How to Treat Cardiac Diseases in Ayurveda?
What is a cardiac disease?
As per Modern Aspect:
Cardiac disease refers to a number of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. There is a blockage in the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply blood to the heart which leads to the decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle. It includes myocardial infarction and angina, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, venous thrombosis.
It is also referred to as Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD).
As per Ayurveda aspect:
- In Ayurveda, cardiac diseases are correlated with Hrida roga.
- It is of five types: Vata, Pitta, Kapha, tridosha, and krimija hrida roga.
- Causes of Hrida Roga are Tikshna Ahara (pungent diet), vyayama (excessive exercise) that leads to Dhamani Praticaya (thickening of arteries), Dhamani Kathinaya (hardening of arteries).
What are the Causes of Cardiac Diseases?
Several causes are:
- High blood pressure
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking
- Overweight
- High Cholesterol
- Depression
What are the Symptoms of Cardiac Diseases?
Symptoms include:
- Symptoms may differ in men and women.
- Men are likely to have chest pain and women are likely to have other symptoms include Chest discomfort, pain, and pressure.
Other symptoms are:
- Numbness especially in upper limbs
- Pain in neck, throat and upper abdomen
- Difficulty in breathing
- Feeble pulse
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
How to Treat Cardiac Diseases in Ayurveda?
Here are some herbal remedies for cardiac diseases:
Cinnamon:
- It is the best herb used in Ayurveda. It has powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols that has an antioxidant property which protects the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It reduces the LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides and helps in inhibiting the release of inflammatory fatty acids from the platelet membranes that keep the blood flow properly.
Step to follow:
- Consume 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder once daily.
- Add this in a cup of warm herbal tea.
Turmeric:
Turmeric is the best natural herb that contains a compound called as curcumin that has an anti-inflammatory property. It controls the inflammation that leads to cardiac diseases. It increases the circulation of blood and also prevents from blood clotting. It lowers the level of cholesterol and is the effective Ayurvedic treatment of cardiac diseases.
Steps to follow:
- Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of boiling milk.
- Drink it daily.
Ginger:
It is an Ayurvedic herb that contains a compound called as gingerol with natural blood thinning property. It also lowers the LDL cholesterol level and reduces the plasma cholesterol. It also helps in relaxing blood vessels and stimulates the blood flow.
Steps to follow:
- Add ginger in a cup of tea. Drink it twice or thrice in a day.
- Add fresh ginger to vegetables, fruits, and salad.
Green Tea:
Green tea contains antioxidants and flavonoids that keeps the heart healthy and improves the function of blood vessels. It also helps in reducing cholesterol and triglycerides level.
Steps to follow:
- Drink 2 cups daily for better health.
Coriander:
Coriander has a hypolipidemic action that reduces the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It has an antioxidant property that is good for heart health.
Steps to follow:
- Add a teaspoon of coriander powder in a cup of boiling water and strain it.
- Drink it daily.
Garlic:
- Garlic is a very useful and effective herb in enhancing mental as well as physical health. It is useful in treating several human diseases such as cardiac diseases in which it inhibits the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.
- It has antithrombotic and anti-platelet property. It helps in reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering the levels of total cholesterol. It is an effective Ayurvedic treatment for cardiac diseases.
Steps to follow:
- Chew 1-2 fresh crushed garlic daily.
Hibiscus:
- Extract of hibiscus flower helps in lowering the blood pressure and levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. It improves heart health
Steps to follow:
- Drink this tea 2-3 times daily.
Fenugreek:
- Fenugreek is an effective ayurvedic herb that promotes the health of the heart. It prevents from the symptoms associated with heart diseases such as numbness in upper limbs, pain, and difficulty in breathing and also prevents from the heart attack.
Steps to follow:
- Soak 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds for about 7-8 hours and then drain to drink it.
Arjuna:
- Arjuna is an effective natural herb that works as a cardio-tonic and further strengthens the cardiac muscles to lower the blood pressure. It is very effective in lowering the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fats. It provides nourishment to the heart muscle and alleviates heart problems.
Step to follow:
- Add one teaspoon of Arjuna powder in a glass of warm water.
- Add a little honey to it.
- Drink it daily.
Exercise:
- Regular exercise keeps the heart healthy and lowers the risk of heart diseases. A person who is physically active has a less chance of a heart attack and in case of if they get a heart attack, they will have a better chance of recovery.
- It also helps in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels and reduces the body weight and keep the person totally fit. Include some other outdoor games such as swimming, walking, biking etc.
Healthy Body Weight:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight will keep the heart healthy. It helps in lowering the cholesterol and triglycerides levels and reduces the chances of heart attack or stroke.
- It helps in maintaining the lipid profile of the body and reduces the other symptoms that include numbness in the upper limbs, fatigue, fainting etc
