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Ayurvedic medicinal herbs for treating high blood pressure
cumin seeds is used to reduce the high blood pressure to normal in Ayurveda.
for more information checkout https://www.pravaayu.com/blog/ayurveda-for-high-blood-pressure
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Ayurveda comprehensively manages high blood pressure (hypertension) by correcting the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), stress, food choices, and habits. Some herbs used in Ayurveda, cumin seeds for one, are known to help maintain optimal blood pressure levels and support heart health. With this in mind, let’s explore Ayurvedic medicine herbs for hypertension and cumin seeds.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Managing High Blood Pressure
Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
Properties:
Cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum) contain hydrophilic compounds, diuretics, mildly vasodilatory substances, and mercaptans, which have a hypotensive effect.
How It Helps:
Cumin improves overall heart health by lowering blood pressure. It also helps relax, enhance digestion, relieve stress, and manage hypertension.
Usage:
- Prepare tea by boiling 1 tsp cumin seeds in water for a few minutes.
- Sip 1-2 times daily.
- Include roasted cumin powder in buttermilk or sprinkle it on curries.
Standard Advice:
1-2 tsp daily, but adjust based on personalized recommendations from Ayurveda specialists.
Evidence:
Though supportive research is limited, Ayurveda’s incorporation of cumin in cardiovascular health management is well-documented, alongside emerging studies evaluating cumin’s potential blood pressure-lowering effects.
Precaution:
Stomach irritability in high doses is possible due to decreased stomach blood flow, leading to too much blood pressure lowering through vasodilation. Having less cumin may help balance digestive tract stability and cumin intake.
Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna)
Properties:
An important herb with extraordinary cardioprotective and anti-hypertensive properties. It aids in heart muscle strengthening and the enhancement of blood circulation.
How It Helps:
Arjuna reduces plaque deposits in the arteries, relaxes the blood vessels, and normalizes blood pressure while reducing LDL cholesterol.
Usage:
- Take Arjuna powder 1-2 tsp with warm milk or water.
- It can also be taken in capsule/tablet form as Baidyanath Arjunarishta.
Drinking Arjuna Tea:
- Boil 1 tsp of Arjuna bark powder in 1 cup water and 1 cup milk, add a pinch of cinnamon and turmeric.
- Drink at bedtime.
Evidence:
Research confirms Arjuna’s positive effects on treating high systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improving cardiovascular functions.
Precaution:
Avoid taking heart medications without a doctor’s advice due to possible interactions.
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
Properties:
Adaptogenic ashwagandha can soothe stress and anxiety, which are known to cause high blood pressure.
How It Helps:
It lowers cortisol, calms the nervous system, improves endothelial function, and helps to keep blood pressure in check.
Usage:
- Take 1-2 tsp of ashwagandha powder with warm water or milk.
- Best taken at night.
- Available as capsules (e.g., Ayush Herbs Ashwagandha DS).
Evidence:
Supports the primary claim of stress reduction and managing blood pressure.
Precaution:
Increased drowsiness, especially when combined with sedatives.
Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri)
Properties:
Reduces nervous system stress, promoting relaxation and supporting the body’s systems.
How It Helps:
It works by relaxing muscles and reducing blood pressure through compounds that release nitric oxide.
Usage:
- Add 1 tsp of dried leaves to hot water to make Brahmi tea.
- Provided in capsule and powder form (1-2g daily).
Evidence:
Although limited research has been done on humans, animal studies show that Brahmi lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Precaution:
Mild digestive issues may be experienced.
Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia Serpentina)
Properties:
Contains alkaloids of reserpine with prominent anti-hypertensive and sedative functions.
How It Helps:
Vasodilates blood vessels, decreases heart rate, and lowers blood pressure.
Usage:
Sold as tablets such as Baidyanath Sarpagandha Tablet and other branded or prescribed medicines like M-Sarpagandha Mishran. Standard dosages include 250 mg two times per day.
Evidence:
Studies support its use for managing hypertension, and clinicians often report reduced dependence on conventional medicines.
Precaution:
Due to side effects such as dizziness or depression, it must be used under strict professional guidance.
Tulsi (Holy Basil, Ocimum Sanctum)
Properties:
Has eugenol, which acts as a natural calcium channel blocker and relaxes blood vessels.
How It Helps:
Supports antioxidant action, reduces blood pressure, relieves hypertension headaches, and improves heart health.
Usage:
- Brewed as tea or capsules; take 4-5 leaves of Tulsi daily.
- Check for tea blends or capsules as well.
Evidence:
Suggestions of eugenol may help reduce blood pressure.
Precaution:
Safe for most, but consult a doctor if taking blood thinners.
Triphala
Properties:
Amalaki, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki are three fruits with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
How It Helps:
It minimizes cholesterol a, plaque buildup, and inflammation, subsequently improving blood vessel health.
Dosage/Administration:
- Consume 1-2 teaspoons of Triphala powder mixed with warm water before bed.
