Abstract

CONCEPT OF HYPERTENSION IN AYURVEDA-A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Minakshi* and Rakesh Sharma

Abstract

Incidence of hypertension is rising with every passing day. Approximately one billion individuals are suffering from hypertension worldwide. Previously it was a challenge to industrially developed western word but now developing countries like India are also equally grabbed by this disorder. Hypertension now has become a global health problem. If the present scenario remains unchanged and incidence of hypertension keep on rising with the same pace then very shortly India will become the global hypertensive capital. Hypertension has serious health implications like coronary artery disease, congestive cardiac failure, chronic renal failure, cerebrovascular accidents etc. These all complications are preventable provided hypertension is taken care off since the beginning. Hence a careful attention and meticulous blood pressure control is always desirable. Hypertension is an instrument based diagnosis. Hence there is no question of its direct description in ancient Ayurvedic literature. Hypertension might have existed in past also though with less severity and incidence. Because the disorders like Hridaya Roga, Pakshaghata, Mutra Ghata, Shotha etc. are well described in Ayurvedic literatures which are common complications of hypertension. But in Charka Samhita it is clearly mentioned that nomenclature of a disease is no bar for its management. Ayurveda is not a static science. Acharya Gana Nath Sen has stated in Pratakshya Shareeram that due to time factor and some other reasons new diseases are appearing now a days. Following the standard Ayurvedic fundamental principles hypertension can be managed satisfactorily. An attempt has been made in this article to draw the actiopathogenesis and line of management of hypertension on Ayurvedic principles.

Keywords: Essential Hypertension, Herbal, Blood Pressure, Untoward Effects.