Dr. Siddharth Shankar Sahoo

In modern days, migraine has become a common disease that affects the young and the old equally. Migraine as such cannot be cured, but improving lifestyle and Ayurvedic medication can help you keep this disease under control and improve your quality of life.

What is Migraine?

Migraine, commonly known as Sooryavarta in Ayurveda, is a medical condition in which the excessive stimulation of the blood vessels in the brain causes a throbbing pain on one side of the head and is associated with nausea, sensitivity and vomiting. This happens because the vomiting centre of the brain gets activated during an episode. These symptoms are the most common signs; however, it varies from person to person. 

What Causes Migraines?

These headaches worsen upon sunrise and it is at its peak at noon, when the sun is at its highest intensity and slowly subsides on sunset. This is one of the major factors in setting in an episode; it is not true in every case. 

The other triggers that cause migraine attacks according to Ayurveda are:

1. Spicy and oily food
2. Stress, anger, grief, jealousy
3. Suppressed emotions or natural urges
4. Indigestion
5. Consumption of too much of dry, salty and pungent food
6. Consuming polluted food

General triggers may include:

1. Smoking and drinking
2. Stress
3. Fasting
4. Physical stress and exercise
5. Fluctuation in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle or the use of birth control pills
6. Stopping intake of tea or coffee suddenly
7. Stress to sensory organs in the form of bright noises, bright lights, strong perfumes or odours etc.

Certain foods or beverages may also trigger an episode of migraine. These include baked foods, chocolates, processed foods, spicy foods, onions, dairy products and peanuts. These kinds of foods are known to suddenly increase Kapha dosha or Pitta Dosha and as a result, trigger an attack.

Symptoms of Migraine

It is usually characterised by a stinging, throbbing pain on one side of the head and is followed by nausea and vomiting. Some people may get visual aberrations called an aura- such as blind spots, blurred visions, distorted lines etc.

Ayurvedic medications that can help migraine are:

1. Indian licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra
2. Sariva – Hemidesmus indicus
3. Hareetaki – Chebulic myrobalan-Terminalia chebula
4. Amalaki – amala – Emblica officinalis
5. Mallika – Jasminum officinale
6. Hareetaki – Chebulic myrobalan-Terminalia chebula
7. Bala – Sida cordifolia
8. Kumari – Aloe vera
9. Sariva – Hemidesmus indicus

Simple home remedies useful in migraine:

1. Tender leaves of jasmine or tender leaves of pomegranate are taken along with a pinch of salt and crushed well to obtain fresh juice. Early in the morning, preferably in empty stomach, 2-3 drops of this fresh juice is instilled to both the nostrils. Procedure is repeated once again evening hours (6-7 pm). This reduces the severity of headache in migraine.
2. One fist full of Doorva grass (cynodan dactylon) is taken and its fresh juice is obtained. To this, 2 pinch of licorice powder is added and mixed well. This is consumed during the noon hours. Procedure is repeated for 20-30 days. This helps to reduce the severity of illness significantly.
3. Take coriander seed powder – 1 teaspoon. add it to one cup of water, leave it as it is at night, next day morning, drink it on empty stomach.
4. Soak 5 raisins and 5 almonds in water at night, next day morning, eat them. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an ayurveda.