Category: Migraine

Alternative Treatment for Migraine and Headache – Diet and Herbal Remedies

Abstract

We all must have experienced pain in the head at least once in our lifetime. This seems quite a normal thing, but this becomes very annoying when the headache is of migraine type. Migraine might seem similar to you just like a common headache, but it is more than that. It could make you discontinue your daily activities like going to college, offices. Today in our topic, we are going to know about the migraine and its treatment in Ayurveda.

Introduction

A migraine is a severe type of headache which affects only one side of the head. In rare cases just like a common headache, a migraine could also affect both sides of the head. It is considered as a neurological disease with several symptoms like throbbing type of headache, or pulsating type of headache. It is accompanied by many signs such as nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light. There are some warning signs which appear before an episode of migraine occurs. The warning signs could be disturbance in vision in the form of spots, flashes, or sparkles before the eyes. Sometimes there is some numbness or tingling sensation felt over one side of the face with difficulty in speech also. Unlike a common headache, migraine could last for days together. Though both are affected, women are more prone to this medical condition.

Migraine

Causes

The exact cause of the migraine is not known yet, but there are some predisposing factors which are responsible for causing migraine called as triggers. Following are the triggers of the migraine:

  1. Hormonal changes
  2. Coffee
  3. Constipation
  4. Altered sleeping patterns
  5. Smoking
  6. Alcohol
  7. Medication
  8. Bright light
  9. Noise
  10. Strong smell

Symptoms

The symptoms of the migraine are as follows

  1. Throbbing type of head pain
  2. Pain in one side of head, though could also occur on both the sides
  3. Nausea which is followed by vomiting
  4. Sensitivity to light, noise and smell
  5. Irritability

Diagnosis

There are no specific diagnostic tools for diagnosing migraines. With the help of symptoms, their history and aggravating factors your physician would diagnose it with an ease in opd. In some cases your doctor could advise you to go for some scans like MRI brain to rule out any tumour, bleeding or some other neurological conditions.

Treatment in Allopathy

There is no permanent cure for migraine in allopathy. The dependency is upon the painkillers. This type of approach to manage any disease doesn’t give a permanent cure but only slight and short term relief.

Ayurvedic point of view

In Ayurveda the vision and mission totally differs from that of modern science. In the latter where it seems to be related only till giving temporary relief by acting on the physical plane only, the former strongly believes that something exists beyond the physical plane. And this is something which needs to be corrected in the diseased person. According to the ancient Ayurvedic texts compiled by sages, the body is composed of five basic elements : Air, Space, Water, Fire and Soil. A particular combination of two of these five elements forms an energy called dosha. There are three doshas in the Ayurveda i.e Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three energies are responsible for running the various life processes in a human being and co-exist in a balanced way. Any corruption, or deviation in this balance causes a disease. In migraine there is an involvement of vata and pitta dosha.

Planet Ayurveda is a leading firm which prepares natural herbs using authentic ways and has great results in curing Migraine. All the herbs that are prepared here are free from chemicals, preservatives, starch, additives, colours, yeast, binders and fillers. They are 100 percent natural and are formulated by MD Ayurvedic doctors with years of experience. It has a worldwide range of distributors and has a great response from various countries when it comes to cure diseases that are considered incurable by allopathic doctors.

Herbal Supplements for Migraine

Herbal Supplements for Migraine

Products available at Planet Ayurveda for migraine

  1. Brahmi Capsules
  2. Pitta Balance
  3. Arogyavardhini Vati
  4. Ashwagandha Capsules
  5. Medhya churna

1. Brahmi capsules

It is an inevitable remedy for the patients who are suffering from mental fatigue, and weak memory. It improves memory by coordinating between neurons. This ayurvedic herb is best known for its memory enhancing properties. Some other indications of this wonderful remedy are anxiety, stress, high blood pressure etc. It relaxes the mind and hence is very useful in migraine. Ingredient of the Brahmi capsules is Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri).

