Natural Home Remedies for Migraines Headache at Headaches-Migraine-Relief.com

If you are uneasy about taking pain medications, you may be interested in alternative treatments for migraine, or vascular, headaches. Alternative methods are natural ways to cure the pain and suffering of migraines. Alternative treatments are becoming more and more popular with doctors, especially when they are combined with prescription medications.

There are several factors that lead to the increasing popularity of natural migraine remedies. If you have a tendency to react adversely to prescription or over the counter medications, you may find that you can’t take any of the available migraine medications. Of course, you may just prefer not to use prescription medications because you are concerned about adversely affecting your body after extended use. The side effects of migraine drugs also make them a problem for many people. The last reason many people are turning to natural migraine remedies is the cost of prescription drugs. Without good insurance, these drugs can just be too pricey for most people.

One of the easiest, and most effective, natural migraine remedies is to turn out the lights. Darkness can help you recover more quickly from a painful attack. While laying down in a dark area should help somewhat, you can make this remedy more effective by following a few simple tips.

* Keep it quiet. Turn off televisions, radios and other noisemakers.

* Make sure you are warm and cozy.

* Lay down and relax as much as possible.

* Don’t close your eyes. Instead, cover them with a cloth, such as a scarf or a handkerchief. Closing your eyes actually uses additional muscles and can worsen your pain.

Relaxed breathing is another natural remedy for migraines. The reason this method is so effective is that knowing how badly your head is going to hurt when the migraine reaches full strength can cause you to have an anxiety attack. This makes your heart rate go up, which makes your blood move through your system more quickly, which increases your blood pressure. The increase in blood pressure puts more pressure on the areas being affected by your migraine attack, worsening the symptoms. It is essential for you to relax your breathing and slow your heart rate. To relax your breathing, you should:

1. Breathe in slowly and deeply. Then exhale just as slowly.

2. Take a second slow, deep breath. Take the time to feel the air going into your lungs and filling your body. Once you’ve inhaled as deeply as you can without growing uncomfortable, exhale slowly. Think about the way the air feels as it leaves your body. Be sure to breath out completely before you inhale again.

3. Repeat the entire process four to five more times, focusing on staying relaxed and slow.

4. You should feel far more relaxed and your breathing should be calmer. Your heart should be beating at a normal rate. Ideally, you should be so relaxed that you feel sleepy. Don’t fight the feeling. Go ahead and fall asleep.

Lavender oil is the final natural remedy for migraine sufferers. This essential oil is known for its many uses, including its ability to soothe migraine headaches. Lavender oil is inexpensive and readily available. You will want to avoid fragrances or scented oils, as they are not effective. Essential oils are much more powerful. When you begin to feel migraine symptoms, you will need to place a drop of lavender oil on your temples or behind your ears. You may want to place two to three additional drops of oil on your pillow. This treatment is especially effective when combined with the first two natural migraine remedies. The scent of lavender is so relaxing that many people feel their migraine lessening almost right away.

Ideally, when you treat your migraine with these natural remedies, you will fall into a healing sleep and awaken feeling rested and ready to face the day.

Migraine is the term used to describe a severe pain in the head. This can be cause by the contraction or dilatation of blood vessels in the brain and the irregular nerve activity mainly in the meninges. Migraine is caused by the stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, which release a substance inducing inflammation and also send messages to pain receptors in the meninges.

Migraines do not always require a prescribed or over the counter medicine. Migraines can be cured, or at the least lessened, by using folk remedies. More commonly called alternative medicine, home remedies are not complex chemical compounds but rather common sense and know-how.

There are many home remedies for migraines but the word remedy should be taken with a grain of salt. These remedies may not work for you when migraines are severe and disabling, and you should consult a doctor should migraines become frequent. There are many proven medical treatments that can help alleviate these horrendous headaches.

When you feel a migraine coming on, Chamomile is a wonderful preventive measure to limit the severity of the pain. Simply take a cup of chamomile tea when you start noticing migraine symptoms.

