Migraines
What is a Migraine?
For those who have never had a migraine headache, they are unlikely to be familiar with how it differs from a normal one. But for those who have suffered from migraines, they can easily describe the contrast of the two. This is because a migraine is particularly painful and is likely to be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, sensitivity to light and sound, and vomiting.
The headache itself is often a sensation of throbbing pain that can last for hours or even days. Western medicine doesn’t claim to know the cause of them, but it has generally been established that the painful sensations are prompted by the contraction of blood vessels in the brain. Known triggers include: bright lights, changes in the weather, stress, caffeine, menstruation, and fatigue.
It is more common for women to get migraines than men, and it is believed that a person’s propensity toward getting migraines is often genetic. It is estimated that 28 million people suffer from migraines in the United States.
Western medicine treats sufferers both through lifestyle adjustments and medication. Patients are often taught to work toward reducing lifestyle factors that may be contributing to the onset of symptoms, such as eliminating caffeine and effectively managing stress and fatigue. Patients are also given medication such as pain relief and nausea medications, and are also given medicine to stop and prevent migraines from taking place.
How Does Ayurveda View Migraines?
Similar to how Western medicine identifies certain lifestyle factors as leading to migraines, Ayurveda also cites certain problematic lifestyle choices which are caused by either an aggravation of the elements in the body associated with excessive movement and thought, or an exacerbation of the elements associated with excessive heat.
The factors related to movement are associated with the Vata dosha, which is the energy that sits in the large intestine. When the downward movement of this energy gets impeded by dryness, constipation, acid reflux disease, and a build-up of toxicity, the energy can scatter throughout the body and create restlessness of both body and mind. Ayurvedic treatments center on settling the excessive motion, anxiety, and stress associated with this imbalance.
The factors related to heat are associated with the Pitta dosha, which is the energy that sits in the stomach. When this fiery element spreads from the stomach into the cardiovascular system and into the blood, it creates a ruddy complexion and red eyes. A migraine based on a Pitta imbalance differs from the Vata-related migraine in that the sufferer will feel a burning sensation and irritability instead of dryness and anxiety. Ayurvedic treatments associated with this imbalance aim to cool off the heat and deliver Pitta’s fire back to the stomach where it belongs.
How Does Ayurveda Treat Migraines?
Ayurvedic healers recommend that a Vata-based migraine sufferer should abstain from consuming stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine. They must also avoid watching too much TV, excessive amounts of mental stress, and address insomnia and other sleep-disrupting problems.
Pitta-based migraine sufferers are instructed to avoid excessive amounts of work
and physical activity, spicy foods, and activities that create tension and stress in the body. All migraine sufferers are instructed to consume foods and take herbal medicines that are likely to resolve their imbalances.
Lifestyle Changes for Migraines
When we neglect to establish the root cause of one illness, it can turn into another, stronger illness in the future. The first step in resolving a specific ailment or disease in the body is to assess the nature of our lifestyle and make general modifications. Living our day-to-day life with a deliberate intention to improve our health will help us to both resolve the disease we are suffering from and prevent further incidence of it and other diseases in the future.
Vata
- Cultivate regular sleep habits and get adequate amounts of sleep each night.
- Massage sesame or almond oil into the scalp during an attack.
- Rub cinnamon oil and clove powder into the location of the pain.
- Oils, sweeteners (except refined sugar), and spices are generally good for Vata imbalances.
Pitta
- Avoid spicy, fermented, salty, and sour foods.
- Avoid excessive, direct exposure to the sun.
- Put five drops of melted ghee into each nostril during an attack.
Better Foods For Migraines
Ayurveda teaches us that disease and sickness are derived from poor digestion and inappropriate food choices. We then have the opportunity tomake deliberate and more conscious decisions as to what foods we do and do not put in our body which increases the chance of resolving the body’s imbalance.
Food needs to be in season, in moderate combinations of one or two food groups, not too hot or cold, in a modest enough quantity to allow for room in the stomach later, consumed without too much liquid which hinders digestive power, and should be fresh and not left over for more than a few hours. The following foods will help balance whichever dosha is triggering the migraines:
Ghee
Milk
Berries
Figs(Fresh)
Apricots
Peaches
Plums
Carrots
Beets
Zucchini
Sweet potatoes
Asparagus
Whole wheat (unbleached)
Rice (white basmati)
Mung beans
Ghee
Apples
Pears
Mangoes
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts
Asparagus
Barley
Oats (cooked)
Rice (white basmati)
Milk
Coconut oil
Olive oil
Foods To AVOID In Response To Migraines
While some foods can help to balance an aggravated dosha, other foods can cause further imbalance. Dry and cold foods as well as pungent, bitter and astringent tastes will dry out the body and aggravate the Vata dosha. Sour, salty and pungent tastes as well as spicy foods will add more heat to the body and aggravate the Pitta dosha.Sweet, sour and salty tasting foods will add heaviness to the body and aggravate the Kapha dosha. The following two lists provide an outline of which foods to avoid in respect to whichever dosha is associated with the migraine:
Apples
Pears
Watermelon
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Celery
Eggplant
Corn
Oats (dry)
Barley
Most legumes including green lentils and garbanzo beans
Raw and cold foods
Grapefruit
Bananas
Cherries
Pineapple
Tomatoes
Garlic
Carrots
Spinach
Rice (brown)
Corn
Nuts
Lentils
Corn oil
Almond oil
Spicy foods
Sour foods (like yogurt, sour cream, and pickles)
Salt
Meat
Beverages For Migraines
Generally, Ayurveda discourages the consumption of too many cold beverages, as doing so hinders the strength of the body’s digestive fire. Instead, favors room temperature or hot beverages to encourage the strength of the digestive fire.
