Headaches

A painful sensation in any part of the head, ranging from sharp to dull, that may occur with other symptoms.

A headache can be a sign of stress or emotional distress, or it can result from a medical disorder, such as migraine or high blood pressure, anxiety, or depression. 

Ayurveda lays emphasis on ‘’Head” (Shira) by saying it as the Uttamanga - The best part of the body because all the indriyas (Sense organs) are located in the head along with the Prana (life) of the individual. 

Various Ayurvedic Scholars have elaborated Shiro Roga (Headache Disorders), the most common three types of headaches - tension headaches, migraines, and sinus headaches - often arise as the result of specific imbalances in the doshas/Elements (vata, pitta, and kapha which need to be balance) .

Common Types of Headache

• Cluster headache
• Migraine
• Tension headache
• Sinus headache etc.

1. Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates
2. Changes in sleep or lack of sleep
3. Poor posture
4. Skipped meals
5.  Withholding strong emotions, controlling tears, Anger
6.  Stress 
7. constant crying
8. Infection of parasites
9.  Excessive smoke exposure
10. Excessive exposure to cold fog, dew | breeze
11.  Contaminated / unwholesome foods
12. Pillows with different heights
13.  Continuous speaking | eye strain
14.  Incompatible smells
15.  Excessive intake of water/fluids | alcohols
16.  Taking too many massages and other manipulations of the body
17.  Vega Dharana : Controlling the natural urges
18. Exposure to -too much sun
19.  Swelling & inflammation
20. Excessive sleep | lack of sleep
21. Being in water for a long time

• Diet and lifestyle Modifications
• Herbs and Herbo-Mineral Preparations
• Example -
• Reduce stress and provide good sleep,pacifies vata, pitta and causes soothing of the nervous system reducing the trigger periods - Ashwagandha, Jatamansi, Tagara, Brahmi, Shatavari.
• Control migraine and sinus type of headache - Laghusootshekhar ras.
• Control headache with severe pain- Eranda.

 (The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other Therapies:  Shirodhara, Shiro vasti, Thalapothichil/Shiro Lepa , Nasya, virechana/Purgation therapy (cleaning digestive tract and purifies blood), Blood letting therapy.