High blood pressure, a condition that is also referred to as hypertension, affects both men and women. It’s a contributing factor to cardiac disease, but, fortunately, it is easily preventable. While you can keep your blood pressure levels in check with medicines, it’s a known fact that lifestyle and dietary changes can help significantly, as well.
Is Ayurveda for blood pressure effective?
Wondering if treatments and therapies based on Ayurveda for blood pressure are effective? The answer is, yes. In fact, studies have indicated that combining Ayurvedic therapies and ways of living with modern medicines can dramatically improve your blood pressure and overall health and well-being.
Hypertension in Ayurveda: What is the cause?
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that high blood pressure is caused as a result of the disruption of the doshas. An increase in vata and pitta dosha in particular can cause high hypertension.
That said, the following Ayurvedic remedies for high BP can help bring your levels down. Read on to know more.
High BP remedies in Ayurveda
Eat a healthy diet
If you are trying to reverse your hypertension, it’s important that you make changes to your diet. Start by cutting out fatty foods, meat, junk foods, desserts and alcohol. Further, adding the following herbs and natural ingredients can help regularize your blood pressure.
- Garlic: Recent studies have indicated that the medicinal properties of garlic could help bring blood pressure down and lower bad cholesterol levels in the body. It’s best to consume a raw clove of garlic every morning.
- Honey: Honey can help lower cholesterol, bring down blood pressure and maintain vasodilation. Start your day by adding a teaspoon of honey to a cup of hot water, stirring in a few drops of apple cider vinegar. Consume this drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
- Amla: Amla or Indian gooseberry is one of the most effective natural remedies for blood pressure. The fruit contains a high vitamin C content, which helps manage cholesterol levels and reduce plaque buildup in the blood vessels. This, in turn, lowers one’s risk of developing high blood pressure. Make sure to consume amla juice on an empty stomach every morning.
- Ajwain: This popular post-meal mouth freshener can surprisingly also help regulate high blood pressure. It achieves this by reducing the production and impact of stress hormones that constrict blood vessels and lead to elevated blood pressure. A small amount of ajwain can be taken after a heavy meal to help with digestion and regulation of blood pressure.
- Ashwagandha: One of the best herbs for hypertension in Ayurveda, Ashwagandha contains properties that could help lower blood pressure, lessen stress, reduce inflammation and improve the immune system. If you want to include Ashwagandha as part of your diet, mix around 1 teaspoon of it in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach).
Lifestyle modifications
To maintain good health and regulate your blood pressure, it is important to exercise regularly and establish a consistent routine. Attempt to get at least 150 minutes of light- to moderate-intensity exercise every week. You may need to exercise longer/harder if you are trying to lose weight. Further, if you are stressed or anxious, practice mindfulness to ease your mental burdens.
Ayurvedic medicines
Combining dietary changes and lifestyle modifications with Ayurvedic medicines prescribed by a trained practitioner can help you maintain normal blood pressure levels. Keep in mind that you should only consume Ayurvedic medicines and supplements after consulting a practitioner.
Panchakarma is an ancient Ayurvedic treatment for high blood pressure. It aims to promote holistic health by eliminating toxins and balancing the body, mind, and spirit. This form of Ayurvedic therapy can help reduce blood pressure through various means, such as:
- Panchakarma involves relaxation techniques that can help reduce stress, which is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure.
- The therapy promotes healthy digestion, weight loss, and regular physical activity, all of which can contribute to lower blood pressure levels.
Yoga
Practicing yoga on a regular basis can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by improving circulation, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Certain yoga asanas can also reduce the effects of atherosclerosis, which, in turn, helps to lower blood pressure. Additionally, yoga can improve overall cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and increasing lung capacity. Overall, incorporating yoga into your life can be an effective low BP Ayurvedic treatment. Hypertension in Ayurveda is attributed to two things primarily — a poor diet and following improper lifestyle habits, like staying awake at odd hours of the night, being sedentary for most of the day, overexerting oneself and undergoing severe anxiety and stress consistently. As a result, the best low BP remedies in Ayurveda require affected individuals to make significant lifestyle changes. Keep in mind the Ayurvedic approach aims to cure the underlying cause of the ailment and revitalize the body. Hence, a complete overhaul of your lifestyle becomes necessary. If you’re looking to normalize your blood pressure levels and attain freedom from modern medicines, reach out to our experts at Madhavbaug today to learn more about our 360° Ayurveda-based approach to control hypertension.