MIGRAINE??? Treat it With AYURVEDA ….!!!

 Don’t Suppress Migraine; Treat It!

You are having a great day at work; an important deal that you have worked so hard on is about to be finalized and the boss is very happy with you. Suddenly, that terrible Migraine headache strikes during a crucial meeting. You have to excuse yourself as the pain needs to be taken care of. You take your second painkiller of the day, grab a big mug of coffee and get back to the meeting room. However, before the medicine can show its effect, the pain has become unbearable, making it impossible for you to continue with the meeting. At such a crucial juncture, you end up asking for the remaining day off. The boss is not happy anymore, because this has become a regular habit with you. After today’s scene, with the deal in trouble, your job too seems to be in serious trouble. 

Anyone who’s ever had Migraine knows that it is a nightmare. It comes with debilitating pain and nausea that can often keep you confined to a dark room with pillows over your head for hours on end. As a result, most Migraine sufferers are unable to work or take care of their family while experiencing the pain. With Migraine comes the "where did the day go" effect, primarily caused by the persistent use of strong painkillers. Even as these medicines manage to suppress the pains, they are not successful in providing long-term relief to the patient. Additionally, their continued use further weakens the body and makes it dependent on these chemicals. With suppression of pains being the only treatment option available in modern medicine,   what can Migraine patients do to ensure their complete wellbeing? The solution lies in Ayurveda, the world’s oldest system of medicine, which provides holistic healing in the severest of Migraine cases.

 The Underdiagnosed Disease Migraine, known as Ardhavbhedak (meaning ‘half region of the head’) in Ayurveda, is widely regarded as one of the most underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed and undertreated diseases. According to researchers, most migraines are misdiagnosed as sinus or tension-type headaches. Additionally, less than half of all cases are diagnosed and receive treatment. Sadly, there is no test to confirm the diagnosis of migraines. The only way you can do so is by clearly explaining your situation (esp. the type of pain you are experiencing) to a doctor. 

Understanding Migraine:

Migraine is a one type of neurological syndrome; characterized by altered bodily perceptions, severe headaches sometimes with nausea and irritability. This pain is usually begins mainly in the forehead, sometimes at the side of the head or around the eyes and gradually gets worse. Noise or bright lights can worsen the condition, and it can last for 2-3 hours or even up to 2-3 days.

There is not any particular one reason for Migraine, but some in some situations Migraine attack occurs. These are changing in weather condition, loud noise, some strong odors, smoke, stress, or sometimes skipping a meal can trigger the attack of Migraine.

What AYURVEDA Says:

The traditional science of Ayurveda does not regard Migraine as a case of prolonged headaches. On the contrary, it considers this condition to be caused by deep-rooted problems, including 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 pains in migraine. 

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.

How does Ayurveda treat Migraine

Ayurveda does not propagate short-term pain relief for Migraine patients. Rather, it believes in cleaning the body from within and eradicating the disease from its roots. Ayurvedic treatment of Migraine therefore is centered on the pacification of Pitta Dosha, and restoration of digestive function in the body. Nervine tonics are also recommended to enhance the ojas, relax the mind and give strength to the nervous system. Patients are given herbal medicines as well as customized diet and lifestyle     plans in accordance with their body constitution and the root   cause of disease. When the body’s digestion is enhanced, ama production gets controlled, leading to cleansing of manovahi strotas. As a result, patients can get long-term relief from the most chronic of pains.

Recommended Diet & Lifestyle for Migraine:

• Avoid hot, spicy, salty, sour and fermented foods, white sugar, white flour products, as they aggravate the PITTA in body. 
• Eat fruits and vegetables more.  
• Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol, meat
• Avoid direct exposure to the sun, as sometimes migraine headaches can be triggered by the sun.
• Regular head massage with herbal oil is very beneficial. Massage gives a calming effect nervous system.

Home Remedies for Migraine:

• If there is a burning sensation, apply a paste of ground clay or sandalwood powder mixed with rose water.
• When the headache is due to inflamed sinuses, inhale steam with vinegar added to the water.
• Mix ¼ teaspoon of clove powder with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon oil. Apply this paste on the affected area for 20-30 minutes.