Take a wet washcloth and place in microwave for a few seconds. This works wonders for me, once I place the steamy hot washcloth on my face and head I can just feel the pain subside.

The flowers of henna have been found to be very effective at curing headaches and migraines. A simple home remedy is to dip henna flowers in vinegar and then rub them against the forehead for quick pain relief.

The crusts of lemon have also been found beneficial in the treatment- of migraine. These crusts should be pounded into a fine paste in a mortar.The paste should be applied as a plaster on the forehead. It will provide great relief.

With the essential oils, you can do another great thing at home for treating your migraine. And that is touching the oils. Here is how to do this for the treatment of migraine. Take some lavender or eucalyptus oil with or without peppermint. Have someone kneed across your shoulder and the back of the neck. Have the one press on the base of your skull with his/ her fingers and slowly release.

Both self-massage and acupressure can help. Two key points for reducing pain with acupressure are the web between your forefinger and thumb (squeeze there until you feel pain) and under the bony ridges at the back of the neck (use both thumbs to apply pressure there).

What can you do when an unpleasant headache or migraine strikes all of a sudden and you want treatments that provide quick pain relief? Many folks take aspirin or ibuprofen, but this treatment would probably not be appropriate for everybody. Taking these and other drugs constantly can have severe side effects on your body like stomach ulcers and kidney problems. And although other drugs are available, a lot of them have lots of scary side effects.

Millions of people use remedies for migraines that employ a combination of the solutions listed in this article. When a headache or migraine strikes all of a sudden, try some of these remedies to quickly alleviate your symptoms.

Sometimes simpler is the better course of action. A calming warm bath can quickly eliminate some of your symptoms and is one of the great remedies for migraines that provides good pain relief. If you can, lower the lights in your bathroom. You can do this by employing a night light or by lighting a candle to provide a low light atmosphere. If you experience visible effects like flashing lights, lie back in a comfy position and shut your eyes. Carefully massage your temples or the area slightly below your cheek bones.

Another one of the great remedies for migraines is to get a massage. Headaches are frequently caused by stress. When you’re stressed, your muscles tighten up. A massage works to delicately stretch these tight muscles and help alleviate the accumulated stress in your body. By working the muscles in your neck and shoulders, as well as those at the base of the skull, muscles relax and the discomfort may be reduced or even eliminated. Ideally, this technique works best if someone else does the massage for you but, if that is not a choice, you can give yourself a neck and head massage.

About eighty percent of US citizens don’t drink enough water and are dehydrated to some degree. And because most folk have a tendency to eat or drink very little when having a severe migraine, this can make the pain worse. Dehydration, no matter how mild, can cause headaches or amplify the pain. Though it’s a little known fact, millions of people can get pain relief by simply consuming water. If you suspect your migraine could be caused by dehydration, a few glasses of water could be just the thing to make you feel better. This solution is probably one of the easiest remedies for migraines that I know of.

Acupressure is also one of the good remedies for migraines. Like acupuncture, it is a well-known alternative treatment for many medical problems that has been used for thousands of years. To get headache pain relief, squeeze the fleshy area between your thumb and forefinger for at least five minutes for quick pain relief. Many folks also can relieve migraine pain by gently rubbing (in small circular motions) the little indentations just in front of your ears.

Still in pain? Get additional information by downloading my other fast acting Remedies for Migraines!

When a person develops a migraine headache, the primary and immediate concern is relief from the incredible pain. All too often individuals in this situation grab a bottle and down one, two or three of the common over-the-counter headache medications to fix the issue. The problem is, that does not fix the issue. People who take 2-3 or more of these medications per week are at strong risk to become caught in a desperate rebound headache cycle, where they have near daily headaches of one degree or another.

There has got to be a better way to fight this modern day scourge on mankind. A person in such a situation has lost control of his or her life. They are slave to an evil taskmaster that will not allow them to do many of the things that they would like and not to enjoy so much of what life has to offer.

Through testing, three of the most effective herbal remedies for migraines are feverfew, butterbur and pine bark. Let’s take a look at all three of these promising alternative treatments for migraine.

