7 Effective Natural Migraine Treatments

image

Millions of people suffer from a migraine attack every hour. The intense, throbbing pain of these headaches is usually accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity. To make matters worse, migraines are a chronic condition, often beginning in childhood or early adolescence and continuing all the way through adulthood. It’s no wonder that migraine remedies are very much in demand!

Many rely on over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medication to deal with this affliction. However, these don’t always work as migraines can vary in severity across attacks. You also risk becoming overly dependent on them if you use them too often. This is why more and more people are turning to alternative medicine for relief. If you’re looking for a natural migraine treatment, here are 7 safe and effective remedies that you can try.

7 Effective Natural Migraine Treatments

1.       Feverfew

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is an herb that has been used as a remedy for all sorts of ailments since the time of Ancient Greece. A lot of this plant’s virtue can be attributed to the compound parthenolide. Its mechanism isn’t well understood, but there is definite proof that parthenolide is effective against migraines. To use feverfew, you can brew tea using the plant, chew on a couple of leaves or take herbal feverfew supplements.

2.       Peppermint or Lavender Essential Oil

When you’re in the throes of a migraine, you can often be extremely sensitive to smells. This is perhaps why a topical application of diluted (or undiluted, depending on your preference) peppermint or lavender essential oil on your temples and forehead can provide relief for a bad headache. For most people, this treatment eases the pain and the pleasant smell helps to mask unpleasant odors that cause nausea.

3.       Ginger

Ginger is more than just a way to give your food a kick. Indian and Arabic medicine cite it as a treatment for neurological problems, and many modern-day practitioners recommend it for migraines. You can take it fresh or dried, or in the form of extracts or supplements.

4.       Valerian

Valerian is another ancient headache remedy that has stood the test of time. Its sedative properties can relieve the tension and over-contracted muscles that are so often associated with migraine, and it may also help you get some much-needed rest when you’re suffering from a whole-day headache. A tincture or tea of valerian root is effective for this purpose, as are supplements that contain its extract.

5.       Caffeine

Migraines are caused by vasodilation, or a widening of the blood vessels in your head. Small doses of caffeine can combat this by causing the blood vessels to constrict to their normal size, so it’s a good idea to have a cup of coffee or black tea when you feel a migraine coming on.

6.       Staying Hydrated

Dehydration can bring about a migraine, so it’s very important to stay hydrated if you know you’re prone to these headaches. Drinking a few glasses of water before a migraine reaches full strength can help alleviate the symptoms or even stop it from happening.

7.       Regulating Temperatures

People often complain of their head feeling hot and weighty during a migraine. This is partially because of all the blood literally rushing to your head. You can thus find some quick relief by soaking in a warm bath while holding an ice pack to your head. This temperature regulation dilates the blood vessels in your body while constricting those in your head, encouraging blood to flow away from your brain and reducing the pain you feel there.

So whenever you feel an attack coming, try one of these natural remedies to find relief.

 

Don’t forget to download my FREE recipe book, Amy’s Home Kitchen” for easy, delicious and healthy recipes. Or connect with me on Facebook or Google+ for more healthy tips, tricks, and recipes
If you are serious about detoxing, living a healthy lifestyle and/or losing weight to improve your health without the need to count calories or feel hungry, click here

 

References:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/headache-migraine-pictures/8-home-remedies-for-headaches-and-migraines.aspx#08

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/12/natural-migraine-relief_n_1666726.html

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/10-proven-migraine-cures-plus-the-one-that-doesnt-work/view-all/

http://www.healthline.com/health/migraine-herbal-home-remedies-from-around-the-world

Amy Goodrich
Amy is a life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach. She is the founder of the healthy lifestyle website www.Body-in-Balance.org and creator of the online program, www.ThinForever.me. After successfully changing her family’s health and happiness, she’s on a mission to help other people achieve the life and body they want. You can find here on Facebook or Google+ or get her free clean, whole food recipe eBook here: http://www.body-in-balance.org/amys-home-kitchen-recipe-book/