An Ayurvedic Approach to Trigeminal Neuralgia
In Ayurveda trigeminal neuralgia is known as “anantavata”. This is considered as the disease of the head that involves vitiation of all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) causing pain at the unilateral side of the face. The aetiology of “anantavata” includes excessive intake of cold, dry food items, fasting, not having adequate food, etc.
As per modern aspect, trigeminal neuralgia is inflammation of the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve) that causes facial pain. This condition is also called as tic douloureax as the pain can contort the face of patients into a grimace that causes the head to move aside from the pain. In trigeminal neuralgia, the pain is intense that may occur every few seconds, minutes, and hours. The attack of pain can take place in a month or years but sometimes it can cause chronic pain syndrome. This may ruin the daily activities of an individual and can give rise to depression.
The trigeminal neuralgia can affect people of any age but the people above 60 years are more prone to it.
What are the Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
The exact cause of this disorder is unknown but it may be due to the nerve compression by aneurysms, tumors or blood vessels. Sometimes it can be due to systemic diseases like sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and Lyme disease, etc.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
The signs and symptoms include acute, sharp, and stabbing pain on one side of the face. In this disorder, pain radiates from an ophthalmic branch and maxillary branch or the maxillary branch and the mandibular branch. The pain is very severe that acts as an electric shock, it may get worse during chewing, cold exposure, or light touch.
A Patient may feel pain in cheek, gums, jaw, and teeth. Less often the eyes and forehead are also included.
The pain is triggered during brushing teeth, touching the face, swallowing, and talking.
Trigeminal neuralgia can be compared with paralysis. Few of the shlokas mentioned below:
स्वस्थ: स्यादर्दितादीनां मुहुवेगे गते ागते।
पीडयते पीडनसतैसतैभिरषगेतान विवर्जयेत। (च। चि २८ /५२)
This shloka states that in paralysis etc. all types of diseases if there is an absence of Vata then the patient feels healthy. But if there is a presence of Vata than it causes various signs and symptoms like pain in the body etc.
हृत्वैकम मरुत: पक्षं दक्षिणं वाममेव वा।
कुर्याचेष्टानिवृतिं हि रुजं वाकस्तम्भमेव च। (च चि २८ /५३)
This shloka says that imbalanced Vata dosha causes paralysis of the right and left a portion of the body. It further causes a problem in body movements, pain in the body, and voice problem.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia
In Ayurveda, there are numerous herbs that deal with this condition without causing any side-effects. Planet Ayurveda a best ayurvedic clinic offers a Trigeminal neuralgia care pack that comprises of four products Ashwagandha capsules, Hakam Churna, Yograj guggul, and Boswellia curcumin.
Let’s discuss in detail the importance of all these products
1. Ashwagandha Capsules
These capsules are prepared from a standardized extract of herb (Withania somnifera). The daily usage of these capsules treat fatigue, anxiety, nervine weakness, and relaxes muscles. It gives very effective results to the trigeminal neuralgia patients. All type of nervous weakness is treated with the use of Ashwagandha capsules.
Dosage: One capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.
2. Hakam Churna
This Churna is blended with herbs like methi (Trigonella foenum graecum), ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), kalonji (Nigella sativaa), and Chandershoor (Lepidium sativum) this all-in combination balances the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). Daily usage of this churna is very beneficial in trigeminal neuralgia patients. All the signs and symptoms are balanced with the regular use of this churna.
- Methi: The herb methi help in the painful and stiffed conditions.
- Ajwain: This herb deals with the Bodyache, stiffness, and symptoms related to trigeminal neuralgia.
- Kalonji: All the signs and symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia is treated with the use of this herb.
- Chandershoor: It mainly works on the Vata dosha and gives an effective result over the disease.
Dosage: One teaspoonful twice daily with plain water after meals.
3. Yograj Guggul
These are classical herbal tablets that are prepared from numerous herbs. The ingredients such as Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Pippalimool (Piper longum), Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi), Ajmoda (Trachyspermum roxburgianum), Devdaru (Cedrus deodara), Chavya (Piper cubeba), Kushta (Saussurea lappa), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolate), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Usheera (Vetveria zizanoides), Taleespatra (Abbies webbiana), Patra (Cinnamomum zeylanica), Guggul (Commiphora mukul) etc are used for tablet formation. It treats all type of nervous disorders and muscular skeletal disorders. Hence provide good results in trigeminal neuralgia disorder.
Dosage: Two tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.
4. Boswellia Curcumin
The herbal capsules are prepared from two herbs Boswellia (Shallaki) and Curcumin (Turmeric). These two in combination balances all the signs and symptoms related to trigeminal neuralgia disorder.
Dosage: Two capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.
Some Home Remedies for Trigeminal Neuralgia Patients
- You can drink milk with turmeric as it will reduce the painful and inflammatory conditions.
- Apply Ashwagandha oil over the affected area to overcome with the nerve weakness.
- Use garlic in raw form for balancing all three dosha. You can also massage your affected area with the garlic oil for reducing pain and inflammation.
- You can apply clove oil over the affected area as it will subside inflammation, pain, and nervous blockage.
- Apply a hot and cold compress over the painful area.
Some Healthy Tips for Trigeminal Neuralgia Patients
- Exercise daily for 30 minutes at least.
- Jogging is also good for these patients.
- Do perform yoga asanas like ardha chakrasana, ardhakati chakrasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasna, trikonasna, shavasana etc.
- Perform pranayama like kapalbhat, nadisuddhi, seetali etc.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes green vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, and grams, etc.
- Take a sleep for 8 hours daily.
- Do meditation to keep your body, mind, and soul healthy.
