None of us can claim that we have not suffered from an episode of disturbing headache in our life time. Headache is so common that we use this word for many of our problems in day-to-day life. Shira ie head is considered as uttamanga as it is the important and major part of the body. Shira has been compared with the sun. All the sense organs and the channels carrying the sensory and vital impulse from the shira are like the rays from the sun.
Among all the shiroroga, shirahshula (headache) is the most common complaint which is present in all type of shiroroga. Modern therapeutic has a broad spectrum of the drug for management of this disease. There is having serious side effect like gastro intestinal disorder, weight gain, loss of memory etc. There is a wide scope of research to find out a safest-remedy from Ayurveda for the management of shirahshula.
Ayurvedic view on headache: The traditional science of Ayurveda considers headache to be caused because of two primary reasons – a sensitive nervous system and impaired digestion. Improper diet and lifestyle causes aggravation of Pitta (Ayurvedic humor representing Fire) in the body. In an aggravated state, Pitta impairs digestion, leading to production of digestive impurities (known as ama). This ama gets stored in the manovahi strotas (mind channels), thereby becoming the cause for headaches. A sensitive nervous system lowers the ojas (energy) in the body. Ojas is the essence of all body tissues and provides strength to the nervous system and body. If you have a strong nervous system, you are able to fight against problems and carry on with your work with a healthy mind. Lowering of ojas causes migraine-like problems. Ayurvedic treatment of headache does not focus on simply alleviating the pain but aims at treating the root cause. Herbal preparations are administered to balance aggravated body energies and restore the digestive function.
Causes for headache acc. to ayurveda: Dhooma: Excessive exposure to Smoke / Fumes, Aatapa: Excessive exposure to heat of Sun, Tushara: Excessive exposure to moist and cold air, fog, dew., Ambukreeda: Playing in water for longer periods or repeatedly, Working in water, Atisvapna: Excessive sleep, Atiprajagara: Excessive awakening during nights, Utsedha: Swelling and inflammation, Atipurovata: Exposure in excess to the breeze coming from East, walking, riding, sitting or working against the breeze, Baashpa Nigraha: Controlling tears, withholding emotions, Atirodana: Constant grief, Always crying, Timid (stress), Atyambupana: Excessive intake of water / fluids, Atimadhyapana: Excessive consumption of alcohol, Krimi: Worm / Parasitic infestation, Vega Dharana: Controlling or suppression of natural impending reflexes or urges of the body, mainly those of defecation, sneeze, hunger, sleep, yawning (drowsiness), tears, sex., Upadhana: Pillows of varying heights, Abhyanga: Getting too many and too frequent massages, manipulations over the body, Dvesha: Frequent pangs of anger and enviousness (stress), Pratatekshana: Continued eye strain, Asatmyagandha: Exposure to incompatible smells, Dushta anna: Contaminated, incompatible and unwholesome foods, Bhasha: Over-speaking
Types of headache acc to ayurveda: Due to the consumption (exposure to) one or more of the above said factors – Vata, Pitta and Kapha located in the head undergo contamination. These vitiated Doshas in turn cause Headaches of various types and intensities.11 types of Headaches (Shiroroga) are mentioned in Ayurveda. Any of these can get manifested due to the above said causes. They are: Vataja Shiroroga, Pittaja Shiroroga, Kaphaja Shiroroga, Sannipataja Shiroroga, Raktaja Shiroroga, Kshayaja Shiroroga, Krimija Shiroroga, Suryavarta, Anantavata, Shankaka, Ardhavabhedaka
Types of headache acc to modern: Common 5 types of headache are seen which are explained below.
Tension headaches: Tension headaches the most common type, feel like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. Not as severe as migraines, they don’t usually cause nausea or vomiting, and they rarely halt daily activities. Over-the-counter treatments, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen are usually sufficient to treat them. Experts believe these may be caused by the contraction of neck and scalp muscles (including in response to stress), and possibly changes in brain chemicals.
Rebound headaches: Overuse of painkillers for headaches can, ironically, lead to rebound headaches. Culprits include over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), as well as prescription drugs. One theory is that too much medication can cause the brain to shift into an excited state, triggering more headaches. Another is that rebound headaches are a symptom of withdrawal as the level of medicine drops in the bloodstream.
Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches, which affect more men than women, are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles. They appear suddenly and are characterized by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head, and are often accompanied by a watery eye and nasal congestion or a runny nose on the same side of the face. During an attack, people often feel restless and unable to get comfortable; they are unlikely to lie down, as someone with a migraine might. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but there may be a genetic component. There is no cure, but medication can cut the frequency and duration
Sinus headaches: When a sinus becomes inflamed, often due to an infection, it can cause pain. It usually comes with a fever and can be diagnosed by symptoms or the presence of pus. Headaches due to sinus infection can be treated with antibiotics, as well as antihistamines or decongestants.But they tend to reoccure. Immune-modulator drugs and avoidance of cause is the cure.
Migraine headaches: Migraines can run in families and are diagnosed using certain criteria.
• At least five previous episodes of headaches.
• Lasting between 4–72 hours.
• At least two out of these four: one-sided pain, throbbing pain, moderate-to-severe pain, and pain that interferes with, is worsened by, or prohibits routine activity.
• At least one associated feature: nausea and/or vomiting.
• Sensitivity to light and sound.
We need to note that the headache may be a symptom of many systemic diseases. In such cases, the main disease will itself be a cause for headache. Such headaches are called secondary headaches. These headaches are skipped in this explanation as they will be explained with the concerned.
Ayurvedic treatment for headache: Since there are many different types of headaches, there are different treatments for them in Ayurveda. Ayurveda does not treat all headaches with uniformity. The following are the different treatments prescribed:-
• If the headache is of vata type, then Triphala choorna is first prescribed to clear the digestive system. Then Shirashooladivajra rasa must be taken, or Mahavata Vidhwansana rasa must be taken twice a day in dosages of 125 milligrams in warm water.
• If the headache is of pitta type, then amalaki is prescribed, or Triphala which contains amalaki can also be given. Half a gram of Shatavari is to be taken twice a day for a month.
• If the headache is of kapha type, then anu taila is applied first to clear the nostrils. Then medicines such as Shoola Gajakesari rasa are given in dosages of 125 milligrams thrice or four times a day.
Diet & lifestyle advice:
• Have warm and easily digestible foods, boiled and steamed vegetables, soups, vegetable juices, porridge, brown rice and whole-wheat flour.
• Eat fruits like apples, papayas, mangoes, grapes and pears.
• Buttermilk, salads, and boiled rice sauted with cinnamon, cumin seeds and garlic or asafetida are good in the daytime.
• Also, 5-6 almonds or walnuts and some raisins can be eaten each day.
• Avoid refined, oily, spicy, cold and stale food.
• Avoid yogurt, especially at night.
• Avoid working for long hours continuously; take short breaks. Have a good night’s sleep in a dark room.
• Avoid overexposure to cold or hot weather. Cover your head with an umbrella, or wear a hat or cap when you go out.
• The patient should also try to keep the mind free from anxiety, anger, mental tension and worry
Home remedies:
• Apply a paste of ground clay or sandalwood powder mixed with rose water for relief in burning sensation with headache.
• Grind 10-12 grains of black pepper and 10-12 grains of rice with water to make it a paste. Apply this paste on affected area of the head for 15-20 minutes.
• Mix ¼ teaspoon of clove powder with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon oil. Apply this paste on the affected area for 20-30 minutes.
• Take clove, cinnamon and almond in equal quantities (around 1 teaspoon each) and grind together with a little water to make a paste. Apply paste on the forehead.
• Oil massage on the scalp also relieves tension and headache. Sesame oil, almond oil, mustard oil or ghee (clarified butter) can be used for massage.
Conclusion: In contemporary science of medicine the treatment of shirahshula. NSAIDS, analgesic drugs etc. Over-the-counter (OTC) are often first treatments recommended for headache. It is observed that this will not yield long term relief and it will also create the side effects like gastro intestinal disorders etc. Medications don’t cure headaches and that over time pain relives and other medications may lose their effectiveness. In addition all medications have side effect. Some head massages also relives the headache but it will not yield long term relief. The pathophysiological basis is unknown in different type headaches so there is no need to go for the investigation like CT and MRI scan. In ayurveda plenty of treatments available to rectify the painful condition and believed that they give relief for long time if administered properly.
Note: Ayurvedic medicines and treatments should be taken under Qualified Ayurvedic Doctor/Physician. The drugs described in this article are for general information/educational purpose only. Anyone should not use these without consulting a qualified Ayurveda doctor/physician.