Headache is known as Shiro Roga in Ayurveda. It literally means ‘disease of the head’. Headache is not a single type of disorder; but it is a name given to various problems of the head. There are 11 types of headache in Ayurveda. They can be caused due to a varied number of causes. Some of them are:-
– Trauma
– Inflammation of the meninges
– Encephalitis
– brain abscess
– migraine
– Hypertension
– Cerebral haemorrhage
– Vasodilator drugs
– Alcoholic hangover
In addition to these, there are several other factors, such as fevers, metabolic disorders, and diseases of the eyes, ears, and nose, that can cause headaches.
Although the pain is effectively a disturbance of vata dosha, disturbance of pitta and kapha doshas can also cause headaches. The main symptoms of the three different doshic types of headaches are:-
1. Vata type of headache: the pain is intermittent, ie, pounding type. There is constipation, insomnia and depression. These pains are aggravated by mental tensions.
2. Pitta type of headache: The pain is usually felt in the middle of the head. It is accompanied by a burning sensation and tearing in the eyes. The person is usually afraid of light.
(1) Useful herbs in the treatment of headache
1. Bethel (Piper betle)
Betel leaves have analgesic and cooling properties. When a paste of them is applied to the center of the headache, immediate relief is obtained.
2. Bishop’s weed (Trachyspermum ammi)
Bishop’s weed can keep severe headaches at bay. It is most effective on headaches that occur due to migraine. Vapors from burning bishop’s wort seeds are used for treatment. These vapors are smoked or the seeds are smelled directly.
3. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
The aroma of cloves has a calming effect on headaches. It can calm your nerves and bring you back to a peaceful state.
4. Garlic (Allium sativum)
Garlic has almost miraculous properties to relieve headaches, whatever their type. Its juice slowly permeates the head region and acts as an analgesic.
5. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger has analgesic properties. Due to this property, it is used as an external application on the affected head region. This relieves the headache.
6. Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Henna flowers have the ability to reduce headaches if they are caused by excessive heat. Henna flowers are applied externally to the head with vinegar to get the desired results.
(2) Dietary Treatments for Headache
Mild, sweet flavors are better for relieving headaches than other flavors. When there is a headache, consuming a sweet preparation or even a spoonful of sugar helps.
Milk and ghee are also beneficial for headaches. In any case, the milk of a cow should be heated and drunk when there is a headache.
Rice is the preferred carbohydrate to take in times of headache. The water left over after cooking the rice should be drunk when hot, with a pinch of ghee added.
Spicy and fried foods should be avoided when there is a headache.
(3) Ayurvedic treatment for headache
Since there are many different types of headaches, there are different treatments for them in Ayurveda. Ayurveda does not treat all headaches uniformly. Following are the different treatments prescribed:-
1. If the headache is of the vata type, Triphala choorna is first prescribed to cleanse the digestive system. Shirashooladivajra rasa should then be taken, or Mahavata Vidhwansana rasa should be taken twice a day in doses of 125 milligrams in warm water.
2. If the headache is of the pitta type, then amalaki is prescribed, or Triphala containing amalaki can also be given. Half a gram of Shatavari should be taken twice a day for a month.
3. If the headache is of the kapha type, then anu taila is applied first to clear the nostrils. Medications such as Shoola Gajakesari rasa are then given in doses of 125 milligrams three or four times a day.
(4) Home medicines
has. Prepare a paste of cloves and salt crystals in milk. The main healing ingredient in this is salt, which being hygroscopic absorbs fluids from the head and decreases tension.
b. Early in the morning, after waking up, spread an apple with salt and eat it. After that, drink some warm water or milk. Continuing this for ten days will reduce the problem of continuous headaches.
against Peel a piece of garlic. Put it in your mouth and chew it lightly. Let your juices spread around the mouth region and up into the head. Keep chewing the garlic gently and let the juices spread out. In a few minutes the headache would disappear. This treatment works for even the most persistent headaches.
d. For headaches caused by common colds, drinking a decoction of coriander and sugar helps tremendously. Another method to eliminate common cold related headaches is to soak both feet in warm water for about half an hour.
me. For headaches caused by excessive gas in the stomach, drinking a glass of warm water with a fresh squeezed lemon reduces the headache and gas problem.
F. Grind some cinnamon and make a paste with water. Apply this on the head. This reduces headaches.
gram. Soak some almonds in water overnight. In the morning, mash them into a paste and heat them slightly in butter. Mix this in water and drink. This helps in treating headaches that have been going on for a long time.
H. Drinking a glass of water in which jaggery has been mixed helps reduce headaches.