What is Migraine Headache?

We claim 80% relief in migraine cases through our medication. 

What is Migraine Headache?

Migraine is a severe vascular headache. The pain usually starts on one side of the head and can spread. It varies mild to severe and may last for 4 to 72 hours. It is a throbbing pain rather than dull, constant ache; blurring or bright spots in the vision, anxiety, and fatigue often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sounds, sweating. During a migraine attack, the temporal artery which is just under the skin of the temples starts constriction and dilation and causes nerves to swell around the temple artery. The tension of nerves triggers the chemicals that cause inflammation, pain and even more enlargement of artery of temple region intensifies the pain.

In Ayurveda this condition is referred as ‘Sooryavarta’ . Soorya means ‘Sun’ and avarta means ‘affliction’ or ‘blockage’. The headache gets worsened on sunrise, peaks during noon hours and reduces after evening. Even though this is the typical feature of this illness, it may not be true in all cases. Symptoms may vary based on body types and habits.

Common cause of migraines

Stress, sleeps disorder, fatigue and environmental factors, smoking or exposed to smoke, changes in hormonal levels during a women’s menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills, sexual stimulated-pills, missed or delayed meals, use and withdrawal of certain drug or medicines. In some cases it’s found the hereditary also.

Food- allergy, in toleration and sensitivity are also the main cause of migraines headache. Certain people are sensitive to foods and preservatives which triggers the migraine in some people not in all, like processed, fermented foods, pickles, dairy products (yogurt skin or whole cow’s milk, Cheese etc), citrus fruits, chocolates, eggs, onions, apples, banana, bread and pasta. Certain beverages like alcohol especially Red wine (containing tyramine), caffeinated drinks (Coffee, tea and colas) smoked fish, chicken livers, figs and certain beans, food containing monosodium glutamate. Nut and peanuts are also in some cases worst triggers of migraines.

Migraine cannot be cured but one can prevent themselves by avoiding or identifying the good and favorable foods and changes of environment for certain time. Better way to identify the reasons by maintaining a diary. When your headache occurs? What was the intensity of severe pain? What you have eaten-in result of that it occurs? Women should observe whether it occurs during menstrual cycle or after taking the birth control pills.

You can judge the frequency and make you alert in advance. You can avoid such kind of food easily which are allergic to you. Check your diet and routine which is pro to migraine and stop the same immediately and you will feel a lot of relief. If your diet change makes your headache disappear or become much less frequent, the next step is to confirm which food are triggers and then eliminate them.  Foods can be reintroduced, one at a time, every alternate day step by step reintroduce the food items. Anything that causes a headache should be eliminated again. Then, after a week or two, try the suspected food/beverages once again for reconfirmation. Always keep your diet as simple as so that you can detect the effect of new diet, easily. Non-vegetarian foods may harm you and if possible avoid them and eliminate from your regular meals for ever which are worst migraine triggers. They disturb not only the natural hormones balance but their cholesterol, fat and animal proteins are linked to serious health concerns including heart diseases, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, breast, prostate, and colon cancer.

If Migraine hits

1.  Ice/ Cold water packs can help to constrict the blood vessels, returning to normal size.
2.  Cinnamon, easily available in every kitchen. Make a paste of Cinnamon and apply on fore head for quick relief. It can be taken raw and can chew for faster relief.
3. Ginger has anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties and has been reported to be very effective in preventing the migraines. Ginger is having anti inflammatory components. You can consume ginger as powder, root tea (steeped or boiled) or eat it fresh. Ginger gives quick relief in migraine headache. Take out ginger juices and mix with honey which gives quick relief.
4. Consuming vegetable juices are good for Migraines. It has been disclosed by researchers that low levels of magnesium are a major cause of migraines. Since magnesium is considered to be effective in relaxing the body, regular consumption of magnesium supplements alleviate migraine pain. Dark green leafy vegetables are the best natural sources of magnesium like spinach, broccoli are the rich sources of magnesium. Also recommended most nuts (almonds, peanuts, and cashews), whole grain, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds for natural source of magnesium.

