Abstract

MIGRAINE: AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON MANAGEMENT THROUGH PANCHAKARMA—A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Kiran Maan*, Rajeev Kumar Pandey, Divya Gupta

Abstract

Migraine is a common and disabling primary headache disorder characterised by recurrent attacks of moderate-to-severe headache, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound. Ayurveda describes several headache disorders under Shiroroga, among which Ardhavabhedaka has been correlated with migraine on the basis of similarities in clinical presentation. This narrative review examined the Ayurvedic understanding of Ardhavabhedaka and critically discussed the rationale and available clinical evidence for Panchakarma-based management. Information was synthesised from published Ayurvedic literary reviews and the clinical studies cited in those reviews, with attention to Nidana, Dosha involvement, Samprapti, therapeutic principles and individual procedures including Nasya, Virechana, Basti, Vamana and Raktamokshana, as well as selected external therapies. The literature indicated variation in the described Dosha predominance and suggested that Nasya and Virechana have received the greatest clinical attention. However, the available evidence was heterogeneous and included small studies, uncontrolled investigations, case reports and multimodal interventions, limiting attribution of benefit to individual procedures. The review therefore found that Panchakarma represents a clinically relevant area for further investigation, but current evidence remains insufficient to establish definitive efficacy for migraine. Standardised interventions, validated outcomes, adequate sample sizes, appropriate comparators and longer follow-ups are required.

Keywords: Ardhavabhedaka, Ayurveda, Basti, Migraine, Nasya, Panchakarm.