Feverfew

Feverfew comes from the same tribe of plants (asteraceae) as the daisy. Since the 1st century A.D., it has been used for the treatment of headache, stomachaches and fever. Feverfew has anti-inflammatory, stimulant, relaxant, decongestant and anti-coagulant properties.

Feverfew is mainly used for the treatment and prevention of frequent and serious migraine headaches. From the Natural Health (2007-03-01) we are told that “in a recent, well-designed clinical trial, 170 German patients took a placebo pill or an extract of feverfew for 16 weeks. Those taking Feverfew had significantly fewer migraines.”

Feverfew should be taken daily as a preventative, rather than a treatment for migraines. Herbal experts recommend tapering off the dose if you are going to quit taking the herb.

Butterbur

Traditionally butterbur has been used to treat spasms in the respiratory and digestive tract. In addition, Butterbur is said to inhibit the production of histamine, which helps to keep air passages open. This may help to relieve allergic congestion and seasonal allergies.

Butterbur is very popular in Europe and becoming increasingly popular in America as a sound way to minimize neurological discomfort. The exact cause of this is still unclear but neurologically severe headaches may be caused by a number of biological factors. Some researchers believe that they stem from an imbalance in the central nervous system that encourages the release of blood-dilating peptides. This could result in inflammation of the brain’s thin outer layer, the cerebral cortex. As pressure builds, blood flow becomes more restricted, potentially enhancing migraine headache symptoms. (Carle, R., Plant-based antiphlogistics and spasmolytics’ (translated from German). Z Phytother. 1988; 9: 67-76).

Other physicians think that many commonly consumed food items trigger migraines or that they could be hereditary. A 12 week clinical study showed that the active compounds in butterbur can prevent peptidoleukotriene biosynthesis, which is an inflammatory process that has been linked to the onset of mgraines. (Bickel D, Roder T, Bestmann, J. Identification and characterization of inhibitors of peptide-leukotriene-synthesis from Petasites hybridus. Plant Medica. 1994; 60:31-322).

Also of note is the writing ‘Petasites Hybridus Root (Butterbur) is an effective prevention for migraine” by Lipton, Einhaupl and Gobel (Neurology, 2004; 2240-4).

One thing to note about butterbur is that the plant contains liver toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). So it is important to choose a formula that is PA free.

Pine Bark

Dr. Sirichai Chayasirisobhon of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center set out to address the question of whether free radical damage can contribute to migraine headaches. (“Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Medication”, Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, Vol 46, No. 5, May 2006) He chose a dozen patients who had a long-term history of migraines with little to no success with various drugs (antidepressants, beta-blockers and anticonvulsants).

At the start of the study, subjects completed a questionnaire which was called the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS). The MIDAS was designed to assess the impact of migraine flare-ups on activities at home, work and while interacting with friends and family. This is a great way to start an unbiased test, so that the results before the test are well documented and there can be no dispute.

For the three month study period, each subject was given daily supplements that contained 600 mg of vitamin C, 300 IU of vitamin E and 1,200 mg of a pine bark extract. Subjects were allowed to continue using the medications they were currently taking.

Upon the end of the trial period the subjects completed a seconds MIDAS questionnaire. Their responses indicated a significant improvement.

The overall MIDAS scored improvement was more than 50%.

The average number of migraine days was reduced from 44 days in the three months prior to the trial, to 26 days during the trial.

The average migraine severity score (which some will argue is the most important factor) was reduced from 7.5 (out of 10) to 5.5

One subject dropped out of the trial. Of the remaining 11, two reported no change in frequency, duration or severity. Among the other nine, the overall MIDAS score improvement was almost 68%.

These three herbal remedies for migraines have all shown very good results when tested as alternative treatments for migraine headaches. If you suffer from headaches of these three appear to be well worth a try. It is possible that people in this country need to take a new approach toward migraine headache relief. Herbal remedies may be the answer.

Visit the Herbal Remedies for Migraine Headaches website for more information on herbal remedies for migraine headaches and great product offers. There are ways to help defeat the battle with migraines or headaches in general that many of us are facing.

