Best Ayurvedic Treatments to Get Rid of Migraine

Migraine is fast becoming a problem for many, where prolonged headaches are just the beginning of many accompanied health troubles. It is a sensory warning that triggers blind spots, nausea and vomiting with an acute sensitivity for lights and sounds. Starting with eyebrows, this pain can gradually spread to other parts like the head, neck and shoulder, and it can last really long. At times, it can go on for two to three days without a break.

Ayurveda, the ancient answer of sages and seekers to diseases, has some remedies to cure migraines. They are mostly without side-effects as all components are derived from nature. And, most importantly, you can get the necessary ingredients at your home.

What Causes Migraine, As Per Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the disease is known to be caused by some blockage in the blood vessels and brain. Its symptoms may vary but reasons are more or less the same.

• Too much consumption of salty, spicy, or oily food
• Getting exposed to the sun for a fairly long period
• Excessive stress
• Problems with digestion
• Excessive intake of alcohol or smoking
• Fasting for long
• Sudden negation of caffeine
• Holding back natural urges
• Hormonal changes. In women, particularly during periods
• Irregular sleep

Recommended Ayurvedic Therapies to Cure Migraine

There are few Ayurvedic remedies for migraine headaches.

1. Shirolepa

This method is often considered one of the most effective practices that can cure or provide relief from migraine. The process includes smearing of a paste made of certain herbs and oil on the head for an hour with a plantain leaf to cover it. This is to reduce pitta dosha. You can take a bath and then rub the oil all over the body. For the paste, you can use sandalwood, camphor, or jatamansi.

2. Shirodhara

The process involves a constant flow of warm oil on the forehead. Apart from oil, buttermilk or milk can also be used. Milk can be used when pitta is involved. In our forehead, all the nerves are in a highly concentrated form and the liquid flow allows the tension to subside. It welcomes meditation by transporting the person into a deep state of mental rest. But people with recent head or neck injury, brain tumour, sunburn, fever, nausea, vomiting, and pregnant women are not advised to undergo such therapy.

3. Kavala Graha

The process is also known as oil pulling. This therapy has a powerful detoxifying effect and can provide good relief from migraine attacks. Oils used in this process are chandanadi taila and mahanarayani taila. This method basically involves gurgling with these specific oils.

4. Shirovasti

This process requires a leather cap for the outer part of the head. In the small gap inside, the cap would hold oil without any leakage on the scalp. The process aims at pacifying vata or pitta.

5. Sneha Nasya

It involves the nasal route. The process requires shidbindu taila or anu taila and it has to be applied on the nostrils like a nasal drop. The process provides quick relief from severe headaches.

Additional Dietary and Lifestyle Tips Based on Ayurveda to Beat a Migraine Attack

There are some Ayurvedic treatments for severe migraine pain that do not involve much medicine, but a slight change in dietary habit and lifestyle. A small change in these two fields can spark big changes in your health.

• Avoid taking pain-killers. They can often adversely impact the body and trigger strange responses. It can cause a mild headache which, in due course, would increase and cause a migraine.
• Sleeping and eating at regular intervals are of utmost importance. A sound body depends a lot on these two factors.
• Make sure that your sleep does not get hampered, and maintain a proper sleep cycle. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
• Avoid taking strong tea or coffee that can trigger migraine pain.
• Fasting is a strict no-no if you have a tendency of getting afflicted by migraine. Fasting would invite in pitta and vata dosha, that would eventually trigger migraine attacks. Skipping meals is also a bad option.
• As many would suggest, quit smoking and stop drinking. These habits lower the body’s immunity and increase the chance of migraine attacks.
• Abrupt end in your caffeine intake can trigger a migraine attack. So if you want to give it up, then give it up slowly. One step at a time. The complete withdrawal symptoms do not go well with migraine.

• Avoid bright lights and loud noises. Wherever possible, wear sunglasses to avoid the blazing sunlight.
• Early morning walk with fresh air would do you good.
• Avoid direct sunlight. Wear a cap or take an umbrella with you to protect yourself from glaring sun rays.
• Green chilli can spark a migraine attack. Lower the amount of its consumption.
• The brightness of your computer and TV screen matters. Lower it to avoid excruciating pain.
• Use moderately warm water for your bath. Hot or cold, both can affect your migraine attacks.
• Massage your scalp with mahanarayana taila at least once a week to experience better results.
• Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, clove, ginger and pepper works well against migraine. Try to include them in your daily diet.

These slight changes in your diet and lifestyle can prevent migraine attacks. Modern day lifestyle puts much stress on the body and mind, which you need to avoid at any cost. These changes you can always implement to curb such impacts.

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