Ayurveda is an ancient medicinal system that takes a holistic approach to health. When treating a health condition, such as migraine, it considers the body, mind, and soul.

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Migraine has associations with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to sound or light. When these symptoms occur, it’s called a migraine episode.

If conventional treatments like pharmaceutical medications and lifestyle changes don’t relieve your symptoms or if you prefer more natural remedies, you may be interested in adding an integrative approach.

One option is Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine. Ayurveda uses nonconventional treatments, like herbal remedies, to help manage your symptoms.

Although some people have found migraine relief with Ayurveda, there is no scientific evidence to support its use. Some treatments might also be harmful.

This article takes a close look at Ayurvedic treatment for migraine and how it differs from traditional treatment.

Ayurveda is a traditional form of medicine based on ancient writings. It’s mainly practiced in India but has gained popularity around the world.

Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to health. When treating a condition, it considers the body, mind, and soul.

Ayurvedic practitioners believe that every living thing consists of five elements, or mahabhutas. Ayurveda suggests that these elements make us who we are.

They include:

  • air, which is associated with breathing and nerves
  • space, or ether, which is associated with the spaces in your body (like your mouth or ears)
  • fire, which is associated with metabolic activity
  • earth, which is associated with structural body parts (like your bones)
  • water, which is associated with fluids (like your saliva and blood)

Your combination of elements determines your type of energy, or dosha.

The doshas include:

  • vata (air and space elements)
  • pitta (fire and water elements)
  • kapha (earth and water elements)

According to Ayurveda, every person has all three doshas, with one dominant one. The other two should be in balance in order to maintain good health.

If all your doshas are out of balance, you may feel unwell.

Conventional treatment approaches to migraine include:

Although pain relievers and other migraine medications can help, long-term use can lead to medication overuse headaches. These headaches may cause more complications.

Ayurvedic approaches include:

Since Ayurvedic medicine does not use prescription drugs, there isn’t a risk of medication overuse headache.

To treat migraine, Ayurveda uses natural methods meant to promote doshic balance.

An Ayurvedic practitioner can help you decide which methods are right for you.

Your treatment plan may include any combination of the following:

Panchakarma therapy

Panchakarma therapy aims to detoxify, or purify, the body. This is said to remove toxins contributing to your migraine.

Examples of purification treatments include:

  • pouring medicated oil into the nose (nasya karma)
  • whole body oil massage
  • eating medicated ghee
  • sweating therapy

Panchakarma therapy may also involve lifestyle changes that can promote overall wellness.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these options.

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice that brings your mind and body together. It incorporates various breathing techniques and body poses to promote relaxation.

By calming your mind and body, yoga helps ease stress and anxiety and may also reduce sensitivity to pain, including migraine pain.

According to a 2020 study, people who practiced yoga while following their regular migraine treatment saw reduced frequency and severity of their migraine attacks.

Specific yoga poses may help boost your circulation and increase blood flow to your brain.

Poses that may be especially beneficial for migraine relief include:

  • Child’s Pose
  • Downward-Facing Dog
  • Bridge Pose

Regular exercise

Scientific evidenceTrusted Source suggests that regular exercise may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and also help manage symptoms.

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. These also elevate your mood.

This may be especially beneficial if you’re prone to stress and anxiety, which are common migraine triggers.

You don’t need to do strenuous exercise to reap the rewards of physical activity. Moderate exercise like brisk walking, swimming at a leisurely pace, or water workouts may help relieve stress and support overall wellness.

Relaxation techniques

Various relaxation techniques use the link between your mind and body to help reduce stress and tension.

Research shows these techniques can also help ease stress symptoms, such as pain, headache, and high blood pressure.

Some relaxation techniques that may be especially helpful for reducing the symptoms of stress and anxiety include the following:

  • Deep breathing: Also known as diaphragmatic or belly breathing, this technique involves breathing deeply from your belly, not from your chest. When you breathe more deeply, you nourish your body with oxygen, creating a calming effect.
  • Meditation or mindfulness: Meditation and other mindfulness practices help you focus on the present moment instead of distracting thoughts of the past or future. This can help you think more clearly and change how you respond to stress.
  • Progressive muscle relaxation: Also known as Jacobson’s relaxation technique, this involves tightening and then relaxing different muscle groups in your body. You usually start at your head or feet and work your way up or down, focusing on one muscle group at a time. This may help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and lower blood pressure.
  • Mental imagery. Also known as guided imagery, this technique involves picturing a place that makes you feel happy and relaxed. These mental images can have a calming effect on your body.

Pathyadi

A Pathyadi decoction is a liquid supplement made from multiple herbs. It’s created by heating or boiling plants to create a concentrated liquid.

For migraine treatment, a Pathyadi decoction will include Ayurvedic herbs with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Examples are:

Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle changes that have been well researched and are considered safe.

Most conventional doctors recommend the methods outlined below for migraine prevention and relief:

However, some Ayurvedic treatments haven’t been well researched and might be harmful.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate Ayurvedic supplements, so it is important to always check the ingredient list. Some products may contain toxic levels of metals like lead or mercury.

The herbs could also interact with your prescription medications. You might also be allergic to an herb without realizing it.

Additionally, people who practice Ayurveda have reported supposed benefits. However, there aren’t enough well-designed clinical trials to prove the safety and effectiveness of these treatments.

It’s important to speak with a doctor or other healthcare professional before adding any herbs or supplements to your routine.

In addition to Ayurvedic treatments, other natural remedies that may help prevent migraine attacks or ease migraine symptoms include:

  • Acupuncture. Acupuncture may reduce chronic pain, including migraine attacks.
  • Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has links to migraine. Rich sources of magnesium include nuts, seeds, eggs, and leafy greens.
  • Ginger. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce migraine symptoms. Try drinking ginger tea or adding fresh ginger to your food.
  • Butterbur. The purified root extract known as Petasites is used in pill form to treat migraine attacks. According to a 2022 study, Petasites may be effective for migraine prevention. This root can be toxic to the liver, so a doctor must monitor treatment.
  • Ginkgo biloba. Made from the leaves of a tree native to China, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ginkgo biloba may help ease migraine symptoms. However, more research is needed.

You should not replace routine medical care with Ayurveda. If you get frequent headaches or migraine episodes that disrupt your daily life, see your doctor for a diagnosis.

You should also get medical help if you have:

These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition.

It’s not clear if some Ayurveda methods are safe and effective for migraine, so it’s important to use caution, especially with scientifically unproven treatments.

Before trying Ayurveda, take time to learn about the potential benefits and risks.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you to try any new treatment for your migraine.