Heal Your Heart, the Natural Way

Heart diseases are becoming common phenomena across the world and India is no exception to it. In fact, the rate of coronary heart disease in Indians especially young men is almost twice as high as their western counterparts. According to a recent report by World Health Organisation (WHO), India already has 50 million heart patients and, by 2010 this figure is expected to double when 60 per cent of the world’s heart disease patients will be Indians.
What is important to note is the fact that the average age in which a person may suffer a heart attack has come down from 40 years to 30 years. Urban lifestyle has been a major factor for the growth of heart diseases amongst youth. Improper food habits, lack of physical exercise coupled with high levels of stress, increase in smoking and alcohol consumption make people prone to many chronic diseases like high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol and diabetes in their younger age, which further leads to heart attacks.
One can help reduce the risk of heart disease by controlling some of these factors that put your life at greater risk. Here are some quick and easy tips to keep your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Diabetes in control:

• To manage elevated cholesterol levels, boil 10 grams of catnip in 200ml of water and drink the hot decoction on an empty stomach, every morning.
• A hot glass of milk mixed with turmeric (haldi) powder (approx 3g) everyday is also found to be beneficial in managing cholesterol.
• Solid garlic (approx 2 flakes) consumed with water on an empty stomach in the morning is also found to be helpful in treating high levels of LDL cholesterol.
• To control diabetes, take 5-10 grams of jamun seed powder every morning. Karela (bitter gourd) juice is also very effective in managing diabetes and cholesterol.
• Neem water is also very good for cholesterol and diabetes control.
  
  

• A heart patient is generally recommended a low fat, low carbohydrates and low protein diet. This diet sometimes leads to the heart getting low energy which can impact it’s functioning. Seb (Apple), Anar (Pomegranate) juice and amle ka murraba (Indian Gooseberry) act as good cardio tonics and help in the proper functioning of the heart.
• Another good way to clear blockage in the arteries and control BP and cholesterol is by consuming the Arjun tree bark (very common in India). The bark can be used in two ways. As a powder, about 5g, taken on an empty stomach or powder (10 grams), boiled in a mixture of milk (250 ml) and water (250 ml) on an empty stomach, every morning. Mishri and khand may be added for taste. No sugar is to be added in this mixture as it contains saturated fats and other chemicals that are harmful for the weak heart. Arjun tree bark emits heat whereas sugar cools down the body temperature, thus they do not go well together.

Along with these natural cures, a strict check on daily diet, regular exercises and regular check up with doctors is suggested for one to lead a healthy life. Please note that heart attacks are a medical emergency and therefore, any pain in the heart should not be neglected and self-medication must be done only under the supervision of an expert.
For further information, log on to www.hamdard.com or write to consultation@hamdard.com
Inputs by: Hakim Mohammad Tariq In-charge, Board of Physicians Hamdard (WAKF) Laboratories