Headaches
are a very common term used to describe pain that results from
tension in the meninges and in the blood vessels as well as in the
muscles of the scalp (The
British Medical Association Illustrated Medical Dictionary).
It varies in type, intensity, significance and clinical presentation
depending on the cause. In most cases, a headache is caused by stress
and anxiety although other more severe cases that often result in a
migraine (more disabling type of headache) include hypertension,
sinusitis, meningitis or brain haemorrhage to name a few. Recurrence
and intensity of the headache are main factors in determining the
magnitude/significance of the headache and whether further
investigation is necessary (Marcovitch,
2005 ).
Due to the increase in popularity of natural medicine, many people
are drifting away from conventional medicine to treat their various
conditions of which headaches and migraines are of the most prevalent
reasons for doing so (BK
Vogler, 1998).
One of the reasons why many people tend towards natural medicine is
because they are dissatisfied with conventional medicine e.g. too
many adverse effects, costly and ineffective treatment
(Astin, 1998).
Some of the alternative therapies used in treatment of headaches that
dates back to ancient times include herbal remedies, acupuncture,
acupressure, music therapy, relaxation techniques (e.g. meditation,
yoga), massage, aromatherapy and cupping which is commonly used in
Unani Tibb medicine.
The Classification of headaches: Unani Tibb v.s. Allopathic/conventional medicine
According
to Tibb philosophy there are four main types of headaches categorised
according to each temperament and there specific location on the
head. These headaches present differently due to different causes
such as excess or imbalance of the humours as a result of improper
diet or other causes related to lifestyle factors or trauma. The four
main headaches classified by Tibb philosophy include: melancholic
headache, bilious headache, sanguinous headache and a phlegmatic
headache. There is also a strong link between predisposition to these
types of headaches and the individual’s temperament e.g.
individuals with a dominant phlegmatic temperament will be more
inclined to phlegmatic headaches (frontal headaches).
Melancholic
headaches are due to excess or abnormal melancholic humour associated
with excess cold & dryness present in the body due to factors
such as stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, excess intake of cold and dry
food and drink (e.g. tea/coffee, sour foods, and lack of water
intake) or emotions like grief. It presents with pain and discomfort
in the occipital area (back) of the head which may become generalised
and spread to the neck and shoulders. A bilious headache can be
described as pain occurring in the parietal areas of the head and
temples, either bilateral or unilateral distribution. It is often
described as a throbbing sensation and is associated with excess heat
and dryness in the system associated with excess or abnormal bilious
humour. Some of the causes related to this type of headache are
excessive exposure to heat and dryness from the external and internal
environment such as standing in the heat of summer for long hours,
excess intake of alcohol, excessive emotions like anger and
frustration, excessive strenuous exercise, lack of water intake, and
excessive intake of spicy food. When the headache is on located on
the top part of the head (sagital area) it is called a sanguinous
headache. The causes of a sanguinous headache are an excess or
abnormal state of sanguinous humour associated with excess heat and
moistness. This is commonly due to hypervolaemia which occurs mostly
in individuals with hypertension (sanguinous hypertension). Other
causes include excessive intake of salty foods, a diet high in hot
and moist foods, and strenuous exercise. Phlegmatic headaches are
located in the frontal area due to an excessive amount of moistness
and cold in the system associated with abnormal or excess phlegmatic
humour. This is prevalent in conditions such as colds and flu as well
as in situations of over exposure to cold and rainy environments,
excessive intake of cold & moist food and drink (e.g. rice,
dairy, cold drinks), emotions like depression and sadness, excessive
sleep and lack of exercise
(Manxiwa, 2009).
In allopathic
medicine, the classification of headaches is quite extensive based on
the cause, presentation, distribution, associated factors and
precipitating factors. Headaches associated with pain above the eye
or in the cheekbone area uni- or bilaterally can be correlated with a
phlegmatic headache. A tension headache on the other hand has a wider
distribution as it is usually bilateral but may be generalised or
localised to the back of the head and upper neck or to the
frontotemporal area so it is hard to match this exactly with a
headache of Tibb philosophy. However, the symptoms associated with a
tension headache can give a better perspective on the specific link
to the Tibb philosophy e.g. if the tension headache is associated
with anxiety and stress it is more likely that the headache will be
most prominent in the occipital area associated with a melancholic
headache but if symptoms of depression are present instead then it is
most likely a frontal phlegmatic headache. A cluster headache on the
other hand is usually unilateral and precipitated by alcohol (has a
quality of heat and dryness) which suggests that this type of
headache could be linked to a bilious headache (Bate's
guide to physical examination and history taking 10th ed., 2009).
