Ayurvdic Approach to High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it's present with other risk factors.

High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it's more common among people over age 35. It's particularly prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are more likely to have high blood pressure, too.  ~ From the American Heart Association

High Blood Pressure kills approximately 2 million people each year and is known as the "silent killer".  Blood pressure should be below 120/80.

Diet and Lifestyle

High Blood Pressure is an indication of an imbalance of both the energies of Vata or The Wind and Pitta or The Fire.  This discourse is a a short term strategy to facilitate relief from this situation that can cause headaches, fatigue, irritability and mood swings.  A long term strategy requires further education as discussed below.

In the moment:

Sit down alone and in silence.  Close your eyes.  Even the breathe by simply breathing in through the nose for 3 seconds and breathing out through the nose for 3 seconds.  Use long, relaxed breath.  Once your breath is under control, place your attention on your heart.  You will feel it beating in your chest and probably elsewhere especially if you have a headache.  Focus on the heart.  Relax your hands and turn your palms face up.  Imagine that you can send your heartbeat to your hands and imagine you feel your heart beating in your palms until you actually do.  Sit this way drawing your attention to the heartbeat in the palms for at least 5 minutes and probably longer until your blood pressure begins to normalize.

Take it easy for the rest of the day.

Immediately Take Action:

• Eliminate Caffeine even if causes withdrawal from caffeine.
• Eliminate Alcohol.
• Eliminate Salt.
• Eliminate fried and oily foods.  No more fast food full of salt and bad fat.

Herbal Therapy:

• Neem:  Neem has an antihistamine property of nimbidin which causes the blood vessels to dilate and may be helpful in reducing high blood pressure.
• The Alcohol extract of neem leaf has been shown to produce immediate decrease in high blood pressure that can last for several hours.  You can buy it in liquid form and take by the dropperful.
• Flax Oil raises the good LDL, feeds the frontal lobe and the sheath that covers the nerves of the body..all of these are depleted by stress which is a primary indicator of HBP.

Movement:

• Gentle Yoga focuses on relaxation 2 - 3 times each week
• Daily casual walking of no less than 30 minutes
• 15 minutes of seated meditation followed by a 5 - 10 minute relaxation in Shavasana or the Corpse Pose

Massage

A daily massage or abyangha before or after a cool bath.  Use Sesame or Coconut Oil. 

Other Therapy:

Something to think about....

What is the root cause of your stress?  What is going on in your life?  Do you need a little coaching to get you organized, prioritized, and on the right path?  I do private consultations, so feel free to contact me.  email>>>

The American Heart Association has the following recommendation.....an Ayurvedic lifestyle would support and complement these recommendations.  Consider participation in The Elemental Cleanse or The Elemental Lifestyle to learn how to embrace a routine and nutritional plan right for you.

• Lose Weight
• Get regular physical activity
• Stop smoking
• Manage your stress
• Eat for heart health
• Follow the advice of your physician