CONCEPT OF AVARANA IN AYURVEDA AND ITS MANIFESTATION IN HYPERTENSION

Avarana is a distinct and fundamental concept in Ayurveda that explains the pathological obstruction of the normal functioning of Vata Dosha due to its covering by other Doshas, Dhatus, or Malas, resulting in disease manifestation. Critical analysis of the symptomatology and etiopathogenesis of diseases in the light of Ayurvedic principles reveals the involvement of Avaranajanya Vata Dosha. Among the basic mechanisms of Ayurvedic pathogenesis, the concept of Avarana remains relatively underexplored, despite its important role in understanding Vataja disorders. Hypertension is recognised as one of the major global health problems and is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Although essential hypertension is not described as a distinct disease entity in classical Ayurvedic texts, various eminent Acharyas have interpreted and classified this condition based on clinical features and underlying pathophysiological similarities. On correlating the clinical manifestations and aetiological factors of essential hypertension with Ayurvedic fundamentals, Avaranajanya Vata Dosha appears to play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. This conceptual study analyses and interprets essential hypertension from an Ayurvedic perspective, with special reference to the concept of Avarana and its role in disease manifestation.