Herbs That Heal Tension Headache

Herbs That Heal
Tension Headache:

Introduction

A tension headache is a very common type of headache. The exact cause of tension headaches is uncertain, but they may be the result of a disturbance of brain chemicals and/or a straining of the muscles of the neck, jaw, shoulders, scalp, or face. Tension headaches can occur infrequently, or they can affect some people nearly every day. Tension headaches occur in most age groups and populations but are most common in teens and adults.

Tension headaches are often described as achy or dull or a feeling of tightness around the scalp. The severity of a tension headache can vary greatly between episodes and individuals. Complications are possible with chronic tension headaches. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of tension headache.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tension headaches can vary between individuals and can be described as being achy, dull, or feeling a tightness or squeezing around the scalp. A tension headache can be mild to moderate and affect the entire head or only a certain area of the head. It is often described as starting in the back of the head and spreading to other areas. Symptoms that accompany a tension headache may include tightness or soreness of the muscles in the neck, jaw, and/or shoulders. The length of a tension headache can vary greatly between individuals.

How can I know if I have Chest Pains?

Cognitive Symptoms

• Memory problems
• Inability to concentrate
• Poor judgment
• Seeing only the negative
• Anxious or racing thoughts
• Constant worrying

Emotional Symptoms

• Moodiness
• Irritability or short temper
• Agitation, inability to relax
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sense of loneliness and isolation
• Depression or general unhappiness

Physical Symptoms

• Aches and pains
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds

Ayurvedic Cure

Below are some methods of increasing "sattva", which if followed, will bring about results remarkably fast.

Food - In Ayurveda, food is considered to be an important medicine for both mind and body. In order to reduce stress, one should try to choose foods that increase "sattva". Fresh fruits, fruit juices, vegetables (raw or cooked or boiled), vegetable juices, sprouts, nuts, dry fruits, honey, milk, ghee, fresh butter, and buttermilk are the best to increase sattva. Do not be misled by "fresh frozen" food items available in stores and try to get "fresh seasonal" items.

Try to cut down, or if possible stop, the use of black tea, coffee, white flour products, chocolates, white sugar products, deep fried foods and hot spices. These items increase "rajas".

The foods that increase "tamas" are foods that contain no "prana" or life energy. These include meat, fish, eggs and foods that are spoiled or contain chemicals. Some of these foods may contain nutrition for the body but their effect on mind is detrimental. Ayurveda cares for the complete person (body, mind, soul) and therefore advises vegetarianism. Vegetarian food does not mean bland, tasteless or raw vegetables and salads. There is a huge range of tasty and satisfying recipes that are easy to prepare and are "sattvic" in nature.

Breathing - Mind has a very close relation with breathing. A person has short and shallow breathing when anxious or stressed and has deep breathing when relaxed and happy. Next time you become stressed, watch your breathing. Try to slow it down. Take a relaxed position and breathe deep using the abdomen muscles. Let the diaphragm expand while breathing in, and contract while breathing out. This will immediately relax you. It is always good to take short breaks at regular intervals from the busy schedule and relax (by abdominal breathing) for a few minutes.

Exercise - Exercise is not only good for physical health, but is also good for recreation and relaxation of mind. It changes the levels of hormones in the blood and may elevate the mood affecting brain chemicals. It is advisable to do some exercise according to your strength at a regular time of the day, preferably in the morning. The exercise should initiate action in all parts of the body. Brisk walking is a good exercise to start with. Yoga is also a very good form of exercise Playing indoor games and swimming (not for competition) is also relaxing.

Meditation - Meditation is a method of calming your thoughts by focusing on an object for a period of time. One can concentrate on an object, picture, sound or "mantra". One should sit in a lotus position or a comfortable posture while meditating. According to the research performed in recent years, it has been found that meditation slows down the breathing process, normalizes blood pressure, relaxes muscles and helps to reduce anxiety and stress.

Relaxation - It is very important to take short breaks from work and relax the mind. A Yoga posture known as "Shavasana" or "dead body pose" is a simple way to relax. Lie down on your back with legs a bit apart and hands making a 15-degree angle with the body. Let each and every muscle of the body be relaxed. Close your eyes and focus your mind on your breathing. Breathe deep and watch your breathing in your mind. This posture can be done for five minutes once or twice a day.

A gentle massage on the head (with or without oil), using your favorite aroma or fragrance, listening to soft music, chanting of "mantras" and prayers also help to relax the mind.

Ayurvedic Remedies - Applying oil on the body (abhyanga) at least once a week is a good method to relax the body and mind. Pouring oil on forehead (shiro dhara) is another popular Ayurvedic remedy for relaxing the tension in nerves and head. If you have access to Ayurvedic herbs you can use Brahmi or Shankhapushpi in powder form internally.

Other Remedies - Keeping a record of what causes you stress and then eliminating that cause from your routine helps to manage stress. Generally we live either in the past or in the future and our mind is not even aware of our present actions. It is beneficial to focus the mind on the present actions. This helps one to become aware of the negative thoughts and other causes responsible for stress. We can then try to eliminate these by thinking rationally and positively.

Another way of increasing the state of "sattva" and stabilizing it is learning about self. Reading spiritual books and exploring spirituality can put things into perspective, and help in reducing stress.

Although all these remedies provide some relief from the mental stress immediately, it is important that you make them a part of your life process. That will keep your mind in a state of high "sattva", and you will be healthy, happy and peaceful always.

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