Hypertension or high blood pressure means high pressure in the arteries. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure.
Hypertension can be classified as either essential (primary) or secondary. Essential hypertension means that no medical cause can be found to explain the raised blood pressure. It is common. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high blood pressure is a result of another condition, such as kidney disease or tumors.

Symptoms of Hypertension:

The first symptoms of hypertension may appear as a pain at the back of the head and neck on waking in the morning, which soon disappear. Some of the other common symptoms are dizziness, palpitations, pain in the region of the heart, frequent urination, nervous tension, fatigue, and difficulty in breathing.

Causes of Hypertension:

The chief causes of hypertension are stress and a faulty style of living. Smoking and an excessive intake of intoxicants, tea, coffee, and refined foods destroy the natural pace of life and prevent the expulsion of waste and poisonous matter from the body. Hardening of the arteries, obesity, and diabetes lead to hypertension. Other cause of hypertension are an excessive intake of common table salt, and eating a high fat and low fiber diet.

High Blood Pressure and ayurveda:

Along with herbal treatment, ayurveda stresses on a healthy balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, yoga and meditation for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Diet :

Diet should be in such a way that it reduces body weight and excess fat, thereby reducing the blood pressure. Therefore the following diet is recommended

1. A vegeterian diet including the following is ideal for hypertension - Garlic, lemon, parsley, bitter gourd, drumstick etc.
2. Fresh fruits like Indian gooseberry, grapes, banana, guava, and watermelon are consider beneficial.
3. The quantity of salt used should be decreased.
4. Red meat and eggs should be completely avoided.
5. Coffee should be avoided.
6. Quantity of oil used should be reduced and completely avoid the use of hydrogenated oils.
7. reduce the intake of cereals and pulses.
8. Regular exercise, practicing yoga and meditation are very effective.
9. Sound sleep and proper rest is very essential.
10. Avoid anger, tension, anxiety and loud speaking, and smoking.
11. Laughter therapy is consider a good natural treatment of high blood pressure.

Home remedies for High Blood Pressure:

Garlic: It slows down the pulse rate and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath, and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. It may be taken in the form of raw cloves or two to three capsules a day.

Indian gooseberry: A tablespoon each of fresh amla juice and honey mix together should be taken every morning as an effective Ayurvedic treatment for hypertension.

Lemon: The vitamin P found in lemon is essential for preventing capillary fragility

Grapefruit: The vitamin P content in the fruit is helpful in toning up the arteries.

Watermelon: The seeds of watermelon, dried and roasted, should be taken in liberal quantities.
Rice: It makes a perfect diet for hypertension who have been advice salt-restricted diets. Calcium in brown rice, in particular, soothes and relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve the symptoms of high blood pressure.
Potato: Potatoes, specially in boiled form, are a valuable food for lowering blood pressure.

Parsley: It keeps the arterial system in a healthy condition. It may be taken as a beverage by simmering 20gm of fresh parsley leaves gently in 250ml of water for a few minutes. This may be drunk several times daily.

Rauwolfia: Among the herbs, rauwolfia is the best Ayurvedic remedy for high blood pressure. The root of the drug in a powdered form is used. Half a teaspoon of this drug should be taken thrice a day.

Vegetable juice: Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot and spinach, taken separately or in combination, are also beneficial in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Dietary calcium and potassium: These two essential nutrients help the body secret excess sodium and are involve in important function which control the working of the vascular system. Potassium is found in abundance in fruits and vegetables, and calcium in diary products.

Useful Ayurvedic herbs for high Blood Pressure:

Broom (Cytisus scoparius), Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemose), Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalicroides), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliaturn), Dong quai (Angelica sinesis), Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Hawthorn (crataegus oxyacantha), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Javal devil pepper (Rauwolfia serpentina), Myrrh, Sanicle (Sanicula europaea), Skullcap root (Scutellaria baicalensis), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), and Wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina).

Preventive Measures for Hypertension

Hypertension prevention include maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods, choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium and drinking in moderation.