Are There Natural Remedies for Migraines?
Migraines can be a debilitating condition. When someone suffers from migraines it can affect their quality of life, their career, their family, and their relationships. Migraines are also difficult to treat and many of the medications used for the treatment of migraines can have serious side effects or may not work at all. These are some of the reasons people often look for natural remedies for migraines.
Reasons People Want Natural Remedies for Migraines
Specific reasons that people might seek out natural remedies for migraines can include:
- Over-the-counter medications are ineffective
- Prescription drugs can be expensive or have dangerous side effects (as can nonprescription migraine treatments)
- They may not be able to take certain medications for one reason or another
- Natural remedies might be recommended by a health care professional as a supplement to traditional treatments
What Are Natural Remedies?
Natural remedy is actually a very broad term. Natural remedies can refer to herbs, supplements and certain vitamins. It can also include making lifestyle changes, such as doing yoga or getting more exercise. Acupuncture and massage can be considered natural remedies for migraines, as can dietary changes.
Regardless of the specific types of natural remedies for migraines you’re exploring, it’s always best to talk to your doctor. First, you need to rule out an underlying health cause for your migraines. You also want to make sure you don’t use any natural supplements or remedies that could have harmful side effects.
Many supplements and herbs can have side effects on their own. They can also interact with other medications you may be using.
What Are Some Natural Ways to Treat Migraines?
Migraines can be extremely severe and natural remedies may not fully eliminate the symptoms. What some natural treatments can do is help reduce the symptoms or frequency of migraines.
The following are some general lifestyle changes and things to keep in mind if you suffer from migraines.
Pay Attention to Diet
Your diet can play a huge role in migraines. If you’re eating foods that are a trigger, you’re obviously going to get more frequent attacks. Start a migraine journal to identify your triggers. Learn what foods are more likely to lead to migraines and try to avoid them.
Some common food-based migraine triggers include anything with nitrates such as hot dogs, bacon and deli meat. Chocolate, red wine, foods with MSG, picked foods and highly processed foods are all dietary triggers.
Work on eating a diet that avoids migraine triggers and is based primarily on whole, nutritious foods.
Acupressure
Acupressure is a technique that helps some people with migraines. It relies on applying pressure to certain points located throughout the body. There is some evidence acupressure may help alleviate migraine pain as well as associated nausea.
Consider Feverfew
Feverfew is an herb that many people feel helps mitigate their migraine symptoms with minimal symptoms. However, it may not work for everyone and you should still speak to your doctor before using it since herbal supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA.
Have Ginger
Ginger is a root that can help alleviate nausea. It’s also useful to help with migraines according to some research. Ginger tea might be a good natural remedy for migraines if you can stomach it.
Do Yoga
Yoga is something some people with migraines find is very helpful. Engaging in a regular yoga practice is good for your overall health and wellness. It can also alleviate stress, which is known as a migraine trigger. Yoga can reduce physical tension in some of the areas known to contribute to migraines also, such as the neck and shoulders.
Eat More Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency is more common than you might think and it’s also specifically linked to developing headaches and migraines. In particular, magnesium deficiency is believed to play a role in migraines related to the menstrual cycle. There are magnesium-rich foods like almonds and cashews you can eat more of. You can also supplement with magnesium.
Other Supplements That May Be Helpful for People with Migraines
The following a list of some other herbal and nutritional supplements that may help with migraines.
- Butterbur: Butterbur is an herbal supplement that may help reduce inflammation and in that way, some people feel it helps prevent migraines and reduce the number of headaches they experience. The research trials that have been done on butterbur have found it is more effective than placebos in reducing the number of monthly migraines.
- Fish oil: This supplement contains omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats may reduce inflammation and can help protect the cardiovascular system as well.
- Peppermint Oil: While peppermint oil isn’t a cure for migraines, it may help minimize some of the symptoms that occur. Some people apply the essential oil to the skin on places such as the temples. It can also be used in tea form.
- Valerian: Valerian is an herbal supplement some people use for relaxation and stress relief. There is some anecdotal evidence indicating it may help with migraine symptoms as well. It could be because of its sedative properties. While valerian is considered fairly safe, it can have some side effects including stomach problems and itchiness.
- Gingko biloba: This is one of the most widely-used herbs the world over. Fans of gingko biloba feel it has many health effects and it’s used for the treatment of symptoms related to migraine headaches. It’s been utilized in Chinese medicine for centuries as well. It may help reduce pain by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow and circulation, although there are currently few studies looking at the effects of this herb on migraines.
There is always new research coming out focused on natural remedies and migraines. However, use caution before exploring or using natural remedies for migraines. Speak to your doctor about the natural migraine remedies you’re considering as well as any other medicines you use.