The tension exerted on the wall of arteries by the strength of the contraction of the heart is called ‘Blood Pressure’. In adults, hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure is higher than 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg of diastolic on three separate readings recorded several weeks apart.

As per Ayurveda, hypertension is to be understood as the ‘Prasara-Avastha’ which means the spread of vitiated ‘Doshas’ from their specific sites, specifically of ‘Vyana Vata’, ‘Prana Vata’, ‘Sadhaka Pitta’, and ‘Avalambaka Kapha’ along with ‘Rakta’ in their disturbed states.

Dietary modification is very important to prevent the development of hypertension or potentially combat and reduce high blood pressure. Lowering sodium intake (Especially from table salt) reduces excessive water retention, which helps maintain normal blood pressure. Excessive use of sodium chloride is toxic and damaging to arteries and other tissues, which may initiate atherosclerosis and lead to hypertension. Adopting a high-potassium diet helps rid the renal system of excess sodium and restore sodium/potassium balance.

‘Acharya Charaka’ has also considered ‘Lavana’ as a substance not to be used in excessive quantity for a longer duration. Additional dietary changes beneficial for reducing blood pressure include adopting a diet that is rich in fruits, Vegetables, Whole grains and low-fat dairy products, reducing consumption of refined sugar and heavily processed food, reducing caffeine intake and limiting alcohol consumption.

We, at NutriAyurCare, Plan Ayurvedic diets to understand ‘Prakriti’ and ‘Vikruti’ of a person.