Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls is high enough that may eventually cause health issues like heart diseases. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and amount of resistance to flow of blood in arteries. The blood pressure is raised when the arteries get narrower as the heart pumps more blood. The symptoms of hypertension are shortness of breath, headaches, nosebleeds, etc. If not treated, it may also lead to stroke, heart failure, metabolic syndrome and other such complications.
‘Raktagata Vata’ is the term for hypertension in ayurvedic text. It is the abnormality of Rakta dhatu and is known as shonit Dushti. The vitiation of Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha affects the blood pressure. The vitiation of Kapha dosha increases cardiac strength, but due to its sluggishness, the kapha dosha itself is decreased. Further, vitiation of Vata and Pitta dosha leads to increase in blood pressure. Thus, intake of salt, alcohol, oily diet, day time sleep, mental accidents; leads to vitiation of blood, which affects the doshas and leads to forceful expulsion of blood through dhamanis, that causes increase in resistance in vessels i.e. high blood pressure.
Now, when it comes to treatment of hypertension in ayurveda, it focuses on elimination of toxins from the blood and balancing the vitiated doshas. This involves panchakarma therapy that helps to get rid of toxins from the body and re-establishing heart health. This therapy is followed by other therapies like Virechana, Vasti, Shirodhara, etc. The entire procedure is accompanied by intake of certain herbal formulations that include- Lashuna, arjuna, ashwagandha, brahmi, jatamansi, giloy, gotu kola, amalaki, etc. These herbs also promote metabolism which directly impacts doshas and balances them. This line of treatment helps in reversal of condition in a natural way.
