Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure
ABSTRACT
In this era, two thirds of humans are suffering from high blood pressure because of health problems such as weight gain have reached new heights in the last decade as a result of changes in our way of life and unhealthy lifestyles such as sedentary work life. The most significant modifiable risk factor for all-cause morbidity and mortality worldwide is systemic arterial hypertension, which is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fewer than half of those with hypertension are conscious of their disease, and many more are aware but untreated or undertreated. Human beings suffering from kidney diseases, obese persons and people with alcohol consumption and smoking habits are at risk for hypertension. Stress or a busy schedule where a person cannot take rest can be prone for hypertension.So, in order to overcome one of the most common illnesses (hypertension), we need to live a healthy lifestyle and eat a healthy diet. Ayurveda provides you with a large number of healthy herbs, and the classical concepts of dinacharya (daily regimen) and ritucharya (seasonal regimen) are the main points that distinguish ayurveda as the most special and healthy healing science.
INTRODUCTION
High bp (blood pressure) in medical terms is known as Hypertension. According to WHO, when blood pressure is 140/90 or above should be considered as Arterial hypertension. It can be caused by an unknown reason that is idiopathic, it accounts for about 90% of patients. There are many secondary causes like renal cause, cardiovascular cause, endocrine cause, neurogenic cause and others (toxaemia, drug abuse, poisoning, pre eclampsia, carcinoid syndrome and polycythemia). It can be managed by avoiding oily, spicy and salty food in diet. Changing lifestyle and start doing exercises and yoga asanas and also by restricting salt and fats in our diet these small efforts in our daily routine can help a lot in managing hypertension.
AYURVEDIC POINT OF VIEW
In ayurveda, it can be correlated with “Rakta Gata vata”. Factors affecting rakta gata vata are bad eating habits like eating heavy food, excess of food, alcohol intake, excess of sweet dishes and taking only salty, sour, and acidic food items. The behavioural causes are controlling the natural urges, doing excess of exercise, taking a lot of stress, fear, day sleep and smoking can be the factors responsible for rakta gata vata.
Pathogenesis (Samprapti)
The pathogenesis is continuously following the wrong pattern of lifestyle (eating habits and behavioural factors) which leads to increase in kapha dosha and meda dhatu. Later this kapha and meda dhatu deposits in arteries which causes blockage of passage and causes vata prakopa (aggravation of vata). This aggravated vata gets mixed with rakta (blood) and flows in abnormal or pathological routes which results in Rakta Gata vata (Hypertension).
Symptoms (Lakshana)
The lakshanas(symptoms) as per different Ayurveda acharya
By Aacharya Charaka are – Pain, discolouration, weakness, anorexia, stiffness after meal, burning sensation, burning sensation in muscles and skin, reddish oedema and rashes. (ch.chi. 28/31) & (ch.chi.28/63)
According to Yogaratnakara – Burning sensation in feet, blisters over skin, oedema, tiredness without exertion, haemorrhage, palpitation, tremors.
Other symptoms seen in Hypertensive patients are anger,excessive sweating, constipation, tinnitus, loss of memory, fainting, diminished vision, pain in the calf region and numbness in the body.
Management of Hypertension in Ayurveda (Line of treatment)
Nidana parivarjan (Avoidance of etiological factors)
Lifestyle modifications
- Shamana chikitsa (Palliative treatment)
- Samshodhana chikitsa (Bio-cleansing therapies)
- Rasayana(Rejuvenation therapy)
Management of Hypertension in Yoga
In the management of Rakta Gata vata, Yoga has good effects. Along with Pranayama, various asanas like savasana, makrasna, vajrasana etc. are beneficial in the management of hypertension.
HOME REMEDIES FOR HYPERTENSION
- Fasting: In ayurveda fasting (langhna) is beneficial for this disease. Once in a week do fasting. Take fruit juice and vegetable juice while fasting.
- Bottle gourd (lauki): The bitter taste and toxicity of bottle gourd was caused by toxic tetracyclic triterpenoid compounds called cucurbitacins. Orthodox medicine healers recommend it for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, liver disease and a variety of other ailments. Half cup of bottle gourd juice mixed with half cup of water thrice a day is beneficial in hypertension.
- Lemon: Lemons remove rigidity of the blood vessels making them soft. The chances of heart attack are lowered eventually by consuming lemon juice regularly. In the early morning, add lemon juice in lukewarm water and drink. Also, can be taken with normal water many times in a day.
- Banana: Bananas are abundant sources of potassium, which decrease the impact of sodium significantly.
- Amla: Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is an ayurvedic blood pressure treatment. It contains Vitamin C, which aids in the reduction of blood cholesterol levels and the widening of blood vessels. Amla juice, taken on an empty stomach every morning, will help to manage hypertension and other ailments.
- Coconut water: Coconut water contains magnesium, potassium and vitamin C, which helps in lowering the systolic blood pressure. Also, individuals with hypertension must always keep their bodies hydrated.
- Garlic: Garlic lowers blood pressure and lowers cholesterol levels because it is a natural blood thinner. Try eating one clove of garlic first thing in the morning; it will provide you with many health benefits in the long run.
- Honey: It can do wonders for your health if you drink two teaspoons of honey with warm water every morning. Honey is an excellent treatment for relaxing blood vessel walls and lowering blood pressure.
- Watermelon: Watermelon has vasodilator property. The seeds possess cucurbocitrin. This helps to make the blood capillaries wide. This, in turn, reduces the level of blood pressure.
- Tulsi: Tulsi is a wonderful ayurvedic herb that effectively reduces high blood pressure and weakening symptoms of hypertension such as headaches and exhaustion. Tulsi’s verdant green leaves contain eugenol, a natural calcium channel blocker that prevents calcium from entering arteries and loosens blood vessels, making it an important antihypertensive agent.
Tips
- Balanced diet and food.
- Take a maximum of 1gm of salt in a day.
- Walk and exercise regularly
- Avoid anger, stress instead live a peaceful life.
- Take 8-9 hrs sleep.
- Take only a liquid diet for every seventh day.
- Drink more water.
- Smoking cessation
Avoid:- Tobacco, coffee, tea, non veg.
CONCLUSION
Hypertension can be cured in Ayurveda while it can only be managed in Allopath by taking medicine for life long. In ayurveda fruits and vegetable like Papaya, Pomegranate,less quantity of Cow ghee, Grapes, Oranges, Green vegetables, Saindhava lavana, banana, bottle gourd, lemon, tomatoes, gooseberry, ash gourd, carrot, garlic, honey, watermelon, taro root and Apples are well known for managing high blood pressure along with short term medications. Various yoga asanas and pranayamas and daily regimen are very helpful in lowering or maintaining the blood pressure.
