Headache: Ayurvedic Treatment, Herbal Remedies, Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Pain anywhere in the region of head.

Causative factors and types

Pain anywhere is always due to Vata vitiation. Owever, Pitta and Kapha can be associated with Vata for causing headaches. In Ayurveda headache is classified under the term “shiro roga” Ayurveda describes 11 types of headaches, and other diseases in which headache is the prominent symptom. There are two main causes of headaches : intracranial and extracranial.

Intracranial causes – Trauma, Inflammation of meninges, encephalitis, cerebral abscess, vascular headache due to migraine, hypertension, cerebral haemorrhage or aneurysm, vasodilator drugs, alcohol hangover, withdrawal of habit forming drugs, and coffee.

Extracranial causes – These include, trauma to soft tissues of scalp, bones, and sinuses. Other causes like anoxia, toxic fevers, metabolic factors, neuritis, and neuralgia can cause severe headache. Reflex causes from eye, ear, and teeth also cause headache. Similarly stress and strain are responsible for tension headaches.

Symptoms

Vata type – is characterized by severe hammering type of pain with anxiety, constipation, lack of sleep, and depression . It can be due to worry and strain.

Pitta type – headache is accompanted with a burning sensation, pain in the eyes, irritability, and photophobia. Migraine headache with nausea, vomiting, blurring of vision. And headache restricting to the half side of the head is usually Pitta type.

Kapha type – is dull aching pain with cold or heaviness in head.

Ardhavabhedaka- is typical migraine headache.

Suryavaria – In this type the intensity of headache increases as the sun rises.

Shankhaka – In this type, headache is more prominent in the temporal region.

Anantavata – is due to vitiation of all doshas, this is a type in which the intensity is very severe.

Treatment

For Vata type , keep the bowels open by giving triphala at night. Useful herbs include jatamansi, valerian, or gotu kola.

Tab. Shirashooladivajra ras (BR) 2 or 3 times a day or tab. Mahavata – vidhwansana rasa (RYS) 125 mgm; twice a day, with warm water relieves headache quickly.

For Kapha type, This type is usually associated with sinus congestion. Hence the best treatment is to give anu oil for nasal instillation. Kapha tea containing ginger, clove, basil, and camphor should be given .

Tab. Shoola – gajakesari – rasa 125 mgm; 3 to 4 times a day is beneficial. For Vata and Pitta type, nasya of simple sesame oil of liquid ghee is useful.

For Vata and Kapha type apply paste of dry ginger or calamus on the head. Application of balm containing clove and cinnamon is also useful in this condition.

Pitta type – give tab. Amalaki 500 mgm; and tab. Shatavari 500 mgm; twice a day, for 1 month. Apply sandalwood paste on the temple.

If constipation is present, give avipattikara powder 1 gm. At night or use herbs like rhubarb 1 gm. Twice day for 15 days.