According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migration is one of the most common and popular diseases in the world that is spreading fastly among the people. The chances of having migraine in those children and adults mostly whose family person is already suffering from it.
The Migraine Research Foundation located in America has estimated that a minimum of 12% of peoples is suffering from migraine headaches today. Here, we are describing some useful home remedies for migraine and herbs that are very effective.
So, those who are suffering from migraine headache attacks must read this article carefully. We are sure that the information given in this article will be beneficial for you.
There is a myth that migraine headaches are simple headaches or some people shows very careless towards it. But, we inform you to aware that Migraines are part of a neurological condition and often have other symptoms, including:
- nausea
- vomiting
- tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- visual changes
- sensitivity to sound, light, or smell
Migraine is the disease that causes due to chronic condition that can impact daily life for some people.
Today, science technology has developed much more that they have discovered medicines to stop migraine attacks. But, still, some peoples prefer to use natural treatments as alternatives or to supplement medical treatment to prevent migraine.
Table of Contents
Home Remedies for Migraine
Those who are suffering from migraine should use natural remedies for the prevention of migraine headache attacks. Here, we have stated 15 most useful and effective natural remedies. Those who want to use them should read first below given content.
1. Acupressure
Acupressure is the process of applying pressure on specific parts or points of the body. By pressing particular points of the body in this way in the image below given is believed to release all muscle tension and alleviate pain.
Peoples suffering from migraine attacks should press the popular point on their hand that is LI-4 point in the space between the base of the left thumb and pointer finger. If you want to relive headache pain then apply firm but not painful circular pressure to the LI-4 point, use the opposite hand for 5 minutes. This technique will help you to remove pain.
In 2012, a study was on 40 peoples who had migraines without aura. In study, it was found that pressure on the PC6 acupoint, which is located three fingers up from the base of the wrist on the inside of the arm, was effective in relieving migraine-associated nausea or vomiting associated with a migraine headache.
2. Diet changes
Peoples affected by migraine should bring some changes in their diet to prevent migraine attacks. Some foods trigger them. We have given names of all those food that should avoid completely.
- processed foods
- red wine
- alcohol
- chocolate
- caffeinated beverages
If any food doesn’t suit you in migraine and bringing attacks except food above given then try to avoid them completely. Change your diet and add healthy food to your diet. Drink more and more water and do some exercises also that will prevent migraine in the future.
3. Essential Oils
There are many useful essential oils which are used as natural remedies or as an antimicrobial in homemade cleaning products. Lavender oil is one of the best oil recommended by many doctors as a remedy to prevent stress, anxiety, and headaches.
On the basis of an article published in European Neurology, it was found that lavender oil inhalation helped reduce the severity of migraine headaches in some people. The results are very effective but further research using larger sample sizes is needed.
4. Ginger
In 2014, a total of 100 peoples participated in a study for the comparison of the effectiveness of ginger powder with sumatriptan, a common migraine drug. It was found that ginger is very effective in comparison of sumatriptan, and users were as willing to continue with either treatment.
One advantage of ginger is not to hurt migraine patients. Besides this, there are no harm or side effects of ginger for those also who have an existing allergy.
5. Stress Management
Stress is a very common issue for migraine patients. It can also be cyclic which comes again and again on a definite period cycle where migraine pain worsens the stress, which then triggers another migraine.
Those who are badly affected by stress and searching outlets of this should do regular exercises or meditation, may help to prevent future migraines. It will very helpful to prevent migraine. Moreover, meditation classes such as journaling also help in stress management.
When migraine attacks trigger you then warm water bath is also helpful or listening to your favorite music like soft or Sufi as well feel relive the stress level. These methods are for those who are suffering from migraine attacks in large number. By doing these positive activities and make thinking positive, you may become used to take control of your’s body reaction to the stress in life.
6. Yoga Or Stretching
Yoga improves blood circulation and reduces muscle tension that helps relieve symptoms for people who get migraines. A comprehensive study has been done in the year of 2014 in which conventional migraine treatment had compared with and without the addition of yoga practice.
The result was that those patients of migraine who had a practice of yoga session on a regular basis are getting more relief in the comparison of people without yoga practice.
7. Biofeedback therapy
If your muscles have become tight due to migraine attacks continuously then biofeedback therapy is very useful in this. It includes a practice session on a regular basis. Sensors placed on the muscles feed into a small machine that gives real-time feedback about muscle tension, allowing users to release the tight areas better.
Placement of sensors along the forehead, jawline, or trapezius muscles in the shoulders can help to target muscles that might be triggering migraine pain.
8. Acupuncture
In an extensive study was done in the year of 2012, a systematic review at studies acupuncture is very effective for the treatment of migraines in India and many other countries.
In a study, it has found that the patients suffer from migraine headache attacks should take acupuncture session on a regular basis. It is very helpful to prevent these attacks. Doctors who are about to open their acupuncture classes for migraines should make sure to find a licensed practitioner for treatment.
