Beating Migraine with Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, two conditions, known as Ardhaavabheda (half sided headache) and Anantavaata (meaning literally the unilateral pain) resemble a classic migraine. It can be triggered by a large number of factors such as anger, frustration, depression, conflict, indigestion, a particular food, and even weather. Some blood pressure or asthma medicines can also cause a migraine. You will have to observe for yourself as to what triggers your migraine. Whatever the reason, in most cases of a migraine, it’s the aggravated pitta dosha that is at the root of the problem. Pitta dosha impairs digestion and the ama produced by this gets stored in the manovah strotras (mind channels) and causes a migraine.

To avoid migraines avoid excesses of any kind. Your lifestyle should reflect ‘ati sarvatra varjayeth’ or moderation in all things. Avoid quick fix painkillers because they aggravate the problem and once their effect wears off the frequency of headaches starts to increase plus then you don’t look for its triggers and get caught in a vicious cycle of pain and pills. Instead, for some quick relief lie down quietly in a dark room and put an ice pack on your neck and/or forehead and temples. You can also crush some ginger and apply its paste on your forehead.

Health Tip # For some more relief extract the juice of giloy (tinospora cordifolia) and have it with 1tsp of honey. Otherwise take three grams of coriander seeds, five grams of lavender flowers, five seeds of black pepper, and five almonds. Make sure you soak the almonds overnight in water and remove the skin before preparing the paste. Grind with water, sieve, and take before sunrise.

I have detailed certain techniques in ‘Sanatan Kriya Ageless Dimension’, that not only cleanse and detoxify the body but also brings about a balanced body rid of diseases. Nadi Shodhan Pranayama helps cleanse the nadis and improve the flow of prana, relieving tension and headaches and leaving you healthy and glowing.

Yogi Ashwini is the Guiding Light of Dhyan Foundation and an authority on the Vedic Sciences. His book, 'Sanatan Kriya, The Ageless Dimension' is an acclaimed thesis on anti-ageing. Log onto to www.dhyanfoundation.com or mail to [email protected] for more.