Did you know, hypertension causes most number of strokes in the world? 47.9% to be precise, while heart diseases, more popularly thought to be responsible for strokes only accounts for 9.1%. Lipids account for 27% of the stroke. Here is the slightly worrying one- 7% strokes have been caused due to stress! Why are we talking about these morbid numbers? Hypertension caused due to poor diet, stress and sedentary lifestyle can be totally managed with some help from Ayurveda, one of the oldest non-invasive modes of healing and wellness. We are seldom told how simply this can be done, by going back to grandma’s kitchen. We also tell you about the secret of a body oil that goes a long way in treating this dreaded silent killer. Read on!
According to Ayurveda, vitiated Pitta Dosha along with excess of Rajas Guna (principle of restlessness and activity) over a period of time can lead to hypertension or high blood pressure. To put it simply, stress, poor dietary habits lacking the balance of three macro and micronutrients, low work-life balance and strained nervous system can all lay fertile grounds for hypertension to manifest in the body. Ayurveda is critical in managing hypertension or even preempting it. With no clear symptoms, it often goes undiagnosed until it is too late and by the time one finds out, one is scurrying for a cure.
Pulse Diagnosis To Preempt Hypertension
How about giving Ayurveda a chance? An active process of physical evaluation in Ayurveda is Nadi Pariksha or pulse diagnosis. Pulse diagnosis is the science of evaluating the current state of a person’s body, mind and spirit by reading the flow of life force coursing through one’s body. Complimenting western diagnostics, an Ayurvedic physician studies the pulse by touching, feeling, observing, and experiencing not only the rate, rhythm, and volume of the pulse; but also its movement, amplitude, temperature, force, and consistency in the body. It is a tool towards understanding the body in its entirety. The beauty of this is that the symptoms of disease manifest in the pulse long before they do in the body.
We are made up of three doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha, the three bio principles that combine the qualities of five great elements- fire, water, air or ether, earth and space. These three principles make for an individual’s unique physiological, emotional and behavioral constitution. Doshas govern the body, its organs and their functions. Dosha literally means that which gets vitiated. Since they get vitiated and when vitiated for a long time could manifest as disease, they are called as tridosas. When they are in a balanced state, they control all the activities and bodily functions. Doshas can be balanced by observing an appropriate lifestyle with right food, good sleep, stress-free mind and physically active body which undergoes deep detoxification at regular intervals.
Lot of people are managing hypertension in two ways- healthier exercise routines for both the body and more importantly the mind and secondly, by going for an Ayurveda prescribed diet that balances all the three Doshas and specifically reduces hypertension.
A) Are You Fighting Stress Well Enough?
Stress is the silent killer when it comes to hypertension. In the context of managing high blood pressure, it has become nearly indispensible to learn stress management. Stress causes release of glucagon, a hormone responsible for higher blood glucose levels.
It is a powerful rhythmic breathing that employs specific rhythms of breath to eliminate stress, support the various organs and systems within the body, transform overpowering emotions, and restore peace of mind, thus supporting the whole mind-body system.
Make time out for yourself before you burn out! Gift yourself a Panchakarma treatment, the crown of all treatments in Ayurveda. It is a full body treatment that addresses the doshic imbalances, detoxifies and rejuvenates the system. It includes massages, herbal medicated oil therapies based on your body constitution, and detoxifying diet tailor made based on your detoxification needs.
3) Releasing stress toxins through use of herbal essential oils
Experts recommend the use of essential oils made from select herbs that has Pitta pacifying qualities, for regular use as a moisturizer, bath oil or for body massages. For example, Shankara’s Soothing Body Oil is one such offering. It is a soothing blend of essential oils that are known for their relaxing and de-stressing qualities. Made from essential oils of almond, grapeseed, sunflower, borage, evening primerose, lavender, sandalwood and chamomile, this nutrient rich body oil also helps address worries of the mind, over critical thinking, irritability and anger! An oil for hypertension is also an oil for a perfectly calm and relaxed mind!
B) Home remedies
- Fruits like watermelon and apple can help control blood pressure. One cup of watermelon juice early morning on an empty stomach is a good way to say bye to hypertension.
- While going for your morning walk, have a slice of ginger with 4-5 basil leaves and tiny cubes of rock sugar and slowly suck in the juices of the combination.
- The good old remedy of a glass of lukewarm lemon water with a spook of honey still holds!
- Onion and garlic, potatoes (boiled), are also used for lowering blood pressure. Remember to boil the potato with its skin.
- Coriander powder with honey goes a long way in treating hypertension.
- Carrot and spinach juices are miracle workers for high blood pressure.
- Have 15 neem leaves with water every morning to keep hypertension at bay!
