Homoeopathic management of essential hypertension: A narrative review

Abstract

Objectives: Hypertension (HTN) or elevated blood pressure is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risk of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. HTN in an adult is said to be present when clinical systolic and diastolic blood pressure exceed 140 mm and 90 mm of hg, respectively. An estimated 1.28 billion people aged 30–79 years have HTN worldwide, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries (World Health Organization). Homoeopathy can be useful in managing HTN and its complications, for which a proper knowledge of treatment modalities available in homoeopathy is essential. Materials and Methods: An intensive search of articles, publications, and writings, both online and offline, dealing with the management of essential HTN through homoeopathy was conducted between November 2021 to January 2022. Databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and various other published books, literature, and anecdotes in homoeopathy were explored, collecting data on the role of homoeopathy in essential HTN. Emphasis was on words such as homoeopathy, HTN, and blood pressure. Results: Management of essential HTN through homoeopathy can be broadly divided into two categories. First, drugs or medicines given in homoeopathic literature, such as Materia Medicas and Repertories, whose choice of administration in HTN depends on the classical methods of prescription, and secondly, drugs or medicines obtained from research outcomes on HTN. Conclusion: In homoeopathic therapeutics, many medicines are available and used in cases of essential HTN. Recently, research activities targeted toward managing HTN through homoeopathy have increased, and data have been generated. Even then, the available data till now are not sufficient in bringing homoeopathy equivalent or near to the conventional system of medicine in managing HTN demands; in turn, more research works in homoeopathy with statistical rigour.