5 Ayurvedic Strategies to Control High Blood Pressure Naturally

World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17 every year, aims to raise awareness about high blood pressure, commonly referred to as hypertension. Here are some Ayurvedic methods that can help you control high blood pressure.

Doctors recommend getting your blood pressure checked at least every two years after age 18. Yes, you may be surprised to know that 22 per cent of women and 46 per cent of individuals in India do not actively manage their high blood pressure or take medication. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), one in five Indian women and one in four Indian men have high blood pressure (also known as BP or high blood pressure).

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High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” and does not cause symptoms until serious damage occurs. When you have high blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against your artery walls is always too high, so your heart works harder to pump blood. Not surprisingly, untreated high blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems. On World Hypertension Day, which is celebrated globally on May 17th, HempStreet’s senior Ayurveda expert, Dr. Pooja Kohli shares the lifestyle changes you should make to keep your blood pressure in check and the simple ways to incorporate Ayurveda into it. I’m listing the methods.

How to control high blood pressure

1. 1. Do not eat anything from the packet. In Ayurveda, diet is considered an important factor in maintaining overall health and body balance. Instead, with the availability of processed and ready-to-eat foods, we rely heavily on these His 2-Minute Meals. Start by reducing your intake of sugar, refined processed foods, meat, and salt, as they all contribute to elevated blood pressure levels. Get into the habit of eating mindfully to improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Assess and monitor your weight regularly and change your diet accordingly. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, so include foods that are naturally rich in potassium, such as leafy greens, bananas, and avocados.
2. 2. Incorporate herbs into your routine: For centuries, Ayurvedic herbs have been used to promote heart health and regulate blood pressure. Most of these herbs are easily available in the market and can be found in most Indian kitchens. Including amla, garlic and honey in your diet will help improve blood circulation, reduce stress and normalize blood pressure. You can also try taking ashwagandha under your doctor’s guidance.
3. 3. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol: Since high blood pressure is related to heart function, the first lifestyle change you need to make is to quit smoking and drinking alcohol. While this may be difficult for today’s party-going generation, know that it is absolutely necessary to protect your heart and reduce your risk of high blood pressure-related complications. Consuming one teaspoon of ajwain daily is known to reduce the desire for smoke.
4. 4. Yoga and Meditation: Stress is a major factor in high blood pressure. Therefore, managing stress levels is essential to maintaining optimal blood pressure. Yoga is a powerful tool to strengthen your heart and increase your lung capacity. Regularly practicing deep breathing exercises and gentle asanas such as child’s pose and downward dog can lower your blood pressure.
5. 5. Ayurvedic Lifestyle Practices: Hypertension is believed to be caused by improper diet and poor lifestyle habits. Incorporate oil massage (abhyanga), dry brushing (garshana), and oil pulling into your daily routine to support detoxification. Most importantly, prioritize proper rest and relaxation and aim to establish regular sleep patterns to support optimal blood pressure regulation.