If you suffer from migraines, medication may help alleviate symptoms but may also have unwanted side effects. Natural and holistic remedies provide alternative relief options without depending on medications to alleviate discomfort.
At their core, holistic therapies such as diet changes and herbal remedies can ease migraine pain while helping prevent future episodes. Here are a few examples: ginger has been demonstrated to relieve nausea in multiple studies.
Inhaling Lavender Oil
Although medication is an effective means of relieving migraine symptoms, taking a more holistic approach may also prove useful. Many people use herbs, essential oils and relaxation techniques to alleviate their discomfort.
Lavender is a soothing plant with anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, lavender may ease migraine pain and decrease anxiety levels; according to research published in European Neurology journal researchers found that breathing lavender oil vapors helped alleviate headache and migraine symptoms.
Lavender can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep during migraine episodes, often disrupted by inflammation of blood vessels in the brain – another common source of migraine pain. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties could potentially help alleviate inflammation of brain blood vessels that often contributes to migraine discomfort.
Before trying aromatherapy or alternative treatments for migraines, always consult your physician first to determine their safety for you and if they could interfere with any medications that you currently take. Also make sure that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers seek advice prior to trying anything new!
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil may help relieve migraine headache pain when used in combination with acupressure. Pressing on LI4, an acupressure point located between thumb and index finger that has been thought to target nerves related to headaches, may enhance its effects.
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which has been shown to effectively ease migraine headaches. Additionally, it boasts anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties and may help improve gastrointestinal issues. Peppermint can be applied topically on the head and temples; however, be sure to dilute first in order to avoid irritation.
Many migraine sufferers are seeking natural alternatives to over-the-counter medication that may be harsher on the body. Although medical practices are becoming more holistic in approach, we still recommend seeking professional advice if symptoms don’t respond to self-help treatments at home. Sydney GP can assist you in understanding the difference between a migraine and standard headaches and offer helpful strategies on managing them effectively.
Keeping a Food Diary
Migraine is a complex condition with numerous triggers and lifestyle modifications may help lower its frequency of attacks. A helpful mnemonic can be found here (SEEDS; sleep, exercise, eat and diary). Use it to keep track of what lifestyle adjustments to implement.
Keep a food diary to become more aware of your eating habits and identify patterns that can reduce migraine attacks. A food diary may also reveal whether foods like aged cheese or artificial sweeteners trigger migraine attacks for you.
Holistic approaches to managing migraines include using herbal remedies like feverfew or butterbur, which have been found to relieve throbbing pain, as well as relaxing techniques like yoga or acupressure. Sleep, regular schedules, moderate exercise are also key. If these holistic methods don’t seem to help, consulting your physician could reveal other treatment options such as medication and consultations.
Getting Enough Sleep
As part of a holistic approach to migraines, getting adequate rest is critical. “Getting adequate rest may enhance medication’s efficacy as well as decrease frequency, duration and intensity of migraine headaches,” according to Kuruvilla.
Migraine and sleep disorders often co-occur, meaning one increases the other, she points out. Previous studies found that adults and children living with migraines scored lower on objective laboratory tests of sleep quality (including how long it takes them to fall asleep, their level of REM sleep and frequency of awakenings during the night) compared with healthy participants.
As part of your efforts to prevent migraines, try keeping a regular schedule for going to bed and rising each day. In addition, turn off devices an hour before bedtime so your bedroom becomes an environment solely dedicated to rest and sleep. Exercise and a healthy diet may also prove helpful; just consult your physician first before making changes in diet or taking new vitamins/herbs/supplements.
