. These together result in the forceful circulation of blood in dhamanis (blood vessels), leading to increased resistance in vessels causing hypertension.
Health Implications of Hypertension
- Cerebrovascular strokes
- Myocardial infarction
- Hypertensive cardiomyopathy (heart failure)
- Hypertensive retinopathy, nephropathy, and encephalopathy
- Lung’s congestion
- Ventricular hypertrophy
- Epistaxis
- Blurred vision
- Impotence
Ayurvedic treatment for Hypertension
Ayurvedic treatment for high blood pressure starts with the purification of the body and the bloodstream. Along with panchakarma purification procedures, herbal medicines, and diet plans are prescribed to control the blood pressure level.
Prevention is Better than Medicine
Ayurveda as per Charaka Chikitsa aims at preventing diseases in the first place. Preventive measures help in managing the illness or disorder. Preventive measures of blood pressure generally suggested by ayurvedic doctors include:
- Keeping oneself calm and improve [psychological thinking.
- Discarding a sedentary lifestyle and being physically active keeps half of the diseases at bay.
- Having a proper vegetarian diet full of nutrition helps in increasing metabolism.
- Executing peace principles (ahimsa) helps in maintaining mental calm and a sense of positivity. It reduces undue stress in daily life.
- Practicing knowledge(gyana) path will enlighten the soul and can have peace of mind.
How to Prevent Hypertension
- Quitting smoking – Smoking or intake of tobacco products weaken the lung and its functionality. It in turn plays a role in increasing hypertension plus heart diseases.
- Active Lifestyle – Active lifestyle, physical exercising, and keeping body fit, helps in reducing weight which is one of the major causes of blood pressure.
- Regular Health Check-Ups – As it is said, prevention is always better than cure, regular health checkups of all vitalities help in identifying any ailment in the early stage. Health check-up parameters include blood pressure, FBS, PPBS, Lipid profile, BMI, and others. One can consult their doctor for the health tests.
- Keeping anxiety at bay – Stress or anxiety is a factor that causes blood pressure. Stress itself is a risk factor. Hence following yoga practices help to relax the mind and body. At Naitri, online yoga sessions are conducted.
- Diet & Nutrition – The Manusmruti says, when the diet is pure, the heart remains pure. When the heart is pure, the mind remains pure. If the mind is pure, then the intellectual level is high. At Naitri, nutritionists prescribe a chart of diet to follow.
- Fruits and Vegetables – are tremendous sources of minerals and vitamins along with low calories. Consuming enough fruits and vegetable help in reducing weight and controlling blood pressure.
- A fiber-rich diet including dietary fibers that are water-soluble must be included in food to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Beverages containing excessive sugar have to be avoided.
Manging blood pressure
Charaka chikitsa suggests
- Nidana parivarjana (avoiding causing factors) – As per ayurveda, avoiding causing factors is the first step in treating the underlying disease. Intake of excess salt, and fatty food have to be avoided. Salt has to be consumed in a moderate level. Certain medicines have to be consumed only after consulting the physician.
- Samshodhana chikikitsa (Cleansing treatments) and Samana chikitsa (Palliative therapy) are advocated.
- Lekhana Vasti is taken 350-500 ml for 8 days.
- Virechana karma (Purgation) along with Eranda oil 15 – 30 ml consumed at night with a glass of milk.
- Shirodhara is performed mixing medicinal oils and water/milk for 21 days of duration 45-90 minutes.
All these treatments are performed under the physician’s guidance depending upon the benefits patients get out of it.
Following are ayurvedic medicinal herbs for blood pressure:
- Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentiana Benth ex. Kurz.) Powder
- Ashvagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal) Powder – Indian Ginseng or Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb that can be consumed in evening teas. It considerably decreases blood pressure by relaxing the mind.
- Indian Gooseberry or Amla is an effective ayurvedic medicine for blood pressure. It has plenty of Vitamin C that reduces cholesterol levels in the blood and widens blood vessels. Amla can be consumed empty stomach to control blood pressure.
- Gotu Kola – This is a bitter herb that helps in blood circulation.
- Triphala – Triphala choorna is used for gastrointestinal rejuvenating treatments. It is an ayurvedic mixture of three herbs dried – Amla (Emblica Officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), and black myrobalan (Terminalia chebula). The anti-inflammatory characteristics of this choorna help controlling hypertension and high cholesterol.
- Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamamasi DC.) Powder
- Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna W.and A.) Bark Powder – Branches of Arjuna tree have properties that control hypertension. This also reduces the plaque substance getting accumulating in blood vessels. Generally consumed on empty stomach.
- Rasona (Allium stivum Linn.) ksheerapaka
- Garlic – Being a natural thinner, it reduces cholesterol in the blood and decreasing blood pressure.
Ksheerapaka is a preparation of medicinal herb powder mixed with milk. Ksheerapaka is processed by adding a medicinal plant to milk.
Formulation prescribed by ayurvedic doctors
Formulations mentioned below y one of them or in combination may be prescribed by the physician. The physician decides dosage during therapy and it changes from patient to patient.
At Naitri, doctors suggest following formulas which are strictly under the doctor’s guidance.
- Lekhana Vasti (medicated enema), which contains arjuna wood decoction.
- Mamsyadi kvatha – 10-20 ml per dose in water
- Sarpagandha ghana vati – 125-250 mg per dose in water
- Brahmi vati – 125-250 mg per dose in water
- Prabhakara vati – 125-250 mg per dose in water
- Arjunarishta – 10-15 ml per dose in water
- Abhayarisha – 10-15 ml per dose in water
- Pravala pishti – 250-500 mg per dose in water
- shveta parpati – 125-250 mg per dose in water
- Nagarjunbhra rasa – 125-250 mg per dose in water
- Hridayarnava rasa – 125-250 mg per dose in honey
With these medicines, ayurvedic doctors suggest yoga therapies, breathing exercises, and consultation help in managing blood pressure efficiently. Consult Naitri clinic for any queries.