Herbal medicine for migraines -
Migraines can be triggered by changes in the weather, fatigue, stress, anxiety, insufficient sleep, dehydration , and hormonal changes in women , according to the American Migraine Foundation.
Attacks can also be set off by skipping meals, performing strenuous exercise, travel to a higher altitude, and, for some, alcohol or the food additive monosodium glutamate MSG. Kriegler says. Skipped meals or too many hours between them is a common migraine attack trigger.
Low blood glucose caused by not eating can also cause a headache that is not part of a migraine attack. Since even mild to moderate dehydration can be a trigger for a migraine attack or headache, get in the habit of having water available to drink at all times, particularly during exercise.
For some people, particular foods or beverages can be triggers. According to Vince Martin, MD , a neurologist and the director of the University of Cincinnati Headache and Facial Pain Center, speaking at the Migraine World Summit , the three most common food triggers are MSG in liquid form such as in a soup , too much or too little caffeine , and alcohol.
A food diary can be a good way to identify food triggers. The herb known as feverfew became popular as a migraine remedy in the s when a landmark British study showed that more than 70 percent of participants had less migraine pain after taking feverfew daily.
Other research has shown improvement in migraine pain among people who took feverfew daily in combination with white willow, an herbal remedy that contains properties similar to aspirin. They must therefore be consumed in the diet.
Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids include wild cold-water fish such as salmon, cod, and tuna , flaxseed , walnuts , and eggs fortified with omega-3s. Omega-3s are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-blood-clotting effects, which may make them protective against heart disease and stroke.
Consuming more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may also have some benefit for people with migraine. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids reduced the duration of migraine attacks by about three and a half hours, although it had no effect on the frequency or severity of attacks.
Another study also looked at the role of another essential fatty acid, omega-6, in chronic migraine and found that reducing omega-6 fats along with increasing omega-3 consumption led to more headache improvement than reducing omega-6s alone.
Omega-6 fatty acids are found in many processed foods that contain corn oil, as well as in flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, and pistachios. The typical American diet contains 10 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids, according to Harvard Health Publishing , and many experts believe that consuming about the same amount of both is healthier for humans.
Magnesium can be taken as a natural supplement to prevent migraine attacks, says Nada Hindiyeh, MD , a headache specialist and the director of headache neurology at the Metrodora Institute in West Valley City, Utah.
In one meta-analysis , oral magnesium was shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. There was also evidence that intravenous magnesium could help reduce the severity of an acute migraine attack within 15 to 45 minutes, and, in fact, intravenous magnesium is often part of treatment for status migrainosus, a severe migraine lasting longer than 72 hours.
Many healthy foods provide magnesium, including bananas, flaxseeds, chia seeds , pumpkin seeds, cashews, dark chocolate , and leafy greens such as spinach and Swiss chard. RELATED: 9 Foods High in Magnesium. Acupressure is used in traditional Chinese medicine TCM and can improve tightness and tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, which can sometimes trigger or worsen a migraine attack or headache.
According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , acupressure helps relax muscles and improve blood flow.
You can do acupressure to yourself or have someone else do it. For some people with migraines , scalp massage will offer relief from pain by helping reduce tension and promoting more robust circulation, says Dr.
Like many aspects of natural, individualized medicine, nothing will work for everyone. Allodynia can make even normal activities like brushing hair or resting your head on a pillow very painful. Although both ice and heat can be used to relieve pain, most people with migraine prefer cold, according to the National Headache Foundation.
Cold packs can be placed on the forehead and temples or on the back of the neck if you prefer. Evidence links low levels of vitamin B12 with migraine. One study compared vitamin B12 levels in 70 people with migraine and 70 healthy people of similar demographics.
Investigators found that serum levels of B12 were significantly lower in people with migraine compared with participants without migraine.