There is nothing so annoying and painful than having a migraine knock you off your feet. It doesn’t matter if you have ten things to do that day. The migraine doesn’t care, it will slowly work its way into your head and ruin your whole day.

Some people who have headaches can go on with their normal everyday activities and the headache doesn’t affect anything. For others, simple things like talking on the phone is too much too handle or driving is a scary adventure because concentrating on the road is difficult when all you can think about is how bad your head hurts.

Migraine medication is great if it actually works. You have to take the medication at the first sign of your migraine and well we all know that life gets in the way sometimes and you don’t get a chance to take it at the precise time. So then that’s it, you miss the window of opportunity and all you want to do is crawl into a hole until it all just goes away.

Over the years of suffering from migraines, I have come up with some home remedies that at least help relieve some of the pain. If I am lucky, some of these remedies will speed up the process in curing my migraine completely.

Migraine Remedy #1: Medication

Take some medication even if you have a full blown migraine. Whether you take over the counter medication or prescribed, you might as well take it.

Migraine Remedy #2: Hot Tea

Yes, with a tea bag. I like Lipton. I try to drink it as hot as I can because it works better that way.

Migraine Remedy #3: Visualization

I will sometimes visualize that I am pushing the pain down from my head and out through my nose or mouth. The problem is that sometimes my nose starts to hurt and the nasal passage swells along with my head. This brings me to my next remedy.

Migraine Remedy #4: Music

Play some soothing music that will relax you. Stress is a major factor in migraines.

Migraine Remedy #5: Caffeine

We have all heard this before and sometimes it does work. This goes along with the tea remedy, of course.

Migraine Remedy #6: Sleep

If you can, try to take a nap.

Migraine Remedy #7: Breathe

Take some deep breaths. It will take several deep breaths to feel some relief but it does work. This basically causes you to relax.

Migraine Remedy #8: Cold Compress

Take a washcloth and place under cold water or put wet washcloth in freezer or fridge.

Migraine Remedy #9: Hot Compress

Take a wet washcloth and place in microwave for a few seconds. This works wonders for me, once I place the steamy hot washcloth on my face and head I can just feel the pain subside.

Migraine Remedy #10: Shower

Sometimes the hot water running on your head will help soothe the pain.

Migraine Remedy #11: Massage

Get someone to give you a back massage.

Migraine Remedy #12: Temples

Rub your temples or your head where you feel the most pain.

Migraine Remedy #13: Walking

Sometimes taking a walk can relieve some stress.

Migraine Remedy #14: Tightness

Tie a bandana or anything tight around your head.

Migraine Remedy #15: Drink Water

Sometimes migraines are contributed to dehydration so make sure you drink enough fluids.

If all else fails and you just can’t take the pain any longer, a visit to the Emergency Room may be needed. You may have something more serious going on or the hospital can help your migraine with something stronger. Of course, if you have consistent migraines or headaches, you should consult your physician. They may want to run some testing just to make sure there isn’t another, more serious cause for your migraines.

If you suffer from migraines and want to learn more about them along with information on choosing a migraine headache treatment, read on.

An Introduction to the Causes of Migraines

Migraines affect approximately one in six people across the country and are defined essentially as a headache that prevents you from carrying on your day-to-day life. In general, women are more susceptible to migraines. It’s also believed that migraines are genetic and may run in the family.

While the exact cause of migraines is unknown, it’s believed to start when serotonin is released into the bloodstream. But, what triggers that serotonin release? Some experts chalk it up to stress, others to poor diet and still others to everything from environmental stimulants to hormones.

Diagnosing a Migraine

The most obvious symptom of a migraine is the throbbing and almost unbearable pain behind your eyes. Most migraine sufferers complain that they’re extra sensitive to light, smell and various sounds – often wishing they could escape to a dark and quiet room. Some migraine suffers complain of nausea and vomiting as well.

Treating Migraines

The most common migraine headache treatment is an acetaminophen which is administered after the headache has occurred. Other drugs used include triptans or ergotamines.

