Abstract

EFFECT OF TAKRADHARA IN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION: A REVIEW

Vda. Channamma Hiremath* and Vd. Samarth Kasliwal

Abstract

Essential hypertension, a chronic elevation of blood pressure without identifiable cause, is a major global health concern. Hypertension is called a silent killer because it rarely causes symptoms before it damages the heart, kidneys or brain. It is estimated that 600 million people are affected worldwide with hypertension. In Ayurveda, it is often correlated with Raktagata Vata or Vyana Bala Vriddhi. Many works have been carried out on hypertension to evaluate the perfect diagnosis and mode of treatment on the basis of Ayurvedic principles, different nomenclatures also have been adopted by Ayurvedic scholars like Shonitamada, Raktagata Vyana Vayu, Shiragatavata, Raktavrita Vata, Raktavriddhi, Raktavata etc. Ayurveda offers holistic approaches to manage such conditions, with Takradhara—a specialized form of Shirodhara using medicated buttermilk—emerging as a promising therapy is gaining attention for its calming effects on the nervous system and potential role in managing hypertension. Thus, the review investigates the effect of Shirodhara on systolic and diastolic blood pressure and its impact on clinical symptoms like palpitation, insomnia, giddiness, fatigue, and headache in essential hypertensive patients.

Keywords: Hypertension, Shirobhitapa, Cardiovascular diseases.