Magnesium is “anti stress” mineral. It is also a calcium blocker, which is playing important role in brain chemistry and prevents the migraines. Magnesium loss is also caused by alcohol, caffeine and sugar.

1.   Cocktail of vegetable juices-carrot combined with spinach, beetroot and cucumber is great pain reliever. Fresh grape juice has also very effective for migraines.
2.  Omega 3 Factors- fish oil supplements is quite favorable for migraines
3.  Cinnamon, Ginger and pepper and Tulsi can be mixed together and can be taken with either honey or with normal water, 3 to 4 times in a day with cold water or honey, will be a great relief.

In addition to the dietary and supplement strategies biofeedback and relaxation training can also be helpful in reducing the frequency and severity of the pain. It was apparent that non-drug approach was as effective as the drug approach but without side effect. If you are taking any drug other than pain killer please consult your Doctor.

1. Sleep-when you have a migraine.
2. Use eye pillow-it is wonderful relief for headaches and migraines.
3. Eat and drink- Unless you feel nauseous, takes a light and refreshing snack, an apple or some ripe melon or ginger ale.
4.  Vitamins are very important especially B-complex, Riboflavin-researchers found a very good support in controlling the migraines. It has no side effect. It is found in Mushrooms, sprouted seed, eggs; meat but again you should observe which food is allergic to you and avoid that.

Lavandula stoechas

It have been described in Unani literature like antiseptic, deobstruent, demulcent, phlegmagogue, nervine tonic, antianxiety, anticonvulsant, in numbness, trembling, mania, amnesia etc. In all traditionally uses of Lavandula stoechas few actions get scientific status like antibacterial, blood purifying, adaptogenic, hypotensive effect, cytotoxic and genotoxic effect, anticonvulsant, sedative, antispasmodic, hypoglycaemic activity, antianxiety etc. but many actions are remain to evaluate. This study covers the phytochemistry, pharmacognostic character and pharmacological activities of Lavandula stoechas. It contains organic, inorganic and essential oils(.77-1.2%). Linalyl acetate(15.26%), linalool (10.68%), 1-8 cinelol(10.25%), terpinene(11.2%) and camphor(11.25%) are present in essential oilof dried flower.

The plant is claimed to remove obstructions, strengthen brain activity, expel brain crudities and improve the intellect. It is regarded as a good stimulant, aromatic, general carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, antispasmodic and emmenagogue.

Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Peppercorns contain an impressive list of plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. Black peppers have been in use since centuries for their anti-inflammatory, carminative, anti-flatulent properties.

1. Peppercorns composed of health benefiting essential oils such as piperine, an amine alkaloid, which gives strong spicy pungent character. They also carry numerous monoterpenes hydrocarbons such as sabinene, pinene, terpenene, limonene, mercene, etc., which altogether gives aromatic property to the pepper.
2. The above-mentioned active principles in the peppercorns may increase gut motility as well as the digestion power through augmenting gastro-intestinal enzyme secretions. It has also been found that piperine can increase absorption of selenium, B-complex vitamins, beta-carotene, as well as other nutrients from the food.
3. Black peppercorns contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for cellular respiration and blood cell production.
4. They are also an excellent source of many vital B-complex groups of vitamins such as Pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin.
5. Peppercorns are a good source of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-C and vitamin-A. They are also rich in flavonoid polyphenolic anti-oxidants like carotenes, cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lycopene. These compounds help the body remove harmful free radicals and help protect from cancers and diseases.

Dhaniya (Coriandrum sativum L.)

Dhaniya seed and herb essential oils have been actively investigated for their chemical composition and biological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anxiolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant and anti-cancer activities, among others Dhaniya bioactive constituents in combination with conventional drugs to enhance the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer and cancer.