Hello Suganthi,
Thank you for sharing your details. You are 34, taking Amlodipine (5 mg in morning), Sarpagandha (500 mg in night), and Ashwagandha (500 mg in night). You have hypertension with occasional depression and sleep disturbance.
✅UNDERSTANDING YOUR SITUATION
Amlodipine- A safe allopathic medicine to control BP.
Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina)- Classical Ayurvedic medicine for high BP, but long-term or high dose can cause depression, low mood, and sleep disturbances
Ashwagandha- Generally calming and good for stress, anxiety, and mild BP support.
Your symptoms (sleep disturbance + feeling depressed) suggest that Sarpagandha may not be suiting you at this dose.
✅ WHAT CAN BE DONE
1. Do not stop Amlodipine suddenly - it is your main BP controller.
2. Sarpagandha: Instead of stopping suddenly, you can taper or reduce dosage (e.g., from 500 mg → 250 mg) under guidance, or take it only on alternate days. If depression worsens, it is better to stop it completely.
3. Continue Ashwagandha at night – it will help balance mood, reduce stress, and support BP. You may increase to 500 mg twice daily if tolerated.
4. Instead of Sarpagandha, you can shift to gentler Ayurvedic options
Brahmi capsule 1 in morning – for calming mind & improving sleep.
✅LIFESTYLE AND DIET TIPS
Avoid excess salt, fried foods, late nights. Morning walk + gentle yoga (Shavasana, Anulom-Vilom). Warm milk with nutmeg or cardamom at bedtime for natural sleep. Meditation or chanting (5–10 min) before sleep.
Your depression & sleep issues are likely due to Sarpagandha.
Best option- Continue Amlodipine + Ashwagandha, and replace Sarpagandha with gentler Ayurvedic remedies for BP & mind.
If you wish to reduce Sarpagandha dose, do it gradually, not suddenly.
Wishing you a good health😊
Warm Regards Dr Snehal Vidhate
Hello, 1. You can stop both ashwagandha and sarpagandha as you have amlodipine. 2. Incorporate daily practice of pranayama-meditation without fail. this will help you at address, depression and also will improve quality of sleep. 3. Hydrate with 2 liters of water a day. 4. Manomitram tablet 1—0—1 for 30 days after breakfast and dinner.
Take care, Kind regards.
No worries Morning if it’s more than 110 not to worry you can continue, if it’s below 110 then it’s better to reduce the dose, usually at morning as will be in relaxed state Bp will be at its lower site For disturbed sleep what you can do is take warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg powder at bed time And at morning do pranayama meditation regularly
Considering your current symptoms and concerns, it’s essential to address both your hypertension and occasional feelings of depression with a well-rounded approach. Firstly, Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina), known for lowering blood pressure, can sometimes cause side effects like sleep disturbances or mood changes, especially at higher doses. If you’re experiencing such symptoms, it might be wise to consider reducing the dosage of Sarpagandha or even pausing it, but I would recommend consulting with a healthcare professional before making such changes.
Regarding Ashwagandha, it’s an adaptogen that typically aids in managing stress and improving sleep quality, but it can have different effects on different individuals. If you feel it’s contributing to your sleep disturbances, try taking a lower dose or timing it earlier in the evening to see if this alleviates the issue.
You should also consider the combination of Ayurvedic and allopathy medicines. Since you’re already on Amlodipine, maintaining hypertension control becomes a priority. Therefore, before making any significant changes, a consultation with both your allopathic doctor and an Ayurvedic practitioner is advised to ensure there’s no negative interaction. They might consider adjusting your regimen based on your specific constitution and lifestyle factors.
In parallel, practice lifestyle modifications that support blood pressure management: regular moderate exercise like brisk walking, yoga or swimming, reducing excessive salt intake, and prioritize a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises can also be beneficial for both blood pressure and mood management. It’s crucial to monitor your blood pressure regularly to ensure that it remains within the desired range and to keep track of any variations relating to your medication or lifestyle changes.