Dosage: 1-2 capsules once or twice daily.

2. Pitta Balance

As we already discussed, the dosha involved is Vata and pitta dosha, and pitta is considered as the fire element of the body. Therefore this remedy will cover the symptoms which are related with unusual heat feeling in the body, burning in the soles and feet, heartburn, acidity etc. A well indicated remedy for headache and migraine. The typical throbbing type of pain of migraine could be managed with this wonderful ayurvedic remedy. Ingredients of the Pitta balance are Praval pishti (Coral) compound, Akik pishti (Agate) compound, Giloy satva (Tinospora cordifolia), Mukta pishti (Pearl) compound, Jawar Mohra pishti (compound) and other herbs.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily or as prescribed by the ayurvedic practitioner.

3. Arogyavardhini Vati

This formulation has good results in detoxifying the liver. The accumulated bile which causes jaundice could be removed from the body with the help of this excellent remedy. It also helps in emulsification of the bile and cleansing of the colon. This could be thought of in the cases of acid-peptic disease. Ingredients of the Arogyavardhini vati are Chitrak mool (Plumbago zeylanica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Shudh Shilajit (Asphaltum) purified and other herbs.

Dosage: 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water after meals

4. Ashwagandha Capsules

Planet Ayurveda formulated this remedy for the cases of stress, anxiety, palpitation and fatigue. This wonderful remedy is the best natural stress buster ever known. It calms down the stressed mind, and makes the mind strong enough. The involvement of the Vata dosha in causing the migraine could be pacified with this beautiful herb. It acts as the nerve tonic, and enhances physical and mental stamina. Ingredients of the Ashwagandha capsules are Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

Dosage: 1-2 capsules once or twice daily.

5. Medhya Churna

It is an inevitable remedy for the cases where the weakness of the memory is the keynote symptom. It increases the grasping power and retention power. This formulation is well indicated in the cases of epilepsy, loss of memory, insomnia etc. It relieves stress and anxiety and acts as a brain tonic to improve concentration. Ingredients of the Medhya churna are Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Sonth (Gingiber officinale), Shwet jeerak (Cuminum cyminum), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum), Krishna jeeraka (Carum carvi), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and other herbs.

Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon once daily with 1 spoon of Cow Ghee (Clarified Butter).

Some tips to prevent or minimise the attacks of migraine

  1. Stay hydrated.
  2. Avoid too much coffee.
  3. Restrain yourself from exposure to loud noises.
  4. Try to relieve the stress by means of yoga and meditation.
  5. Keep your gut clean, avoid constipation.
  6. Avoid junk food, fried food, soft drinks etc.
  7. Limit your use of smartphones, or use them with a blue light filter on.
  8. Regular exercise is the key to attain an overall healthy body, so try to include a workout regime, at least thrice in a week.

Conclusion

Only the one who is suffering from migraine could describe the exact feeling of pain that they go through. It seems a never ending process for the sufferer, but with the help of Ayurvedic remedies one could get rid of migraine permanently. At Planet Ayurveda the vision is complete restoration of the health by removing the cause, that is pacification of the vitiated dosha or say bringing it back to the balanced state.

Natural Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine and Headache

Introduction

Ever experienced throbbing, one-sided pain in the head that wouldn’t go for hours together? Migraine is a common disorder which according to WHO affects nearly 10 % people worldwide. [1] It is a type of primary headache, which means there is no underlying disease causing the headache. Upto two-thirds of those affected are women. [2] In Ayurveda, a disease named ‘Ardhavbhedaka’ bears resemblance to modern day description of migraine. It is a disease caused by the vitiated vata dosha, pitta dosha and kapha dosha according to Acharya Susruta. Avoiding triggers, lifestyle modifications, management of attacks and Ayurvedic regimen lessen the severity and frequency of attacks and improve the quality of living. Now we are going to explain Migraine in detail and its management with ayurveda.

