A study on the effect of Kutaki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) on Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension is abnormal increase in the blood pressure. It leads to many fatal conditions like heart failure, cerebral haemorrhage, renal disease, dissecting aortic aneurysms etc. It is characterized by the elevated blood pressure and includes symptoms like Shirah-shul (headache), Bhrama (giddiness), etc. According to Ayurveda, hypertension is caused by the vitiation of pitta, rakta, meda and obstructing the channels of the body. So to cure the disease a drug having the properties of reducing pitta, meda, rakta and cleaning the channels of the body is preferred. So a herbal drug Kutaki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) having the similar properties has been taken for the study to understand its effect on Hypertension. An open end clinical trial was conducted on 30 patients of primary hypertension and drug was administered internally in a dose of 250 mg twice daily along with jaggery for 15 days. The results showed that there is mild to moderate relief in the patients with the drug and no untoward side-effects were seen in any patients.