Hypertension, also called as high blood pressure is the elevated pressure in the arteries that causes the heart to work harder to pump through the blood vessels. The normal blood pressure of a healthy individual is 120mmHg systolic and 80mmHg diastolic. When the pressure is at or above 140/90 mmHg, hypertension is considered to be present.
The causes of hypertension mainly involve a sedentary and hectic lifestyle combined with unhealthy food habits, obesity, metabolic disorders, excessive consumption of salt and fast foods, smoking and intake of intoxicants and such. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attacks and heart failure, stroke, aneurysm of the arteries, chronic kidney diseases and retinopathies, etc.
Ayurvedic approach to hypertension
Ayurveda correlates hypertension to a condition called Raktagata Vata where vitiated Vata dosha gets accumulated in the Rakta Dhatu or blood and disrupts the circulation. As the Rakta Dhatu and Pitta dosha are also influential to each other, the vitiation of Rakta also vitiates Pitta. Thus, according to Ayurveda, Raktagata Vata is a disorder of blood caused by morbid Vata and Pitta.
Ayurvedic treatment approach to hypertension identifies the extent of the dosha vitiation, tissue strength, metabolic errors and also studies the body constitution and the pathological state of the disease to prescribe a treatment module consisting of a Vata-pacifying diet, medicines and lifestyle advises.
Ayurvedic treatment options
Panchakarma – The primary purification and detoxification procedure in Ayurveda is highly recommended in eliminating the morbid doshas and toxins from the system to cure hypertension and to establish heart health.
- Virechana – The therapeutic purgation procedure in Ayurveda is advised for eliminating the aggravated Pitta and to correct the metabolism. Virechana also removes the blocks in the cells and blood vessels and restores blood health
- Vasti – The medicated emesis controls Vayu which is a main causative factor for hypertension.
- Raktamokshana – Contaminated blood is removed from the blood stream through the bloodletting therapy and clears the blocks in the circulation.
Takradhara – The scalp and forehead is caressed with a continuous stream of buttermilk to relieve hypertension, while also being therapeutic to stress, anxiety and tension.
Ksheeradhara – The whole body is bathed in streams of medicated milk to cool down both the body and mind which helps lower the blood pressure.
Tailadhara – Streams of medicated oil is poured on the body and head to relax the body and to regulate blood pressure.