People with the lowest levels of the vitamin were 5 times more likely to have migraine than those with the highest levels of B Researchers have also tested the effects of daily vitamin supplements containing folic acid vitamin B9 , vitamin B6 , and vitamin B12 on migraine. Another study found that 1 milligram mg of folic acid in combination with vitamin B6 and B12 was less effective in reducing symptoms associated with migraine compared with a dose previously tested by the same researchers, namely 2 mg folic acid in combination with 25 mg of vitamin B6 and micrograms mcg of vitamin B Extracts from the leaves and roots of the butterbur plant have been used for the treatment of migraine.
One review of evidence on natural remedies concluded butterbur was effective in helping prevent migraine. The analysis included a trial in which the supplement reduced the frequency of migraine by 48 percent, compared with 26 percent in the control group.
On the basis of those studies, the American Headache Society, the Canadian Headache Society, and the American Academy of Neurology all recommended butterbur for use in preventing migraine. The American Academy of Neurology later retracted its recommendation because of concerns about liver toxicity.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , butterbur products that contain chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids may damage the liver, lungs, and blood circulation, and possibly cause cancer.
Butterbur is usually taken orally and, according to research , the recommended dose is between 50 and mg. While no strong evidence suggests that essential oils can reduce the frequency or severity of headaches or migraine attacks, some people find it relaxing to massage diluted lavender oil , peppermint oil, or basil oil on their temples, or to put a few drops in a diffuser to scent the air.
While lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically, you should generally avoid ingesting essential oils like lavender because of their potency, according to the Cleveland Clinic. As an alternative to peppermint oil, peppermint tea brewed from fresh or dried leaves can also provide a relaxing effect and contribute to proper hydration.
Additional reporting by Becky Upham. Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
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Medically Reviewed. Jessica Baity, MD. Ready for relief? One of these migraine home remedies might help. The 6 Best Essential Oils and Scents to Ease Headache and Migraine Pain Next time you feel the dreaded warning signs of a headache, try using these essential oils to relieve the pain.
Next up video playing in 10 seconds. Eat Regularly and Avoid Dehydration to Help Prevent Headache and Migraine. Feverfew May Prevent and Treat Migraine Pain. Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Headache Severity. Try eating these foods to curb your symptoms and even prevent an attack before it begins.
Magnesium May Reduce Migraine Frequency and Intensity. Acupressure May Help Relieve Tense Muscles. A few common pressure points for treating headache include: Gallbladder 20 GB20 , also called feng chi , is located by feeling the mastoid ear bone and following the groove back to where your neck muscles connect to the skull.
However, a small study published in Cephalagia: An International Journal on Headaches showed Boswellia was effective for cluster headaches when given mg three times daily for a total of mg for up to 3 months. However, given that Boswellia appears to support key inflammatory pathways related to headaches and muscle tension and its long-standing success in traditional cultures, it is a headache ally worth considering.
Passionflower , with its exotic purple blooms and green fruits, grows wild in fields across the southern United States and midwest. It has been used for centuries in folklore as a nervine relaxant to combat stress, promote calm, support sleep, ease tension and headaches, promote cognitive health, and soothe the nerves.
The science on passionflower is somewhat scarce. However, it has shown promise for helping ease neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain results from damage to the nervous system and can cause pain throughout the body, including the brain.
GABAergic neurons are essential to brain development and many aspects of brain function, including the manufacturing of GABA, a neurotransmitter involved in pain.
Another study compared the benefits of St. There is still much to learn about how Passionflower may help with headaches. However, it does appear to provide a broad range of possible benefits for various types of headaches and triggers.
Chamomile is a popular calming herb found abundantly in teas and essential oils. It has a long history of traditional use to support inflammatory response, healthy digestion, stress response, and promote sleep and relaxation.
Research has shown Chamomile has many beneficial plant compounds that support normal inflammatory function, including terpenoid antioxidants, flavonoids, and glucosides. Chamomile has also demonstrated efficacy for digestive health, sleep, stress or occasional anxiety, and more. Some herbalists and healthcare practitioners are partial to Chamomile essential oil for headaches, while others recommend a Chamomile tea, tincture, or compress.
