| Headache is known as Shiro Roga in Ayurveda. | | | | headaches than other tastes. When there is a |
| Literally it means 'disease of the head'. Headache | | | | headache, consuming a sweet preparation or |
| is not a single type of disorder; but it is a name | | | | even a spoonful of sugar helps. |
| given to several problems of the head. There are | | | | Milk and ghee are also beneficial in headaches. |
| 11 types of headache in Ayurveda. They can be | | | | Preferably, the milk of a cow should be warmed |
| caused due to a various number of causes. Some | | | | and had when there is a headache. |
| of them are:- | | | | Rice is the preferred carbohydrate to be taken in |
| - Trauma | | | | times of headache. The water left after cooking |
| - Inflammation of the meninges | | | | the rice should be had when it is warm, with a |
| - Encephalitis | | | | dash of ghee added in it. |
| - Cerebral abscess | | | | Spicy and fried foods must be avoided when |
| - Migraine | | | | there is a headache. |
| - Hypertension | | | | (3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Headache |
| - Cerebral hemorrhage | | | | Since there are many different types of |
| - Vasodilator drugs | | | | headaches, there are different treatments for |
| - Alcohol hangover | | | | them in Ayurveda. Ayurveda does not treat all |
| Apart from these there are several other factors | | | | headaches with uniformity. The following are the |
| such as fevers, metabolic disorders and diseases | | | | different treatments prescribed:- |
| of the eye, ear and nose which can cause | | | | 1. If the headache is of vata type, then Triphala |
| headaches. | | | | choorna is first prescribed to clear the digestive |
| Though pain is predominantly vitiation of the vata | | | | system. Then Shirashooladivajra rasa must be |
| dosha, vitiation of the pitta and kapha doshas can | | | | taken, or Mahavata Vidhwansana rasa must be |
| also cause headaches. The chief symptoms of | | | | taken twice a day in dosages of 125 milligrams in |
| the three different doshic types of headaches | | | | warm water. |
| are:- | | | | 2. If the headache is of pitta type, then amalaki is |
| 1. Vata type of Headache - The pain is | | | | prescribed, or Triphala which contains amalaki can |
| intermittent, i.e. of a hammering type. There is | | | | also be given. Half a gram of Shatavari is to be |
| constipation, insomnia and depression. These pains | | | | taken twice a day for a month. |
| are compounded by mental tensions. | | | | 3. If the headache is of kapha type, then anu taila |
| 2. Pitta type of Headache - The pain is usually felt | | | | is applied first to clear the nostrils. Then medicines |
| on half of the head. It is accompanied by a | | | | such as Shoola Gajakesari rasa are given in |
| burning sensation and wateriness in the eyes. The | | | | dosages of 125 milligrams thrice or four times a |
| person is generally scared of light. | | | | day. |
| (1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Headache | | | | (4) Home Medicationsa. A paste of clove and salt |
| 1. Betel (Piper betle) | | | | crystals is prepared in milk. The main curative |
| The leaves of the betel have analgesic and cooling | | | | ingredient in this is salt, which, being hygroscopic, |
| properties. When a paste of them is applied to | | | | absorbs the fluids in the head and decreases the |
| the center of the headache, then immediate relief | | | | tension.b. Early morning after waking up dab an |
| is obtained. | | | | apple with salt and eat it. After that, drink some |
| 2. Bishop's Weed (Trachyspermum ammi) | | | | warm water or milk. Continuing this for ten days |
| Bishop's weed can keep severe headaches away. | | | | will reduce the problem of continuous headaches.c. |
| It is most effective in headaches that occur due | | | | Peel a piece of garlic. Put it in the mouth and |
| to migraine. The fumes of the lighted bishop's | | | | chew it slightly. Let its juices spread around the |
| weed seeds are used for the treatment. These | | | | mouth region and upwards into the head. Keep on |
| fumes are smoked or the seeds are sniffed | | | | chewing the garlic mildly and allow the juices to |
| directly. | | | | spread. Within some minutes the headache would |
| 3. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) | | | | disappear. This treatment works even for the |
| The aroma of the clove has a headache-allaying | | | | most persistent of headaches.d. For headaches |
| effect. It can soothe the nerves and bring it back | | | | that are caused due to common colds, drinking a |
| to a pacified state. | | | | decoction of coriander and sugar helps |
| 4. Garlic (Allium sativum) | | | | tremendously. One more method to clear |
| Garlic has almost miraculous properties in relieving | | | | common cold related headaches is to place both |
| headaches, of whatever type they are. Their | | | | feet in warm water for about half an hour.e. For |
| juice slowly permeates the head region and acts | | | | headaches that are caused due to excessive gas |
| as a painkiller. | | | | in the stomach, drinking a glass of warm water |
| 5. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) | | | | with a fresh lemon squeezed in it brings the |
| Ginger has painkilling properties. Due to this | | | | headache as well as the gas problem down.f. Grind |
| property, it is used as an external application on | | | | some cinnamon and make it into a paste with |
| the affected head region. This gives relief from | | | | water. Apply this on the head. This reduces |
| the headache. | | | | headaches.g. Soak some almonds in water |
| 6. Henna (Lawsonia inermis) | | | | overnight. In the morning, grind them into a paste |
| Henna flowers have the capacity to reduce | | | | and warm them slightly in ghee. Mix this in water |
| headaches if they are caused by excessive heat. | | | | and drink. This helps in treating headaches that |
| The henna flowers are applied externally on the | | | | have been going on since a long time.h. Drinking a |
| head with vinegar to get the desired results. | | | | glass of water in which jaggery has been mixed |
| (2) Dietary Treatments for Headache | | | | helps in reducing headaches. |
| Sweet and mild tastes are better in relieving | | | | |