The fat in the body is made up of cholesterol and triglycerides. Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which there are too many fatty substances in the blood. Cholesterol is like fat, but the way they are made is completely different. Cholesterol does many things in the body, both physical and biological.
Ayurvedic Physiology of Heart Disease
Heart disease is known as “Hridroga” in Ayurvedic medicine. A poor diet, mental trauma, emotional stress, anxiety, and being overweight can all contribute to heart disease. Heart disease can sometimes be linked to arthritis or problems with the liver.
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Ayurveda Recognises Five Kinds of “Hridayaroga.”
- Vata Hridaya Roga
- Pitta Hridaya Roga
- Kapha Hridaya Roga
- Tridosha Hridaya Roga
- Krimija Hridaya Roga
Hridaya Badha, which stands for heart disease, thinks that the main cause of heart disease is a change in Rasa, the first dhatu.
Saptadhatu (meaning seven tissues)
The most important idea in Ayurvedic philosophy is the Saptadhatu theory. When the balance of Saptadhatu is off, diseases happen.
Meda dhatu is the name for the body’s fat tissue. Meda dhatu is an important part of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous tissue. It helps keep the body’s temperature stable.
In the book Ayurvedic Principles of Medicine, obesity is seen as a health problem.
Things that make Kapha worse or make it worse raise Meda Dhatu, which makes people fat.
Lekhaniya Dravya and Meda Dhatu
Lekhaniya Dravya is the name for drugs that make the body less healthy. Hypolipidemic agents are likened to Medohara Dravya.
Vata is in charge of keeping the channels of circulation clear; Shoshana is in charge of three biological touches of humour; and Agni is in charge of rekindling the natural fire.
Because Akasha, Vayu (air), and Agni are so common, drugs that have an effect after digestion are called Lekhaniya (fire).
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Ayurvedic Treatment to Reduce Cholesterol
Guggulu
Ayurveda says that Guggul is a good way to treat high levels of fat in the blood (hyperlipidemia).
Benefits of Guggulu
- Guggulu helps keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
- Aids in keeping a healthy weight
- Helps keep lipid levels and metabolism in good shape.
- Helps the immune system work well.
Lashuna [Garlic]
Lashuna is great for keeping heart disease at bay and getting rid of it. When garlic is crushed to make medicine, allicin is made.
Arjuna
Arjunarishta is a medicine that is needed to make the heart stronger. About six teaspoonfuls (30 ml) of the mixture should be mixed with the same amount of water and given twice a day for six months. Arjunarishtam is very good at lowering high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Researchers have found that Arjunarishtam helps people with congestive heart failure and mitral regurgitation. Arjun is good at lowering LDL.
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Amalaki
Researchers looked at the effect of adding amalaki to a man’s diet on his blood cholesterol and its lipoprotein parts in men between the ages of 35 and 55 who were either healthy or had high cholesterol. Amalaki was given in its natural state for about 28 days. Cholesterol levels went down in both healthy people and people with high cholesterol. But when Amalaki was taken away after a few weeks, the total serum cholesterol levels of the people with high cholesterol went back to where they were before.
Sarpagandha
It is the drug of choice for people with high blood pressure. Taking 2.5 grammes (about half a teaspoon) of the powder three times a day is a very effective way to lower blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, you should take one or two tablets twice a day.
Precautions and Diet
In order to treat coronary heart disease properly, you must make changes to your lifestyle in addition to taking medicine.
Don’t eat big meals or foods that are high in fat because they will make you feel full.
Try to stay away from things that stress you out.
Eat a healthy diet to prevent and lower high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and obesity.
If you are overweight or obese, you should work out as your doctor tells you and lose weight. Don’t eat ghee or butter. Garlic and ginger should only be eaten in small amounts.
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Some Additional Tips for Lowering Cholesterol
- Drink 6–8 glasses of water every day.
- Plan a diet full of fibre.
- Eating fish like salmon can help keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
- Dairy products are high in cholesterol, so you should only eat a small amount of them.
- To get enough antioxidants in your diet, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables that are green.
- Spices like turmeric, fenugreek, and coriander are great ways to raise good cholesterol.
- Black piper (Piper nigrum) clears out channels of circulation that are clogged.