Anecdotal remedies for headaches
- Peppermint is said to dull a tension headache when a few drops of oil is massaged onto the temples (Mandile, 2003). Despite having been used for its medicinal values for thousands of years by the Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras, peppermint was only officially recognised in the 17th century. Double-blind scientific studies revealed that peppermint decreases pain sensitivity thus relieving tension headaches (Joseph E. Pizzorno, 1999) . Peppermint creates a cooling sensation and its scent acts as a carminative and clears nasal passages which can be especially useful if the headache is caused by stress or sinus pressure (Melgren, 2010).
- The application of eucalyptus oil to the forehead or as an inhalant can also help with headaches (especially associated with congestion) by exerting a soothing and relaxing sensation to the muscles and clear nasal passages (Melgren, 2010).
- Feverfew: for centuries it has been used in treatment of migraines (mostly prophylactic) and as a febrifuge. Studies conducted in Britain during the 1970’s-1980 have concluded that feverfew (dried leaves) reduced the number and severity of attacks in patients who suffer from migraines (Joseph E. Pizzorno, 1999).
- Lavender can be used externally for headaches as a lotion or as an inhalant using the essential oil (Felter, 2001). The scent of lavender has a carminative effect and has been proven to be effective in treatment of headaches associated with insomnia, stress and anxiety (Melgren, 2010).
- Roman chamomile and valerian root is also known for its use in treatment of headaches (McClintock, 1999).
- Belladonna is also a well known herb used in specific doses for treating congestion, throbbing congestive headache, nervo-congestive headaches; or for dull, heavy headaches with feelings of drowsiness (Felter, 2001)
- The root of Bryonia dioica (commonly known as Bryonia) is practically unused in mainstream medicine but very well known to Homeopaths for its use for headaches that occur mostly in frontal regions due to congestion but can spread to occiput regions with eyes pain and exacerbated by movement (Felter, 2001).
- Another interesting herb used for occipital headaches is oats (Avena sativa).
- Solanum dulcamara (Bittersweet) is a remedy used for all conditions associated with cold and dampness such as congestive headaches (Blair, 1907).
- Nigella sativa (Black seed) was recommended by both Dioscorides and Ibn Sina for use in treatment of headaches (Goreja, 2003).
- Other forms of alternative therapies used in treatment of headaches include acupressure, acupuncture, reflexology, massage therapy and cupping which work on the energy meridians of the body to unblock energy channels to allow energy flow through the body (Carson-DeWitt, 2009).
Correlating Tibb philosophy to the anecdotal remedies for headaches
According
to Tibb philosophy, treatment follows the healing cycle where the
quality and humoural imbalance of a disorder is managed with the
opposite frames (In an acute condition) or adjacent frames (in
chronic conditions).
Figure
.Healing cycle
A
good example is the use of eucalyptus oil which has a hot & dry
quality in treatment of phlegmatic headaches associated with
congestion which has a cold & moist quality and usually presents
as an acute condition. This has proven to be effective as a form of
treatment when used as an inhalant, compress or during massage.
Lavender has a dry & hot quality with carminative and sedative
properties
(Kisten, 2009).
Uses for lavender include treatment of headaches associated with
insomnia, stress and tension which are all associated with an excess
cold & dry quality of the melancholic humour which is also most
commonly a chronic problem. It makes perfect sense that this type of
headache will be treated with the adjacent frames: dry & hot
(lavender), hot & dry and hot & moist quality frames; as this
will gradually increase the amount of heat then moistness in the
system thus decreasing melancholic humour. Oats has a hot & moist
quality and is therefore effective in treatment of an acute occipital
melancholic headache (cold & dry) as it lie in the opposite
quality frame thus increasing moistness and heat in the system and
decreasing the amount of coldness and dryness. The quality of the
herb, Belladonna, is not exactly clear but its actions and
indications would suggest that it has a Dry and hot quality since it
dries up mucous secretions (Moore,
1995).
