If you are currently using preventative medication to decrease the number of migraines you may experience, or are using abortive medications which will stop a migraine before it progresses too far, or are taking pain relief whether over-the-counter or prescription, you must first speak to your primary care physician and pharmacists prior to introducing any other medications or herbal supplements to the regimen. This is because herbal supplementation is actually a form of medication that will have drug interactions with the medications you\’re already taking.
One such herb, feverfew, has been used for centuries as a folk remedy for migraines, arthritis, pain and fever. It became especially popular in England during the 1980s and was then incorporated into several studies to evaluate the effectiveness for prevention and treatment. One study examined the use of the extract or a placebo in 170 different people who suffered from migraines. Those who took feverfew had significantly decreased the number of migraines per month than those who took a placebo. (1)
However, not all studies have shown that it is effective. In some cases the research studies had mixed results and the statistical analysis was not conclusive enough to establish that feverfew is effective for preventing migraine. There are side effects which include abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and nervousness. People who have allergies to chamomile or yarrow should not use feverfew. This herb can also increase bleeding time so those who have a bleeding disorder, or who are undergoing surgery in two or three weeks should not use it. (2)
Magnesium is a mineral found naturally in green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. The body uses it for more than 300 different biochemical reactions and it helps to regulate blood sugar as well as trigger a normal muscle and nerve function, keep the heart in rhythm, support the immune function and maintain appropriate blood pressure. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of magnesium for migraine prevention and pain and have had some promising results. In one study oral magnesium was compared against an oral placebo with 81 people who suffered from migraines. After nine weeks the frequency of the number of migraines that people suffered was reduced by 41.6% in the group who were using magnesium. (3)
This was compared to a 15.8% reduction in the group who were using a placebo as preventative care for their migraines. The only reported side effects in individuals using magnesium was diarrhea in 18.6% of those taking it and digestive irritation in a smaller percentage. Not all studies have confirmed these conclusions however, so more studies are needed.
Butterbur is a shrub like plant that grows in northern Asia, Europe and parts of North America. The extracts from this plant has been used to treat migraines, stomach cramps, coughs, allergies and asthma. There has been several studies which has suggested that it also helps to prevent migraines. The largest study involved 245 individuals who either use the herb or a placebo. (4)
After four months of treatment those people who took 75 mg twice a day of butterbur reported a reduced number of migraines. Side effects can include indigestion, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation and pregnant or nursing women and children or people with kidney or liver disease should not use this supplement.
Butterbur is in the ragweed plant families so individuals were also allergic to ragweed, Marigold, daisies or chrysanthemum should not use it. The extracts can be sold as tea and capsules but the wrong plants should not be used because it contains alkaloids that can be toxic to the liver and kidneys and has also been found to cause cancer.
While exercise is a potential option for people who are suffering from a \”regular\” headache it is not something that will help an individual suffering the pain of a migraine during an acute attack. However, starting a brisk walk at the beginning stages of a migraine, after you\’ve taken either abortive medication for pain relief, can help reduce the amount of pain you feel. Exercise will help release the body\’s natural painkillers, endorphins.
Using a cold pack can also help some people with headaches. Most enjoy a cold pack at the base of the neck or over the forehead while others seem to find relief from plunging their hands into hot water. In either case it\’s important to experiment but be careful of experiments which can make your migraine worse.
Some individuals find relief through the use of acupuncture or acupressure. Acupuncture involves the insertion and manipulation of fine needles at various pressure points on the body while acupressure involves the same points but using pressure from the outside of the body. According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture there are many areas of Western medicine which are rigorously controlled by research. The quality of research and acupuncture is now better and meets the requirements of Western medicine it can rarely answer questions based on a scientific evidence-based model.
Chiropractic medicine is another way in which individuals find relief and prevention of migraine headaches. These physicians employ a holistic approach to pain relief through massage, spinal manipulation and periodic adjustments of joints and soft tissues. Some people have very good positive results while others fail to find any relief from chiropractic treatment. For this reason it is important to give it an experimental trial and if you don\’t enjoy positive results, then move on.
The MigraCap is a nondrug, non-vitamin relief product that is currently being evaluated by several manufacturers. It was developed by Shell who combine the use of cold therapy in complete darkness to give relief from pain associated with a migraine. It is one unique solution that employs the use of a light cap that covers the whole head and eye area and is filled with a specially formulated gel pack that is strategically positioned to target the area for the head affected by intense pain.
Finding natural relief from the pain of a migraine takes a little bit of persistence and research but if a natural route is one to which you are firmly committed then it is important to continue your research and experimentation with the different types of preventative medicines, identification of triggers and pain relief options. Remember that any time you are taking herbal medications you must tell your primary care physicians and pharmacists to avoid any drug interactions and side effects.
(1) New York University Langone Medical Center: Feverfew
(2) University of Maryland Medical Center: Feverfew
(3) University of Maryland Medical Center: Magnesium
(4) Natural News: Little Known Herb Butterbur Cures Symtpoms of Migraines
RESOURCES
Natual News: Natural REmedies for Migraine Headaches
EarthClinic: Headache Remedies
MayoClinic: Migraine Lifestyle and Home Remedies