Ashtanga Hridayam : Heart Attack Medicine
Maharishi Vagbhata had a unique idea. He thought heart problems start when the blood gets too acidic. Not just our tummies being sour, but our blood! This hidden problem can cause arteries to clog up. A long time ago, like nearly 3,000 years, India was lucky to have wise people in Ayurveda. One big shot was Maharishi Vagbhata. He wrote “Ashtanga Hridayam,” a book with over 7,000 healing rules. It’s a big deal for Indian medicine. (Heart Attack Prevention)
In those old teachings, there’s something important about heart problems. And guess what? It’s something modern medicine doesn’t really chat about.
Let’s break it down:
We’ve all had that yucky feeling of heartburn. Sour burps, a burning feeling in your chest, and discomfort are familiar to many.
But here’s the twist—our BLOOD can also get too acidic.
When thick, sluggish blood tries to move through heart arteries, it struggles to flow nicely.
What happens then? Blockages, plaque, and sadly—heart attack.
Vagbhata didn’t rely on fancy science gadgets. Nope. He observed nature, the body’s balance, and studied Ayurveda for THOUSANDS of years.
Blood Acidity: The Quiet Trouble
Modern science doesn’t quite say “blood acidity” like Ayurveda does. But it does know unbalanced pH can cause inflammation and stress to the heart. Here’s the catch:
Modern medicine usually fixes symptoms—but not why they start.This is where Ayurveda does its own thing.Ayurveda’s Simple Fix: Neutralize Acidity What would Maharishi Vagbhata say now?
To neutralize blood acidity, eat naturally alkaline foods.”The idea is old, but it makes sense. In chemistry, when acid meets alkaline, they cancel each other out. The body works the same way.
The Alkaline Star: Bottle Gourd (Lauki)**In the lineup of alkaline foods, bottle gourd shines the brightest.
It’s not just a veggie; it’s a healing champion.Naturally cooling Full of water & important stuff Helps blood stay less acidic Good for heart and liver Using Lauki for Heart Health Vagbhata suggested making lauki juice and drinking it daily, preferably on an empty stomach or shortly after breakfast.
Recipe for Alkaline Heart Juice:200–300 ml fresh lauki juice Add 7–10 tulsi leaves Include 7–10 mint leaves A bit of rock or black salt (Skip iodized salt)Warning: Always taste lauki before juicing. If it’s bitter, don’t drink it—it might be harmful.
Results That Tell a Tale
If people do this for 21 days straight, many say they feel:
* More energetic
* Chest feels lighter
* Lowered blood pressure
* Less cholesterol
* Better-working heart
After a few months, this simple routine might clear some blockages and restore natural balance—no surgery, no costly medicines, no unwanted side effects.
Old Ayurvedic books like Ashtanga Hridayam (Heart Attack Prevention) remind us that our bodies can heal if we help them. Modern ways are great in emergencies, but real prevention is about everyday choices.
Let’s not wait for medical interventions. Instead, turn to nature’s gifts like bottle gourd and enrich our health journey.
Real Life – A Daily Example
Here’s how someone can include these ideas daily:
Rajesh’s Day – A 50-Year-Old Busy Guy
6:30 AM – Wake Up & Drink Water Rajesh sips lukewarm water with some lemon droplets. A perfect start!
7:00 AM – Lauki Juice O’clockFresh juice is made with tulsi & mint leaves and a hint of salt. Rajesh tests the gourd isn’t bitter first and drinks up 250 ml slowly, before breakfast.
7:30 AM – Breathing & Gentle Yoga15 minutes of Anulom-Vilom breathing and gentle yoga.
8:00 AM – Light Morning MealWalnuts soaked overnight, a salad of sprouted moong, and a small portion of upma fill his plate.
11:00 AM – Sip Herbal DrinkInstead of caffeine, he chooses a warm herbal infusion of cinnamon, ginger, & cardamom.
1:00 PM – Balanced Meal TimeLunch includes:
One multigrain roti
Lauki or torai curry
Moong lentils
A small pile of rice
Tangy Amla chutney
5:30 PM – Evening Stroll A 30-minute park walk clears his mind & strengthens his heart.
7:30 PM – Light Meal at Night Dinner is khichdi with ghee and sautéed greens.
9:30 PM – Triphala Water Drink Right before bed, Triphala-infused water helps with digestion and cleansing.
Extra Ayurvedic Tips for Heart Protection
Foods and Herbs That Help:
| Item | Benefit |
| Amla | Full of Vitamin C, reduces cholesterol |
| Garlic | Natural blood-thinner |
| Turmeric | Soothes inflammation |
| Arjuna Bark | Mighty heart tonic in Ayurveda |
| Flaxseeds | Packed with Omega-3 |
| Ashwagandha | Lowers stress |
| Pomegranate | Guards blood vessels |
| Coconut Water | Balances body’s electrolytes |
Lifestyle Changes That Heal Over Time:
1. Sleep Deeply (7–8 hours) . Bad sleep raises blood pressure & stress hormones.
2. Daily Mindfulness or Meditation.Just 10–15 minutes brings peace & steadiness to the mind.
3. Early to Bed, Early to Rise”Aligns with nature (dinacharya).
4. Biggest Meal at Noon Digestions’ strongest during midday—eat smaller dinners before 8 PM.
5. Move Often Sitting too long isn’t good—stand up more & walk around during calls.
6. Occasional Detox Days Once a week, light khichdi-only meals or fruit fasting under guidance gives systems a break.
Maharishi Vagbhata: The Forgotten Genius Who Understood the Human Body Better Than Most Modern Doctors
The Forgotten Genius Who Understood the Human Body Better Than Most Modern Doctors By: A Curious Student of Wellness & Ancient Wisdom
In the world we live in, full of quick fixes & fast answers, there is a question we often skip — “Why did I get sick?” Modern medicine presents answers in terms of numbers, scans, & reports, but very few systems dive as deep, with the same simplicity and understanding, as Ayurveda does.