Anecdotal evidence shows that Belladonna is used for congestion and
headaches associated with congestion with symptoms of sleepiness and
drowsiness that correlates to excess phlegmatic humour which is a
cold & moist imbalance (Felter,
2001).
Anecdotal remedies vs. Spiritual/religious remedies
Some
spiritual healing techniques are one of the most ancient techniques
known to man. These forms of healing practices are said to guide the
individual to different levels and places in themselves through
various techniques such as prayer, contemplation, meditation,
drumming, storytelling and mythology thereby awakening the energies
of the spirit towards healing and represent contact with the
spiritual dimension. The main concept of spirituality is not to
undermine religions but to enhance them and find common ground
amongst all people to exclude our differences and unite due to our
similarities (Kaszubski,
2004).
This differs significantly to anecdotal remedies for headaches as the
latter is based on the effects of the herbs or alternative therapies
on the body whilst the other is more focused on an energetic and
spiritual level.
In
the Muslim society, Black Seed has great religious value as it was
quoted by the prophet (Peace be upon him) over 1400 years ago that
Black Seed is a cure for all diseases except death
(Goreja, 2003).
So in this case, people started using Black Seed merely due to
religious or spiritual reasons and it was very effective until quite
recently when actual scientific evidence proved the effectiveness of
the herb. This is a clear example of the difference between
spiritual/religious healing and anecdotal remedies. Certain schools
of thought believe that a headache (especially recurring ones) can be
an indication of ghosts, demons, evil spirits or negative energies
invading the individual and in this case spiritual healing (chanting,
meditation and prayer) is done to eradicate these evil spirits
(Control of migraine/severe headache through spiritual healing
remedies, 2010).
Faith healing refers to the use of prayer and belief in the power of
God to treat disease and other disorders. During this type of
healing, faith healer use lying of hands to enhance healing. A strong
belief in a higher power is believed to enhance the mind-body state
and accelerate the healing response
(Navarra, 2004).
Some
of the Biblical herbs used to treat headaches include coriander,
lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, barley, henna, myrtle, vetiver and
horse radish (Duke,
2008).
Quotations
from Duke’s Handbook of Medicinal Herbs of the Bible referring to
these herbs include:
And
the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like
coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with
honey. Exodus 16:31 (KJV)
I
will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the
myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and
the pine, and the box tree together. Isaiah 41:19 (KJV)
Islamic
sufi healing is another example of religious/spiritual healing which
is based on prayer, chanting, meditation as well as use of essential
oils and other practices in order for healing to occur. Sufi healers
believe that healing the sick is the most important duty to humanity.
Also included in these practices are dietary recommendations of the
Prophet (Pbuh), the preparation of herbal formulas, healing with
essential oils, fasting and prayer, and talismans (Navarra,
2004).
In
African traditional medicine, a sangoma (shaman/healer) plays the
role as the healer and they are a selected few who are said to have
been given “the calling” to heal. They heal by a certain process
and are largely linked to the psychic world and similar media. They
rely upon ancestors who guide them to diagnose and treat illnesses
and its cause to ward off evil spirits using various tools e.g.
bones, herbs, dolls and personal possessions of the individual
(Navarra,
2004).
Alternative/
Natural medicine can be very effective in treatment of most types of
headaches and it can definitely be the solution to the eradication of
OTC drugs/medication like NSAID’s that can have long term
implications on one’s health due to its harmful side effects. A
more natural and holistic approach can be easily adopted by society
if more people become aware of the various forms of natural treatment
methods available to them. There are various options available but
some will be more appropriate than others depending on your school of
thought and what you are open to. One of the most popular and simple
methods of treating a headache includes simple home remedies that can
be inexpensive and effective. One should not however, that a
recurring headache with other neurological symptoms should be closely
monitored and attended to by a specialist to rule out any severe/life
threatening diseases.
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J. A. (1998). Why Patients Use Alternative Medicine: Results of a
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Vogler, M. P. (1998). Feverfew as a preventive treatment for
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T. (1907). A
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