Management of Hypertension through Shodhana & Shamana Chikitsa: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a complex disease that may affect other organs resulting in renal dysfunction, neuropathy, cerebral disorders, and many other complications. These are further complicated due to the side effects of established antihypertensive medicines used for it’s treatment. A significant rise in cases of hypertension has been noted in the era of modernization.  Some alternative or adjuvant modalities require time for the prevention and management of hypertension. As per two basic modules of Ayurveda, i.e., Hetu, Linga, it is easy to correlate the Hypertension with multiple terminologies such as  Shonitdushti, Raktavruuta Prana or Vyanavrutta Prana, etc. Using these principles of Ayurveda, treatment of hypertension is possible safely at a primary stage. Also, it can be used as an adjuvant in the management of advanced-stage disease.  This meta-analysis reflects on Ayurvedic interventions like Shodhana or Shamana Chikitsa used to manage hypertension. This analysis included 14 clinical studies conducted on 995 participants at different places. Shodhana & Shamana Chikitsa were found to play a primary or adjuvant role in the effective management of hypertension. This study dictates the need for scientific multi-centric research on hypertension.