With the recent news that Paracetamol can cause side effects are you wondering what else you can do to treat headaches? If Aspirin and Paracetamol ignore the causes of the headaches would it not make more sense to find the cause and deal with this?
In all headaches stretching, deep breathing and relaxation is essential. Yoga helps keep the mind focused and stretches the muscles. Take deep breaths to increase oxygen intake to relax the mind and body. Increase your water intake to 1.5 litres if a woman and 2 litres if a man, daily.
Exercising daily increases the “happy” endorphin hormones and this will help you keep your mind focused off your headache. According to Ayurveda all headaches are not the same. Which is yours?
Vata Headache, Pitta Headache or Kapha Headache?
Vata Headache – some or all of these symptoms are seen: throbbing, pulsating, tense neck, constipation, sciatica, worse on moving, migrates from back to front.
The cause could be fear, stress, anxiety, constipation and hyperactivity, vata rich foods (email us for a vata diet sheet).
Treatment: Rub warmed Vata Oil to top of head, neck, and shoulders. (Imbalanced vata energy is due to the cold energies of air and space so use heated oil.) Reduce vata foods in your diet. If it is a migraine, the vessels in the head are expanding and pressing on nerves. A few drops of Feverfew or homeopathic remedies can help relax and reduce pain. Parthenolide in Feverfew is like Aspirin. In headaches due to tension and anxiety heat helps relieve symptoms. Avoid Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), a food flavouring quite often found in Chinese food, yeast, canned vegetables and in soup mixes. MSG can excite neurons and trigger migraine. If chocolate is your trigger leave it from your diet. Call our Office for an allergy test or homeopathic appointment if this is required.
Pitta Headache– some or all of these symptoms are seen: starts at the temple and goes to the centre of the head, piercing burning sensation, worse with heat, behind the eye, possible dizziness.
Cause could be acidity, overheating or pitta rich foods (email us for a pitta diet sheet).
Treatment: Massage Pitta Oil to the head, scalp and soles of the feet to cool the body. Cover the head and reduce Pitta foods in your diet. As Pitta headaches are due to expanded blood vessels pressing on nerves, cold compresses can help the throbbing headaches.
Kapha Headache– some or all of these symptoms are seen: pain at the front of head and nasal areas, neck tension, excess tension, allergies, incorrect sleep postures, kapha rich foods ( email us for a kapha diet sheet).
Treatment: Massage with Kapha Oil, particularly around the nose, take one teaspoonful of Valerian and Ginger powder with water three times a day or two Valerian and Ginger capsules. Reduce Kapha foods in your diet. Take a handful of almonds when you feel the ache kicking in. Almonds contain salicin, a natural painkiller. If the headache is due to hay fever try some Apple Cider Vinegar. You should be able to get these Oils and powders from Health Food Shops, Salons or online from www.coolherbals.co.uk
Karen
info@coolherbals.com
