Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine

Migraine is a headache disorder with physical, emotional, social, and economic burden. It is much more than just a headache and can severely impact the quality of life. Migraine headaches may vary in intensity from moderate to severe pain. It may limit daily activities and hinder your ability to perform at work and spend time with your family. Sadly, it is extraordinarily prevalent such that nearly 1 in 4 US households includes someone suffering from migraine. Also, according to some recent prevalence and incidence studies, 3000 migraine attacks occur every day per million persons worldwide. While most people resort to over the counter painkillers to ease the recurrent and debilitating headaches, popping pain killers incessantly may be extremely harmful and may cause additional problems in the body including the kidneys. 

Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine headaches is structured to be a holistic, comprehensive and safe treatment. Whether you have migraines with or without aura, Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine as in ayurvedic therapies and herbal medicines can not just help reduce the onset of symptoms and the frequency of migraine attacks but can also help prevent migraine attacks in the longer term. Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine includes therapies like Panchakarma are quite promising in detoxifying the body, eliminating the toxins contributing to migraine and balancing the aggravated doshas which cause migraine episodes. They are said to promote whole-body healing and treat the root cause of the condition. When combined with some diet modifications such as including certain herbs in your diet, it can do wonders in providing relief from throbbing and pounding migraine headaches and the results are highly sustainable unlike other conventional treatments. Let us see what Ayurveda has to say about migraines and the forms of treatments available.

A migraine is a neurological disorder that can cause debilitating pain on one side of the head. It may last from 4 to 72 hours and usually gets worse with movement, activity, light or sound. When a migraine strikes, it's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, numbness and a pulsing sensation and migraine attacks can significantly interfere with daily activities. 

Migraine is largely prevalent in the US and other parts of the world affecting 39 million men, women and children in the U.S. alone and 1 billion worldwide. The headache disorder is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world. While migraines most often strike adults, they may begin in childhood too. About 10% of children between the age 5-15 years and up to 28% of teens develop migraines and may get less total sleep time than their healthy peers. Women have a higher chance of developing migraines than men (nearly threefold higher). If you have a family member or parent suffering from migraines, you have a good chance of developing them too. 

How does a migraine start?

A migraine likely starts when nerve cells become overactive and the 5th cranial (trigeminal) nerve that starts at the base of the brain gets triggered. The trigeminal nerve is a major pain pathway and the common denominator for many headaches. Once it gets stimulated, it starts sending pain impulses from the face to the brain and causes inflammation in the cerebral blood vessels which in return activates the throbbing and pulsating migraine headache. 

Different migraines may start differently. Some migraines may start with an aura and some do not involve an aura. Migraine auras are basically neurological disturbances and sensory symptoms that may start shortly before a migraine headache. These disturbances may be both visual and physical and usually last for 20-60 minutes. When an aura occurs, you may start to see strange things like colored spots, flashing lights, a pattern of lines, or shadows. In addition to visual changes, you may also experience tingling on one side of the body and may find trouble speaking clearly. Also, some migraines may also cause extreme vision changes such as losing the side vision. 

While some migraines may trigger a headache very fast, some migraines may start more slowly than other types of migraines. They often begin as a dull ache and develop into throbbing pain. Also, migraine may initially begin with only one side of the head but slowly shift to the other too. 

Symptoms of migraines

A strong headache is the most common symptom of a migraine. The person may experience a moderate to severe headache on one side or the front of the head or the back of the head. In some cases, pain may affect the whole head. In addition to headaches, there are various other symptoms of migraine attacks. Let us take a look at them below. 

• Sensitivity to light, sound and smell  
• The feeling of needing to vomit (nausea) and upset stomach 
• Moderate to severe stomach pain and cramps 
• Feeling very hot or very cold (chills)
• Loss of appetite
• Pale appearance 
• Tiredness, fatigue and dizziness 
• Blurred vision and vision loss 
• Tender scalp
• Pain that throbs or pulses
• Difficulty speaking 
• Numbness or tingling
• Diarrhoea and fever (rare)

While most migraine attacks last about four hours, severe ones have a longer length of time. 