Among all the sages who shaped Ayurveda, there’s one who stands apart quietly: Maharishi Vagbhata. It’s not because he was the loudest or the first. It’s because he grasped something critical — healing isn’t just about fighting disease; it’s about keeping balance.
Who Was This Man: Ashtanga Hridayam-Heart Attack Free Life
There’s actually not much known about Vagbhata’s personal life. To me, that speaks volumes. Here was a man who turned his life’s wisdom into verses, not pictures of himself.
He probably lived around the 6th or 7th century CE. Unlike the more famous names like Charaka or Sushruta, Vagbhata aimed for simplicity.
He wanted to sum up thousands of years of Ayurvedic thought into a guide that anyone — not just smart folks — could follow. That’s how his great work, Ashtanga Hridayam Heart Attack Prevention, came to be .Maharishi Vagbhata’s 8-Step Ayurvedic Guide to a Heart Attack-Free Life
A Book That Feels Like a Friend
Reading the Astanga Hridayam Heart Attack Prevention doesn’t feel like studying a textbook. It feels like chatting with a wise elder who’s seen both tough times and joy, who gets how our stomachs work and how our feelings churn — and who isn’t pushing a remedy on you but is rather helping you find your way back home.
It’s organized around Ayurveda’s eight limbs:
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
ENT & Head care
Surgery
Toxicology
Geriatrics
Reproductive health
Yet, what really caught my attention wasn’t just its structure — it was its heart.
He writes: “All disease begins when digestion goes wrong.”
I stopped reading when I saw that line. Isn’t that what we’re all facing today? Upset stomachs, heartburn, IBS, feeling bloated, tiredness it’s endless. And here was a man from over a thousand years back pointing to our meals and saying, “Start there.”
My Opinion: Vagbhata Matters More Than Ever
In a world driven by profit-based health systems, Vagbhata reminds us real health is something we live, not something we get prescribed. He doesn’t just say “Eat healthy.”He’s telling you: what to eat, when, how much & even how to feel while eating. For instance: Eat only when hungry ,Don’t hold back natural urges ,Get up before the sun rises ,Oil your body like you’d oil a machine Sleep before 10 PM for real rest.This isn’t rocket science — but it works. The more I read, the more I realized: We know these things. We’ve just forgotten them.
An Example From My Own Life
I used to feel worn out all the time. Blood tests were “normal.” Docs said stress might be the issue. But deep down, I knew something wasn’t right in my daily routine.
Motivated by Vagbhata, I switched some habits:
Ate only freshly made food
Avoided cold milkshakes & late meals
Woke up by 5:30 AM
Stopped phone use after 9 PM
Meditated 10 minutes post meals
Within 3 weeks, my mind cleared. I felt more energetic, thought more clearly & oddly enough, I was happier. No pills needed! Just rhythm in life. I’m not sharing this to preach, but to show: Something isn’t old if it still works.
Not Just Theory — Vagbhata’s Approach Was Practical
Unlike many modern gurus who glorify everything ancient, Vagbhata was practical. He knew life was unpredictable & emotions were real, and that people had chores to do. Hence he offered adaptable principles, not hard rules.
He talked about:
How to handle grief from losing someone dear
What to eat after battling fever
How kids digest food differently than grown-ups
Why seniors need distinct oils for massages
This kind of attention reveals an in-depth understanding of life experiences, not just theorizing about them.
What He Understood That We Forgot
Vagbhata pushed prevention over cure — which clashes directly with today’s healthcare model. Nowadays, we wait till we’re ill before acting. But according to Vagbhata:
“He who eats right, sleeps timely, respects nature’s rhythms & controls his cravings — he doesn’t need a doctor.”
That’s brave. And beautiful too!
He wasn’t providing mere tips; he was giving power back to us!
Power to heal ourselves! Power to live wisely! Power to avoid dependence on systems that don’t have our best at heart!
Caution: Don’t Follow Blindly
Of course, some parts of his work may need updating today. For example, metallic preparations from old texts might not be safe unless properly purified & dosed correctly. Also bear in mind: Not every herb suits everyone equally well!
Disclaimer: Always check in with a qualified Ayurvedic doctor before starting any medicines or therapies—especially so if you’re already under treatment! (Safety first!)
But let’s avoid discarding everything due to minor parts needing modern tweaks! Just because some pieces require adjustment doesn’t mean whole ideas should be discounted altogether!
Final Thoughts: Vagbhata Needs Revival
In societies crazy about Western degrees & cutting-edge solutions, we’ve left behind our own treasures way too often now!
We chase diets promoted by influencers ignoring season-based wisdom our elders followed—which was based actually off texts like ones Vagbhata wrote originally themselves back then too ya know ?.
Conclusion: Blend Old Wisdom with Today’s Living
When ancient wisdom like Maharishi Vagbhata comes together with today’s medical insights:
Prevention triumphs over fixing problems.
Healing means knowing and simplifying things.
Lauki juice is more than just juice—it’s a call to nature and healthier living through simpler habits.
With ongoing use & guidance, these Ayurvedic ways may reduce heart attack risks, boost energy, and let the body heal itself.
