Vyana Vayu Unbound: A Scientific Appraisal of Ayurvedic Antihypertensives

Hypertension remains one of the foremost contributors to global cardiovascular mortality, affecting over 1.28 billion adults worldwide. Despite remarkable advances in allopathic pharmacotherapy, issues of drug adherence, polypharmacy, and residual cardiovascular risk persist. Ayurveda — the ancient Indian system of medicine — offers a holistic paradigm for understanding and managing elevated blood pressure through its concepts of Raktagata Vāta and Pittaja Nānātmaja disorders. This editorial examines the Ayurvedic pathophysiological framework of hypertension, synthesises evidence from randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating herbal and Pañcakarma interventions, and advocates for an integrative model that bridges classical wisdom with evidence-based medicine.