However, using drugs to dull the symptoms of a migraine is not a truly beneficial treatment. Instead, sufferers should focus on identifying the cause of their migraines and preventing them from occurring.

The most common preventive method is to eliminate foods that may trigger migraines like caffeine (in any form), alcohol, nitrites, coffee and cheeses. In addition to eliminating these foods, you should also focus on increasing your magnesium aspartate and Vitamin B levels.

The next most effective method of reducing the instance of migraines is by reducing daily stress levels. Try to exercise every day and engage in relaxation or meditation breathing. You could sign up for a Yoga class or simply relax each day to a meditative tape.

Butterbur

When taken twice a day over a period of time, Butterbur root has been proven to be effective in preventing migraines. However, because certain kinds of butterbur root can be toxic to the kidneys and liver, you should look for a variety that’s approved for long-term use. Common side effects of butterbur include itchy or dry eyes, diarrhea and nausea.

Feverfew

Feverfew is traditionally used to heal colds, coughs, fever and dyspepsia. However, the active constituents in feverfew are anti-inflammatory and they also promote melatonin, which helps the body rejuvenate.

Because of this, feverfew can help reduce the instance of migraines and is an effective migraine headache treatment. Though rare, feverfew can cause mouth ulcers and indigestion.

As all who suffer migraine headaches are acutely aware, the intense pain can be crippling when it occurs – and the need for relief becomes paramount. No conventional or alternative treatment will produce the same positive results for everyone. However, for those who routinely seek relief, the effort to find a helpful solution is well worth it when one actually works.

The National Headache Foundation says that more than 29.5 million Americans have migraine, and although some rely on prescription medications, a growing number prefer natural remedies for migraine headaches.

A natural remedy for migraine headaches might be anything from herbs to supplements, acupuncture to aromatherapy.

Choosing a Natural Remedy for Migraine

If you choose a natural remedy for migraine treatment, you might try something from one or more of these categories.

Seven Nutrients

These nutrients are listed alphabetically to avoid indicating a preference.

1. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)

5-HTP is a compound the body produces from tryptophan, an amino acid. The body uses it to make serotonin. Since supplements that affect serotonin levels are used for migraines, 5-HTP has been put forward as an effective natural remedy for migraine treatment.

2. Butterbur

An extract of butterbur root has been found to be an effective natural remedy for migraine in children and adolescents. A clinical trial of this herb was reported in an early 2005 issue of the journal “Headache”. Butterbur appears to relieve pain and spasms.

3. Fatty Acids

Research done in the U.S. suggests that fish oil combined with magnesium taurate may be a great natural remedy for migraine. Both reduce blood vessel spasms, which appear to be the main cause of migraines.

4. Feverfew

This herb has long been considered a natural remedy for migraine and other headaches. Feverfew relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It treats migraine by inhibiting the platelets’ release of blood vessel-dilating substances. It also inhibits the production of inflammatory substances.

5. Magnesium

This mineral is one of the most promising natural remedies for migraine headaches. Contained in fish, nuts, seeds, soybeans, whole grains, and vegetables, magnesium is needed for healthy muscle, nerve and blood vessel tone. As a natural remedy for migraine, it is thought to help prevent blood vessel spasms.

6. Petasite (Petasites hybridus)

It was in Germany that Petasite was found to be an effective natural remedy for migraine. German researchers showed that people taking Petasite had fewer migraine attacks, and their attacks were shorter. They also had less pain than those taking a placebo.

7. Vitamin B2

Belgian researchers in a 1998 double-blind study learned that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) gave more effective migraine relief than a placebo. This natural remedy reduced both the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

Manual Therapy

Since no one treatment will work for everyone, you may want a natural remedy for migraine that involves manual therapy. Two possibilities are acupuncture and shiatsu.

1. Acupuncture

The Chinese art of acupuncture triggers relief by inserting delicate needles at specific points in the neck and head. Many people, including German researchers, have found it an effective natural remedy for migraine. Acupuncture is commonly used for migraines in Germany.