Four stages/phases of a migraine

Migraine is a neurological disease that usually progresses through four stages namely the prodrome, aura, headache and postdrome. Below are some details and timelines about these four stages or phases of the migraine. 

1. Prodrome: Prodrome is the first stage of migraine and typically marks the beginning of a migraine episode. It may begin one or two days before the migraine attack and can last upto 24 hours. During this phase, the person may experience a feeling of lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue or low energy and irritability. The stage is also known as the “pre headache” or “premonitory” phase. However, the phase may not occur with every migraine attack. 
2. Aura: The aura stage is another warning sign that a migraine is about to strike. It usually occurs about 30 minutes before a migraine starts and lasts for as long as 60 minutes or as little as five minutes. When an aura strikes, the patient may experience things like dizziness, a ringing in the ears, disturbances in vision and sensitivity to light. However, the aura does not occur with every migraine but a quarter of all migraines are accompanied by an aura. 
3. Headache: The third phase is characterized by headaches with throbbing pain or a pulsating sensation. Mostly the pain occurs on just one side of the head but eventually, it can spread to the opposite side of the head and become bilateral. The headache phase generally lasts from 4 to 72 hours and is usually accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Also, it may get worse by movement and certain foods such as nuts, baked goods, fruits or juices. The person may find it hard to carry out normal activities and may experience problems in sleeping. 
4. Postdrome: Also known as migraine hangover, the postdrome stage is the fourth and final stage of a migraine attack and stays for a day or two after the headache. Postdromes don’t always come but experts believe that 80% of those who have migraines experience it. During the postdrome stage, one might feel drained, confused and may be unable to concentrate. Furthermore, they may also experience symptoms like gastrointestinal problems and nausea. 

NOTE:

The above four stages associated with migraine episodes can take days or even weeks to completely fade away. 

Ayurveda for migraines

Migraine, a common disabling neurological disorder is known as Suryavartha soola in Ayurveda. Surya means Sun and avartha means the arising of affliction, thus the pain gets even more triggered with light and heat. 

According to Ayurveda, every person has three doshas, namely Vata, Kapha and Pitta. These doshas are believed to be responsible for a person’s physiological, mental, and emotional health. However, one dosha typically plays a dominant role over the others and can have implications for health and other dimensions for life. It’s said that the pounding episodes of migraine headaches are caused by an imbalance of Vata (or Vata and Kapha). However, the type and symptoms of migraine headache may differ from person to person and typically depend on a person’s individual constitution. We shall discuss various possible Ayurvedic treatments for migraine moving forward.

Panchakarma for migraines

If you are silently suffering from migraine and popping pain killers very often to reduce those debilitating headaches and try Ayurvedic treatment for Migraine starting with the whole body balancing and detoxification Panchakarma therapy. They aim at treating the root-cause of the problem and help strike the right balance of the Vata dosha which is responsible for the disease and thus help provide long-term relief from migraines. Consult an Ayurvedic therapist today to control the symptoms of migraine and prevent future attacks.

Panchakarma therapy is the most eminent branch of Ayurveda that aims to detoxify and purify the body. It's a pillar on which most Ayurvedic treatments and is also highly beneficial in removing toxins contributing to pain conditions such as migraine. Below are the Panchakarma therapies that can help in Ayurvedic treatments for migraine attacks.

image by Kairali Ayurveda

Shirodhara

In this Ayurvedic treatment for migraine healing technique, a thin stream of liquid, usually oil is poured on the forehead of the person. The oil used has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to which it effectively helps diminish throbbing pain and inflammation of the blood vessels in the head thus providing relief from headaches and chronic migraines. Also, the stream of oil is typically applied on the third eye( just above and between the eyebrows) which is linked to awareness and perception beyond ordinary sight. 

Shiro Lepa

Shiro Lepa involves the application of effective herbal paste prepared using camphor, sandalwood, jatamansi, and many other natural ingredients on the scalp for a specified amount of time. Once the paste is applied on the scalp, it is then covered and tied with plantain leaf which has the potential to soothe painful and swollen areas and provides relaxation and nourishment to the scalp. It remains tied for an hour and is then wiped off. The therapy is good for balancing the Pitta Dosha and is largely used for treating and preventing pulsating migraine headaches. It is also known for its successful healing properties and is suitable for all types of migraine patients. 

