header_flowers

Natural Treatment for Migraines

Shirodhara natural herbal treatments for MigrainesWhat is a migraine?

At Roscore Clinic we use Natural Treatment for Migraines

A migraine is more than just a headache. A migraine is a neurological condition affecting almost half a million people in Ireland, or about 15 percent of the total population. Migraines are pulsating headaches, often on one side of the head. Physical activity may intensify the pain, but symptoms can vary from person to person and from one attack to the next. Symptoms vary but the most common is a one-sided throbbing headache, lasting from four hours to several days.

According to a recent article in The IrishTimes Migraine is three times more common in women than in men and is inherited in about 60 percent of cases. All age groups are affected, although most sufferers experience their first attack during puberty due to hormonal changes.

The World Health Organisation found a migraine to be among the top 20 causes of disability among adults of all ages, ranked as number four among women.

Causes

Emmett Walsh, Medical Herbalist, Roscore Clinic states that in his experience and treating patients for a migraine that one of the most common causes of a migraine and headaches is constipation. If there is sluggish bowel function that is one of the first things that you treat. Anybody that has migraines you must ensure that you have a bowel movement every single day because retaining faecal contents raises toxins within the body. These eventually recirculate through the circulation system into the brain and can be, and is, a major trigger for the onset of migraines. If you have a migraine it’s going to make it worse.

Constipation can be a very serious condition and it must be addressed.  In most cases people who don’t have a bowel movement, they’re going to feel bloated. They’re going to feel heavy. Their energy will be low. Everything goes wrong as you can appreciate.

At Roscore Clinic, we treat constipation with TRIPHALA.  It is the best and safest and irrespective of what medication you’re on, probably the best and safest herbal formulation to use in this situation.

It’s from the Indian medical system Ayurveda. If the dose is high enough it will help to move the bowels but it does it in a very gentle way. The other thing about Triphala is it encourages full emptying of the bowels which again is very important.

The three fruits involved in making Triphala are also known for their individual effects:1

  • Amalaki  Has a cooling effect that manages and supports the natural functions of the liver and the immune system.
  • Bibhitaki  Is particularly good for supporting the respiratory system.
  • Haritaki  Is known for its “scraping” effect, which removes toxins and helps maintain healthy levels of weight.

A huge percentage of migraines and headaches are as a result of poor digestive function or malfunction. We would recommend a gluten free diet. For example, if you had celiac disease and in a situation like this, you would produce very high levels of toxins because your digestion would be way below par. These toxins would be the cause of a migraine. If you change your diet and go gluten free, you should see a huge improvement in your migraines.

Some other Triggers can be:

  • Skipping meals or going for prolonged periods of time without eating
  • certain types of foods such as cheese, chocolate, red wine, tea or coffee
  • Alcohol
  • Stress
  • Hormonal changes in women at times such as ovulation, pregnancy or menopause
  • Interrupted sleep patterns

What are some other symptoms to look for?

  • A migraine is a complex condition with a wide variety of symptoms.
  • For many people, the main feature is a painful headache.
  • Other symptoms include disturbed vision, sensitivity to light, sound, and smells, feeling sick and vomiting.

Natural Treatment for Migraines

At Roscore Clinic if somebody has severe migraines we do specific physical therapy.

This treatment is called Shirodhara. It’s actually where we pour a medicated fluid across the forehead.     Shirodhara natural herbal treatments for Migraines

It has to be poured in a particular way at a particular height at a particular strength. Everything has to be correct.  This medicated fluid and the pouring across the forehead are decoctions which have the effect that if they were taken internally.

A decoction is a specific preparation. You boil the products and the fluid is the decoction.

This really helps to ease a migraine. Invariably there would be anti-inflammatory and they would have a calming effect on the nervous system anyway.

It’s actually the science and the way it works is absolutely amazing when you consider that this therapy is 5,000 years old and predates all laboratory equipment and the ability to measure internal brainwaves and altering the brainwave patterns. It’s been proven clinically to do so.

One of the key herbs in this regard that we use is a herb call Dashamoola (also spelled as Dashmool, Dashamula & Dashamul). It’s the ten roots of India.  It has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. It’s relatively easily available product from the herb suppliers. We get it directly in from India. Sometimes we mix it with milk, depending on what’s required and it can be very, very effective. This has been tested in universities in India and in America. Its effectiveness has been proven clinically.

Mindfulness and Relaxation for A migraine

Stress can trigger both a migraine and tension-type headache. Studies show that everyday stresses — not major life changes —can cause a migraine.

Teaching ourselves to relax and to be mindful and thankful means learning ways to reduce our physical tension levels and the emotional worry that goes with being stressed.

Relaxation and Mindfulness practice can be as simple as learning how to do relaxation breathing and practicing it regularly.   If we are very stressed, a daily practice is recommended.  In order to achieve a full relaxation response, our relaxation exercises should last between 15 to 20 minutes.  The more we practice, the easier it becomes to reduce our levels of tension.

Research shows that people who have a regular relaxation practice reduce their physical experience of stress and tension significantly.  This is associated with better health outcomes and a better quality of life.

Research has shown that regular practice of mindfulness will increase happiness, improve vitality and enthusiasm for life and create a more balanced resilient emotional health.                       

Roscore Clinic is working in collaboration with Anú Community Healthcare in developing a new healthcare approach in Ireland, with an emphasis on positive health and wellbeing.

Anú Community Healthcare offers courses in mindfulness and other wellbeing courses.

A migraine has no cure, but the condition can be effectively managed using a combination of lifestyle changes and natural herbal remedies that we offer at Roscore Clinic.

If you would like any more help or advice please be sure to contact us.

 

Medical Herbalist Roscore Clinic

Spread the love