All of these preparations may be appropriate depending on how you respond to the smell of Chamomile. For some people, Chamomile essential oil smells too strong and may even trigger a headache!
While other people swear by its benefits. Passionflower may be most suitable for those with hormonal-triggered headaches, and Feverfew may be your best bet for broad-spectrum preventative and acute headache support. Plus, many herbs have the potential to be more effective when combined with other complementary herbs and lifestyle practices.
In other words, it usually takes some experimentation to determine which herb or combination will work best for you. Uncovering the root cause of your headaches is also helpful in determining the best herbs and lifestyle options. A skilled doctor or healthcare practitioner can be invaluable in helping investigate causal factors and recommending a custom approach.
Check out our Blog and Herbal Reference Guide , for more information, herbal wisdom, and healthy living tips. By Kristen Boye BS, Natural Health. Kristen Boye Kristen Boye is a natural health expert, writer, copywriter, and editor.
Headaches are one of the most common types of pain. REF Everyone experiences them at some point, and they can range from mild and infrequent to severe and debilitating. REF For example, approximately: 1 in 20 people suffer daily, or nearly daily headaches 1 in 7 from migraine headaches, which are three times more common in women Why are headaches so common?
REF For this reason, many people seek natural alternatives for headaches. They all work best when combined with a healthy lifestyle that addresses some of the causal factors behind headaches, including REF REF Staying hydrated Eating a healthy, whole-foods diet Getting enough sleep Avoiding processed foods that may contain triggers such as MSG, caffeine, and excess sodium Avoiding fragrances Eating regularly Managing stress healthfully The following are five helpful herbs for headaches backed by research.
REF However, as indicated by a review covering six placebo-controlled Feverfew studies published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, three trials reported positive effects from feverfew, while two trials did not find significant differences between feverfew and placebo.
REF So, does Feverfew work for headaches or not? REF In this study, participants were given a combination of Feverfew and White Willow Bark twice a day for 12 weeks.
Participants reported fewer headaches, with less pain and shorter duration. You can find Feverfew in Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme® Pain and Turmeric Supreme Pain ® PM 2.
Turmeric and Curcumin for Headaches and Tension Turmeric , and its active component Curcumin, is one of the best-known Ayurvedic herbs for pain and reducing occasional inflammation from normal wear and tear. REF Curcumin has also shown promise for headache sufferers. REF This was a small study, but its methodology and results are encouraging.
REF Research on Turmeric and curcumin for headaches is still in its infancy. REF This research, coupled with its historical use and the evidence we have, may make it worth considering for headaches.
Boswellia for Headaches Boswellia , also known as Indian Frankincense or Frankincense, is a gummy resin found in the inner bark of the Boswellia tree. REF Boswellia was a cherished plant among the ancient Ayurvedic Indian and Asian wellness practitioners. REF Ultimately more research is needed to draw a definitive conclusion.
Researchers believe its actions are due to GABAergic support mechanisms within the plant. REF Another study compared the benefits of St.
REF There is still much to learn about how Passionflower may help with headaches. Chamomile for Headache Pain Chamomile is a popular calming herb found abundantly in teas and essential oils. Some herbs, such as Turmeric and curcumin, appear to work best when used proactively.
Want to learn more about herbs for headaches, stress, sleep, and more? World Health Organization, "Headache disorders: How common are headaches? com, "Medications for Headache", Treatments Pain. html 2 2.
html 3. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School, "Causes of common headaches", By Heidi Godman Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter February 3, R P Silva-Néto 1, M F P Peres, M M Valença, "Odorant substances that trigger headaches in migraine patients", Cephalalgia.
doi: Epub Jul Anil Pareek 1, Manish Suthar, Garvendra S Rathore, Vijay Bansal, "Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium L. National Institutes of Health, "Feverfew", Home - Health Information - Feverfew. Serena Materazzi 1, Silvia Benemei, Camilla Fusi, Roberta Gualdani, Gaetano De Siena, Nisha Vastani, David A Andersson, Gabriela Trevisan, Maria Rosa Moncelli, Xiaomei Wei, Gregory Dussor, Federica Pollastro, Riccardo Patacchini, Giovanni Appendino, Pierangelo Geppetti, Romina Nassini, "Parthenolide inhibits nociception and neurogenic vasodilatation in the trigeminovascular system by targeting the TRPA1 channel", Pain.