Shirovasti

Shirovasti is an effective technique for treating neurological ailments and diseases such as migraine. During this procedure, the head is first covered with a leather cap. Then warm herbal and medicated oils are poured on the leather cap that is tied to the head. Shirovasti is a very old Ayurvedic therapy that focuses on the root of the human body, the head. It is a great means for treating throbbing migraine headaches, stress and diseases related to the brain and provides an extremely calming and healing effect to the head. Also, it has gathered increasing trust and recognition in Ayurveda for administering the medicine than oral consumption as it directly reaches the areas that are affected by the migraine pain. 

Kavala Graham (Oil Pulling)

During Kavala Graham therapy, the patient’s mouth is filled with a small amount of oil, particularly sunflower oil or sesame oil. The patient is then required to hold the oil and swish it for a period of three minutes. Once the swishing has been done properly, the oil  is gargled and removed. The technique is also known as oil pulling. It is highly effective in treating migraine in the longer run and also has oral and systemic health benefits.

Sneha Nasya

During this procedure, medicated oils are administered through the nostrils to transfer the medicines from the nose directly to the cranial cavity. The patient will have to lie down with the head tilted back and the medicated oils will be administered in each nostril. This technique is specifically used to treat diseases of the head and neck region which are generated by vitiated Vata and Kapha dosha.

NOTE: In addition to these therapies, the doctor may also recommend Ayurvedic herbs and medicines, concoctions, along with a personalized diet and lifestyle routines for a 360-degree Ayurvedic treatment for Migraine.

Yoga for Migraine

Practising yoga can significantly help reduce sensitivity to pain, including migraine pain and bring calm and peace to your mind. According to a 2014 study, people who practiced yoga along with their regular treatment for migraines experienced lesser episodes of migraines. Furthermore, it is free from side effects and thus ideal for long term management of disabling migraine headaches. Below are some yoga postures that you may practice for a few minutes every day to keep migraine attacks at bay - 

• Child’s Pose
• Downward-Facing Dog
• Hastapadasana (Standing forward bend pose)
• Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
• Marjariasana (Cat Stretch)
• Paschimottanasana (Two-legged Forward Bend)
• Padmasana (Lotus Pose)
• Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
• Bridge Pose
• Janu Sirsasana ( Head to knee pose)

If you are ready to roll out your yoga mat but new to yoga, you may begin with Marjariasana (Cat Stretch) for migraine as it is a beginner level yoga pose. The yoga exercise strengthens and revitalizes your back muscles, helps build core stability and flexibility, improves digestion and blood circulation, all of which can help avoid migraine attacks. Remember to hold this position for a few breaths. Also, the exercise relaxes the mind and removes all the strain and thus can be highly rewarding for migraine patients. This is because about 4 out of 5 people suffering from throbbing, pulsing migraine pain report stress as a trigger.

Ayurvedic herbs, pastes and concoctions for migraines

Many Ayurvedic herbs and medicines contain powerful compounds that can help treat illnesses and medical conditions and promote good health and wellbeing. Owing to quality, effectiveness and safety, herbal remedies are widely trusted by most people to treat migraine pain too. Some popular herbal concoctions, herbs and pastes for the Ayurvedic treatment of migraine pain and its management are as below.

Concoctions

Dhoomapana

During Dhoomapana, the patient is required to inhale the medicated fumes of a mixture of certain pleasantly aromatic herbs namely turmeric, pepper, dry ginger, tulsi leaves. It is beneficial in treating respiratory disorders and can lighten the load on the head which in turn helps provide quick relief from migraine pain. During some Dhoomapana procedures, the patient is required to gently take in the vapours of sandalwood or cardamom powder. 

Nasya

During Nasya procedure, herbalized oils such as Brahmi or ashwagandha oil are administered through the nose to drain out the toxins and for cleansing the head. It is a highly recommended and a part of panchakarma therapy for Ayurvedic treatment for migraines and prolonged headaches and can completely or partially relieve the symptoms of migraine. It is performed in the morning on an empty stomach, an hour before meals. The medicated oils are carefully poured into each nostril to nurture and nourish the nervous system and balance the aggravated doshas while providing relief from migraine pain.

