AYURVEDIC CURE FOR MIGRAINE

DR VL SHYAM | DUBAI-BASED AYURVEDA PRACTITIONER

Q I’m 38 years old suffering from severe migraine every day. I do yoga. What else can I do to ease my headaches?

A First, all headaches are not migraines. Ayurveda explains headache as a symptom of various diseases and also as an independent disease entity. Vata Pitta symptoms are clear in all the 4 phases of migraine:

1 Prodrome phase: constipation, mood changes, food craving, stiff neck, thirst.

2 Aura phase: bright spots or flashes of light, vision loss, pins and needles sensations, weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, hearing noises.

3 Attack phase: pain on one side or both sides of your head, throbbing or pulsing pain, sensitivity to light, sounds, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, lightheadedness.

4 Postdrome phase: confusion, moodiness, dizziness, weakness, sensitivity to light and sound.

It is important to reduce the common causes of Vata and Pitta imbalance while handling migraine headaches. Avoid or reduce over intake of spicy, sour, salty, bitter and astringent tastes, exposure to extreme cold/hot and dry conditions, excess exertions, keeping awake at nights, suppression of hunger and urges, stress, alcohol intake, smoking, exposure to strong smells. Ayurveda offers a classical strategy in the management of migraine headaches which includes medicines, ghee, milk boiled with herbs and tonics. There are a few therapies ad treatment plans are also found to be effective using the right oils and at right phase.

The tips below are also useful:

Consume soup of wholegrain puffed rice added with pomegranate juice or honey.

Drink plenty of water; avoid warm water. Water boiled and cooled with fennel seeds or Indian Sarsaparilla can be used for drinking.

Application of nutmeg paste or sandalwood paste on the forehead and temples can help ease the ache and discomfort.

Put 2-3 drops of ghee in each nostrils.

Ensure 7-8 hours of sleep per night

Keep a consistent eating schedule.

Regular exercise in the day time