Migraine Herbal Remedies

Abstract

Migraine is a neurological disorder that causes severe pain in the head. This migraine disease is a constant struggle, can be exhausting, frustrating and debilitating. Due to these severe pain attacks it becomes hard and annoying to live with this disease or in the fear of another attack disrupting your day to day activities leading to poor brain performance. Neurological disorders are diseases of the nervous system either central or peripheral. Any structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or other nerves can result in neurological disorders. It can cause headache, paralysis, poor coordination, confusion, etc. But in this article we are going to discuss one of the neurological disorders that is Migraine and its herbal remedies in detail.

Introduction

A migraine is a medical condition in which there is a severe pain in one side of the brain. This is a primary headache disorder characterized by the recurrent episodes of headache. There is a throbbing pain or pulsating sensation usually on one side of the head. This pain lasts from a few hours to three days. Pain in migraine is so severe that it interferes with your daily activities. This condition is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. In some people, there is a warning symptom known as Aura. This Aura occurs before or with a headache. Due to heavy work pressure and a busy schedule, migraine is gaining popularity these days.

Ayurvedic Aspect For Migraine

Ayurveda is an ancient holistic science and believes primarily upon 3 humours viz vata , pitta and kapha . A derangement in the triad is what is believed to be the causative for any abnormalities/ dysfunctional state of the body. By seeing the symptoms of migraine we can simply correlate this disease with Ardhavabhedak. According to our Acharya, this term is defined as severe pain on the half side of the head, feels like throbbing pain and teases once in every 3-5 or 30 days. This disease is mainly a tridoshaja. This disease is caused byu suppresion of natural urges, indulging more into sex and exercises, excessive intake of rough and dry food, fasting, talking loudly. Due to all these causes vatadi dosha vitiates and affects the sira dhamani (brain vessels) and produces headache in manya pradesh  (Posterior lateral aspect of head), Shankha pradesh (Temporal region), Lalata pradesh (Frontal region), Bhru pradesh (Root of the nose). Acharya Vagbhata mentioned that this disease causes blindness and deafness as a complication.

Etiology / Causes

The underlying cause of this disease is not known yet. However, researchers thought that genetic and environmental factors are responsible for this condition. This disease can run in families in about ⅔ of cases. A number of psychological conditions are associated in developing this condition such as depression, anxiety, etc.

Triggering Factors

Migraine triggers are varying but include:

• Hormonal Changes: Example is – around the time of menstruation.
• Emotional Triggers: These factors contribute to migraine pain such as stress, depression, anxiety, and excitement.
• Dietary Factors: It includes alcohol, more consumption of caffeine, chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and foods containing the additive tyramine.
• Medications: Some medicines also cause migraine attacks such as sleeping pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and some birth control pills.
• Environmental Factors: These factors include flickering screens, strong smells, secondhand smoke, loud noises, stuffy rooms, temperature changes, and bright lights.

Clinical Features (Symptoms)

This disease presents with self-limited, recurrent severe headaches. The most common sign of migraine is a severe headache usually on one side of the head. However severity of the pain, duration of the headache and frequency of attacks are variable. There are four possible phases to migraine, although not all the four phases are experienced by a migraine patient and those four phases are:

• The Prodromal Phase: This phase occurs hours or days before the headache.
• The Aura Phase: This phase occurs just before the headache. Approximately 15-30% of patients are experiencing the episodes of Aura.
• Pain Phase: This phase is also known as headache phase. In this phase there is a moderate. The pain is unilateral, throbbing and moderate to severe in intensity and usually comes on gradually and is aggravated by physical activity.
• The Postdrome Phase: In this phase there is a sore feeling in the area where the migraine pain was and also some report that impaired thinking for a few days after headache was passed. Most importantly, a patient may feel tired.

Differential Diagnosis

The conditions that can cause similar symptoms to a migraine are:

• Temporal Arteritis
• Cluster Headache
• Acute Glaucoma
• Frontal Sinusitis
• Meningitis
• Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Diagnosis

A doctor can diagnose this disease on the basis of symptoms and medical history. There is criteria to made a diagnosis of migraine and the criteria is 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 i.e.