Panchakarma Treatment for Migraine:

Ayurvedic treatment therapies, known as Panchakarma, are also effective in treating Migraine pains. Nasya (administration of herbal oils into the nostrils) and Shriodhara (head massage) are especially highly recommended to such patients. Both procedures are aimed at removing the cause of the headache and the pain.

 

The Best Shloka From AYURVEDA about WATER

Water is curative in indigestion, water is nourishing after digestion;water is appetizing during food, and ill-affects immediately after food.

 Water - the least appreciated thing, right before air. We just take it for granted. There was a time, not too long ago, when you could drink water from pretty much any tap in india, or a well, river. There would be water sheds called 'pyaaoo' on road sides, sponsored by local businessman or charitable person, manned by local hands. You would get some of sweetest natural water, along with some jaggery and roasted grams (at least in hot and dry Rajasthan), easing your travel-related travails. Thanks to recent decades of industrial progress, even in india it is difficult to find drinkable water from free natural resources. And the rivers, the life line of any civilization, are terribly polluted as well like the gangA (गङ्गा) and yamunA (यमुना).
Water - different effects on the same body, depending upon how or when it is consumed.

Medicinal -
Sometimes, we get food poisoning, or an upset stomach and can't eat anything. We should not eat in such times but take enough of water. Today, there are electrolytes, earlier they had salt and sweet lime water or such home made drink that would act as electrolyte as well keep you hydrated. In such condition of upset stomach, drinking plenty of water flushes out the toxins, keeps the stomach light, and helps recover faster, almost like a medicine, a medicine that washes inside out!

One of the reasons for weekly fasting is to give the stomach some rest. The spiritual, religious meanings are also attached, but there is simple medicinal purpose as well. Various kinds of fasting are observed - fruits only, fruits and milk, only water. And then the modern exceptions added like tea, coffee, roasted peanuts etc. which ultimately defeat the purpose of fasting itself.

Appetizer -
During the meal, it is very nice to take a sip of some drink, maybe water or juice. Instead of cold juices, or cold water or cold drinks, one should sip water. It enhances the sense of eating, between two different tastes, a sip of water is great. Throat doesn't feel dry, or choking with a small sip in between. But this should be a sip.

Thanks to the incessant marketing by carbonated drinks, water is considered useless in many 'developed' countries, specially US. In all my long stay in US, I rarely saw any born-American drinking water at restaurants, it was always large coke or pepsi or sprite or something like that. Carbonated drinks upset the digestion, contrary to what advertisements make you believe, and they rot the teeth as well. Kids who get this habit early on at home, suffer from bad stomach and bad teeth, and consequently bad health. A simple solution is to not have it at home at all, don't stack the refrigerator with 12 pack of coke, just because it is cheap. Drink water when you need a drink. And that too not too cold.

Harmful -
If we drink a lot of water during the meal or immediately after a meal, then we are inviting for trouble. Stomach upset, indigestion (and subsequent gastro problems) is a common lament these days, next only to back-aches and cell-phone-induced ear-aches. What is the cause of this? Stress, lack of sleep, fast food, lack of exercise, lack of water in diet, and addition of carbonated drinks to add just a few.

But it is interesting that many people don't realize that drinking water immediately after meal is also bad for digestion. The reason is simple. Like a chemistry lab experiment, drinking water after meal, and that too cold, dampens the digestive juices and hinders proper digestion. Over the long run, the habit causes bad metabolism, bad digestion, bad absorption of nutrients.

Nourishing -
So when should we drink water? After a couple of hours of eating the full meal, is the best time to drink to your fill! That time water will actually help the body by not interfering with digestion and helping the movement as well.

So next time you see water, greet it with glee, and know when to drink and when not to, so it aids the body naturally.

Acne

Most of people struggle with acne in their teenage or in adolescent, and try different type of home remedies. Here is some useful Do’s and Don’ts for acne, food that causes acne and some good home remedies are described. Follow these simple tips to get acne free skin. 

