According to Vedic Literature,
‘disease of the heart’ (Hridroga) existed even among people of prehistoric
times. Its prevalence is recorded as early as 2400 B.C. Charak Samhita
has a special mention about Hridroga with a clear-cut definition of what
it is, its cause, development and management. Sushruta defines Hridroga
as “any condition which produces disturbances in the heart”.
According to Ayurveda, there are 5 classic
types of Hridroga namely, Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipataja and
Krmija. Typically, Krmija-patient
will experience a characteristic pain which will be like piercing by needles (Suchibhirivatoda).
This can be correlated with Ischemic
Heart Disease (IHD), based on the similarity of signs and symptoms as defined
by modern medicine.
What causes Hridroga?
Charaka says that excessive use of
articles having sharp (Tikshna) attributes, excessive worry, fear and
stress, suppression of the manifested natural urges, physical or mental trauma,
improper digestion and metabolism, administration of purgation and emetic
therapies or even an enema in excess can lead to Hridroga.
Allopathic medicine also agrees with
what Charaka has said, which has some parallels with the development of direct or indirect role in pathogenesis of Ischemic
Heart Disease. If the early symptoms of heart disease are not cared for, it can
lead to Myocardial Infarction or ‘Heart Attack’.
Symptoms of Hridroga
According to Charaka, the common
symptoms of Hridroga are discolouration of the skin, bad taste in the
mouth, loss of appetite, morbid thirst, hiccup, asthma, fever, cough, fainting,
nausea, vomiting or anorexia.
The characteristic pain (Suchibhirivatoda)
arises when a part of the heart does not receive enough blood. The pain will be
the worst, like piercing the heart with several needles.
Ayurveda has an explanation for these
symptoms which are more or like a sequence: improper diet and stressful life
styles lead to thickening of arteries (Dhamanipraticaya) or hardening of
arteries (Dhamanikathinaya) leading to angio-obstruction (Vata dosha)
and finally to pain (Ruja).
How should symptoms
of Hridroga be addressed?
Many factors such as heredity, high
blood pressure, diabetes, high serum cholesterol and smoking can lead to Hridroga.
However, if you are ready to follow certain Ayurvedic way of life, it is easy
to manage the heart disease and avoid the complications arising from it
Angina
Angina is the term used to refer to the
characteristic pain which will be normally felt in the chest. However, angina
can also occur in jaws or abdomen. In some cases, it can come without any
symptom, a condition which is called ‘Silent Ischemia’. Then at any moment,
‘heart attack’ can occur if there is a blood clot that suddenly cuts off blood
supply to the heart.
Some simple measures
If you are in the habit of drinking ‘green
tea’, it can avoid clogging of arteries. Garlic can prevent liver from producing
excess fat and LDL-cholesterol. Turmeric can lower blood cholesterol levels and
prevent formation of blood clots. Ginger also can reduce cholesterol and
prevent blood clots. So, try to include them in your diet.
High Blood
Pressure
Blood pressure is defined as the
force exerted by the blood to the walls of arteries. If you have low blood
pressure, it means you have less power of digestion. If you have high blood
pressure, it is a more serious condition which is called hypertension. Ayurveda
sees hypertension as a manifestation of the three doshas which can be classified
as:
1. Pitha: Hypertension
is associated with liver disorders and the accumulation of internal heat.
2. Vata: Hypertension
due to worry, strain, overwork, anxiety or insomnia and other nervous system
disorders.
3. Kapha: Hypertension
due to oedema, obesity, tiredness, and high cholesterol.
For those who have Vata-induced
Hypertension, garlic is good. For Kapha-type, Trikatu can be used
for treatment. And for those with Pitha-type, saffron or turmeric in a
base of aloe gel can be used. Treatment using Brahma Rasayana is also advised.
Those having high blood pressure generally
should avoid dairy, butter, eggs and high fat foods, hot spicy foods,
particularly those with mustard and onions. A simple home-remedy involves
taking crushed garlic and clove with honey which can be repeated once or twice
a week. Nutmeg powder or Saraswat powder mixed with warm milk also can do good.
Heart Attack
Heart attack occurs when blood fails
to reach to heart. It can be caused by arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis
means thickening and hardening of the blood vessels. In atherosclerosis, the walls
of blood vessels harden and lose their elasticity which is caused by the
deposition of fatty substances.
Both arteriosclerosis and
atherosclerosis can lead to high blood pressure and eventually to chest pain, stroke
or sudden cardiac arrest and death. 1 gm of Guggul can be taken in the
morning and evening for three months. Garlic also can be taken along with
honey.
Some Simple
Herbs
Kantharimulaku: Fruits of ‘Bird’s Eye Chilli’ has the
capacity to lower LDL-Cholesterol and raise the level of HDL- Cholesterol
(Thomas, L. and, Kamath J.V., Evaluation of Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity of
Capsicum frutescens Extract, International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical
Research, Vol 9, Issue 4, 2017, 165-168).
Ginger: The rhizomes of ginger can enhance the
circulation of blood. They can also clean the blood vessels due to the presence
of the active constituent called ‘gingerol’. It can also reduce the amount of
LDL-cholesterol. As a simple treatment, water boiled with ginger rhizomes can
be taken internally.
Lemon: It possesses the capacity to clean blood
vessels and avoid formation of blocks. Lemon juice mixed with honey and pepper
powder can be taken for two weeks to get the desired effect. Another method
involves boiling the rind of the fruit in 4 glasses of water and then taking
internally with honey. This can be repeated thrice a day.
Nellikka: Known
as Gooseberry, Amla or Nellikka can increase red blood cell
count. It can be used to build and maintain new tissues. It contains gallic and
ellagic acids, phyllembic acid, emblicol, alkaloids and Vitamin C which can are
beneficial for the health of the heart.
Neermaruth: The medicinal part Terminalia arjuna tree
is its bark. Arjunarishta is a cardiac tonic which is often combined
with ashwagandha, brahmi and guggul. Arjunarishta is
a coronary vasodilator which can protect the heart and strengthen the
circulation. It can also help to maintain the tone and health of the heart
muscle. Six teaspoonfuls of Arjunarishta are given to the patient twice
daily after food with an equal quantity of water.
Garlic: It can be used to alleviate vata–doshas.
It can control blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Garlic can also ensure
proper circulation of blood. It prevents blood vessels from contracting. One
glass of milk boiled with three pieces of garlic can be taken at bedtime. This
can be made a daily routine to ensure health of the heart.
Turmeric: It has the power to remove blocks in the
blood vessels thanks to the presence of the active factor called ‘Curcumin’.
One glass of warm milk mixed with one teaspoon full of turmeric powder with
enough honey to adjust the taste can be taken at bedtime. Remember to consume
400-600 mg turmeric every day.
Special drink for
the heart
Take equal quantities of
ginger-juice, lemon-juice, garlic-juice and mix them with equal amount of Apple
Cider Vineger. Boil it to reduce it to half the quantity. Allow the mixture to
cool and, before it is totally cooled, add water to make it double the quantity.
Add some honey for taste. When fully cooled, this can be kept in a refrigerator
and one tablespoon full can be taken in empty stomach every day. Do not drink
water for 10 minutes. This can be repeated till the full mixture is consumed.
