Migraine is defined as a condition marked by recurring moderate to severe headache with throbbing pain that usually lasts from four hours to three days, typically begins on one side of the head but may spread to both sides, and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound, and is sometimes preceded by an aura followed by fatigue.
Migraine is the third most common disease in the world with an estimated global prevalence of 14.7% (that’s around 1 in 7 people). This condition is more prevalent than diabetes, epilepsy, and asthma combined. 2% of the world’s population is suffering from chronic migraines.
What are the Causes of Migraine?
There are several migraine triggers, including:
- Weather changes
- Sleep changes
- Stress
- Carbonated Drinks
- Hormonal changes in women
- High intake of alcohol, coffee, etc
- Certain medications
- Family history
- Depression
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Migraine?
The most common signs & symptoms of migraine is having continuous pain in the head, but a migraine has some additional warning symptoms and signs, such as:
- Feeling irritable
- Depressed or “high”
- Visual disturbances (“auras”)
- Vomiting and Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Mood swings
- Sensitivity to light
- Pain occurs usually unilateral.
What is the Ayurvedic view of Migraine?
According to Ayurveda, the condition of migraine is termed as ‘’Ardhavbhedhak’’ and it occurs due to an imbalance in tridosha or the three basic energy types: Vata (wind energy), Pitta (fire energy), and Kapha (water energy). Out of these three, Vata and Pitta dosha is mainly responsible for this disorder. Their imbalance causes deep-rooted problems in the body, including weakened digestive and nervous systems. Vata is responsible for the nervous system and brain activity. Pitta controls the dilation of the blood vessels. By studying the external symptoms, it is possible to identify which of the three doshas is causing the attack.
- Migraine due to Vata dosha: Constipation, dry skin, and acute pain.
- Migraine due to Pitta dosha: Irritability, sensitivity to light, burning sensation in the eyes.
- Migraine due to Kapha dosha: Headache with throbbing pain, nausea, fatigue.
What is the Ayurvedic Treatment of Migraine?
Ayurveda has numerous herbs that are proven to treat the conditions of the nervous system naturally without causing any damage to the other system. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre had made a ‘’Migraine Go Kit’’, that is specially made to ease the symptoms of migraine and cure of its root cause by balancing the aggravated doshas. The kit has a total of 5 products – Trikatu tablet, Giloy capsule, Brodley syrup, Panchasakar churna, and Sheet dhara syrup.
All Products Description in Detail
1. Trikatu Tablet
Trikatu tablet is widely used to pacify the aggravated Tridosha. The tablet is composed of Black pepper, Long pepper, and rhizomes of Ginger. It is very beneficial in dealing with nausea, vomiting, severe headache, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
2. Giloy Capsule
Giloy has many medicinal properties and can be used in many ways. The capsule is composed of a pure extract of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). It boosts the immunity naturally and provides relief from stress, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, pain, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 capsule twice daily with normal water.
3. Brodley Syrup
The syrup is specially made to provide strength to the nervous system. As it contains all the natural ingredients like Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricularis), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Jatamasi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Dhania (Coriandrum sativum), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), etc. The syrup is highly beneficial in relieving the migraine as it provides carminative effect and mental relaxation to the patient.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonfuls twice daily.
4. Panchasakar Churna
Panchasakar churna is made up of 5 natural herbs – Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Svaran patri (Cassia angustifolia), Shatapushpa (Foeniculum vulgare), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), and Saindhavan lavana (Rock salt). The ingredients remove the toxins from the body and normalize all the functions. It reduces pain by pacifying the aggravated Vata dosha and also relieves other associated symptoms of migraine.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 teaspoonful with Lukewarm water at bedtime.
5. Sheet Dhara Syrup
Sheet Dhara is an herbal formulation of Mushak kapoor, Ajwain satv, and Peppermint that pacifies the imbalanced Vata and Pitta Dosha. This is the best herbal remedy that balances the aggravated Vata and Pitta Dosha. This is the best remedy to pacify the acidity, abdominal discomfort, sensation of nausea and vomiting, severe headache, etc.
Recommended Dosage – Mix 1 teaspoon in 30 ml of water and take early in the morning.
What is the Panchakarma Treatment of Migraine?
Panchakarma plays an important role in the management of migraine in any stage. The procedures done in the panchakarma provide relaxation to the whole body by removing the excess amount of toxins from the body. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre performed the best therapies to cure the migraine of its root cause by experienced staff under the guidance of Doctors. The details of therapies are given below –
- Nasya – Nasya karma is considered as foremost therapy as Acharya Vagbhatta explained ‘’Nasa as a Shiro Dwara’’ and medicines instilled through the nose, through Shrungataka marma it spreads to siramukhas of murdha, netra, shrotra, kantha etc. and extracts only vaikariki doshas from urdhavajatru without causing any harm to delicate structures of the brain.
- Shirodhara – Shirodhara is beneficial in stress reduction and treating mental fatigue. Initiating a soothing effect on the brain cells, the treatment requires a calm flow of medicated oil through peripheral nerves of the skin of the forehead. With the uninterrupted flow of soothing oil, Shirodhara helps in tranquilizing and stabilizing the mind, healing problems like anxiety, insomnia, vertigo, etc.
- Shiro Abhyanga – Shiro Abhyanga is a gentle massage on the forehead, head, neck, and shoulders so the oil formulation on these parts of the body takes effect. This therapy gives a calmative effect to the patient and provides relaxation on the whole body.
Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
The patient having migraine should follow the given measures. By adopting some changes in diet and lifestyle the person will surely ease their symptoms. Some of the healthy tips are given below –
- Simple yoga practices can go a long way in rectifying the imbalances that cause the onset of migraine attacks. By following specific yoga practices one can alleviate tension, increase oxygen supply to the brain, and reduce the chances of migraine attacks.
- Getting enough and good sleep is vital for good migraine control. Deprivation in sleep is closely linked to the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in some patients.
- Increase the diet primarily on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats (and limiting foods that trigger an attack) is a good way to prevent migraines and/or headaches. Also, don’t skip meals. Regular skipping meals make you hungry, which can trigger a migraine.
- Poor posture and a sedentary lifestyle can strain your head, neck, and shoulder muscles, leading to a migraine or headache. By making some changes to your posture, it may help reduce the frequency of migraines and tension headaches.
- Limit the intake of alcohol, chocolate, aged cheeses, and other foods that can trigger a tension headache or migraine.
- Simple yoga practices can go a long way in rectifying the imbalances that cause the onset of migraine attacks. By following specific yoga practices one can alleviate tension, increase oxygen supply to the brain, and reduce the chances of migraine attacks. The main yoga and asanas are – Hastapadasana, Setu bandhasana, Adho mukha svanasana, Padmasana, Shishuasana, Shavasana, etc.