Do’s and Don’ts for ACNE:

Do's:

• Eat healthfully and include lots of foods enriched with Vitamin A, B, E, and zinc. A  multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help boost your skin's nutrition and prevent acne.
• Shower after a workout, since sweat combined with skin oils can trap dirt and bacteria in your pores.
•  Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to hydrate your skin and flush out the toxins in your body and skin.
•  Put on sunblock before sun exposure, since acne medications may cause adverse reactions to the sun and exacerbate your condition.
•  Use non oil based makeup, and make sure to clean cosmetic brushes regularly in soapy water and throw out old, contaminated makeup.

Don't:

•  Don't pop, or squeeze blemishes or whiteheads; it can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse, not better.
•  Don't go to bed without removing your makeup. It can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
•  Don't stress out! There is preliminary evidence that stress may exacerbate acne. The proposed mechanisms of this effect include altered hormonal levels and suppression of immune system linked to
• stress.
• Avoid the following foods:

1. Refined carbohydrates, such as white flour, especially sugar.
2. Fatty and oily foods-instead replace them with low fat options.
3. Processed foods that are hard to digest and may cause inflammation.
4. Dairy products that are high in fat can cause oily skin.

Here are few reasons why food can trigger an acne outbreak.

First, acne often results from having oily skin with clogged pores. Certain foods (like fats and sugars) can be responsible for increasing the production of sebum in your skin (that's the pussy stuff that sometimes comes out of your pimples). The oil in food that you eat will increase oil levels in your skin and will block your pores from allowing the sebum to naturally vent out.

Second, food (like those containing caffeine) can trigger stress and hormone levels, which can also cause breakouts.

Third, lack of sleep or a vitamin deficiency can cause acne (you can easily take care of the sleeping factor by taking some sleeping pills ).

The fourth way food can trigger acne is through an allergic reaction. Many people will never learn that they have an allergy and will continue to treat very stubborn acne forever. If you suspect you may
have an allergy, simply cut out any allergenic food and then slowly reintroduce them until you pinpoint which is the culprit.

Here's a general list of foods that you may want to avoid:

1. Fats and oils - In general these foods are not good for the inside of you body as well as the outside. Replace fatty foods with healthy low fat options and you'll help not just your face but your whole
body.
2. Caffeine - Caffeine can be harmful to your skin for two reasons:

One, it triggers adrenalin which can trigger stress hormones which can affect your health and your skin. Second, sleep is important to preserve smooth skin, and caffeine can disturb healthy sleep patterns.
3. Refined carbohydrates and sugars - These basically lack nutrients and require large amounts of enzymes and vitamins to digest them. Overeating refined carbs can actually lead to a vitamin deficiency,
which can trigger acne.
4. Processed foods - Processed foods are hard to digest, which can lead to an allergic reaction and inflammation, which can lead to acne.
5. Dairy products - Dairy products contain fat, which can increase oil reserves on your skin. Also, cow hormones are converted to DHT in your body, which is responsible for boosting sebum production. And lastly, because milk is a common allergen, if you've got bad acne, you should avoid it.

HOT WATER RECOMMENDATION

According to Ayurveda, it is important to remove wastes and impurities from the body on a

regular basis. These wastes are called "ama". Ayurveda describes the source of ama as

“undigested” or incompletely-digested food. These accumulated molecular wastes disrupt the

delicate biochemistry of the body and can block the channels of circulation and communication,

contributing to cravings, overeating, inflammation, congestion, aches and pains, and ultimately,

disease formation. This process starts with poor digestion, which creates ama, and poor

elimination, which allows it to be absorbed into the circulatory system and transported throughout

the body.

Hot water flowing through the digestive tract helps to dissolve ama and cleanse the entire

digestive and eliminative systems. The result is better digestion and assimilation improved

elimination and removal and prevention of ama.

The hot water is eventually absorbed into the circulatory system and travels throughout the entire

body. The extra warmth and fluid aids in opening circulation, dissolving deeper, accumulated

impurities and washing them out of the body.

Many people report that after just a few days of drinking boiled hot water, digestion and

elimination improve and they feel lighter, fresher and more vibrant. Many individuals have also

experienced improvements in overall health and reduction of symptoms by simply following the

hot water recommendation.

