Natural Treatments for Migraines

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine is one of the most common kinds of headaches that people suffer from all over the world. It can run in families with adults and children known to have them. 

Migraine headaches aren’t just simply severe headaches; they are part of a neurological condition and usually have other symptoms, such as:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • tingling or numbness in the feet or hands
  • sensitivity to smell, sound, or light
  • visual changes

Migraines can be a debilitating chronic condition that can impact some people’s daily lives.

There are many medicines that are prescribed to those suffering from migraines. However, it is a well-known fact that we consume a variety of chemicals each day. Excessive medication can be extremely detrimental to our health.

Thus, if you are suffering from migraines, maybe try out some natural remedies. Not only are these helpful but they will also have no side effects. Contrary to modern-day medicine that has many.

Some popular natural migraine treatments are:

  • Acupressure
  • Diet change
  • Acupuncture
  • Ginger
  • Essential Oils
  • Massage
  • Stretching or Yoga
  • Vitamin B-complex
  • Magnesium
  • Rest
  • Hydration
  • Herbal Supplements

Acupressure

acupressure, self medication concept in outdoor sunlight

Migraine symptoms may be relieved with the help of acupressure therapy.

Acupressure involves applying pressure to specific body parts, and stimulating these points in this way is believed to alleviate pain and release muscle tension.

The LI-4 point, or the space between the pointer finger and the base of the left thumb, is a popular pressure point. Applying firm, though not painful, circular pressure to this point using the other hand for five minutes may relieve headaches.

Diet Changes

Most people who have migraines notice particular foods can trigger them.

Some typical food triggers for migraines include:

  • alcohol
  • red wine
  • processed foods
  • caffeinated beverages
  • chocolate

It’s critical to be aware of what might be triggering your migraine. Some use a migraine journal or food diary to keep track of the possible triggers.

Changing your eating patterns or diet to avoid these triggers may help in preventing future migraines.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture Treatment

An extensive systematic review in 2012 looked at studies evaluating acupuncture’s effectiveness as a treatment for migraines and other conditions. The authors found that it’s an effective treatment option for those with migraine headaches, though they pointed out that other factors might play a part.

If you’re interested in treating your migraines with acupuncture, you should make sure to go to a licensed practitioner for treatment.

Ginger

A study in 2014 with 100 participants compared the effectiveness of sumatriptan, a common drug for migraine, with ginger powder. The study found ginger’s effectiveness was statistically comparable to sumatriptan, and people using them were as willing to continue with either of the two.

A definite benefit for those who experience migraines is that using ginger can’t hurt and exhibits no side effects to using it apart from existing allergies.

Essential Oils

These oils are usually used as antimicrobial homemade cleaning products or natural remedies.

Lavender essential oil is mainly recommended as a remedy for anxiety, stress, and headaches. A small study in European Neurology found that inhaling lavender oil can help reduce the severity of migraines in some people.

The results are pretty encouraging, though further research with larger sample size is required.

Massage

Massaging the neck and shoulder muscles can help in relieving tension and alleviating migraine pain. It may also reduce stress.

You can opt to get a professional masseuse for a massage. Alternatively, you can take a tennis ball and use it as a self-massager along the back and shoulders. The latter is a more cost-effective option.

Stretching or Yoga 

attractive japanese women exercising in the living room

Yoga is believed to help reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow, which can help in relieving symptoms for people with migraines.

A comprehensive study in 2014 comparing conventional migraine treatment with and without the accompaniment of regular yoga practice found that the group participating in a yoga program experienced more significant relief than the one who only joined in conventional treatment.

B-Complex Vitamins

B-complex vitamins are well-known for helping in regulating the brain’s neurotransmitters. When balance is regained, the migraines will automatically reduce their severity and frequency. Hence, after using B-complex vitamins, you will feel that your migraines are not as bad and are almost manageable. 

The human body immediately excretes B vitamins, so it’s not likely that someone could take too much. Nonetheless, it’s still vital to speak with your doctor before taking a daily B-complex vitamin.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency may trigger a menstrual-migraine headache or a migraine aura, as magnesium is an essential mineral. The latter is a visual disturbance that happens at the onset of a migraine, but not everybody who experiences migraines will get a migraine aura.

According to research, supplementation of magnesium can help reduce migraine frequency in some individuals. But before taking magnesium, you must first speak with your doctor, especially if you have other health conditions.

Rest

A lack of and too much sleep may trigger migraine headaches. It’s essential to get about seven to nine hours of restful sleep every night to help lessen stress and prevent migraines.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is extremely important in ensuring that your migraines are not as severe. Not drinking enough water can often cause headaches. Even minor dehydration can result in a headache. Hence, it is essential that you are drinking your daily requirement of water.

You can try to drink more water every day to avoid dehydration. Individuals with severe dehydration may first need an oral rehydration solution to replace the missing electrolytes.

Maintaining a healthy diet and drinking water throughout the day is typically enough to stay adequately hydrated.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements like butterbur may help in reducing migraine frequency. Feverfew and butterbur are two herbal supplements that may help reduce migraine frequency and pain.

However, there are some dangers to using these herbs, severe in some rare cases, and anyone who wants to try them must first speak with their doctors.

FAQs: Natural Treatments for Migraines

1. What is the fastest way to cure a migraine?

The fastest way to cure a migraine is to make changes in your immediate surroundings. It is a well-known fact that migraines are often exaggerated by bright lights and loud sounds. So, if you want immediate relief, it would be best to make sure that your surrounding has no bright lights. Turn down the lights or you can even sit in complete darkness. While it may not be completely ideal, it will help relieve some pain. 

You can also try to minimize any loud sounds. Wearing noise cancellation headphones might help with that.

Another popular way to cure a migraine instantly is to try temperature therapy. Wet a compress with either hot or cold water and press it to the back of your neck. 

A caffeinated beverage might also help.

2. What foods help with migraines?

Although eating something might not instantly get rid of your migraine, there are foods that you can include in your diet that may help reducing the intensity and duration of your migraine. 

Riboflavin or B2 is a popular compound that helps in preventing migraines. Foods such as quinoa, nuts, and eggs include riboflavin and hence help prevent migraines. 

3. What foods should be avoided during migraines?

There is scientific evidence that certain foods may trigger frequent migraines. These foods include excessive coffee, red wine, aged cheese, chocolates, citrus fruits, artificial sweeteners, yeast, and more. 

Chicken livers, avocados, and other organ meats, dairy products like buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream, dried fruits like figs, dates, and raisins, garlic, most beans including lima, navy, pinto, garbanzo, fava, lentils, and snow peas and onions can also cause migraines

4. What herbs are best for migraines?

Among many different kinds of migraines, herbal medicines are quite popular. Since such natural remedies have no side effects, they are used by many to help relieve migraines. Herbs such as feverfew, butterbur, peppermint, willow are considered to help relieve migraines by herbal medicine practitioners. Also, ginger, caffeine, valerian, and coriander seeds are known to help.

Conclusion

With so many medicines available for migraines, it is hard to know which direction to go in. Everyone sings praises about their own line of practice but who should we trust? Natural medicines are often not considered to be strong enough however, the truth is that they can be as effective if not more to help treat migraines. This article gives a brief overview of some of the natural remedies that can help solve your migraine issues.