Topic of the Month
Heart Diseases
It is essentially a clinical syndrome of
characteristic chest pain produced by increased work of the heart.
It is usually relieved by rest. In most cases, it is manifested in
front of the chest and mostly over the sternum. It may spread
towards the left or right side of the chest. The pain radiates
towards the left side very often. It may spread to the arms, neck,
jaws and even the upper part of the abdomen. The left shoulder and
the left arm are very often affected. The common man calls it
heart disease. In Ayurveda it is known as bridroga. It is of
several types depending upon the characteristic features of the
pain. If the pain is acute, and of shifting nature, this is
usually known as vatika bridroga. If it is associated with burning
sensation, then it is called paittika bridroga. In kaphaja
bridroga, the pain is usually very mild and it is associated with
heaviness, nausea and cough.
Root Causes
It is caused by the obstruction to the coronary
arteries. These are the blood vessels which travel through the
wall of the heart and nourish the heart muscle. Since the heart
muscle spends a huge amount of energy, it needs ceaseless
nourishment. It naturally demands a good supply of blood. Any
impairment of these blood vessels interferes with adequate blood
flow to the heart muscles. If this blood flow is significantly
diminished then the heart signals its difficulties by registering
pain or discomfort in the chest.
Treatment :
Arjuna is the drug of choice for the treatment of this disease.
This is a big tree and its bark is used as medicine. The powder or
decoction of its bark is given to the patient during and even
after the attack. The powder is given to the patient in a dose of
1 gm., four times a day. If the heart disease is of vatika type,
it is mixed with ghee. If it is of paittika type, then milk is
used. In kaphaja type of heart disease it is mixed with honey or
pippali powder. For decoction usually 30 gm. of the raw powder of
the bark of the drug is boiled with approximately 500 ml. Of water
and reduced to one-fourth. This is then filtered, honey or ghee is
added to it, and given to the patient. With honey, the decoction
should become cold before mixing. Ghee is mixed, when the
decoction is warm, and is given to the patient as such. There are
many preparations of this drug, Arjuna. Arjunarishta is
commonlyused by physicians. Six teaspoonfuls of this liquid drug
are given to the patient twice daily after food with an equal
quantity of water. Arjuna is boiled in cow’s ghee, and this
medicated ghee is given to the patients in a dose of 1 teaspoonful
twice daily on empty stomach, mixed with a cup of warm milk. This
preparation is known as Arjuna ghrita. This medicine should not be
given to a person having a fat body. This is likely to add to his
fat and may create more problems.
Other medicines used for different types of heart diseases are
Hridayarnava rasa and Prabhakara vati. These medicines are
available in the form of tablets. Two tablets are given to the
patient, three or four times a day, depending on the seriousness
of the disease.
At the time of acute attacks, Mrigamadasava is the ideal drug. It
is a liquid medicine and given to the patient in a dose of ½ to 1
teaspoonful mixed with equal quantity of water. These medicines
are to be used even after the attack has subsided. On exertion the
patient may get the attack any time. It is, therefore, necessary
for the patient to use the medicines mentioned above for about 6
months continuously.
Herbs which is useful :
Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna)
It reduce the workload on the heart, lower blood pressure and
improve Cholesterol profile. Ayurvedic practitioners consider
Arjuna to be a cardio protective.
Arjuna comes from the bark of the Terminalia Arjuna tree. Arjuna
is Ayurveda's primo Alternative Herbal Remedy for improving the
health of the heart. Using Arjuna herb on a regular bases will
strengthen the heart to it's optimum condition. Arjuna has been
used for thousands of years for this purpose with no side effects.
Arjuna Rasayana is especially good for the aged and can be used
for all heart conditions. This herb contains unusually large
quantities of calcium. Arjuna has been described as a Cardiac
tonic named 'Nadisarjja' in ancient Indian scriptures.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Many alternative medicine advocates or folkloric remedies
recommend garlic to lower cholesterol
Garlic is most important substance helpful in alleviating Vata
doshas controlling blood pressure. A paste made of about 1gm of
garlic should be mixed with a glass of buttermilk. Drink this
buttermilk twice a day. It will bring your blood pressure down.
Garlic lowers cholesterol and triglycerides that have impact on
heart disease.
Cinnamon
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder
mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, if given to a cholesterol
patient, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10%
within 2 hours.
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread or
chapatti instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for
breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves
the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an
attack, if they do this process daily, are kept miles away from
the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of
breath and strengthens the heartbeat.
Diet :
Fried things, pulses and their preparations,
and groundnut oil are prohibited. Ayurvedic physicians allow
butter or ghee, and not groundnut oil. Cow’s ghee, cow’s milk and
cows’ butter are useful for the patient. Buffalo ghee and buffalo
milk are not recommended. Stimulants like tea, coffee and
alcoholic drinks are very harmful for such patients.
Life Style :
Ayurveda considers the
functions of heart and mind interlinked. Disturbance in one
affects the other. Therefore, patients having heart disease are
advised by the Ayurvedic physicians to refrain from anxiety,
worry, excessive sexual intercourse and wrathful disposition. All
efforts should be made for the patient to have good sleep at
night. Even rest during the day is essential. He should never be
permitted to remain aware at night for long.
The patient’s bowels should
move regularly. If there is constipation, he is advised to take a
glass of water early morning and go for a walk every day.
Ayurvedic Supplements :
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