How-To:

• Bring 6 cups of pure spring water to a boil (preferably stovetop). Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Pour into a glass-lined or stainless steel thermos (i.e. not plastic.)
• Drink approximately 1/4 cup every half hour during the day. Alternatively, leave in a cup warmer on your desk and take a few (3) sips at least every half hour, or more according to thirst.
• You may also drink other pure water during the day, but not cold (should be at least room temperature.)
• If constipation, heartburn, gas or bloating is present, drink 2-3 full cups of boiled water (cooled to warm,) on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Then ideally wait 1 hour before eating (at least 30 minutes) for best effects. (This may be continued indefinitely.)

Why’s:

• Pure spring water so that the water is as close to natural as possible. It should at least be purified water.
• Boiling the water makes it “lighter” and more penetrating and cleansing to the body.
• Technically, boiling it allows some of the minerals and any impurities to separate out.
• Also, Ayurveda describes that water is made of the 2 heaviest elements, water and earth (i.e. minerals.) Boiling it infuses it with air, space and heat—the other three elements—making the water more balancing for all 3 doshas (which are comprised of the 5 elements.)
• Boiling it for 10 minutes rather than 5 increases the “lightness” and cleansing effects of the water.
• A glass or stainless thermos (Thermos brand) is recommended to prevent the endocrine disrupting and other negative effects of plastic, which will leach into the water.
• The amount you drink each time is not as important as the frequency. Drinking it about every _1 hr. will help aid the body in every phase of digestion and metabolism throughout the day.

Rationale:

• The heat promotes downward movement through the stomach and intestines, reducing gas and bloating and promoting good elimination.
• Since digestion consists of chemical reactions that take place best in warm temperatures, drinking warm water rather than cold or iced water leads to better digestion.
• Also, the hot water is absorbed into the circulatory system and travels throughout the body. The extra warmth and fluid aids in dilating circulatory channels, helping to dissolve accumulated impurities and washing them out of the body.
• Water is the universal solvent, and we all know that hot water cleans better than cold (think of washing dishes!). This technique helps the body dissolve and flush out impurities.
• Plain hot water is used to promote this cleansing and “fire up” phase for the same reason you rinse your dishes with plain water rather than tea or coffee---it cleans completely and there is no residue.
• In Ayurvedic terms, drinking hot water improves digestion so that ama (a residue of incompletely-digested food) is not formed, and deposits of ama are dissolved and eliminated from the tissues.

Practical Tips:

• Temperature should be as you enjoy drinking tea or coffee—able to be sipped comfortably, not burning hot. But it should also be hotter than water that is just warm and capable of being drunk in large quantities quickly.
• Those on the pitta version of the yoga diet, those prone to heartburn or burning sensations, and anyone uncomfortable with hot liquids, should allow the water to cool to warm before drinking. This will be most effective in their cases.
• Don’t drink the hot water every half hour after 6 PM if frequent nighttime urination increases.
• If you have constipation or hyperacidity, drink an additional 2-3 cups of boiled warm water (not hot) in the morning upon arising. Wait one hour before eating for maximum results. This technique promotes better elimination and helps balance excess stomach acid.
• Better to avoid routinely heating your water in the microwave. The high energy, irregular heating creates excess vata (irregular, high activity) in the water that can disturb your dosha balance.
• When cravings occur after you have just eaten a meal, or any other time during the day, sip a cup of boiled hot water as your first response. This calms vata (your mind and nervous system), and helps your body digest, assimilate and deliver the nutrients to your cells, increasing satisfaction. Usually the craving will disappear within a few minutes.
• Drink warm to hot water with your meals, ideally (room temperature is second choice and try to avoid iced or cold drinks around mealtime.)
• If desired, you may add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime to your water on occasion, but it is better not to drink it that way all day every day (too much acidic effect.)
• You may also room temperature water as desired to satisfy thirst, while working out, when in hot climate, etc.
• You may continue to drink other warm beverages (coffee, tea, etc.) as desired as well. However this can be a good time to taper your caffeine intake, as drinking the hot water helps elimination and usually mitigates caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
• For best effects, it’s better to let your hot water cool a bit before drinking rather than adding cold water to it.
• Alcohol tends to dehydrate the body, and stresses the liver and detox systems. Drinking the hot water will help the detox process, but it’s ideal to curtail alcohol intake during the “Fire Up” phase and the diet as much as you can.