EFFECTIVE AYURVEDIC DRUGS FOR HYPERLIPIDEMIA : REVIEW ARTICLE

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which blood contains an abnormally high amount of lipids i.e. fats. These factors can accumulate and cause blockages in blood vessels. This is why having high cholesterol may increase the risk of damaging organs that don’t receive enough blood from arteries. Life threatnening emergencies like heart attack and brain stroke can arise from untreated chronic hyperlipidemia. Today’s sedentary lifestyle, ready to eat or instant food items, increasing use of technologies which decreases physical activities, all these factors prone for increase in abnormal lipid levels in body. Foods that have cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fats can raise blood cholesterol level. These include Cheese, Fried and processed foods, Ice cream, Pastries, Red meat etc. According to WHO, the global prevalence of raised total cholesterol among adults was 39% (37% for males and 40% for females) in 2008. According to a study by ICMR-INDIAB, prevalence of dyslipidemia in a large representative sample of four selected regions in India showed that 79% had abnormalities in one of the lipid parameters. Meda dhatu from Ayurveda is an entity which is correlated to lipids. Medoroga, Medodosha, Sthaulya are the synonyms used for diseases with excessive formation and accumulation of Meda dhatu. Two main treatment modalities present in Ayurveda, Shodhan and Shaman, play an efficient role in treating this disease. So, there is a challenge of treating the disease without interference in the daily routine of an individual. This paper specifically throws light on meeting aforesaid needs with some effective Ayurvedic drugs possessing Medopachaka, Agnideepaka, Vatanulomaka and Rasayana properties.