Hypertension - 4 Ayurvedic Herbs To Manage it

High blood pressure is one of the most common lifestyle related disorders affecting people today. It can be defined as a systolic blood pressure reading higher than 140mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure reading that is higher than 90mmHg. A diagnosis of high blood pressure indicates that your heart needs to work harder to pump blood and nutrients through the body. If left unattended, this can lead to a number of cardiovascular problems including strokes.

Ayurveda is a form of treatment that does not only takes into account the symptoms shown, but also the lifestyle of a person for a while and hence is ideally suited to treating lifestyle diseases like this. Ayurvedic remedies are largely natural and have negligible side effects. Some of the most effective ayurvedic herbal remedies for high blood pressure are:

1. Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is a well known Ayurvedic herb that helps lower blood pressure. It also strengthens the mind and body and thus, gives a person an increased ability to handle different types of stress. Stress is one of the most common triggers of high blood pressure and hence fighting stress and staying calm is crucial to treating high blood pressure.
2. Triphala: As the name suggests, triphala is a combination of three herbs; amla, haritaki and bibhitake. It helps stabilise blood pressure levels and helps improve blood circulation through the body. Triphala also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the pressure against the walls of blood vessels and in turn, reduces blood pressure. By reducing cholesterol, it also prevents the thickening of arteries and allows blood to flow evenly.
3. Jatamansi: This herb helps reduce high blood pressure by protecting the arteries from the effects of free radicals. This is helpful in reducing high blood pressure as once arteries are damaged; their repair makes them narrower and hence affects their ability to carry blood. It also helps calm the mind and fights against stress.
4. Arjuna: This herb accelerates the turnover of low density lipoprotein that is found in live cholesterol. This prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterol and in turn, prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Arjuna also helps lower the production of stress hormones and prevents the hormones from damaging the inner lining of blood vessels.

In addition to the use of these herbs, weight management is essential in treating high blood pressure. This can be done through regular exercise and by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ayurveda.