9. Massage
Massage the muscles of the neck and a shoulder is very effective to release muscles tension and pain from nerves. Those patients suffer from migraine attacks feels bearless pain at neck and shoulders must take regular massage by any professional massager.
If you are finding an alternative of this then take a tennis ball and do massage with the help of it on your shoulder and neck. It will also help to give you massage in your own way. It is the best way of a cost-effective option.
10. Herbal Supplements
There are two supplements name as Butterbur and feverfew are very useful in reducing migraine pain and frequency. Purchase them from a medical shop on your doctor advice and take a daily dose of 150 milligrams (mg) of butterbur. According to the American Migraine Foundation, it is very effective in lowering migraine frequency if it takes on a regular basis up to 3 months.
According to the foundation, the feverfew supplement is less effective in comparison to butterbur. Some people gets the best results of feverfew but the number is very less. Moreover, there are some risks also by taking these herbs. So, we are advising that don’t take it without your doctor’s permission.
11. Magnesium
Those women who have a deficiency of magnesium may trigger migraine aura or a menstrual-migraine headache. A migraine aura is a visual disturbance that occurs at the onset of a migraine. Not everyone who gets migraines will experience a migraine aura.
Peoples affected from migraine aura should intake of magnesium supplements prevent the frequency of migraines in some individuals. Patients who are thinking about to take magnesium supplements should take advice once from their doctor if they have any allergic issue or health issue.
12. B-complex vitamins
The B-complex vitamin is very essential for the growth in regulating neurotransmitters in the brain. It has a very strong impact on reducing migraine frequency and severity. B vitamins soluble in water, the meaning is that excess levels are excreted in the urine and not stored in the body.
Vitamin B has quickly excreted vitamin in the body. So, peoples should not take too much. But, it is very important to ask the doctor for any patient to start taking a daily B-complex vitamin.
13. Stay hydrated
Water is a very essential part of our body. Deficiency of water may cause many diseases in our body. If people will not take enough water then it may cause migraine and headache trigger, and it only takes minor dehydration to bring on a headache.
Peoples should try to drink more and more water on a regular basis to keep their body dehydrated. Drinking water in maximum quantity will keep your body healthy and also prevent you from migraines and other diseases also.
14. Rest
Proper rest works as a charging method for our body to face the next task of our daily routine. Lack of sleep and too much sleep can be triggers for migraine headaches. Always try to sleep of minimum 7-9 hours daily. It will reduce stress and prevent migraines.
15. Compresses
Some people find placing a cold or warm compress on their head can be soothing and help to reduce migraine pain. Many people who get migraines report a preference for a cold compress, but warm or cold can work. There are few side effects of using this therapy, though people with circulatory problems, diabetes, or skin issues should avoid extremes of temperature.
Herbs for Migraines
If you are migraine patient then you know better than migraine is not the same as normal headache. It is much more than a normal headache in which a person feels bearless pain at both sides of the head. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, those persons who get migraine attack can’t function properly.
Normally, peoples opt for medication treatment. But, there are many other peoples use natural therapies such as relaxation techniques and herbal remedies. There are many herbal remedies which are very effective for the treatment of migraine. Although most herbal migraine remedies haven’t been thoroughly scientifically tested for their effectiveness, many are rapidly gaining the support of the modern medical community.
a. Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium)
Feverfew is also known by the name of featherfew has been used in the treatment of various varieties of aliments. Earlier, it was used for the treatment of fever, swelling, and inflammation. But after the research done in 2011, it was found that it is also very effective for the treatment of migraine. And, it also includes many more uses such as:
- migraines
- dizziness
- inflammation
- breathing problems
b. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus):
Butterbur is found in wet, marshy areas of Europe, Asia, and North America. It is used in various treatments such as:-
- Headaches
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Cough
- Fever
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- General Pain
But, in 2012, a study published in neurology says that Petasites is effective for migraine prevention if it is taken as 50- to 75-milligram doses twice daily.
c. Peppermint (Mentha x balsamea)
Peppermint grows in North America, Europe, and Asia along with spearmint and water mint. The leaves of peppermint and their essential oils are used in the treatment for medicinal and culinary purposes. In addition to headache treatment, it’s also used to relieve:
- Spasms
- Toothaches
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Nausea
In the year of 2010, an article was published in the International Journal of Clinical PracticeTrusted Source in which it was found that menthol was effective at stopping migraine pain and easing nausea when applied to the forehead and temples in a 10 percent solution.
d. Willow (Salix spp.)
Willow bark extract (WBE) was used in the development of aspirin which is a famous counter pain reliever, fever reducer, and anti-inflammatory drug. WBE contains an anti-inflammatory ingredient called salicin. A 2012 studyTrusted Source suggests WBE is also an effective antioxidant.
e. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is a tropical Asian plant used in herbal medicines in China for over 2,000 years. It’s also been popular in Indian and Arabic medicines since ancient times. On the basis of many types of research, it has found very effective in the treatment of migraine.
