Effectiveness of Shamak Yoga on Essential Hypertension in comparison with Atenolol: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Hypertension is responsible for many morbidities and increasing mortality in India. A lot needs to be done to find safe and yet effective treatment of hypertension. Ayurveda has no direct reference of blood pressure or hypertension in its classics, but various conditions mentioned in classical texts resembles hypertension. A poly herbal combination of ten Ayurvedic herbs called “Shamak Yoga” was in use in Pakwasa hospital, Nagpur for more than twenty five years for management of hypertension along with anxiety, palpitation and insomnia. Objective- To evaluate the effect of Shamak Yoga (SY) on essential hypertension in comparison of Atenolol. Material and Methods – thirty four clinically freshly diagnosed patients of hypertension were randomly divided in two groups. Control group was treated with Tablet Atenolol 50 mg once a day orally and experimental group was treated with SY 2 gm orally twice a day with plain water for 4 weeks. Subjective criteria and objective criteria were observed and recorded; data was analyzed statistically. Results - SY was found comparable and statistically significant effective with Atenolol for systolic and diastolic blood pressure in mild hypertensive patients. SY is most effective on symptoms like headache, giddiness, fatigue, dizziness, sleeplessness, body ache and palpitation.