Ayurvedic Treatment for Headache
Not every headache is a migraine. Ayurveda groups head disorders under Shiroroga and treats each according to the doshas involved. Understanding your type is the first step.
- All headache types
- Dosha-based approach
- In person or online
- Since 2003Founded by Dr. Mallikarjuna Dambala
- 5 centresKarnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan
- Preservative-freeMedicines prepared in-house
- In person or onlineHospital visits, phone and video consultations
Types of headache
How Ayurveda understands common headaches
A simplified guide. Your doctor confirms the type after assessing you.
| Headache type | How it often feels | Ayurvedic view | Treatment focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tension-type | Band-like pressure on both sides, linked to stress, posture or long hours | Mainly Vata | Oil therapies, routine, stress care |
| Migraine | Throbbing, often one-sided, with nausea or light sensitivity | Ardhavabhedaka, often Vata and Pitta | Trigger control, medicines, Nasya, Panchakarma |
| Sinus headache | Heaviness around the forehead and cheeks, worse when bending forward | Mainly Kapha | Nasya, steam, Kapha-reducing diet |
| Hormonal headache | Around periods or other hormonal changes | Vata and Pitta imbalance | Cycle-aware diet, medicines, routine |
| Acidity-related headache | With heartburn, sour belching or skipped meals | Mainly Pitta | Meal timing, cooling diet, digestive care |
Why type matters
The same painkiller for every headache misses the cause
A tension headache from long screen hours and a sinus headache after a cold may both hurt, but they come from different places. Ayurveda treats the imbalance behind each, which is why the plans differ.
Migraine is the most common reason people come to us with headaches. If yours throbs on one side or comes with nausea, see our migraine treatment, or read how to tell migraine from tension headache.
Treatments
How we treat headaches
Nasya
Medicines through the nostrils, the classical therapy for conditions of the head.
Herbal medicines
Preservative-free formulations prepared in-house, chosen for your headache type.
Diet and routine
Meal timing, hydration and sleep, which affect most headache types.
Breathing and meditation
Practices that ease stress-driven and tension-type headaches.
Safety first
Headaches that need urgent medical care
- A sudden, severe headache that feels like the worst of your life
- Headache with weakness, numbness, slurred speech or confusion
- Headache with fever and a stiff neck
- A headache after a head injury
- A new headache pattern after the age of 50, or one that keeps getting worse
- Headache with changes in vision or fainting
If you notice any of these, seek emergency medical care first. Ayurvedic care is not a substitute for urgent treatment.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can Ayurveda treat sinus headaches?
Yes. Sinus headaches are usually linked to Kapha, and Nasya and Kapha-reducing diet are often part of the plan. Your doctor will confirm the type first.
Is every headache a migraine?
No. Tension-type, sinus, hormonal and acidity-related headaches are common and are treated differently.
Can I consult online about headaches?
Yes. Phone and video consultations are available, and medicines can be prescribed after an online consultation.
When should I see a doctor urgently?
For a sudden, severe headache, or a headache with weakness, confusion, fever with a stiff neck, or after a head injury, seek emergency care first.
Find out what is behind your headaches
Request a callback and an Ayurvedic doctor will assess your headache type.