Epub Aug E Ernst 1, M H Pittler, "The efficacy and safety of feverfew Tanacetum parthenium L. Barbara Wider 1, Max H Pittler, Edzard Ernst, "Feverfew for preventing migraine", Cochrane Database Syst Rev. R Shrivastava 1, J C Pechadre, G W John, "Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba Mig-RL combination in migraine prophylaxis: a prospective, open-label study", Clinical Trial Clin Drug Investig.
Sahdeo Prasad, Bharat B. Aggarwal Iris F. Benzie, Sissi Wachtel-Galor, "Turmeric, the Golden Spice: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Medicine", In: Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects.
Chapter Venugopal P Menon 1, Adluri Ram Sudheer, "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin", Review Adv Exp Med Biol. Andrew F Russo 1, "Calcitonin gene-related peptide CGRP : a new target for migraine", Review Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol.
Epub Oct J Peter H Burbach 1, "What are neuropeptides?
Many so-called natural products, vitamins, minerals and Mediterranean diet dinner remedies have been tried Trusted weight loss pills years mediicne order mevicine prevent migraine. Medicone research is migrainez limited, some natural remedies for headache, like Herbbal discussed in this factsheet, may be effective to migrainfs degree. Unfortunately, with limited funding for research into natural remedies for migraines, the studies that have been done are often both small scale and few in number. In this factsheet, then, we consider so-called natural supplements for migraine and other headaches, including plant remedies feverfew and butterbur along with magnesium, coenzyme Q10 and riboflavin vitamin B2. There are two main approaches to treating migraine: treatment of the migraine attack when it happens acute treatments and taking regular medications to stop attacks happening or reducing their severity preventative treatments.
Herbal medicine for migraines -
Feverfew is an herbal supplement that has been studied and recognized as having benefits in some populations of people with migraine.
Some energy drinks, and certain ingredients such as ephedra or ma huang which was taken off the market because of the risk for stroke , may trigger or worsen headaches and migraines.
More research about herb-medicine interactions is needed. Because of the possibly dangerous effects, however, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about any herb, vitamin, or other dietary supplement you take. Treat an herbal remedy just like a medicine.
Online Medical Reviewer: Joseph Campellone MDMelinda Murray Ratini DORaymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN. Urgent Care. In This Section. Triptans, a class of prescription medicines used to treat migraine pain, and tricyclic antidepressants, used to prevent migraine, may interact with the following herbal remedies: Echinacea Garlic in large doses Ginkgo biloba Ginseng St.
Lemon Balm is a vasodilator which means it broadens capillaries and blood vessels to reduce head pressure. It also has mild sedative effects that calm nerves and tense muscles. How to make at home tincture? Combine three parts lemon balm and two-parts feverfew in a jar and pour proof alcohol above the herbs.
Shake it well and let it rest for weeks in a sunny place. The next step is to strain with cheesecloth and put in a dark colored bottle. While experiencing migraines take ¼ — ½ teaspoon every minutes until symptoms fade. It is an essential herb for treating migraines and headaches.
Ginger roots contains prostaglandins substances that alleviate inflammation, pain and stress which is usually the cause of headaches. It relieves pressure, nausea and vomiting in migraine attacks. Preventive methods would be to drink ginger tea a few times a week or a day if you experience migraine episodes.
It is quite simple to make it: Put water into the saucepan, add ginger and boil for minutes. In the end, add lemon juice and honey.