Understanding Migraine-Modern and Ayurvedic aspect

Migraine is a complex disease which is characterized by overstimulation of the nervous system and changes in blood flow in the brain. It has genetic susceptibility and about 70 % of all people who suffer from migraine have at least one close relative who also suffers from it. [2] The disease peaks in persons aged 15-24 years.  Women are predominantly affected with their ratio to men being 3:1. [3]

Although a specific cause of migraine is not known, there are certain triggers that cause the onset and worsening of the disease. Hormonal changes, stress, certain medications, strong light, smell, noise and certain foods trigger the attacks. The triggers can be different for different individuals and can be identified by the person in subsequent attacks.

Ardhavbhedaka is described in Ayurveda as being a type of headache that affects one side of the head and is severe in nature. Faulty food(Ahara) and lifestyle(Vihara) such as Dry food, overeating, irregular sleep pattern, suppression of urges, stress, psychological imbalance, strenuous exercise, sexual activity etc.  disrupt the balance of the three doshas, namely vata, pitta and kapha with vata and pitta being predominant. The vitiated doshas then reach the head and obstruct the rasa and rakta strotas (blood vessels) thus producing ardhavbhedaka.

Causes of Migraine

Features of migraine – The presenting symptoms

A recurrent, pulsating or throbbing pain in one or both sides of the head presenting often with associated symptoms such as nausea and increased sensitivity to light and sound is Migraine. Migraine attacks initially affect the front, side and sometimes back of one side of head. The pain gradually increases and can persist upto 4 – 72 hours. The pain is moderate to severe in intensity sometimes severely affecting the overall quality of life.

Migraine may or may not present with the preceding symptoms also known as Aura. The Aura sometimes presents itself before the attack, along with the attack or sometimes skipping the main attack altogether. The stage of Aura generally goes for less than an hour. The Aura consists of visual disturbances like flashing lights, appearance of lines or defects in the field of vision. Light-headedness, ringing in the ear, weakness in the muscles can also occur.

Diagnosing Migraine – Evaluation and Testing

Diagnosing migraine is mainly dependent on history. Since there is no identifiable underlying cause of migraine, tests such as blood tests and scans are not definitive diagnostic tools in migraine. Therefore, keeping track of the frequency and duration of attacks of migraine, associating symptoms, and triggering factors help reach the diagnosis.

  • A blood test, brain and body scan and medical examination may help rule out any other condition that may be the cause of headache.
  • A psychological examination is also needed sometimes to identify stress factors.

Treating Migraine – The Approach

The short-term objective of the treatment is to provide relief during an acute migraine attack. And the long-term objective of the treatment is to reduce the severity and intensity of the attack. Acute attacks are treated symptomatically. Pain-relieving drugs are used to relieve pain and are most effective when the pain is mild. Drugs named ‘Triptans’ are useful in migraine. [2]

Ayurveda helps achieve long-term treatment goals. It helps reduce the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. Modification of lifestyle, avoiding the triggering factors, and treating with Ayurvedic medicines make for the main treatment of migraine.

Pacifying the vata and pitta dosha predominant tridoshas, improving the ‘Agni” or the digestive balance of the body and strengthening the brain and the nervous system are the goals to be achieved in an Ayurvedic treatment plan.

Home Remedies for Migraine

You can Include the Following Home Remedies

  1. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
  2. Include Mild to moderate exercise, yoga, and meditation in your daily regimen.
  3. Get adequate sleep and nutritious food.
  4. Identify triggering factors and avoid them.
  5. Drinking Ginger Tea a few times a day helps relieve the symptoms of migraine
  6. Take coriander powder and soak it overnight. Drink it in the morning to get relief from the pain.

Ayurvedic Medicines for Migraine

In ayurveda, below are the treatment protocol which should be followed

1. Restoring the balance of agni : In shodhana therapy of ayurveda , the toxins of the body are removed with the help of panchkarma and function of agni is restored. Agni or the digestive power needs to be restored before giving the curative medicines. Agni restoring herbs are haritaki, triphala, amalaki, chitrak etc. In polyherbal formulations, Arogyavardhini vati works very well on agni.

