Homeopathy for Hypertension

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries. Systolic BP (commonly referred to as the upper BP) is caused to the force of contraction of the heart. The diastolic BP (commonly referred to as the lower BP) is the one when heart is in the relaxed phase after contraction. 

The condition is known as a “silent killer” because it usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it has done significant damage to the heart. Since most people have no visible symptoms, they are unaware that they have high blood pressure.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

People experience varied symptoms when they have a high BP. The most common being headaches or a fuzzy feeling in head, lethargy, lack of concentration, disturbed sleep etc. But a lot of patients are totally asymptomatic and high BP is diagnosed on a routine check up.

There are lots of myths associated with blood pressure or hypertension. A common misperception is that when blood pressure rises one gets headache or starts getting irritable or angry. This is not the truth. The truth is that high blood pressure is unlikely to have any symptoms. That is precisely why most of the time hypertension is detected as a matter of routine check up or while investigating for other symptoms. It is therefore known as a silent killer. It is mostly during a routine check up that one gets diagnosed as having hypertension or high blood pressure. If blood pressure rises over a period of time, the body keeps on adjusting to it and does not feel any symptom. Therefore one should not think that if one does not have any symptom, blood pressure is normal. Get it checked. That is the only reliable way to know if you have high blood pressure or not.

Cause of High Blood Pressure or High BP or Hypertension

Modern day lifestyle is one of the biggest reasons for high BP or hypertension. The modern lifestyle is sedentary in nature. There is little physical exercise in our daily life. We have forgotten how to walk or cycle. At the same time, our food is rich and full of fat and spicy things. Little physical activity and excessive intake of fatty food leads to obesity or weight gain. This excess weight in itself becomes a cause of high blood pressure. To add to that, mental stress is dominant. We are caught in a rat race where it is important to do better than our neighbour. In the bargain we are losing out on our health.

The risks of high blood pressure

When left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health complications, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage. Regular visits to your doctor can help you monitor and control your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or above is considered high. Your treatment plan might include medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of therapies.

Homeopathy, a branch of alternative medicine based on the Law of Similars, is one of the most effective hypertension treatments. Homeopathic theory views disease as a dynamic disturbance that affects the whole, as opposed to a specific part of the body. Homeopathy believes in holistic, totality, and individualized approaches. A holistic approach means that every manifested symptom in a body relates to a mental or emotional state. In a totality approach, homeopathy does not aim to treat a specific organ, but the body in its entirety. Many factors affect an individual’s life, including the environment and inherited diseases. Consequently, every individual experiences and manifests the same disease differently, and must be treated individually as a result.  

1. Lachesis- Homeopathic medicine lachesis is perhaps one of the most leading homeopathic remedies in controlling high levels of blood pressure. Lachesis may be given when there is marked restlessness physically as well as mentally.

2. Allium Sativa- The homeopathic medicine allium sativa is another remedy which may be thought of in cases of high blood pressure. Allium sativa may be given in cases where there is a history of high cholesterol levels. This homeopathic medicine may suit fat and fleshy individuals who prefer non veg diet. Symptoms of high blood pressure may include dullness and heaviness in the head.

3. Natrum Mur- The homeopathic medicine natrum mur is one of the most indicated remedies in cases of high blood pressure which occur due to a prolonged intake of high levels of salty things. Due to this, there may be swelling of the feet in the mornings. Natrum mur may be given in cases where there is an unusual fatigue specially in the mornings. Though there is a restriction for excess salt intake, it is seen that there is an unusual craving for salty things like pickles, papads etc.

4. Belladonna- Belladonna treats high blood pressure associated with hemorrhaging. The person has a flushed face, dilated pupils, and an accelerated pulse rate. There is violent throbbing of the temporal arteries.

5. Glonoinum- Glonoinum treats high blood pressure. A sudden rush of blood goes to the head when out in the sun. 

6. Baryta muriatica: Ischemia´s conditions, elders with arterial hypertension and vascular degeneration. Atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's, if the patient is for Bar-muriatic.

This is by no means an exhaustive list covering all types of cases of high blood pressure. In chronic cases, one has to look at various things before prescribing a medicine. Such details are beyond the scope of this article. In many cases, other medicines are also required depending upon the symptoms of the patient. It is best that such medicines be taken under the supervision of an expert homeopath. Also, the effect of the medicines may vary from patient to patient, depending upon the severity and the chronicity of the condition. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an ayurveda.