Effective Migraine Relief - Harnessing Ayurveda, Naturopathy, and Yoga

Table of Content

1. What is Migraine?

A migraine is a neurological condition or a disease of nerves characterized by intense, throbbing headaches typically affecting one side of the head. It often comes with additional symptoms lasting for hours to days, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smells. Some common symptoms are headache, aura, vomiting & nausea. It can be triggered by different factors like hormonal changes, food, stress, environmental factors, and inadequate sleep patterns. The impact of migraine depends upon a person's life, affecting work, daily activities, and relationships. It often leads to decreased productivity, missed work or school days, and a reduced quality of life.

Generally, migraine pain is in only one part of the head, either the right side or the left, the pain is felt on the upper part of the eye, forehead, temple, and back side of the head. Before migraine starts there is a defect in the eyesight like blurred vision, inability to look at light, double vision, etc. There is also tiredness, constipation, vomiting, and nausea. A headache during migraine is more severe than during an ordinary headache.

2. Ayurvedic Approach for Migraine

In Ayurveda, migraines are often seen because of imbalances in the body's doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The three basic causes of migraine in Ayurveda are:

Ama:

The excess formation of Ama or toxins due to improper digestion. These toxins can accumulate in the body and manifest as migraines.

Agni:

Digestive fire (agni) plays a crucial role. If it's weakened or imbalanced, it can lead to incomplete digestion, creating ama and contributing to migraines.

Stress and Lifestyle:

Emotional and mental stress, irregular eating habits, lack of sleep, or environmental factors can also disturb dosha balance and trigger migraines.

3. Herbal Remedies for Migraine

Ayurveda offers various herbs and herbal combinations believed to improve digestion and reduce stress & anxiety which helps to alleviate migraines. Here are some remedies:

For Digestion

Ayurvedic herbs like ginger, Triphala, fennel, coriander, cumin, and carom seeds are beneficial to improve digestion. 

For Stress, Anxiety & Better Sleep

Chamomile Tea:

It is helpful in headaches due to anxiety and nervousness, its calming effects on the body and mind help in proper and sound sleep & nausea. Take 2-3 cups of Chamomile tea a day.

Peppermint Tea:

It helps reduce muscle stiffness and relax headaches, drink a cup of tea immediately after a headache starts.

Feverfew Tea:

This herb is popular for migraine relief; it provides relief to blood vessels and reduces the frequency and severity of migraines.

Valerian Root Tea:

It is known for its calming effects; it helps relieve muscle stiffness. Due to its calming effect, it is helpful with stress-related migraines by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.

Ashwagandha Tea:

Ashwagandha helps manage stress, which can be a trigger for migraines.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri):

It's helpful to improve cognitive function and reduce stress and anxiety, potentially aiding in migraine prevention.

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis):

This herb is used in Ayurveda to enhance memory and cognitive function and it has calming effects on the mind.

4. Naturopathy for Migraine

In Naturopathy, to cure migraine the person should not harbor any hatred, anger, or jealousy against anyone. Do light exercise and live in fresh air, before the migraine attack, drink lukewarm water and Kunjar it. After some time take a hot foot bath.

5. Yoga for Migraine

Some yoga practices, pranayama techniques, and meditation methods are beneficial and recommended for managing migraines.

Yoga Asanas (Poses):

Forward Fold (Uttanasana):

This pose helps calm the mind, relieve stress, and improve blood circulation, potentially reducing headache intensity.

Child's Pose (Balasana):

It relaxes the body, releases tension in the back, neck, and shoulders, and aids in calming the nervous system.

Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana):

Helps alleviate stress, opens the chest, and improves circulation, potentially reducing migraine triggers related to tension and stress.

Corpse Pose (Savasana):

Provides deep relaxation, calms the mind, and reduces stress, which can be beneficial in managing migraine symptoms.

Pranayama (Breathing Exercises):

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing):

This practice balances the left and right sides of the brain, calms the mind, and reduces stress and anxiety, potentially lessening migraine frequency.

Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath):

Involves inhaling through the curled tongue or pursed lips, which has a cooling effect on the body and mind, aiding in stress reduction.

Meditation Techniques:

Mindfulness Meditation:

Focusing on the breath or a specific object helps in calming the mind, reducing stress, and potentially preventing migraine attacks triggered by stress or anxiety.

Visualization and Relaxation:

Guided imagery or visualization practices can help divert attention away from pain, induce relaxation, and decrease the intensity of migraines.

6. You may also like:

Buy Chamomile Tea

Buy Ashwagandha

Buy Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

Buy Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)