If you suffer from migraine headaches, pain relief medications and preventative treatments don’t always provide relief. Natural remedies could offer more solutions.
Keep a diary of when, what, and for how long your migraines occur. Additionally, making changes to diet (e.g. increasing riboflavin (also called thiamin) intake) could decrease migraine frequency.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil contains menthol and other properties that help relieve headache pain, such as anti-inflammatory benefits and stress relief properties – two common migraine triggers.
Aromatherapy oils can be applied topically by dabbing diluted oil onto temples and back of neck, used with an inhaler, diffuser or added to warm bathwater for inhalation and ingestion.
Butterbur can help combat migraines by soothing inflammation and reducing blood vessel constriction, as well as controlling histamine, which is an organic chemical found naturally in some individuals that can trigger headaches (23). Sleeping the recommended 7-9 hours each night may also help alleviate headaches (24). When possible, avoid foods high in histamine such as aged cheeses, fermented foods or beer which contain histamine for maximum effectiveness.
Lavender oil
There are various natural treatments that may help lessen the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, including avoiding triggers, using over-the-counter pain relievers and herbal supplements, and employing ice packs or applying pressure to the head and neck area.
Studies indicate that lavender oil may help decrease migraine headaches by soothing your nervous system and aiding sleep. Dilute it and apply to temples or neck for application directly; add to a diffuser or mix with carrier oils and use in warm bath for use as well.
Exercise can also help to alleviate migraine symptoms by helping release chemicals that block pain signals from reaching the brain.
Feverfew
Feverfew may help reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. It contains parthenolide, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Feverfew may also assist in helping other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Oatmeal can also help ease symptoms associated with atopic eczema and allergic contact dermatitis, while its antithrombotic effect helps prevent blood clots in arteries and veins that could potentially lead to heart attack or stroke.
Though initial studies on herbal treatments as prophylactic treatments for migraine have yielded positive, preliminary results, more high-quality research is required to confirm their efficacy. Certain herbs such as lavender may interact with medications and should only be taken under medical guidance.
Butterbur
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has long been used as a natural remedy for headaches and migraines, and has proven its efficacy through clinical trials. Now recommended by the American Headache Society as prophylaxis for migraine, PA-free butterbur products should only be taken due to toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids present.
As it works by inhibiting the release of specific messenger substances that contribute to inflammation and pain, and by desensitizing specific ion channels involved with migraine attacks, this treatment could help.
Feverfew can also help alleviate symptoms associated with allergies such as hay fever and seasonal allergic rhinitis, such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and itching. Research has demonstrated that feverfew provides a natural alternative to over-the-counter medications that may contain harmful side effects.
Essential oils
Eucalyptus oil helps relieve headaches by opening your nasal passages and relieving sinus tension, as well as by alleviating headaches caused by stress or anxiety. You can inhale directly from the bottle or add it to a diffuser for ease.
Rosemary oil has long been recognized for its soothing effects on pain relief and circulation enhancement, calming nerves and improving sleep – two things often associated with migraine attacks.
Essential oils are not subject to FDA oversight for purity or quality, so you should use them with care. Always opt for quality products and test on yourself prior to applying to skin. Likewise, keep it out of reach of children and animals.
Ginger powder
Ginger has been shown to provide pain-relief through an independent research study published by Phytotherapy Research. Migraine patients taking ginger capsules experienced reduced frequency of headaches and reduction in pain severity – similar to what sumatriptan provides with fewer side effects.
Ginger root, tea and extract can provide relief for migraine headaches by soothing their pain with its soothing properties. Try mixing some dry ginger powder into boiling water and breathing in its vapours – this remedy could also be effective against nausea and other common migraine symptoms.