It also helps treat headaches and migraines. People reported that 15 minutes of breathing in lavender essential oil significantly reduced pain. Before you give it to your child speak with the pediatrician.
Adults can use it every time experiencing symptoms by adding two or four drops of oil to boiling water and inhale the vapors. Another way of using it is to massage it on your skin. Valerian is a wildflower that originated from Asia. It is considered one of the most famous herbs for treating various conditions such as sleep problems, anxiousness, and stress.
Valerian does not always help with migraines but prevents stress as the main cause of migraine headaches. Talk to your medical or holistic practitioner before using valerian, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or using other medications to treat migraines.
Rosemary is one of the main ingredients in essential oils and lotions. For centuries people used it to relieve joint pain and arthritic issues, but in the 20 th century, its effectiveness in reducing migraines has been studied.
The most common trigger for headaches and migraine episodes is stress and anxiety and rosemary is known to lessen these two and relax your muscle tension.
Rosemary can be applied directly to painful areas such as temples, forehead, and neck. Skullcap belongs to the mint family and there are two species of this plant: American skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora and Chinese skullcap Scutellaria baicalensis.
The former was used by Native Americans and the leter was used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Skullcap has sedative effects on nerves which results in muscle relaxation. It lessens headaches and migraines related to stress, anxiety, and tension.
Always make sure to buy natural herbs from an herbalist supplier since it happened that some put germander instead, which caused liver damage. Cayenne peppers are considered to have many health benefits, including cessation of strong migraine headaches. One of the main ingredients contained in cayenne pepper is capsaicin which most nasal sprays contain.
Capsaicin can dull neurotransmitters that carry pain signals to the brain. It is advisable to consummate it as a part of regular diet because it can prevent future migraine episodes from happening. Mix cayenne powder with water first and then use a cotton swab to stir. Make sure the cotton is covered with the cayenne.
Apply it inside your nostrils until you feel the heat. Herbal medicine combined with acupuncture is a holistic approach to treating various chronic conditions.
Using this way of treating headaches may result in getting rid of it for good. The crucial benefits of TCM and acupuncture for migraine headaches are:.
Beside using herbs and acupuncture to prevent and relieve head pain and migraine, there are other natural ways that can help. What can we do to relieve the pain?
Chinese Herb for Headaches and Migraines at Makari Wellness Michael Woodworth is a licensed herbalist and acupuncturist with more than 15 years of experience in practicing Chinese medicine. CONTACT US. Herbs That Help Relieve Headache and Migraine Pain Many years before medications and modern medicine was developed, different cultures around the world used herbal medicine as remedies for headache and migraine.
Butterbur The name butterbur comes from its large leaves used to wrap butter during warm season. Dong Quai Otherwise called Angelica Sinensis , is perennial plant found at high elevations in the mountains of Japan, China, and Korea.
Feverfew As its name states, it has been used to treat fever for centuries, as well as other health issues. Lemon Balm Lemon balm is an easy-to-grow medicinal herb and it is known to relieve symptoms of migraine headaches. Ginger Root It is an essential herb for treating migraines and headaches.
Valerian Valerian is a wildflower that originated from Asia. Rosemary Rosemary is one of the main ingredients in essential oils and lotions.
Background: Treatment effect of current pharmacotherapies for ,igraines is HHerbal. Discovering new anti-migraine natural products and nutraceuticals Herbzl large Energy-boosting recipes of Chinese kedicine classical literature may Trusted weight loss pills to address this Sugar alternatives for pastries. Methods: We conducted Herbal medicine for migraines comprehensive migrraines in the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine version 5. Information of formulae, herbs and symptoms were further extracted. After standardisation, these data were analysed using frequency analysis and the Apriori algorithm. Anti-migraine effects and mechanisms of actions of the main herbs and formula were summarised. Results: Among eligible citations, the most frequently used formula was chuan xiong cha tiao san CXCTSand the most frequently used herb was chuan xiong.
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