MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION - AN AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Abstract

Hypertension is the most common lifestyle disorder today. Systemic arterial hypertension is that the most important modifiable risk factor for all-cause morbidity and mortality. Worldwide one of the major causes of premature death is hypertension and can lead to major health consequences, such as CHD, CHF, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, renal failure, and death. Hypertension may be a chronic and sometimes asymptomatic medical condition during which systemic blood pressure is elevated beyond normal. Fewer than half of those with hypertension are conscious of their condition and lots of others are Modern treatment modalities are effective for the management of hypertension but pose human beings to their unwanted complications on their long-term use. The conventional antihypertensive drugs have many adverse effects & are not well tolerated which led to non-compliance, switching & discontinuation of treatment. There is no direct description of HTN in Ayurveda but based on its clinical presentation and similarity between pathogenesis factors for hypertension can be correlated with Raktagata Vata and it is considered as Tridoshaja Vyadhi. Treatment for hypertension in Ayurveda on the idea of Balancing all three Doshas. So Nidan Parivarajan, proper dietary habits, Yoga, Meditation along Ayurvedic herbs can be beneficial for balancing the state of mind, maintaining as well asreducing blood pressure. The Ayurvedic drug's potency depends upon rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka & Prabhava. Also, Acharyas have mentioned this as Prabhava of the drug. Ayurveda has various classical formulations and single herbs like Brahmi, Pushkarmoola, Jyotishamati, Sarpagandha, Saunf, Jatamansi etc. having Hridya, Kaphahara, Vatahara, Balya, Raktaprasadana, etc. properties which are safe and cost-effective too. Keywords: High Blood Pressure, Lifestyle disorders, Raktachapa, Silent killer.