Hot water, especially during meals and first thing in the morning.
Avoid cold and frozen drinks.
Avoid sugary or fizzy drinks that blend with the digestive juice and make it weak.
Avoid alcohol, coffee, and black tea.
Warm Milk
1 tsp castor oil with warm water at bedtime
Tea made from cardamom, coriander, fennel, and/or cinnamon
Herbs For Migraines
Herbs are used in the Ayurvedic system much like Western medicine utilizes drugs and vitamins and can be taken like tea 2 to 3 times a day. Herbs aid in the digestion of food, the breakdown and elimination of toxins, and help to strengthen the cellular structure of our system for greater vitality. Herbs become more potent once mixed with other herbs of similar properties. Mix together 2 to 4 different herbs from the below list by adding a quarter to a half teaspoon full of each, for a total of 1 teaspoon. Drink these in half cup of hot water.
Skullcap
Valerian
Sesame
Asafoetida
Cumin
Garlic
Aloe vera
Rhubarb
Fennel
Coriander
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Yoga Postures For Migraines
When applied therapeutically to specific ailments, yoga postures provide an opportunity to strengthen the body, rid it of toxic matter, and restore balance. The postures included in this section can be practiced as part of a more general sequence or can be focused on in short sessions. When first exploring yoga postures, it is best to only practice them for twenty minutes or so per day and buildup from there once the body becomes more flexible.
Camel
Bridge
Plough
Corpse
Knee to chest
Headstand (before dawn or dusk)
Tree
Boat
Bridge
Shoulder stand
Knee to chest
Fish
Spinal twist
Corpse
Vata
Pitta
Aromatherapy For Migraines
Aromatherapy utilizes the fragrances of essential oils when applied to the skin. Essential oils can burn the skin and therefore must be diluted with a base oil such as sesame, coconut, sunflower, canola, or mustard oil. Mix 1 fluid ounce of base oil with about 12 drops of essential oil before applying to skin. You can also just mix 5 drops of base oil to one drop of essential oil if using on one spot.
Vata-like migraines can be treated with basil, camphor, cedar, eucalyptus, frankincense, ginger, cinnamon, lavender, lily, lotus, musk, myrrh, patchouli, or sandalwood oil
- Use a sesame oil base.
- Apply oil on the forehead or on the back of the neck.
Pitta-like migraines can be treated with sandalwood, tea tree, rose, honeysuckle, gardenia, lily, iris, mint, lavender, or lotus oil.
- Use a coconut or sunflower oil base.
- Apply oil in the center of the chest in front of the heart.
Mantra Therapy For Migraines
Ayurvedic tradition suggests that repeating certain words or sounds can help a person suffering from an ailment to restore subtle balance to nerve tissue and enhance one’s mental clarity. Different sounds are prescribed to either repeat mentally or chant outwardly. These sounds are also used and repeated in the mind for the purpose of spiritual growth.
For Vata-like migraines, repeat the syllable “Ram” for several minutes a few times a day and build more practice over time.
As a Vata-related disorder, it is helpful to inwardly repeat this syllable for the duration of time it is practiced.
For Pitta-like migraines, repeat the syllable “Aum” (pronounced ohm) for several minutes a few times a day and build more practice over time.
As a Pitta-related disorder, it is helpful to both outwardly chant and inwardly repeat this syllable for the duration of time it is practiced.
Breathing Practices For Migraines
Controlling the breath is a central practice toward developing peace and stillness in the mind and body. When the breath is under our control, we are no longer at the mercy of the senses that are stimulated by everything and lead to greater fluctuations of the mind. When applied to the context of resolving specific ailments, the breath is used as a tool for developing lung capacity, heating and cooling the body and resolving mental afflictions like anxiety and stress. Like with the yoga postures above, breathing exercises are likely to be of significant benefit to those who suffer from considerable amounts of stress.
Both Doshas
Vata
Pitta