Avoiding trigger foods, beverages and stressors can help alleviate migraine attacks. A diary will assist in pinpointing individual triggers.
Drinking water as soon as a headache begins can stop its progression and help alleviate nausea, which may also ease symptoms. Rehydration may also provide temporary relief.
Vitamins and herbs such as riboflavin, magnesium, feverfew, butterbur and co-enzyme Q10 may help manage migraines effectively; however, you should consult your healthcare provider before beginning any supplements or herbal remedies.
Vitamin B2
Migraines can be debilitating headaches that are caused by various triggers, and identifying and avoiding them may reduce migraine attacks and intensity and frequency. Home remedies or supplements may also help.
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, may help prevent migraines by improving mitochondrial function and anti-inflammatory properties. With minimal risk of side effects and no potential conflicts with prescribed migraine medicines, taking vitamin B2 could provide much-needed support against migraines.
Some herbal supplements, including butterbur and feverfew, have also been touted to treat migraines; however, one study found that these herbs could potentially have dangerous side effects including liver toxicity. As always, it’s wise to consult your physician prior to trying any new supplements or herbal remedies.
Magnesium
Magnesium supplements may reduce migraine attacks in certain individuals. This works by inhibiting glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain which plays an essential role in cortical spreading depression (CSD), an process seen during migraine aura.
Magnesium can be found in foods like spinach, beans, nuts and whole grains; you can also take it in tablet form or through intravenous injection at a headache clinic.
Certain groups are at increased risk of magnesium deficiencies, such as those living with diabetes or alcoholism or taking diuretics for high blood pressure. Speak to your physician about which form of magnesium could work for you – we suggest magnesium glycinate which is gentle on stomach and easily absorbed, and is well researched when it comes to migraine prevention.
Cold therapy
Cold therapy may help alleviate migraine pain by numbing it and narrowing blood vessels, making your headache easier to bear. You can easily apply cold therapy in the comfort of your own home by placing a cool cloth or ice pack over your head or neck, or use cold-gel headbands and caps sparingly to limit potential injuries caused by excessive exposure or using them directly on skin.
Massage with peppermint or lavender oils may help reduce stress levels, yet has yet to be proven effective in curing migraines.
Acupuncture and acupressure may provide pain relief by stimulating specific points on the body. Before trying these techniques at home on your own, consult with a professional first. Maintaining a diary of potential triggers may also prove useful; keeping track of them could help identify patterns more quickly and help avoid migraine attacks when possible.
Painkillers
Natural treatments for migraines should focus on eliminating trigger factors, including stress, poor sleep or certain foods that can set off attacks. Over-the-counter painkillers and medication for nausea may help, especially if taken early enough. If migraine attacks become frequent or disabling, consult a neurologist who specializes in headache medicine to establish an overall management plan and preventive strategies.
Avoid foods known to trigger migraines, such as aged cheese, chocolate and caffeine. Instead, aim for regular and healthy meals at the same time each day and drink plenty of water; sleep at an established time each night and use relaxation techniques such as biofeedback. Rubbing peppermint oil or lavender oil diluted on temples and forehead can provide soothing relief; research shows acupuncture may reduce migraine frequency and severity in some people.
Acupressure
Applying pressure to specific points, such as those found on the hand and wrist, may help alleviate migraine pain by increasing blood flow and relieving muscle tension. This therapy is often practiced within acupuncture practices but can easily be performed at home using clips, tools or wristbands that make pressing points simpler.
Ginger can help relieve nausea associated with migraines. Studies have proven it as an effective natural treatment option; more research needs to be conducted.
Hydrating during a migraine attack is also key, and sipping water or sports drinks may help. Avoid alcohol as this will dehydrate you further and worsen the headache.
