Can Ayurvedic Treatment Alleviate Migraine?

No disease is as dangerous as the negative thoughts breeding in the mind of a pessimist. Of all the stress and anxieties, sickness and ailments, it’s the negativity that one contains which wreaks the ultimate havoc in the human body. 

This is a case study that reports the experiences of Venugopal, a retired engineer who worked at a well-known public sector company in Bangalore. The case study on Ayurvedic treatment for migraine was retrieved from the archives.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine – A case study

Back in 2005, in the mid-week of June, Venugopal walked into the clinic.

Venugopal has been suffering from migraine headaches for 30 years. An overly cautious Venugopal with a queer nature maintained a ‘migraine dairy’ for 30 years. Only one guy I have seen in entire my life who had every incident of headache noted with precise details.

After a few minutes of conversation with him and I realized he wears a negative frame of mind. Every patient is different and has a different narrative but only in some cases, the peculiarity is so intense, that not a single word erases from the memory even after a decade. 

Venugopal was well-read and had a strong disregard for semi-literates, hurried writers, compulsive eaters, and procrastinators who always run behind the clock. It seems he has some complaints about everything. 

But I didn’t label him as a sceptic as many a time frustration leads a man to look at everything through a negative lens. Venugopal has three children, all grown-ups, independent, and leading life in distant lands. One daughter is in France, and one is in the USA. His son was settled in Australia.

Detailed analysis of migraine

Venugopal wanted me to analyze all 30 of his meticulously preserved migraine diaries. After some convincing, I asked him to select any 10, which I agreed to read leisurely. The following day, he arrived at the clinic elated to share his diaries and handed me a large bag containing the selected ones. 

His notes revealed the intricate details of his 3 to 4 episodes of headache that tormented him every week which included the duration of his pain, his suspected triggers, and the remedy that worked for that episode. As I went through the tedious process of reading, I found that he had mentioned several triggering factors, including:

• Having bad dreams
• Changes in weather
• Negative news
• Consuming ice-cream
• Daily arguments with wife
• Oiling of hair
• Suffering from constipation
• The irritating sound of a ringing phone
• Concerns about wife’s health
• Thoughts of relocating to son’s place
• Worries about eyesight problem
• Andhra-style food or any other cuisine.
• Watched Sadma, starring Kamal Hassan and Sridevi, and cried.
• Maida caused an upset stomach.
• The supermarket guy didn’t give me Rs. 5 change
• Hall corners were left uncleaned by the housemaid
• The daughter was 20 minutes late for the daily call.
• Neighbour gifted Swiss chocolate.
• The alarm was turned off by my wife; I didn’t hear it.
• My neighbour’s dog barked and disturbed my sleep.
• Cook added an extra hinge.
• Sleeping in the afternoon
• Smelling phenyl, petrol, cow dung
• Eating a spicy meal

He used to record a strange incident almost every day that triggered his headaches, and there were also some signals that indicated anticipated headaches.  

Since there were many patients waiting outside the clinic, Venugopal sensed that I was in a rush. Therefore, he requested me to visit his house so that I could explain his case in more detail. On a Sunday morning, Venugopal picked me up from my clinic and took me to his house.

Migraine Relief – Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine

During my visit to his home, I discovered that Venugopal had amassed a vast collection of pain balms from all around the world. He found the process of applying balms enjoyable and had acquired every kind ever invented. However, his nightly routine included arguing, quarrelling, or complaining, which led to negative thinking. He firmly believed in a perfectionist approach, which proved to be neither effective nor satisfying.

30 years ago, Venugopal had slightly high cholesterol. The doctor he visited advised him to avoid butter, ghee, oily and dairy products, but he didn’t need medication. Venugopal, a stickler for rules, has removed all of these from his diet since then. He also never tried exercising and led a life as a quintessential negative nagger.

I attempted to counsel him, pointing out that no happy or successful person tries to be a perfectionist. Even someone as widely perceived as a perfectionist as Amir Khan has flaws. Perhaps Leonardo Da Vinci was the last perfect human, so chasing perfection is ultimately futile. In doing so, happiness often slips away unnoticed.

I told him, completely eliminating oil, ghee, butter, and sweets from the diet can have some negative impacts on health, including the brain. It can lead to a lack of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that are crucial for brain health. This can cause cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety. It can also affect the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients, leading to deficiencies. 

While it is true that the body requires oil, butter, and ghee, consuming them in excess can lead to health problems. A blanket ban on these foods is not necessary, but moderation is key. Ayurveda suggests using these fats in moderation and choosing healthier alternatives whenever possible. For example, using olive or coconut oil instead of butter or ghee can provide the necessary fat without the negative health effects.

Similarly, choosing natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar can help reduce the risk of health problems. It’s important to note that the appropriate amount of these foods may vary based on individual needs and constitution.

The Road to Healing Migraine

Venugopal was experiencing problems related to anticipating migraine triggers, which prompted him to keep a diary to track them. He also eliminated fats from his diet and avoided drinking water during working hours. However, he still had a high degree of negativity and became angry with people who were not as diligent as he was.

After carefully considering all aspects of Venugopal’s life, I decided on an Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine to address his chronic migraines. I explained to him that fat is an essential component of the body and complete deprivation could worsen his vata, leading to restlessness and headaches. I prescribed a combination of Ayurvedic medicines and therapies to address his migraines and stress.

In addition to the medicines, I taught him Pranayama and meditation techniques and encouraged him to cultivate positivity. He also underwent nasya therapy and Shirodhara therapy, which helped to relax and calm his headaches.

I advised Venugopal to follow some instructions in addition to the clinical recommendations, such as regular walking, practising positivity, deep breathing to combat negative thoughts, establishing a healthy diet and disciplined eating routine, and avoiding complaining or criticizing. I also recommended he eat one teaspoon of desi ghee every afternoon with rice. Moreover, I emphasized the importance of living life with happiness, positivity, and optimism.

His Takeaway – Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine

After following my recommendations, Venugopal’s symptoms vanished within six months. He now lives a peaceful life with his son in Australia and always makes a point to visit my clinic and bring chocolates whenever he visits India. This case is a clear testament to the effectiveness of Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraines, even for elderly individuals.

As I reflected on Venugopal’s case, I couldn’t help but marvel at the resilience of the human spirit. Here was a man who had spent decades battling chronic migraines, yet refused to give up. He kept meticulous records of his condition and sought out alternative treatments in the hopes of finding a cure. And in the end, he found relief through Ayurveda.

It was a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we have the power to overcome them through determination and a willingness to try new things. As an Ayurvedic doctor, it is my duty to help my patients heal their bodies and minds, but it is patients like Venugopal who inspire me to be a better healer and a better person.

(Note: The name of the individual in this article has been changed to Venugopal to ensure their privacy)