• Five or more attacks of migraine
• Four hours to three days in duration

Two or more of the following:

• Unilateral Pain
• Pulsating
• Moderate Or Severe Pain
• Worsened By Physical Activity

One or more of the following:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to both light and sound
• These things can make the diagnosis of migraine easy.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Migraine

This ancient science treats every disease from the root cause of that disease. This science believes in comprehensive dietary and lifestyle regimen along with Ayurvedic medicines and also treats the disease according to the imbalanced doshas. The Ayurvedic treatment protocols according to our Acharya are:

• Shiro Abhyanga (Head massage with medicated oils)
• Snehapana (Oral intake of ghee)
• Nadi Sweda or Upnah Sweda (Sudation therapy)
• Shiro Basti (Warm herbalized oils sits on the top of the head)
• Virechan (Induced purgation)
• Nasya (Medicated oil performed through nostrils)
• Dhoomapana (herbal inhalation)
• Oral intake of Ghee and Milk after meals
• Lepa Yogas (External applications of medicines)
• Raktamokshan (Bloodletting) at bhru, lalata and shankh pradesh

Yogasana For migraine

• Shavasana
• Sukhasana
• Pada Sanchala Asana
• Shashankasana
• Hastapadasana
• Setubandha
• Paschimottanasana

Herbal Remedies For Migraine

We have a wonderful herbal company called Planet Ayurveda. This herbal company manufactures various herbal products with the extracts of potent herbs. The products are 100% natural and pure. They are tested products with ancient time texted formulas and made under the guidance of experts. Planet Ayurveda offers the following herbal products for the treatment of Migraine:

1. Brahmi Capsules
2. Ashwagandha Capsules
3. Pitta Balance
4. Arogyavardhini Vati
5. Medhya Churna

Products Description

1. Brahmi Capsules

This herb has been used from ancient times as a best brain tonic. These capsules are made from the standardized extracts of Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri). This is mentioned in classical texts that supports a healthy brain function. It improves concentration and memory power. It increases the coordination between the brain neurons and thereby enhances the nervous system activity. It increases concentration, stamina and helps in mental fatigue. It is also used in the treatment of many other ailments like vertigo, anxiety, stress and blood pressure. It nourishes the neurons and it improves retention ability.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

2. Ashwagandha Capsule

This formulation is made from a versatile herb of Ayurveda that is Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) and is majorly used as a naturopathic medicine. It relieves conditions such as stress, anxiety, etc. This herb acts as a nervine tonic and has good results in migraine disease. It is useful in debilitating conditions, fatigue, ageing and nervous breakdown. It brings back the strength to the muscles and maintains the proper nourishment to the neurons and calms down the system.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

3. Pitta Balance

This herbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda is very effective in pacifying pitta dosha. This formulation is a natural balancer of fire element. This disease is mainly caused due to the imbalance of Pitta dosha. Too much consumption of alcohol, heat producing food, spices, anger and aggression leads to this imbalance of pitta dosha so this herbal remedy is very effective in this disease. This product is made from the natural calcium compounds such as Jahar mohra pishti, Akik pishti, kamdudha ras, etc and one extracted herb Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia).

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water.

4. Arogyavardhini Vati

This is a classical herbal formulation that is used in pacifying all the three dosha. This Ayurvedic remedy is used in all the diseases in different anupan (Vehicle). This formulation is made by using herbs like Shuddha parad (Purified Mercury), Shuddha Gandhak (Purified Sulphur), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), etc. It helps in removing the toxins from the liver or fatty liver. It improves the imbalanced digestive system and further helps in relieving the symptoms of migraine.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice a day after meals with plain water.

5. Medhya Churna

This is an excellent herbal formulation used in brain disorders. It is formulated with the extracts of wonderful herbs like Vacha (Acorus Calamus), Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Ajmoda (Carum Roxburghianum), Shunthi (Zingiber Officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), etc. This formulation contributes greatly towards a rich memory, enhancing the concentration power, etc. It provides nourishment to the brain neurons and improves the functioning of the brain. These natural herbs are known to rejuvenate the nervous system.

Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon once daily with 1 spoon of Cow Ghee (Clarified Butter).

Conclusion

This condition is so disturbing that it can hamper the daily activities of the individuals. It’s better to adapt the Ayurvedic regimen to get wonderful results. Planet Ayurveda migraine care pack brings you a happy life with unwanted episodes of migraine. The products give you wonderful results without giving you any lifetime side effects and complications.