Migraine Ayurveda: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent moderate-to-severe headaches, often unilateral, pulsating, and associated with nausea, sensitivity to light/sound, and sometimes aura. Attacks can last from hours to days and significantly impact quality of life.

Ayurvedic Approach to Migraine

Our clinic uses targeted, evidence-informed Ayurvedic therapies aimed at three goals:

• Acute relief: rapid calming of pain and nausea using topical & local measures (lepam, mild Abhyanga, Shiro application) and nasya where appropriate.
• Attack reduction: reduce frequency & severity through Shirodhara, Nasya, and neurotonic herbal medicines that strengthen nerves and reduce hyperexcitability.
• Trigger control & resilience: diet, sleep hygiene, stress management (Shirodhara, Shiro Abhyanga), and tailored rasayanas.

Clinic Therapies — Useful for Migraine (with photos)

Below are therapies we provide that are particularly useful for migraine sufferers. Each therapy has a short practical note on when and how we use it.

Shirodhara Migraine

What it is: Gentle, continuous pouring of warm herbal oil (or decoction/oil mix) over the forehead (Brow centre) in a steady stream.

• Calms the autonomic nervous system and reduces stress-related triggers.
• Helps reduce frequency and intensity of migraine by stabilizing the nervous system and improving sleep.
• Best used as a series (e.g., 5–14 sessions) for preventive benefit; also excellent as an adjunct during recovery/post-attack phases.

Nasyam (Nasya)

What it is: Administration of specialized medicated oils or drops into the nostrils under physician supervision.

• Clears and calms the head region, improves nasal-pulmonary clearance and influences cranial circulation.
• Useful for acute aura, early-stage migraine and for preventive maintenance in chronic migraineurs.
• Requires precise dosing and selection of medicament — done only after assessment.

Abhyanga (Head & Neck focus)

What it is: Warm herbal oil massage — can be full body or focused to head, neck and shoulders for migraine relief.

• Relieves muscular tension in neck/shoulders (cervicogenic contributors to migraine).
• Improves circulation to cranial tissues and promotes relaxation.
• Often combined with Shirodhara or Nasya for enhanced effect.

Greeva Vasti (Cervical oil retention)

What it is: A dough ring is placed on the neck and warm medicated oil retained for a period to nourish cervical structures.

• Highly effective in cervicogenic headaches and migraines aggravated by neck stiffness.
• Reduces nerve compression, soothes muscles and improves neck mobility.
• Used for patients with pronounced neck involvement or who have MRI/clinical signs of cervical strain.

Kashaya Dhara (Herbal decoction pouring)

What it is: Continuous pouring of warm, specific herbal decoctions over the forehead or head region.

• Used when cooling / anti-inflammatory effect is required (Pitta-associated migraine).
• Helps reduce local inflammation and relieves throbbing head pain.
• Choice of decoction is individualized per the patient’s prakriti and migraine type.

Herbal & Supportive Medicines

We use neurotonic, calming and anti-inflammatory herbs/formulations under physician supervision. Examples include:

All medicines are dosed per individual factors (age, pregnancy, concurrent meds). We screen for interactions with any conventional migraine drugs (triptans, beta-blockers, anticonvulsants) before prescribing.

Triggers, Diet & Lifestyle

Controlling triggers and improving baseline resilience is central to migraine control.

• Avoid common triggers: irregular sleep, missed meals, excessive caffeine, aged cheese, alcohol, MSG and processed foods.
• Regular sleep schedule, hydration, light exercise (walking, gentle yoga), and stress management (pranayama, meditation).
• Small, regular warm meals with grounding foods (whole grains, root vegetables); include ginger, turmeric and fresh herbs to support digestion.

Sample Clinic Treatment Plans

Individualization is essential. Below are common pathways we use:

We coordinate with neurologists for patients on migraine prophylactics or abortive medications and adjust Ayurvedic timing accordingly.

Quick Reference — Therapies & Roles

Safety & Clinical Coordination

• Serious or changing headache patterns, focal neurological deficits, or first-ever severe "thunderclap" headaches require immediate medical evaluation (imaging, neurologist).
• We coordinate with neurologists for patients on prophylactic or acute migraine drugs — herbs and Panchakarma timing are planned to avoid interactions and ensure safety.
• Nasya and Shirodhara should be performed by trained clinicians; oil selection and dosing are individualized.