The researchers gave almost 900 patients one of three treatments: standard migraine drugs, traditional Chinese acupuncture, or “fake” acupuncture. Those who received “fake” acupuncture treatments had needles inserted in areas of the skin not used in traditional practice. In each group, virtually the same percentage of people cut in half the number of days affected by migraine each year.

2. Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a form of acupressure rather than acupuncture. As a natural remedy for migraine, shiatsu massage helps relieve tension and reduce stress. Whereas migraine tends to block blood flow or cause “overflow” to the lower head, shiatsu massage releases the blood flow and energy, restoring natural flow.

You can learn to do shiatsu for your own migraines, and get almost instant relief. Or have a family member give you shiatsu. The technique is simple, and regular massages are both preventative and remedial.

In a future article, we will consider the value of additional natural remedies for migraine headaches. If you are pregnant, be sure you ask your health care professional before using this advice. All migraine sufferers should seek professional counsel on using a natural remedy for migraine.

Millions of people suffer from painful migraines. So, what can you do when an excruciating migraine strikes all of a sudden? Following are some great home remedies for migraine headaches that you can apply quickly and get fast relief.

A migraine is an acute headache that is extremely painful and can even be a disabling condition for many. Migraines are common among the population as a whole. In the U.S., 18% of women and 6% of men report having had at least one migraine headache in the past year. Migraines affect about 30 million people in the United States. They may occur at any age, but usually begin between the ages of 10 and 40 and may begin to diminish after age 50. Some people experience several migraines a month, while others have only a few migraines throughout their lifetime. Approximately 75% of all migraine sufferers are women.

Some people complain that visual problems accompany their migraines. These visual symptoms include; bright shimmering lights around objects or at the edges of the field of vision, zigzag lines, wavy images, or hallucinations.

Other symptoms may include severe pain in the area of the temples, around the eyes or in the back of the head. In addition, migraines may be accompanied by nausea, fatigue or tiredness, and mood changes a day or two preceding the headache.

In some cases, migraines appear to run in families. If one of your parents suffered with migraines, there is a good chance that you will get them too.

So, what events trigger severe migraines? In most cases, migraines are brought on by the following triggers; stress, anxiety, fatigue, certain medications, alcohol and certain foods. Monosodium glutamate (also know as MSG), is thought to be a factor in the cause of severe migraines for a number of people. MSG is frequent used ingredient in Chinese and Asian cuisine.

Conventional home remedies for migraine headaches focus on trigger avoidance and symptom control. If you find that eating certain foods or situations are frequently followed by a migraine, avoid it in the future. This is common sense, but many people do not make the connection between the two occurrences.

Another one of the good home remedies for migraine headaches is moderation in your consumption of alcohol and caffeine. These are common triggers. Home remedies for migraine headaches should also include getting adequate sleep, eating meals at regular intervals, and drinking plenty of fluids. Dehydration is also a very common trigger for severe migraines.

Massage therapies are often very effective forms of home remedies for migraine headaches. If you feel a migraine coming on, get a massage. Headaches and severe migraines are frequently caused by stress. When you are stressed, your muscles tighten up. A massage works to delicately stretch these tight muscles and help alleviate the accumulated stress in your body. By working the muscles in your neck and shoulders, as well as those at the base of the skull, muscles relax and the discomfort will be eliminated. Ideally, this technique works best if someone else does it for you but, if that is not an option, it is possible to give yourself a neck and head massage. A massage is one my personal favorite home remedies for migraines.

Some people get some relief by applying either a cold or warm compress to the effected area. Most people report that a cold compress works best, but if that is not effective, try a warm compress.

Acupressure is also one of the good home remedies for migraine headaches. Like acupuncture, it is a well-known alternative treatment for many medical problems that has been used for thousands of years. To get headache pain relief, squeeze the fleshy area between your thumb and forefinger for at least five minutes for one of the quick remedies for migraines. Many folks also can relieve migraine pain by gently rubbing [using small circular motions] the little indentations just in front of your ears.

If you have tried these home remedies for migraine headaches and are still in pain, there is another good alternative. Get additional information by downloading my other fast acting Home Remedies for Migraine Headaches.