Kapha Hypertension
Kapha type hypertension
originates in the stomach being the main site of Kapha. When Kapha dosha
becomes imbal-anced, it will first aggravate in the stomach – the primary seat
of Kapha. Kapha’s subdosha Kledaka Kapha produces in the stomach gastric
mucosal secretions that are responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates,
starch and glucose. The end products of this phase are tryglycerides. When
Kledaka Kapha is disturbed or there is an accumulation of Kapha at this site,
there is an accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol.
This accumulation of Kapha
predominant qualities will then move into the circulatory system, causing an
increase in the viscosity of plasma tissue. This will result in increased blood
pressure on the blood vessels. Kapha high blood pressure is often the re-sult
of a sluggish digestion, causing the gastric mucosal secre-tions in the stomach
to pile up, and the eventual deposition of fats on the inner walls of the blood
vessels. But also a poor kidney function can be at the base of aggravated
Kledaka Ka-pha.
Normally, excess Kledaka Kapha
is excreted via urine and perspiration, that’s why people with reduced
perspiration and little urine, easily increase Kapha in the body. Kapha
hyperten-sion is often associated with obesity and edema. This imbal-ance is
usually long-standing and chronic. The dosha of Kapha can act as a storage site
for all the circulatory Ama (toxins) cre-ated in the doshas of Vata and Pitta.
Typical Kapha symptoms of hypertension:
- Overweight and obesity.
- Edema and swellings.
- Dull headache.
- The blood pressure remains continually high (no
fluctua-tion as in Pitta hypertension.)
- Tiredness or even lethargy.
- High cholesterol.
Ayurvedic treatment of Kapha-hypertension
For Kapha-disorders usually
Reduction (Langhana: eliminating) therapies are advised. Practically, this
includes also a reducing lifestyle and diet. Reduction methods for
Kapha-disorders will be strong, like fasting. But here the rule again applies:
reduce first, and tonify afterwards. This means that after reducing
pro-cedures, mild tonification is also applied for Kaphas (like mild herbal
remedies).
Reduction therapies are not
only harder than tonification methods, they can also be really difficult,
because they include discipline and giving things up (that we may be attached
to). It stimulates us to change and give up unhealthy habits, which can be
extremely confronting. Kapha-type per-sons, when imbalanced, will accumulate excesses
in the form of excess weight, water or mucus. An extensive anti-Kapha treatment
will always be twofold: on the one hand accumu-lated toxins (Ama) will have to
be removed (reduction), usually by increasing digestive forces.
On the other hand, before to
start with Purification procedures (removal of excess doshas), it is necessary
to calm the doshas (tonification). Treatment of Kapha-hypertension is therefore
primarily “reducing”, aiming at eliminating all the underlying causes. The
herbs for Vata and Pitta can
be used as needed in this case as well, but some pun-gent and astringent herbs
are essential to detoxify accumulated Ama, such as:
- Garlic
- Cayenne
- Pippali (Piper longum)
- Trikatu: “the three pungents” – a combination of
Piper longum (long pepper), Piper nigrum (black pepper), and Zingiber
officinalis (ginger).
And besides these, the following Ayurvedic herbs are recommended:
- Arjuna Vishisht*, bark of the Arjuna tree – one of
Ayurveda’s most powerful cardiac tonics, helps to promote blood
circulation and regulate blood pressure.
- The herbal complex Guggul Ghan*, on the basis of
Guggul, which is extracted from the Indian mukul myrrh tree. Guggul helps
to lower cholesterol levels and protect against the development of
hardening of the arteries. It also helps to regulate metabolism, and can
therefore help in weight loss.
- Shilajit; is extracted from the Himalayan Mountains.
It normalizes the blood glucose level, contains an abundance of minerals,
boosts immunity and increases energy. It helps to control blood pressure
and supports kidney function.
Ayurveda also recommends
following a Kapha-pacifying diet and lifestyle. Eat more pungent, bitter and
astringent foods. Meals should be warm, light and dry, with hot spices, but no
salt. Occasional fasting or skipping a meal is good. Cold or ice water must be
avoided. Herbal teas are good. Especially dairy products, eggs, butter and fat
foods should be avoided. Use more hot spices, such as pepper, ginger, and
particularly onions and mustard. Kapha-reducing lifestyle includes strong
exercise, brisk walking and traveling. Avoid cold and damp, and sleeping during
the day. Again Shirodhara (the “heavenly head massage”; rhythmic pouring of
warm oil on the forehead).
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