Triphala Churna

Triphala churna is an organic blend of three dried fruits namely haritaki, bibhitaki and Amala. The combination of these components together helps enhance respiratory health and helps get rid of infections, allergens in the nasal passages thereby clearing the blockage and reducing the frequency of migraine episodes. (Nasal obstruction may be associated with headaches). Also, it is extremely helpful in migraines that are accompanied with complaints of gastritis and constipation.

Ksheera Ghrita

Ksheera Ghrita is a blend of milk and ghee and thus is rich in nutrients such as calcium, proteins, vitamin D and vitamin E. The mixture can help stimulate the nervous system and help reduce migraine pain.  

Sitopaladi Churna

Comprising mishri, vanshlochan, cinnamon, pepper and cardamom, in powdered form, Sitopaladi churna is a classic Ayurvedic medicine beneficial in treating a variety of medical conditions including migraines. It holds remarkable expectorant properties and helps restore the natural functions of the respiratory system by eliminating all obstructions to breathing. It thus helps decrease the pain associated with migraines. (Underlying respiratory conditions can also cause headaches.)

Herbs for Ayurvedic Migraine Treatment

Ginger

While ginger is widely known as a calming remedy for digestion problems, the aromatic root may also be used to relieve headaches and migraine. This is because ginger extracts may help boost a hormone known as serotonin that is involved in many useful and calming processes throughout your body. When serotonin levels in the brain increase, they may help reduce inflammation and restrict blood vessels thereby easing migraine pain. 

Turmeric

Migraine headaches are mostly the result of inflammation. Turmeric has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and thus can provide effective relief from migraine pain. Taking turmeric daily in your diet can also prevent migraine attacks in the future.

Datura 

Datura is a folklore medicinal herb available in several different species. Datura leaves when pounded with water and applied are good for treating headaches. 

Herbal Paste for migraine management

Shirolepa is a special procedure which involves the application of medicated pastes containing camphor, sandalwood, jatamansi, and many more on the affected area for a specified amount of time. This traditional Ayurveda treatment is very commonly used for pacifying throbbing headaches associated with migraines. Moreover, it can treat all types of migraines.

Key takeaways

1. Migraine is a neurological disease often characterized by a throbbing or pounding headache. It is often accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness and sensitivity to light, smell or sound. Although they are frequently one-sided, they may affect both sides of the head or affect your whole head. 
2. Migraines may start differently in different people. While some may experience an aura, some may not experience an aura. Migraine auras are neurological disturbances and sensory symptoms that may occur before a migraine headache. These disturbances usually last for 20-60 minutes and may cause vision changes or tingling in the hand or face. You may start to see strange things like colored spots, flashing lights, a pattern of lines, or shadows. Additionally, you may find trouble speaking clearly. 
3. A migraine attack can be complicated and usually progresses through four stages: prodrome, aura, attack and post-drome. However, every migraine patient may not go through all the stages. The third stage or the migraine attack phase when the headache begins can last from a few hours to several days. 
4. Migraine is typically the result of an imbalance of Vata (or both Vata and Kapha). Ayurveda treatments such as Panchakarma use natural methods to promote dosha balance and treat migraines. They are said to remove toxins contributing to your migraine and thus help ease migraine pain and also promote overall wellness. Some highly effective Panchakarma therapies that can help treat migraine attacks are Shirodhara, Shirolepa, Shirovasti, Kavala Graham (Oil Pulling) and Sneha nasya. Nasya of Panchakarma therapy has attracted considerable attention for efficacy in reducing migraine pain safely.
5. Herbal remedies are rapidly gaining popularity for treating a variety of medical conditions owing to efficacy, safety, immune-boosting and healing properties. Some of the best herbal concoctions for migraines are Triphala Churna, Ksheera ghrita, Sitopaladi churna, Dhoomapana (medicated fumes of a mixture of aromatic herbs) and Nasya (medicated decoction of herbalized oils)
6. In addition to above herbal concoctions, including ginger and turmeric in your diet may help ease aching headaches associated with migraine and may even prevent migraine attacks in the future.
7. Shirolepa is a prominent Ayurveda treatment that is very commonly used for treating all types of migraines. It involves the application of medicated pastes containing camphor, sandalwood, jatamansi, and many more on the affected area for a specified amount of time to ease migraine symptoms. 
8. Practising Yoga on a regular basis may help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Some of the yoga poses which can effectively help treat migraine symptoms are Child’s Pose, Downward-Facing Dog, Bridge Pose, Janu Sirsasana ( Head to knee pose) and Hastapadasana (Standing forward bend pose).

