Migraine is a type of severe headache that often affects one side of the head and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or increased sensitivity to light. Migraine headaches are one of the most common types of headache. The cause of migraine is not fully understood by modern medicine but involves the balance between the body processes that stimulate the nervous system and those that relax it. The aura seems to result from this disturbance of the nerves, while increased blood flow in certain parts of the brain is involved in the painful headache. The brain chemical serotonin levels drop during a migraine. In women who suffer from migraine, hormone changes may also be involved.

Holistic Perspective

This disease is known as suryaavartam in Ayurveda. In this disease the vitiated vata and pitta in the stomach in turn vitiates the raktha dhatu and moves towards the head and gets manifested as migraine. The vitiated vata causes alternate dilatation and contraction of the arteries present in the head causing a severe pain.

The causative emotions associated with this disease are many including pressures to perform, imposition of limitations by self or others, inability to express frustration, misplaced perception, uncontrollable anger.

Approach Followed by Ojas:

At Ojas through Anulomana Kriya, Prana Vardhana Pranayamam, Pitta Shamana kriya, and other supportive programmes the displaced vata and pitta is brought back to its normal seat and enhances the normal flow of prana to the head thus leading to the healing of migraine

Suggested Home remedies

First thing in the morning, take 1 ripe banana. Peel it, chop it into pieces, and add 1 teaspoon warm ghee, 1 teaspoon date sugar, and a pinch of cardamom on top. This is delicious, and it will help to reduce pitta and prevent a headache from arising.

Apply sandalwood oil on the third eye, temples, heart, and under the nose, medicated oils or ghee, suggested by the Doctor, warm water fomentation

General Dietary Guidelines

Intake of horse gram, Black gram, cauliflower, sour tomatoes in large quantities should be avoided. Food stuffs which are sour & then fermented like lemon pickle, dried mango products and tamarind preparations are to be avoided.

Suggested Asanas and Pranayama

• Matsyasana

• Uttanasana

• Paschimottanasana

• Supta vajrasana

• Sheetali pranayama

• Sheetakari pranayama

• Brahmari pranayama

• Kapalabhati pranayama

All asanas should be done under the doctor’s guidance.

Meditation:

Meditation would be extremely beneficial for this health condition provided it is guided.