Synergistic Management of hypertension with Triphala, acupuncture (Liver 3), and yoga: A Novel Integrated Case Report

Author
A.D. Oguizu, O.S. Nweze
Keywords
Triphala; Acupuncture; Taichong.
Abstract
Background: A 42-year-old male with a documented history of uncontrolled hypertension despite consistent Telmisartan 40mg (Telma 40mg) use for three years presented with additional complaints of breathlessness. This case report explores the management approach and outcomes of a 12-day integrated intervention combining Triphala decoction and acupuncture (Taichong point) for this patient. Methods: The patient participated in a 12-day trial receiving Triphala decoction twice daily and daily acupuncture sessions targeting the bilateral Taichong (Liver 3) points. Blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were monitored throughout the intervention. Results: Following the intervention, the patient exhibited significant improvements in blood pressure control, with systolic blood pressure decreasing by 20% and diastolic blood pressure by 13%. Additionally, weight and BMI demonstrated a 5% reduction. Notably, the patient achieved medication independence, discontinuing Telma 40mg by the 8th day. Conclusion: This single case report presents a patient with uncontrolled hypertension who experienced substantial improvements in blood pressure control, weight management, and medication independence following a 12-day integrated intervention using Triphala and acupuncture. While these findings are preliminary and require further investigation with larger studies, this case contributes to the growing exploration of integrative approaches for managing hypertension.
References
[1] AnchalaR., Kannuri, N. K., Pant, H., Khan, H., Franco, O. H., Di Angelantonio, E., & Prabhakaran, D. (2014). Hypertension in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension. Journal of Hypertension, 32(6), 1170–1177. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000000146
[2] Baliga, M. S., Meera, S., Mathai, B., Rai, M. P., Pawar, V., & Palatty, P. L. (2012). Scientific validation of the ethnomedicinal properties of the Ayurvedic drug Triphala: a review. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 18(12), 946–954. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11655-012-1299-X
[3] Gupta, R. (2016). Convergence in urban-rural prevalence of hypertension in India. Journal of Human Hypertension, 30(2), 79–82. https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2015.48
[4] Gupta, R., Gaur, K., Ahuja, S., & Anjana, R. M. (2024). Recent studies on hypertension prevalence and control in India 2023. Hypertension Research : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-024-01585-y
[5] Jantrapirom, S., Hirunsatitpron, P., Potikanond, S., Nimlamool, W., & Hanprasertpong, N. (2021). Pharmacological Benefits of Triphala: A Perspective for Allergic Rhinitis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPHAR.2021.628198
[6] Lai, H. C., Lin, Y. W., & Hsieh, C. L. (2019). Acupuncture-Analgesia-Mediated Alleviation of Central Sensitization. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6173412
[7] Li, C., & Kelly, T. N. (2014). Hypertension in India. Journal of Hypertension, 32(6), 1189–1191. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000000158
[8] Lin, J.-G., Kotha, P., & Chen, Y.-H. (2022). Understandings of acupuncture application and mechanisms. American Journal of Translational Research, 14(3), 1469–1481. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35422904
[9] Man, T. M., Wu, L., Zhang, J. Y., Dong, Y. T., Sun, Y. T., & Luo, L. (2023). Research trends of acupuncture therapy for hypertension over the past two decades: a bibliometric analysis. Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, 13(1), 67–82. https://doi.org/10.21037/CDT-22-480/COIF
[10] Peterson, C. T., Denniston, K., & Chopra, D. (2017). Therapeutic uses of triphala in ayurvedic medicine. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 23(8), 607–614. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0083
[11] Phimarn, W., Sungthong, B., & Itabe, H. (2021). Effects of Triphala on Lipid and Glucose Profiles and Anthropometric Parameters: A Systematic Review. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 26. https://doi.org/10.1177/2515690X211011038
[12] Prabhakaran, D., Jeemon, P., Sharma, M., Roth, G. A., Johnson, C., Harikrishnan, S., Gupta, R., Pandian, J. D., Naik, N., Roy, A., Dhaliwal, R. S., Xavier, D., Kumar, R. K., Tandon, N., Mathur, P., Shukla, D. K., Mehrotra, R., Venugopal, K., Kumar, G. A., … Dandona, L. (2018). The changing patterns of cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors in the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016. The Lancet Global Health, 6(12), e1339–e1351. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30407-8
[13] Rana, S., Palatty, P. L., Benson, R., Kochikuzhyil, B. M., & Baliga, M. S. (2022). Evaluation of the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Triphala in high fat diet fed rats: Studies with two combinations. Ayu, 43(3), 98–104. https://doi.org/10.4103/ayu.AYU_74_19
[14] Zhao, X. F., Hu, H. T., Li, J. S., Shang, H. C., Zheng, H. Z., Niu, J. F., Shi, X. M., & Wang, S. (2015). Is acupuncture effective for hypertension? A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 10(7). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0127019.


Received : 04 July 2024
Accepted : 12 August 2024
Published : 19 August 2024
DOI: 10.30726/esij/v11.i3.2024.113006

ESIJ-28.11.3.pdf