What are the Natural Remedies for Migraine?
Headaches are very common and one deals with them on a daily basis. Headaches are of different types and happen due to several reasons. A moderate to severe type of headache is called Migraine. Migraine is a neurological condition characterized as a throbbing pain in one part of the head which seems like pulsing sensation in head or forehead. It can be painful and uncomfortable enough to disrupt a person’s routine. They are just not headaches, as they are accompanied
Hereditary and environmental factors play an important role in getting migraines. It is also related to the imbalance of Pitta energy in the body. It occurs when a person is mentally depressed or under high tension as there is high pressure on the arteries and reduced blood flow.
Natural remedies to treat migraine is a safe way to deal with the problem with almost no side effects. These remedies help in reducing the severity and duration of migraine without the need for medication. Some of the most effective natural remedies for migraine are listed below
Eliminate the Triggers of Migraine
It is necessary for the patient to find out the dietary triggers that provoke migraine for them and eliminate them as much as possible.
- A High Fat Diet and Histamine Rich Foods is a known trigger for Migraines so reducing the intake of fats and cutting histamine rich foods like aged cheese, fermented foods can help in reducing the frequency of migraines.
- Alcohol has also shown to cause tension and cluster headaches in people. It widens the blood vessels and allows the blood to flow more freely which may trigger migraine. Alcohol also acts as a diuretic making person urinate more often and dehydrating them at the same time, which worsen the headaches.
- Chocolates, Citrus Fruits, Tea and Coffee are other common triggers that should be avoided.
Natural Remedies for Migraine
1. Essential Oils
Lavender oil, rose oil, basil oil, ginger oil, peppermint oil, Brahmi oil, chamomile oil,
2. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the procedure where you breathe in essential oils or rub them on the skin to relax. A paste of sandalwood or ground clay may be applied on the forehead for relief.
3. Cold Compress
To get significant relief from migraine, one should apply the cold or frozen compress to the neck, head or temples immediately when the pain starts. This helps in decreasing inflammation and constricts blood vessels.
4. Herbs
Herbs like Feverfew and Butterbur are very helpful in preventing migraines. Feverfew helps in relieving migraine symptoms like nausea and noise/light sensitivity. A daily dose of 150 mg of Butterbur is very effective in lowering the frequency of headaches especially migraines. Butterbur is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Both the herbs can be consumed as a fresh or dried form or as capsules or as liquid extracts.
5. Herbal Teas
A cup of Rosemary tea helps in relieving migraines and prevents it from getting worse. Ginger tea is a great way to deal with headaches. Ginger also controls nausea. Cumin Coriander tea is very beneficial.
6. Juices
Juice of ripe grapes, carrots with spinach are a great remedy.
7. Magnesium Rich Diet
Frequent migraines are related to low magnesium levels in the body. It is recommended to take 200-600 mg of magnesium daily to prevent headaches. One can get magnesium from whole grains, beans, broccoli, nuts and seeds and also in the form of magnesium citrate capsules/supplements. Magnesium also controls blood sugar levels and nerve transmission.
8. Vitamin B12
It is advised for headache sufferers to increase the consumption of Vitamin B12 on a daily basis. One needs to include almonds, sesame seeds, fish in their diet to get natural relief from headaches like a migraine. Vitamin B12 has a protective effect against headaches. It is advised to take Vitamin B supplements on a daily basis. They are water-soluble vitamins and very safe to use.
9. Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a great remedy to decrease the frequency and severity of migraines along with managing the symptoms like nausea. A 100 mg of CoQ10 supplement per day is a natural remedy for migraines.
10. Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care
Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care are other effective ways to relieve migraines. All these help in reducing oxidative stress and prevent free radical damage in the body. Acupuncture helps in easing headaches by correcting the energy balance and making the body able to resist illness in a better way. Acupuncture causes the body to release chemicals like endorphins that block pain.
One of the main causes of headaches including migraine is stress. To relieve headaches, it is advised to reduce stress, as stress can create a cycle where migraine pain worsens the stress which then triggers another migraine. Stress could be relieved by taking a warm bath, listening to music, practicing meditation, yoga, stretching, biofeedback, massages etc. Getting adequate sleep helps in reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. A biofeedback training helps to change the blood flow to the brain and manage the headache effectively.
11. Staying Hydrated
Staying Hydrated is the key to avoid migraines. Drinking water helps in relieving headaches naturally. One should increase the intake of water-rich foods to prevent dehydration. A spoon of honey with warm water helps in removing toxins from the body and relieving pain. A well-balanced diet and not skipping meals are the simplest ways to prevent migraines.
All natural remedies have the ability to work alongside with the medications to help reduce pain and prevent it from coming back. Natural remedies may be tried one at a time or in combination for quicker relief. Not everyone with chronic migraines gets the same response to these natural remedies, it depends on the individual’s condition, age and severity of headache.
