Hypertension

By John Douillard, DC, PhD

The most common cause of hypertension is related to lifestyle. Some of the rasayanas or behavioral intelligence techniques apply here with regards to both prevention and treatment.
The occurrence of hypertension will depend primarily on body type and genetic susceptibility (or likely imbalances). Lifestyle stress is usually the first factor to trigger onset.

A frantic daily pace, staying up late, eating large evening meals and skipping or missing meals is probably the most serious offense with regards to blood pressure. Overexercise, and excessive intake of pungent, sour, and salty foods, or dehydration, or rushed meals, are also common offenders.

Such lifestyle stress puts extreme pressure on the sympathetic nervous system to illicit an anti-stress response. This response triggers stress-fighting adrenal hormones, which are both catabolic and emergogenic. This emergency effect, when in excess and as a result of a daily routine, will produce higher heart rates, and pressure on both the nervous system and circulatory system. This pressure aggravates both vata and pitta (specifically, the ranjaka pitta, which controls the quality of the blood, and the yana vata, which controls nerves, arteries, and veins). Vyana vata is typically seen in hypertension, as all three aspects are involved.

Botanical treatments will often have little effect on hypertension unless such behavioral modifications are made. These lifestyle changes provide prevention first in order for a permanent cure (see: achara rasayana and BITs sheets).

Vata

Vata-caused hypertension will be directly related to an excess amount of lifestyle and nervous system stress. In this case, the blood pressure comes and goes for many years, until it begins to aggravate pitta and kapha, respectively, and becomes increasingly more constant and more difficult to treat.

Treatment

Treatment for vata-caused hypertension will provide support to the nervous system with herbs such as ashwaganda (Withania somnifera) and brahmi (Bacopa monniera). It is generally recommended that the individual take 1⁄2 teaspoon of both, 3 times per day. Garlic (Allium sativa) also calms and strengthens the nervous system and cleans the blood with antiseptic and antioxidant properties, as well (1 clove, 3 times per day). Calamus (Acorus calamus) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) are both nervines and work well in all types of hypertension (recommended dosage: 1⁄2 teaspoon 3 times per day).

Pitta

Pitta-caused hypertension is most common in the classic pitta body type (sometimes demonstrated through a red face and bloodshot eyes). They may have a temper with an aggressive and competitive nature that incessantly drives them. A vata type hypertension can become a pitta type as the body tries to shunt the nervous system stress or pressure to the circulatory system. Headaches are common with this type and usually come late in the day after stress or overheating.

Treatment

Vata treatments will work for pitta-type hypertension as well. Some cooling, bitter herbs must be added to cleanse the blood and vessels as well as cool the circulatory system. Manjistha and gudduchi (1⁄2 teaspoon with meals, 3 times per day), are great blood purifiers along with strong bitter herbs, like haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and muhasudearhan. Both can be taken after meals, 1⁄2 teaspoon per day, 3 times per day.

Kapha

Kapha hypertension is often associated with obesity and edema. This imbalance is usually long-standing and chronic. The dosha of kapha can act as a storage site for all the circulatory ama created in the doshas of vata and pitta.

Treatment

The herbs for vata and pitta are necessary as needed, and some pungent and astringent herbs to detoxify accumulated ama are important. Garlic, cayenne (Capsicum frutescens), and pippili (Piper longum) or trikatu (a combination of Piper longum, Piper nigrum, and Zingiber officinalis), are useful here.

Behavioral Rasayanas: Achara Rasayanas

A most important key for long life according to Ayurveda, is to follow Achara Rasayanas, which means code of behavior or code of ethics. According to Charaka, the ancient authority on Ayurveda, one who follows very optimistically all codes of conduct need not take other rasayanas, and those who take other rasayanas without following this code of conduct do not receive the optimum benefits.

This is a list of traditional behavioral rasayanas that help create a harmonizing effect in the physiology and increase the production of ojas. Ojas is the finest material aspect of the physiology which is produced when digestion is functioning flawlessly. Ojas is the link between consciousness and matter, and is responsible for establishing and maintaining balance among vata, pitta, and kapha. The more ojas your body produces, the greater your health, immunity from disease, and happiness.

Achara Rasayana, as spoken of by Charaka, is as follows. Review this list on a regular basis to keep the points lively in your awareness. Do not strain to remember or follow these points.
• Always speak the truth.
• Do not be angry.
• Do not indulge in alcoholic drinks.
• Observe celibacy and the sexual act according to the code.
• Do not be violent.
• Avoid over-exertion.
• Be calm and peaceful in mind.
• Do not hurt others with your speech; speak pleasantly.
• Clean the body by bathing and regular washing.
• Be courageous and do not lose patience in any situation.
• Donate always to others.
• Follow religious and virtuous acts according to your own beliefs.
• Respect your teachers, priests, elders, guru, and all animals.
• Do not be cruel to anyone.
• Be merciful to all who are in need of your help.
• Maintain balance in waking and sleeping in the night; do not stay awake long in the night and do not sleep in the daytime.
• Take milk and ghee in moderation in your diet.
• Be a knower of place, time, and measures of activities.
• Be a knower of planning; always do everything according to a plan. It is said that failing to plan is planning to fail.
• Avoid super-egoism.
• Maintain good behavior established by the great sages and saints of society.
• Do not be mean-spirited; be generous and sharing.
• Engage yourself all the time in the achievement of pure consciousness.
• Respect and serve your elders.
• Respect and serve priests, sages, and saints who serve your religion and God.
• Respect and serve the people who have conquered their senses.
• Keep your self busy in religious activities.
• Continually study new science, advances, research, and philosophies, and utilize them for the benefit of all human beings.

Body Intelligence Techniques
• Eat in a settled atmosphere.
• Never eat when upset.
• Always sit down to eat.
• Eat only when hungry.
• Avoid ice-cold food and drink.
• Don’t talk while chewing.
• Don’t eat too slowly or too quickly.
• Eat only if previous meal is digested.
• Take a few sips of water with meals.
• Favor freshly prepared foods.
• Cooked foods are easier to digest.
• Don’t heat or cook with honey.
• Don’t take milk with your meal.
• Sit quietly for a few minutes after eating.
• Food should please all five senses.
• Put your fork down between bites.

Further Information

http://www.lifespa.com/article.asp?art_id=44