My vaidyar, always tells me that heart disease is not considered a major health problem in ayurveda, since it can be easily treated with the help of different medicines and therapies, detailed in classical ayurvedic texts. Conditions like paralysis and strokes are considered to be major health issues and are more difficult to treat.
Many people are surprised, when I tell them that both siddha and ayurveda have wonderful remedies for heart disease. Of course, if you have been diagnosed with multiple vessel disease and the blocks are significant you may opt for a surgery. When surgery cannot be an option because of age or it is a disease of the small vessels, ayurveda and siddha are viable alternatives. In case of minor blocks as well, siddha and ayurvedic medicines offer effective remedies.
Guggulu tikta ghritam is prescribed along with other medicines for those with ischaemic heart disease. It is considered one of ayurveda’s most important medicinal ghees as it is also used in treating acute vayu problems.
Terminalia arjuna (Neer marudhu in Tamil) is considered an important tree in the treatment of heart disease. It is a pretty tree with flowers like that of a mango tree. The bark of the tree is used in the preparation of various medicines. In fact, those who have altered lipid profiles, mild to moderate hypertension, mild angina will profit from a kashayam made from the bark of this tree. Any shop selling traditional drugs and herbs will stock the bark. A shop near my house calls itself the ‘Country Drug Shop’ being a literal translation from the Tamil Nattu Marunthu Kadai.
Buy about 100 gm of the bark of Terminalia arjuna. Grind it to a coarse powder. Take 1 tbsp and soak it in 100 ml water for about 15 minutes. Then boil the water with the powder in it for about 5-10 minutes. Strain and drink the liquid. Those who have had a bypass surgery can also have the kashayam as it helps prevent future blocks from occurring. The kashayam is not very bitter or astringent and has a mildly sweet flavour making it easy to drink unlike many other ayurvedic kashayams which are terribly bitter.
A randomised placebo-controlled trial conducted in 2001 in India has shown that Terminalia arjuna tree bark powder has significant anti-oxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects.
Arjuna arishtam is also prescribed by many ayurvedic vaidyars for heart disease. I have planted several Arjuna trees. It is one tree which needs to be grown in every village and town in India. Cardiac treatment will be so much easier if this important drug is available freely everywhere. The Hindu scriptures prescribe that those born under the star Swati should plant an Arjuna tree. This tree is considered to be the sthalavriksham of the Shiva temples in Thiruvidaimaruthur in Kumbakonam, Thiruppudaimarudur temple in Ambasamudram and the Sri Sailam temple in Andhra Pradesh. Must say that our forebears did try their best to popularise our native flora.
The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Tamil Nadu and is currently, Principal Secretary and CMD, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail.com. Earlier articles can be accessed at www.arogyamantra.blogspot.com