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.
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:
- Hormonal changes
- Coffee
- Constipation
- Altered sleeping patterns
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Medication
- Bright light
- Noise
- Strong smell
Symptoms
The symptoms of the migraine are as follows
- Throbbing type of head pain
- Pain in one side of head, though could also occur on both the sides
- Nausea which is followed by vomiting
- Sensitivity to light, noise and smell
- 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.
Products available at Planet Ayurveda for migraine
- Brahmi Capsules
- Pitta Balance
- Arogyavardhini Vati
- Ashwagandha Capsules
- 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
- Stay hydrated.
- Avoid too much coffee.
- Restrain yourself from exposure to loud noises.
- Try to relieve the stress by means of yoga and meditation.
- Keep your gut clean, avoid constipation.
- Avoid junk food, fried food, soft drinks etc.
- Limit your use of smartphones, or use them with a blue light filter on.
- 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.
