Introduction

Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a major global health challenge, affecting over one billion people worldwide. Often called the “silent killer,” it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and other life-threatening conditions. Conventional medicine typically manages hypertension with long-term use of antihypertensive drugs, but many patients experience side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or metabolic disturbances.

The Unani system of medicine, with its roots in ancient Greek, Persian, and Arab traditions, offers a holistic perspective on hypertension. In Unani medicine, hypertension is not seen merely as elevated blood pressure but as a manifestation of humoral imbalance, particularly excess Damvi Mizaj (sanguine temperament). By targeting both symptoms and underlying causes, Unani treatment focuses on restoring balance through diet, lifestyle changes, and Unani herbs with cardiotonic, diuretic, and stress-relieving properties.

Growing evidence suggests that these classical Unani treatments can play a meaningful role in modern cardiovascular care.

Understanding Hypertension in Unani Medicine

In Unani medicine, hypertension is interpreted as a disturbance of the heart (Qalb), blood (Dam), and vessels (Arooq). While not described in the same numeric terms as in biomedicine, conditions resembling hypertension are categorized under Imtila-e-Dam (plethora or fullness of blood).

The underlying factors include:

• Excessive intake of hot and moist foods.
• Sedentary lifestyle leading to sluggish circulation.
• Emotional stress, anger, and anxiety (Nafsani Asbab).
• Weak digestion (Su-e-Hazm) producing unhealthy humors.
• Age-related imbalance in temperament.

This conceptualization makes Unani treatment broader than symptomatic drug therapy—it emphasizes blood purification, vessel strengthening, stress reduction, and long-term cardiovascular health.

Key Unani Herbs for Blood Pressure Control

Several Unani herbs have long been prescribed for regulating circulation, calming the nervous system, and reducing blood pressure. Some of the most significant include:

1. Arjun (Terminalia arjuna)

A renowned cardiotonic herb in Unani medicine, Arjun strengthens the heart muscle, improves arterial function, and reduces blood pressure. Studies confirm its hypotensive and lipid-lowering effects.

2. Gul-e-Gaozaban (Borago officinalis)

This herb has mild sedative and anxiolytic properties, which help lower stress-induced blood pressure spikes. It is also used as a nervine tonic in classical Unani treatments.

3. Asl-us-Soos (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice root is used cautiously; in controlled doses, it balances digestion and reduces stress. However, in hypertension, it is often prescribed in modified formulations for its anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic effects.

4. Tukhm-e-Kasni (Cichorium intybus)

Known for its cooling temperament, Kasni seeds act as a liver tonic and mild diuretic, reducing fluid overload—a common contributor to high blood pressure.

5. Rauwolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha)

One of the most famous Unani herbs, Sarpagandha has strong antihypertensive properties due to alkaloids like reserpine. It reduces sympathetic activity, calming the nervous system and lowering blood pressure.

These herbs, used alone or in compound formulations, make Unani medicine a time-tested approach for managing hypertension naturally.

Classical Unani Treatments for Hypertension

The classical Unani treatments for hypertension combine pharmacological, regimental, and dietary measures.

Pharmacological Preparations

• Sharbat-e-Bazoori: A cooling syrup with mild diuretic action.
• Arq-e-Gulab & Arq-e-Kasni: Distilled herbal waters with calming, liver-supporting effects.
• Hab-e-Suda: Used to calm excessive heat and tension in the vascular system.

Regimental Therapies (Ilaj bil Tadbeer)

• Massage (Dalk): Improves circulation and reduces stress.
• Hammam (Steam Bath): Induces relaxation and detoxification.
• Taleeq (Leech Therapy): In severe cases of Imtila-e-Dam, leeching is prescribed to reduce excess blood.

Dietary Modifications (Ilaj bil Ghiza)

Patients are advised to avoid salty, spicy, fried, and heavy foods that aggravate Damvi Mizaj. Recommended foods include barley, lentils, pomegranate, watermelon, cucumber, and leafy greens.

This integrated framework makes Unani treatment a holistic option for managing hypertension without dependency on synthetic drugs alone.

Modern Relevance of Unani Medicine in Hypertension

With rising cases of lifestyle-related hypertension worldwide, the demand for natural, safe, and effective therapies is increasing. The Unani system of medicine offers not only herbal interventions but also lifestyle guidance that aligns with modern preventive cardiology.

Modern research confirms that many Unani herbs have measurable hypotensive, diuretic, and anxiolytic effects:

• Rauwolfia serpentina is widely acknowledged for its reserpine content, an alkaloid that reduces sympathetic nervous activity.
• Terminalia arjuna improves heart muscle efficiency and lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
• Polyherbal formulations like Arq-e-Kasni support both liver and vascular function, indirectly lowering hypertension risk.

By integrating these classical Unani treatments into modern care, patients may achieve safer long-term management of hypertension with fewer side effects.

Conclusion

Hypertension is not only a clinical condition of numbers—it is a systemic imbalance influenced by diet, stress, environment, and lifestyle. The Unani system of medicine addresses these dimensions through a holistic, humoral framework.

By prescribing Unani herbs like Arjun, Kasni, and Sarpagandha, along with regimental therapies and dietary corrections, Unani treatment aims not just at controlling blood pressure but also improving overall cardiovascular health.

As modern science continues to validate classical Unani treatments, this system holds immense promise for complementing contemporary cardiology. For patients seeking natural, safe, and sustainable solutions, Unani medicine provides a pathway to healthier living.

Evidence-Backed Validation of Unani Treatment for Hypertension

Recent research validates the cardiovascular benefits of several Unani herbs. Rauwolfia serpentina has long been recognized for its hypotensive properties, with studies confirming reserpine’s ability to lower blood pressure through sympathetic inhibition (NCBI). Terminalia arjuna has demonstrated significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension and angina (PubMed). Clinical evaluation of Arq-e-Kasni and related formulations showed improvements in blood pressure control, liver function, and stress-related symptoms in hypertensive patients (Unani Research Portal – CCRUM). Another study highlighted the synergistic effect of Unani polyherbal formulations in reducing cardiovascular risk factors while improving overall quality of life (ScienceDirect). Together, these findings confirm that Unani treatment for hypertension—anchored in classical Unani treatments and evidence-backed Unani herbs—is a viable, integrative approach to cardiovascular wellness.