Ginger has traditionally been used as a remedy for:
- headaches
- stomach pain
- nausea
- arthritis
- cold and flu symptoms
- neurological problems
f. Caffeine
Caffeine is used as a painkiller in China during the Ming Dynasty. But, in the study which was done in the year of 2012, it was found that a combination of 1,000 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen and 130 mg of caffeine is particularly helpful for the treatment of migraine.
It is also very effective for the treatment of many diseases including:-
- headaches
- high blood pressure
- stomach problems
- sexually transmitted diseases
- cancer
- circulatory problems
- inflammation
- skin damage
- kidney disease
g. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Earlier, valerian was found in Europe and Asia only but now, it is commonly found in North America. It is known as “all heal” in the 1500rs, as it was used to treat a multitude of ailments. These included:-
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Heart Palpitations
- Tremors
- Anxiety
It is not sure that it is very effective in migraine but somehow it is used for modern treatment for headaches.
h. Coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum)
Since over 7000years, coriander seeds were used for healing and seasoning properties. They have the ability to treat ailments that ranged from allergies to diabetes to migraines. In Ayurveda, it has been proved that it stops migraine attacks if taken as regular.
i. Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis)
Dong Quai is same from family as carrots, parsley, and celery, dong Quai root has been used as a spice, tonic, and medicinal cream for more than 1,000 years, especially in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean practices.
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Inflammation
- Nerve Pain
Despite its history, the root hasn’t been studied enough to recommend it as an effective treatment for migraine pain.
j. Lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender oil has a sweet smell made from the flowers of lavender. In 2012, a study was done in which it has found that if it inhales during migraine attack then it will be much affected. To use lavender oil, breathe in the oil or apply a diluted solution to the temples. If you don’t dilute it properly, the oil may irritate the skin at the application site.
k. Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)
It has the ability to preventing migraine pain. The leaves of the plant can be dried and ground for use in capsules. Rosemary is used as medicinal treatments include:-
- Muscle And Joint Pain
- Memory Problems
- Concentration Difficulties
- Nervous Disorders
- Circulatory Problems
- Liver Ailments
- Migraines
More herbal remedies:
Along with above-given remedies, there are more remedies which are very effective in the treatment of migraine. These are stated below:
- Linden, lime tree (Tilia spp.)
- Raw potato cuttings
- Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
- Mullein (Verbascum)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens)
- Common hops (Humulus lupulus)
- Betony (Stachys Officinalis)
- Evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa)
Warnings And Potential Complications
Well, herbal remedies are good in the treatment of migraine but if they misuse then it may be harmful. These herbs can be dangerous if they come in the connection of medications such as oral contraceptives or heart drugs.
Types Of Migraines
There are 4 types of migraine described below.
1. Migraine without aura
It is one of the most common kinds of migraine headache in which patients have to bear the pain for 72 hours. People who have these kinds of migraines tend to experience them a few times per year. If they occur more often than that, the condition may be diagnosed as chronic migraine.
2. Migraine with Aura
Those patients who experience disturbance in their nervous system, known as Aura during a migraine. At this stage, people experience bright spots in the field of vision, tingling sensations, vision loss, hallucinated odors, and uncontrolled movements.
3. Retinal Migraine
It includes vision loss in one eye. Unlike migraines with aura, the visual disturbances are usually contained to that eye.
4. Chronic Migraine
Chronic migraine occurs more than 15 days per month for 3 months or more. In this migraine, medical evaluation is very important to check if any other problem is occurring due to this.
5. Migraine Triggers
Lifestyles can effects migraine. According to the American Nutrition Association, there are many foods that cause migraine triggers like chocolate, food dyes and additives, preservatives, aspartame, and cured meats are the most common dietary.
If you have a food allergy then avoid that food otherwise it can activate migraine attacks. High-stress stressed lifestyle, these all are causes due to which migraine occurs. When any person gets emotional then chemical releases from brain stocks migraine. Imbalance or changes hormones are also a big reason behind the migraine trigger. Even, the menstruation cycle is also connected with migraine. If any person is going to opt herbal treatment then it is very important to detect migraine earlier.
More words:
Well, herbal treatments are effective, it has been found in researches. But, daily diet plays a big role in migraine attacks duration, frequency and intensity. So, it is very essential to take a healthy diet for any migraine patient.
Here, we have discussed many some effective foods which should be taken by the migraine patients.
- Eating A Low-Fat Diet
- Eliminating Or Limiting Foods That Show Igg Antibody Production
- Improving Gut Flora Content
- Eating Consistently To Minimize Low Blood Sugar
Just like herbal treatments affects positively your body as well as this daily diet also good for your health.