Hypertension, popularly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition wherein the blood pressure in arteries gets elevated, thereby causing the heart to work harder to pump blood. Ancient Ayurvedic texts refer to high blood pressure as rakta capa vriddhi wherein the balance between all the three doshas namely, vata, pitta and kapha get violated aggressively. Here are a few Ayurvedic therapies to deal with the problem of hypertension rightly:

What to follow

As per Ayurveda, people with hypertension should have diets filled with elements of rukshana nature (one which reduces corpulence in the body), avidahi (less spicy), alavana (less salty), vatanulomana (pacifying the vata doshas) and pittashamaka (pacifying the pitta doshas). Indulge only in fresh food. If you hold dominance in kapha prakriti or vikriti, go for low-fat milk and lacto-vegetarian diets which will provide your body with an ideal mix of sweet, bitter and astringent tastes to pacify the problem of hypertension. Also include garlic into your diet.

What to avoid

Ayurveda also works at eliminating the unhealthy routines from an individual’s lifestyle. Maintain a healthy distance from smoking, drinking alcohol, having foods with excessive salt and ones with excessive acidic and pungent elements. Lower your intake of foods with astringent and moistening properties like dal and okra. Do not eat until the food from the previous meal has been completely digested, which usually takes 4-6 hours.

Daytime sleep, especially following a meal, should be avoided completely. Negative emotions like that of anger, jealousy, arguments, frustration, loud speech, and exposure to fire and strong mid-day sunshine should be kept under tight control.

(The author is founder, Kudrati Ayurved Health Centre)