Utilizing Ayurveda and Diet to Manage Migraine Headaches
What is Migraine?
Migraine is a medical condition in which a person experiences an extremely severe pounding headache. It can last for hours or sometimes even days. The ponding headache typically starts from the forehead, between the temples, or around the eyes. Migraine headaches get worse with time. A person experiencing migraine is sensitive to any movement, action, bright light, or loud noises. Any such sensation makes the headache worse. A person can also experience nausea, dizziness, neck pain, vomiting, extreme fatigue, and nasal congestion during a migraine. Severe migraines can affect a person’s daily life.
Are Migraine and Headache the same?
People usually confuse migraines with headaches. They think that a severe headache is known as a migraine, but in general, headache is one of the symptoms of migraine. The symptoms of migraine are more intense as compared to headache. Migraine is a medical chronic condition, and the cause is unknown. Headaches on the other hand can be triggered due to stress, depression, or anxiety and typically goes away in few hours.
What causes and trigger Migraine?
A migraine occurs typically in three stages, these are:
Stage 1: Prodrome
This stage involves emotional changes such as depression and anxiety. At this stage, a person will be sensitive to any movement, action, bright light, or loud noises.
Stage 2: Mild to Severe Headache
At this stage, the person may experience other common symptoms like nausea, dizziness, neck pain, vomiting, tiredness, and nasal congestion
Stage 3: Migraine Hangover
At this stage, the person feels extreme fatigue and irritability which may last for another 2 days.
Ayurvedic Treatments to Treat Migraine
In Ayurveda, migraine is known as “Ardhavabhedhaka” and the vital cause of migraine is due to tridoshic condition which causes an imbalance of pitta-vata and gathers Ama toxins. Following ayurvedic treatments are used to treat migraines. Depending on the severity of migraine, we can combine the treatment methods.
- Triphala Churna
Triphala churna is an organic blend of haritaki, bibhitaki, and amla. It helps to improve nasal congestion and blockage.
- Ksheera Ghrita
Ksheera ghrita is a glass of milk and ghee which is mixed to effectively treat migraine headaches.
- Sitopaladi Churna
Sitopaladi churna is a combination of mishri, vankshalochana pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon. By using sitopaladi churna, increases the lung’s capacity and eliminates cough. It can also be consumed with honey.
- Dhoomapana
Dhoomapana is used to lower levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. It calms the nerves the lighten to load on the head.
- Nasya
This is one of the highly recommended “Panchakarma Therapy” to cure migraines or continued headaches. For better results, do it early in the morning on an empty stomach an hour before having a meal. This treatment provides significant relief from migraines.
Other Treatments to Treat Migraine
- Yoga
- Regular Exercise
- Relaxation Techniques
References:
https://familydoctor.org/condition/migraines/
https://www.summahealth.org/flourish/entries/2020/08/migraines-vs-headaches-whats-the-difference
