Ayurveda of the heart and vessels
Ayurveda of the heart and vessels is support for the cardiovascular system through nutrition, lifestyle and stress reduction within a traditional system. According to Ayurvedic ideas, the health of the heart is connected with the balance of the doshas, calmness of mind and the quality of digestion. This is prevention and support, not the treatment of heart diseases: serious conditions are managed by a doctor.
Causes of heart diseases according to Ayurveda
Ayurveda connects the state of the heart with lifestyle and heredity. Factors that are traditionally related to the cardiovascular system:
- a genetic predisposition;
- emotional traumas;
- a sharp reaction to stress, overstrain and chronic fatigue;
- errors in nutrition and lifestyle.
According to Ayurvedic ideas, the heart is also influenced by the state of other organs — the liver and digestion. At the same time, angina, stroke, atherosclerosis, hypertension in themselves are medical diagnoses that are made and managed by a doctor. The Ayurvedic approach here is not a «cleansing of the vessels» or a «strengthening of the muscle» in the medical sense, but lifestyle support: nutrition, a regimen and stress reduction.
How a person’s constitution and heart diseases are connected
Depending on the constitution, Ayurveda conditionally divides people into three types:
- Vata. People with an active metabolism, usually lean, prone to irritation and anxiety. Traditionally they are characterised by palpitations, insomnia, a feeling of tightness in the chest — often against the background of the state of the nervous system.
- Pitta. A medium build, developed muscles. This type is traditionally attributed a tendency to «hot», inflammatory conditions.
- Kapha. A dense build, a tendency to overeating and stagnant phenomena, heaviness. Swelling and a decrease in tone are possible.
The programme is selected individually to suit the constitution and condition. According to Ayurvedic ideas, support goes through nutrition, a regimen and calmness of mind, not through a «strengthening of the muscle» or a «restoration of the vessels» in the medical sense; the person is regarded holistically, taking into account age, lifestyle and accompanying conditions. What doshas and the constitution work is on a separate page.
How Ayurvedic doctors diagnose heart diseases
The result depends on a timely visit to a doctor. What should be a cause for concern and a reason to see a specialist:
- a burning sensation in the area of the heart;
- bouts of sweating;
- frequent causeless dizziness;
- regular nosebleeds;
- shortness of breath and a dry cough without a cold;
- numbness and severe pains in the chest;
- Insomnia.
Any one of these signs is enough to see a doctor. To «prescribe» a diagnosis to oneself, and all the more so to treat oneself, is dangerous: it is much worse to lose time and seek help late.
An Ayurvedic doctor also assesses the pulse (nadi): the tradition describes dozens of its characteristics by speed, strength, rhythm and fullness, by which they determine which dosha predominates and which requires support. This is a traditional method of assessing the condition, not a replacement for a cardiological examination.
Treatment of the heart and vessels according to Ayurveda
An important framework: Ayurveda does not prevent and does not treat cardiovascular diseases — hypertension, arrhythmia, angina, stroke are managed by a doctor. The traditional Ayurvedic approach can be only support for a healthy lifestyle and that in coordination with the attending specialist. The basis of this support is changes in lifestyle, calm and a correction of nutrition.
The first step is sparing nutrition and rest: moderate food reduces the load, and rest gives the heart a chance to recover. No less important is inner equilibrium — it is traditionally supported with light yoga asanas, breathing practices (pranayama) and meditation.
General principles of support
With some conditions the doctor may prescribe a course programme (Panchakarma). Ayurvedic «cleansing» here is about nutrition and lifestyle, not about a mechanical «cleansing of the vessels»; blood pressure and the state of the vessels are affected by examination and therapy prescribed by a doctor. Not everyone can undergo course procedures — the decision is made only by the attending doctor. Among the gentle practices, oil pourings and massages with oil are traditionally used; they are prescribed individually.
In Ayurveda, to support the heart, the plant Terminalia arjuna (arjuna) is traditionally applied — it is considered beneficial for the heart and the balance of the doshas. This is a tree with a thick light-grey bark; for the compositions the leaves, fruits and bark are taken. The selection of any herbs is only with a doctor, especially with heart diseases.