2. Balancing the tridosa : Shaman therapy follows the shodhana therapy. It targets the specific dosha, and dosha or disease specific medicines are given. In this vata dosha is balanced by giving vata-pacifying herbs such as ashwagandha and pitta dosha is pacified with the help of anti-pitta herbs such as Praval pishti, mukta shukti etc.

3. Nervine Strengthens : There are certain nervous systems strengthening herbs like brahmi, shankhpushpi, ashwagandha etc. Which help in boosting the health of the nervous system and brain.

Planet Ayurveda Migraine care pack

Treatment of Migraine and Headache

Treatment of Migraine

Planet Ayurveda is a trusted, famed and renowned GMP certified company offering herbal products across all over the world. These products are prepared using the standardized extract of herbs and are 100 % safe. Herbal formulations prepared in the house of Planet Ayurveda are free from additives, chemicals, preservatives and binders by following the strict ayurveda principles under the guidance of MD ayurveda experts. Planet Ayurveda brings forth a wholesome Migraine Care Pack which are as follows

  1. Arogyavardhini vati
  2. Ashwagandha churna
  3. Pitta balance
  4. Medhya churna
  5. Brahmi capsules

Products Description

1. Arogyavardhini vati

Ashwagandha capsules is a single herbal formulation in capsule form prepared using stanadardized extract of  Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera). This capsule is very efficacious in sustaining nervous health and  a wonderful anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immune booster and a rejuvenator. It is considered as an antidepressant and adaptogenic tonic. Thus, it shows very good results in migraine.

Dosage– 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

2. Medhya churna

This is a polyherbal formulation in powder form prepared using Vacha (Acorus calamus), Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shwet Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum) etc. This enhances the memory and aids in reducing the associated symptoms of the disease like nausea, vomiting, pain in the head etc. This balances all the doshas and sustains normal health.

Dosage– 1/4 teaspoon once daily with 1 spoon of Cow Ghee (Clarified Butter).

3. Arogyavardhini vati

This is a classical herbal formulation prepared in the house of Planet Ayurveda in tablet form prepared using

  • Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)
  • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
  • Chitrak mool (Plumbago zeylanica)
  • Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and some other herbs

This formulation removes all the endotoxins from the body and sustains health cells. It also helps in reducing the pain in head, nausea, vertigo and other related symptoms of migraine.

Dosage– 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Pitta Balance

As the name indicates, this formulation balances the pitta dosha and prepared using Praval Pishti (Coral compound), Akik Pishti (Agate compound), Mukta Pishti, giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) etc.This formulation assist in reducing the symptoms of migraine because of its pitta balancing property. It also keeps the mind and body calm and provides a soothing effect to them.

Dosage– 2 capsules twice daily with plains water after meals

5. Brahmi Capsules

Brahmi capsules are safe and prepared using the standardized extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri).Classically this is mentioned as Medhya (nervine tonic), thus reducing the pain in head occurring due to migraine. It is one of the best herbs to be used in nervous system disorders as it contains alkaloids like Bacopasides which aids in nourishing the neurons and improves retention ability.

Dosage–  2 capsules twice daily with plains water after meals

Conclusion

At last, we can console that the above mentioned herbal formulations are very much safe and effective in migraine. So use these formulations without any worry and keep yourself healthy. For more queries you can contact us on herbalremedies123@yahoo.com.

Refrences

  1. https://www.medscape.com/answers/1142556-170220/what-is-the-global-prevalence-of-migraine-headache
  2.  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1142556-overview#a2
  3. AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF ARDHAVBHEDAKA ROGA (MIGRAINE) – A CASE REPORT; Gupta Asherfi Lal ewt al, World Journal of pharmaceutical research, 2019