HEADACHE
The main symptom in headache as is clear from the name is the pain in the head. The area of pain can be different depending upon the type of headache. The pain can be mild, moderate or severe and can affect the whole head, a part of head, fore head or eyes etc. Other associated symptoms of headache can be vomiting sensation, difficulty in sleeping, anorexia and a feeling of uneasiness.
It is generally said that headache is a headache for the physician. But it is not so in Ayurveda because here we try to find out the root cause of the headache and give treatment to finish it. So the treatment in Ayurveda is not just the pain killers but we find the cause and treat it. With this principle Ayurveda is able to help patients suffering from chronic and severe migraines. Headache can be caused due to sinusitis, hypertension, constipation, over working, mental stress, indigestion, acidity, sleeplessness and fever. It is also present many times as a symptom of some disease. Taking too much tea, coffee, aspirin, excessive smoking, nervous weakness, anemia, deficiency of oxygen in the blood, watching television from close, reading in insufficient light or reading in a moving train or car can also cause headache. As there are so many different causes for headache the treatment can not be pain killers in all the cases. The pain killers can kill the pain but the cause still remains in the body and patient rarely gets permanent relief. This is not the case in Ayurveda where the cause is treated along with the symptoms and the patient gets permanent relief. According to Ayurveda eleven types of headaches are caused due to aggravation of different doshas. The aggravation may be of one, two or all the three doshas(Tridosha )
As mentioned above to get permanent relief it is necessary to find out the cause of headache and treat it. It is not possible to give treatment of all different types of headache but instead we give some general remedies.
Take clove, cinnamon, and almond in equal quantity, say, 5 gms. each. Grind them together with little water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the fore head.
The paste of sandal wood powder can also be applied on the fore head to get relief.
Mix one gram clove powder in 5 ml. of cinnamon oil. Apply this mixture on the fore head or the site of pain.
Take about four drops of ghee (clarified butter ) on your palm. Mix 3 or 4 pieces of saffron and rub it for two minutes. The saffron does not dissolve in ghee but its qualities go into it. Take out the saffron and put two drops of ghee in each nostril. This can be done twice a day.
Take about 20 ml. milk and about 5 gms. ginger powder. Mix them together and put one or two drops in each nostril. This can be done twice a day.
Take a wet cloth and wrap it round the neck. This gives relief in headache.
Oil massage on the head also relieves the tension and headache. Sesame oil ,almond oil, mustard oil or ghee (clarified butter) can be used for massage.
Take 5 ml. almond oil and boil it. When it becomes cool, put two drops in each nostril.
Meditation and relaxing the mind also helps to treat headache.
If the patient is having vomiting sensation it should not be suppressed.
Try to vomit. Trying some simple technique to vomit is all right. Some fragrances, aromas or incenses can be used depending on the choice of the patient. Sometimes music which is sweet and soothing is also helpful.
If the patient is constipated, he should take some laxatives or enema with warm water.
Hot cow milk is very good to take. The patient should take light foods which do not aggravate the doshas. Simple cooked vegetables without oil, vegetable juices and soup, fruits like apple, orange, mango, grapes and fruit juices should be given to the patient. Some sweets and milk products can be taken in moderation according to the digestive capability of the patient. Rice, salad and buttermilk is good. The patient can eat nuts in small amount.
Fried foods, meat, spicy foods and foods which are not easily digested should not be taken.
Yogurt should be avoided specially in the night. It is also not good to sour foods.The patient should take rest. He should not be exposed to cold, heat and rain. The natural urges in the body like sneezing, passing stool and urine, hunger, thirst, sleep, breathing and yawning etc. should not be suppressed forcefully. The patient should also try to keep the mind free from anxiety, anger, mental tension, worry etc. and should try to relax the mind and take a sound sleep.