Ayurvedic nutrition to support the heart traditionally includes mild spices — nutmeg, ginger, saffron, cardamom and cinnamon; they are considered calming and cooling, which is important for the Kapha and Vata types. For emotional equilibrium the aroma of sandalwood is traditionally used.
Ayurveda for hypertension
Important: hypertension is controlled and treated by a doctor; below are only traditional lifestyle guidelines to suit the constitution, as a supplement in coordination with a specialist.
- For Vata, tonic support is traditionally advised (for example, ashwagandha), a calm regimen and gentle warming nutrition.
- Pitta is suited by bitter tastes and gentle cleansing of the body through nutrition and a regimen (more detail — cleansing according to Ayurveda), as well as herbs that calm the mind (brahmi, saraswati) — as prescribed by a doctor.
- For Kapha, which is more often prone to increased blood pressure, it is traditionally recommended to limit the fatty and dairy, to add warming seasonings; among the compositions arjuna and trikatu are mentioned — the selection is only by a doctor.
A correction of lifestyle — giving up alcohol and tobacco, a daily routine, water balance, the quality and moderation of nutrition — is part of the Ayurvedic approach to cleansing the body (through nutrition and a regimen, not «cleansing of the blood» as a medical procedure). Blood pressure itself is controlled by a doctor; relaxing practices are traditionally used to reduce stress.
Ayurveda for varicose veins
Varicose veins are a medical condition of the veins, not a cosmetic defect, and they are managed by a doctor. The Ayurvedic approach is possible only as lifestyle support. Traditionally, with a tendency to varicose veins the following are advised:
- nutrition with a predominance of fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains;
- a daily routine, giving up bad habits, light physical activity;
- external remedies (for example, massage compositions) — in coordination with a specialist.
With pronounced venous problems, a doctor’s consultation is obligatory — Ayurveda here only supplements, and does not replace, observation and treatment.
Support of the heart and vessels
With a tendency to arrhythmia, a calm way of life, meditation and light nutrition (less fatty, caffeine, sugar and salt) are traditionally advised — as support, not as treatment: arrhythmia is managed by a doctor. Prevention of stroke is also a matter for a doctor and a healthy lifestyle; Ayurveda can support with general practices (nutrition to suit the constitution, breathing exercises, stress reduction), but does not replace medical prevention and treatment.
With elevated cholesterol, Ayurveda traditionally advises nutrition and movement, but the control and treatment are with a doctor. Any course procedures (including, where indicated, elements of Panchakarma) have a strong effect on the organism, so they are undergone only after a consultation and under a doctor’s supervision.
Treatment of the heart and vessels in the homeland of Ayurveda
The Western and Eastern traditions agree on one thing: the heart needs rest — both bodily and emotional. In the bustle of the city this is hard to achieve, so the calm environment of an Ayurvedic clinic helps to build a regimen, nutrition and a restoration of lifestyle.
At Ayurvedic centres of India, doctors monitor the general condition, the daily routine, nutrition and practices for reducing stress; the programme is selected individually. All this is lifestyle support in addition to the observation of your attending doctor, not a replacement for it.
You can get acquainted with the clinics in more detail below.
Frequent questions about Ayurveda for the heart
Ayurveda is lifestyle support (nutrition, movement, stress reduction), not a means to «lower blood pressure» or cholesterol. They are controlled and treated by a doctor; Ayurveda can be used as a supplement in coordination with them.
Only with the permission of the attending doctor and at a clinic under supervision: with cardiovascular conditions a number of procedures are restricted.
Nutrition, a regimen, stress reduction, breathing practices and yoga to suit the constitution — as prevention and support, not as a replacement for treatment.
No. This is a metaphor for lifestyle, not a medical procedure; atherosclerosis is managed by a doctor.
Some herbs affect blood pressure and interact with cardiac drugs. With heart diseases any compositions are only in coordination with a doctor.
Ready to select a supporting programme under a doctor’s supervision? We will help to choose an Ayurvedic clinic to suit your task and budget.
Ayurveda for diseases of the heart and vessels is support and prevention through lifestyle, not treatment. Hypertension, arrhythmia, angina, atherosclerosis, heart defects are conditions that are managed by a doctor; do not cancel prescribed therapy and do not replace it with Ayurveda.