Ardhavabhedaka is a shiroroga¹ characterized with severe sambheda (piercing), toda (pricking), shula (pain), bhrama (giddiness) in one half side of the head.  It relapses suddenly after ten days or fortnight. According to acharya Sushruta, it is tridoshaja² and according to acharya Charaka it is vataja or vata-kaphaja³. Ayurveda emphasizes various treatment modalities of ardhavabhedaka which includes Snehana (oleation), Swedana (fomentation), virechana (purgation), Dhoopana (fumigation) and Sneha Bhojanam (unctuous food)⁴. Ardhavabhedaka can be co-related with migraine.

Migraine is a chronic neurological disease characterized by recurrent, moderate to severe headaches often in association with autonomic nervous system symptoms. According to International Headache Society, migraine constitutes 16% of the primary headache and affects 10-20% of the general population. It is three times more common in women than men, it is underdiagnosed and undertreated, hence WHO ranks Migraine among the World’s most disabling medical illness⁵. Current line of management advocates the use of analgesics and anti-emetics in acute attacks. If not responding, vasoconstrictor like Argot alkaloids are given. Sumatryptan has been used more successfully. Prophylaxis of migraine may be achieved by Topiramate, Flunarizine and Propranalol etc⁶.

            Even though a lot of research on migraine with different treatment modalities has been undergoing in bio-medical world, considerable number of world population  is suffering from this disease without satisfactory relief. This raises the need to explore an effective line of management for this disorder.

Shalaparni nasya⁷ and Vidangadi nasya⁸ have been mentioned for Ardhavabhedaka Chikitsa. Shalaparni is tikta madhura Rasa, guru Guna, ushna Virya, madhura Vipaka and Tridoshahara. Vidanga is katu kashaya Rasa, laghu ruksha tikshna sara Guna, ushna Virya, katu Vipaka, and Kaphavatahara in nature and Krishna Tila is madhura Rasa,  guru snigdha Guna, ushna Virya, madhura Vipaka and Tridoshahara in nature.  

Hence, present study is being taken up to evaluate the effect of Shalaparni Avapidana Nasya in the management of Ardhavabhedaka. Vidangadi Avapidana Nasya will be taken as control drug.