Ayurveda Tips for High Blood Pressure

Hypertension or high blood pressure is so common today that at least one in ten people aged 40 or above has high BP related problems. This is the pressure that blood exerts on blood vessel walls. High blood pressure occurs when heart works harder to pump blood. Thickening of blood vessels (arteriosclerosis) causes it. This can cause stroke or heart attack. It is therefore very important to keep blood pressure to normal levels.

The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. There are however variations to his readings throughout the day. If the pressure becomes 130/80 mmHg, it is risky condition. If it is 140/90 mm Hg then it is hypertension.

In Ayurvedic teachings, hypertension is the result of the breakdown of all the dosha regions which ultimately causes a derangement in vata dosha and all subsequent treatment is dedicated to straightening out this misalignment and thus returning the sufferer to health. Also such inner, repressed symptoms such as anxiety, fear, unresolved anger and frustration greatly disturb the endocrine system causing it to malfunction and in very severe cases to cease operating totally and fatally. Both of these causes of hypertension need to be addressed immediately and to do this Ayurvedic recommends many ways like:

1. Balance the three energy types or doshas, Vata, Kapha and Pitta. Ayurvedic practitioners balance these energy types with nutrition, breathing exercises, yoga, mantra meditation, herbal remedies and medicines.

2. Reduce or eliminate meat, salt, eggs and fats. Follow a vegetarian diet that includes garlic (lahsun), celery (ajmod) and leafy vegetables. You can eat fruits, such as watermelon, and use clarified butter (ghee) as a fat. Eliminate caffeine and tobacco. Exercise on a regular basis.

3. Depending on the dosha type, your Ayurvedic practitioner may prescribe serpagandha and jatamansi for Vata, sandalwood and sarsaparilla for Pitta and arunja for Kapha. Take these herbal medications in tablet, powder or pill form for the period prescribed by the practitioner.

4. Grind garlic into a paste and mix with buttermilk. Drink daily. Mix lemon juice with honey and drink each morning. Mix 1 or 2 spoonfuls of powdered cumin (jeera) and fennel (saunf) seeds to a glass of water. Drink this mixture twice daily.

5. Use yoga and meditation to lower high blood pressure. The yoga posture called the Corpse Pose or Savasana is beneficial in normalizing blood pressure. While you are in this pose, you also can meditate on a mantra which your practitioner may provide.

6. Practice pranayama or breathing exercises. Breathing exercises may reduce hypertension, anxiety and stress.

7. Cleanse the body of toxins. Practitioners recommend abhyanga (massage with herbal oils) and panchakarma (detoxification by sweat baths and induced bowel movements) as effective treatments for this condition.

In order to prevent Hypertension, Ayurveda recommends the following tips:

• Include in your diet food items of high fiber content. Fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereal, rice, wheat, etc in unprocessed form are good for your heart and body.
• If you doubt hypertension, avoid alcohol and tobacco. There are however instances when very lower levels of alcohol is actually beneficial in bringing down high blood pressure.
• Give your body some exercise. Walking for 30 minutes in the morning is enough as a starting up. You can slowly introduce aerobics. You can also start practicing yoga under a skilled master.

This is a general outline of how Ayurvedic science would treat a problem such as hypertension. Remember that this is not designed to replace an allopathic regime but rather can be used by someone not on medication or in conjunction with medication for hypertension. It offers a more precise and simple way of reducing your risks and increasing your health and well being.