- Available as capsules or tablets.
Evidence:
Lowering blood pressure, edema, and inflammation with
Triphala has been studied.
Precaution:
Overuse may result in loose stools.
Celery Seeds (Ajmoda, Apium graveolens)
Properties:
High in phthalides, which serve as natural calcium channel blockers and have diuretic effects.
How It Helps:
It alleviates fluid retention and relaxes arterial walls to lower blood pressure.
Dosage/Administration:
Steep 1 tsp of celery seeds in hot water for tea, or take as an extract (1.34 g/day as studied).
Evidence:
In a small study, celery seed extract lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Precaution:
Do not use during pregnancy or if you have kidney problems.
Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa)
Properties:
This herb is a powerful antioxidant and has diuretic properties.
How It Helps:
- Helps protect blood vessels.
- Reduces fluid retention and lowers blood pressure.
Usage:
- Take as capsules or steep ½ tsp of Punarnava powder in hot water for tea.
- Used with passion flower and hawthorn berry, it makes a wonderful tea. (e.g., ½ tsp mix steeped for 5–10 minutes).
Evidence:
Its diuretic and hypotensive effects have been published.
Precaution:
Low blood pressure requires caution when using this herb.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry, Emblica Officinalis)
Properties:
It is a vasodilator with high C vitamins and antioxidants.
How It Helps:
Improves heart health and lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.
Usage:
Take one raw amla daily, or consume 1-2 tsp of amla powder or juice with honey.
Evidence:
Many studies have noted amla’s effectiveness in reducing blood pressure.
Precaution:
Generally safe, but restricted use is recommended for blood thinners.
Focused Attention on Cumin Seeds
In Ayurvedic medicine and cooking, cumin seeds are well-known for their uses in hypotension and as a diuretic. It helps in the medicinal reduction of blood pressure by:
Hypotensive Effects:
Promoting vasodilation through compounds like cinnamaldehyde.
Diuretic Effects:
Mild diuretic effects that reduce blood volume in the body.
Supportive Digestion:
Indirectly helps reduce stress and hypertension.
Recommended Use
Tea:
Drink 1-2 times daily after straining one teaspoon of cumin seeds in 1 cup of water.
Culinary:
Add 1-2 teaspoons of roasted cumin powder to soup, buttermilk, or curry.
Combination:
Drink a synergic mixture with coriander, a hint of cardamom, and peach juice 2-3 times daily.
Caution:
You can consult a licensed Ayurvedic doctor for personalized dosing, as using it without care can irritate digestion or lower blood pressure too much.
General Instructions for Ayurvedic Herb Use
Get Guidance:
Always seek an Ayurvedic specialist or clinician if planning to start herbs, more so if using medication like blood thinners, anti-hypertensives, as Sarpagandha or garlic can pose problems.
Additional Lifestyle Changes:
Yoga (Shavasana and Bhujangasana), pranayama (like Anulom Vilom), stress reduction (such as meditation), supplementation with a Sattvic diet (fruits and vegetables with whole grain staples low in sodium).
Panchakarma:
Detox therapies like Virechana and Abhyanga may improve the efficacy of the herbs due to stress and toxin reduction.
Check Blood Pressure Regularly:
Avoid hypotension, especially with potent herbs like Sarpagandha, and monitor closely.
Purchase Quality Herbs:
Look for brands like Ayush Herbs, Baidyanath, Kerala Ayurveda, and other approved GMP manufacturers.
Cautions
Combining Treatments:
Garlic, Tulsi, and Sarpagandha can interact with blood pressure medications, and excesses may induce hypotension.
Adverse effect:
Excess diuretics such as Punarnava and celery seeds can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes. Improper dosing of Sarpagandha can lead to dizziness or depression.
Pregnancy Risk:
Herbs like Sarpagandha and celery seeds should be avoided during pregnancy unless properly prescribed.
Personalization:
Treatments are based on doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and constitution.
A practitioner can customize the choices and dosages of herbs.
Where to Start
Start with Simple Herbs:
You can begin using Tulsi, Amla, or even cumin seeds, as they are nurturing and complex and should be included in the daily routine.
Seek Professional Guidance:
Visit any Ayurvedic Practitioner, such as Dr. Sharda Ayurveda or The Ayurvedic Clinic, for a detailed plan that includes Nadi Pareeksha (pulse diagnosis).
Purchase Herbs:
Trusted Truemeds, Ayush Herbs, or Kerala Ayurveda ensure quality assurance for Ayurvedic herbs.
Monitor Progress:
Regular consultations with a doctor while monitoring blood pressure ensure safe integration with existing treatments.
If you need in-depth assistance on one herb, sample recipes for herbal teas, or charts showing the different benefits of these herbs, I can certainly help you with that! As always, please talk about any healthcare changes with a professional first.
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I will try this and hopefully can manage my Malignant Hypertension. Thank you for sharing Cheryl.