Ayurveda for Hypertension: 8 Foods and Herbs That May Help Cut Down High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. Characterised by high blood pressure, an individual is deemed to be a hypertension patient when his blood pressure is above 140/90. In severe cases, the pressure can even shoot to 180/120, which needs immediate medical attention. It is often the principal cause of heart-attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

High blood pressure has no symptoms, which is why it is often left undiagnosed or diagnosed in the later stages when it is difficult to reverse the condition. However, it can be manged and kept under control by following a strict diet (eating healthy and less salty or spicy food), exercising regularly and taking medication. A couple of Ayurvedic home remedies can also prove to be very effective in bringing down high blood pressure.

Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Clinical Operations and Coordination Manager, Baidyanath, says "According to Ayurveda, consuming garlic cloves and gooseberries can work wonders for high blood pressure patients."

According to the book The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad, these food and herbs can help fight high blood pressure -

1.CardamomA teaspoon coriander and one pinch of cardamom to one cup of freshly squeezed peach juice can help bring down high blood pressure.
 

2.CucumberConsuming some cucumber raita can help too, Cucumber is a good diuretic, which helps reducing hypertension.
 

3.Honey

Add a teaspoon of honey and 5 to 10 drops of apple cider vinegar to a cup of hot water and consume it early morning. It helps reduce and regulate blood pressure.
 

4.Herbal concoction of herb 'Punarnava'A mixture of Punarnava (1 part), passion flower(1 part) and hawthorn berry(2 parts) can also go a long way in controlling hypertension. Steep half a teaspoon of the mixture in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes and drink the tea after lunch and dinner.

Ingrid Sen in her book Ayurvedic Natural Remedies categorically lists home remedies for each type of dosha. According to Ayurveda, there are three fundamental doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and good health is considered to be a perfect state of balance of these three doshas. According to the author, irregular patterns of blood pressure and pulse are characteristic of Vata hypertension. These individuals are more prone to anxiety and nervous disorders. For those struggling with Pitta doshas, they experience hypertension in the form of excess heat symptoms. As the blood pressure rises, it is common for these individuals to have deep red face. Ailments such as obesity and high triglycerides are common with those suffering from Kapha hypertension. The book lists these handy home remedies to control hypertension -

5. GarlicThe allicin component of garlic is believed to have properties that allow it to lower lipids and inhibit blood coagulation. Consuming raw garlic (one crushed clove once or twice a week) can benefit Vata hypertension.
 

6.AshwagandhaAshwagandha in conjunction with other herbs like Gotu Kola may also prove to be an effective formula to control hypertension.
 

7.Gotu KolaGotu Kola is a herb that promotes circulation and "addresses the venous insufficiency associated with increased heat in the body, which can help control pitta hypertension."
 

 

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8. TrikatuFor Kapha hypertension a herbal concoction called Trikatu can prove very effective. Made with three pungent spices - black pepper, Indian long pepper and ginger, this concoction can help lower Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs), also called the bad cholesterol. It also has immense anti-inflammatory properties.