Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also called tic douloureux, is pain in the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from the face to the brain. The pain is felt in the areas innervated by the trigeminal nerve, including the cheeks, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or, less commonly, the eye and forehead. This bread can range from occasional twinges of mild pain to bouts of intense throbbing or stabbing pain. This condition is usually caused by the following: pressure on the nerve from an artery or vein; as a result of aging; pressure due to a tumor; nerve damage due to multiple sclerosis and other diseases; and unknown causes. The pain can be triggered by simple things like shaving, stroking your face, eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, talking, putting on makeup, finding a breeze, or smiling.

Ayurvedic treatment of TN aims to control pain and treat the cause, if known. For symptomatic relief of pain, medications such as Yograj-Guggulu, Kaishor-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Vat-Gajankush – Ras, Vish-Tinduk-Vati and Agnitundi-Vati are used. The medicinal herbs used are: Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Dashmool (Ten Roots), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii), Shalparni ( Desmodium gangeticum), Prushnaparni (Uraria picta), Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Khurasani-Ova (Hyoscyamus niger), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Sarpagandha ( Rauwolfia serpentina) and Jayphal (Myristica fragrans).

Patients with known neuritis or neuralgia can be treated with high doses of Kaishor-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh, and Ekang-Veer-Ras. With evidence of pressure on the nerve due to an artery or vein, medications like Maha-Vaat-Vidhwans, Jatamansi and Sarpagandha can be used to reduce the sensitivity of the nerve. A tumor can be treated surgically or with medications such as Arogya-Vardhini, Kanchnaar-Guggulu, and Triphala-Guggulu. If the nerve is known to be damaged due to conditions like multiple sclerosis, it can be treated with medications like Kaishor-Guggulu, Tapyadi-Loh, Ashwagandha, and Yashtimadhuk.

Since these patients may not tolerate local applications of medications, treatment options such as medicated boosting may not be feasible in this condition. However, in some refractory patients who do not respond satisfactorily to the medications listed above, other treatment options may be tried. Bleeding of areas close to the location of the trigeminal nerve, the use of leeches is a viable treatment option and can provide considerable pain relief.

It is important to note that the treatment must be given long-term to obtain good results and prevent recurrence.