Frequently Asked Questions about Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine

Is migraine curable in Ayurveda?

Migraine is a highly disabling neurological condition that causes throbbing pain in the head. Most people pop over the counter painkillers for effective migraine management. However they carry serious risks and can be extremely harmful in the longer run. In such a scenario, Ayurvedic treatment options can be your best bet for curing migraines. They may include certain medicinal herbs, herbal concoctions and pastes, Panchakarma therapy and yoga to manage migraine symptoms. As they effectively help balance the aggravated vata dosha which is the root cause of the migraine problems, they are highly recommended for curing migraine. 

Which Ayurvedic medicine is best for migraine?

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine which uses an integrated approach to treat diseases and encourage good health and wellbeing. Certain ayurvedic herbs and medicines are known to effectively help relieve migraine headaches and can even prevent migraine attacks in the future. Some of the Ayurvedic medicines and treatments which are best known for soothing migraine pain are triphala churna, ksheera ghrita, sitopaladi churna, dhoomapana and nasya. Although all are effective, Dhoomapana is a great remedy for relieving migraines as the therapeutic vapours of some specific aromatic herbs help release tension in the head thereby reducing migraine pain. 

Is curd good for migraine?

Riboflavin is an important part of the B vitamin complex and a water soluble Vitamin. It is known that taking high amounts of riboflavin by mouth can boost immune system function and help reduce the frequency of migraine episodes. People who eat more riboflavin may experience fewer migraine attacks than usual by two per month. Now, Riboflavin is present in high amounts in Yogurt. This is why curd may be good for migraines. Also, many people with migraines experience gastrointestinal symptoms. Taking plain yogurt during migraine episodes can help ease gastrointestinal problems and promote gut health. 

Which exercise is best for migraine headaches?

Many people wonder about the impact of exercise on migraines. But the truth is that when physical activity levels are lower and not sufficient, the person may experience migraine headaches more often. Reduced levels of physical activity have also been associated with higher incidence of migraine attacks. Some aerobic exercises which are beneficial for migraine headaches are Jogging, running, cycling, and walking. According to a meta-analysis of studies on exercise and migraine published in February 2019 in The Journal of Headache and Pain aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, running, cycling, cross-training were the right fit for migraine patients as they helped reduce migraine attack duration and pain.

Do almonds trigger migraines?

Yes. Eating nuts such as peanuts, almonds, cashews, and other nuts could also be giving you migraines. This is because almonds and many other nuts contain tyramine which can cause several health problems including migraine headaches. Also, almonds may not just trigger migraines but increase the severity of migraine attacks.

Does coffee help migraines?

Many of us can't imagine kickstarting the day without a cup of steaming hot coffee. If you are someone suffering from migraine attacks and also one of those who cannot do without coffee, then don't fret! Fortunately, coffee can help with migraines. The vasoconstrictive effects of caffeine can narrow blood vessels, restrict blood flow and thus help alleviate migraine pain. Next time when you get a migraine attack, reach out to a cup of coffee for faster relief.

**The benefits of Ayurveda vary from person to person and the results may vary immensely based on the quality of the herbs, oil concoctions and medicines. BalanceBoat.com is not responsible or liable for the effectiveness and outcome of the Ayurvedic treatments. The information above is shareable purely for educational purpose it is not to be considered as a replacement for medical advice. Please always consult a certified specialist/Doctor before you embark upon a treatment.