The Ayurveda Experience Blog
According to Ayurvedic principles, migraine is a tridosha disorder. Out of the three doshas, Vata and Pitta Dosha are the prominent factors. Vata controls the nervous system and brain activity. Vata imbalance arises due to improper metabolism, poor elimination, mental and physical stress, viewing TV for long periods, reading with insufficient light, sleeplessness and more.
Migraine is a very common form of headache, seen in nearly 15 % of the population. Women are more likely to suffer from migraine, than men.
“Pitta” causes dilation of the blood vessels, which causes the onset of a migraine attack. Your Pitta can get irritated by too many deadlines, rushed meals, being a perfectionist, irritations and people who aggravate you, or when in the bright sun, hot weather, bright light or heat. Another contributing factor is disturbed digestion.
Look at your sleeping patterns, look at your diet, look at your work environment, and look at your core relationships. Migraine may also result from a variety of causes such as low blood sugar, allergy, infection, excessive intake of certain drugs a weak constitution, low energy, nutritional deficiency, overwork, improper sleep and rest, excessive smoking and drinking.
Some doctors recommend medicines over the counter to eradicate migraines. Often these result in side effects. And migraine headache attacks are a significant source of both medical costs and lost productivity.
But Ayurveda has natural ways to treat it.
How To Treat Migraine Pain Naturally
1. One of the most useful home remedies for reducing headaches and migraine pain involves changing your diet. Certain foods have been shown to affect the frequency and severity of headaches, including dairy, chocolate, peanut butter, certain fruits such as avocado, banana, and citrus, onions, meats with nitrates such as bacon and hot dogs, foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), foods containing tyramine, an amino acid found in red wine; and foods that are fermented or pickled. Keep a diligent track on the above as they are severe triggers to onset a migraine.
2. Migraines are caused by inflammation, which can be reduced by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed can bring relief because it’s rich in omega-3s. Flaxseed can be used as a home remedy in several forms, including as an oil and ground or whole seeds.
3. Basil, a strong-scented herb, certainly tastes and smells good. And for people in need of a natural headache treatment, the oil derived from basil plants can also be a useful home remedy. Basil works as a muscle relaxant.
4. Apply hot or cold compresses to your head or neck. Ice packs have a numbing effect, which may dull the sensation of pain. Hot packs and heating pads can relax tense muscles; warm showers or baths may have a similar effect.
5. Believe it or not, soaking your feet in hot water will help your head feel better. By drawing blood to your feet, the hot-water foot bath will ease pressure on the blood vessels in your head. For a really bad headache, add a bit of hot mustard powder to the water.
6. An anti-inflammatory, ginger was traditionally used to treat headaches, and it seems to work. Grind up a half-teaspoon of ginger, stir it into a glass of water, and drink this “ginger juice.” Or pour one cup of hot water over one teaspoon of freshly ground ginger, let the tea cool a bit, then drink it. Ginger is especially effective against migraines. Ginger also helps control the nausea that so often accompanies migraines.
7. Peppermint oil is a soothing remedy for curing headaches and migraines. This fresh smelling oil helps regulate blood flow in the body.
