Cause of Heart Disease –

According to Western Medicine, atherosclerosis is the most common cause of heart disease. Atherosclerosis is the condition where there is a build up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in your artery walls. Plaque is the buildup, and plaque can restrict blood flow. Eventually the plaque builds up to make vessels thick and stiff and restricts blood flow to organs and tissues. Arteriosclerosis is the resulting rigidity of the blood vessels.Thus, atherosclerosis can lead to arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is tension and stress in the vessels.

How Ayurveda Sees the Heart –

The Heart involves the 3 doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

Vata governs the beating of the heart, initiates the electric impulse to contract the heart via the sinoatrial node, and the circulation of blood.
Pitta is responsible for the purification of the blood, and is responsible for the digestion of emotions in the heart
Kapha is responsible for the structure of the heart and blood, and the strength of the heart.

In Ayurveda, prana is the vital life force energy that enters the body through our healthy choices of foods, sensory experiences, and relaxation and then flows thru the whole body vitalizing our whole being. The energy of Pitta digests our foods and experiences to produce vigor, vitality, inner sap, passion and immunity or OJAS. This ojas lives in the heart and the heart circulates ojas to the rest of the body to sustain the whole body and mind. It is vital to protect the physical and emotional health of the heart.

What Stresses the Heart –

Overuse of the sensory organs leads to a decrease in ojas. Symptoms of low ojas include: weakness, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and low Energy. Stress typically involves an overuse of the sensory organs.

What Protects and Strengthens the Heart –

If we protect the heart, we protect and maintain ojas. Fresh foods, cow’s milk, ghee, fruits, rice, dates, nuts, seeds all revitalize ojas. Other helpful things include: eating in moderation, exercise, healthy sensory impressions, and adapting your lifestyle to have less stress and confrontation.

Heart Health Tincture (an ayurvedic herbal formula) available at Vibrant Health Ayurveda + Yoga in the Boulder Area, Colorado

Sariva – balances Vata, Pitta, Kapha; purifies the blood, builds build, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, helps in anemia and hemorrhaging
Arjuna – balances Pitta, Kapha, cardiotonic and a cardio stimulating, helpful in anemia, congestion, and inflammation
Hawthorne Berry – balances mostly Vata, helpful in heart weakness, arteriosclerosis, valve weakness, hypertension, palpitations, blood clots, congestion; acts as an antispasmodic, diuretic, and as a vasodilator.
Cinnamon – balances Vata, Kapha, purifies the blood, acts as a heart strengthener, and circulatory stimulant
Red Wine with red raspberry and cinnamon overtones

Some Ayurvedic Recipes & Foods that promote Heart Health: