Natural migraine relief at home
15 Natural and Home Remedies for Migraine Relief
Migraine attacks aren’t typical headaches. You may experience pounding pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. When a migraine attack or episode occurs, you’ll do almost anything to make it go away.
Natural remedies are drug-free methods of reducing migraine symptoms. These at-home treatments may help prevent the onset of migraine attacks or at least help reduce their severity and duration.
Keep reading as we take a look at 15 natural remedies that may help you manage migraine symptoms.
Note that migraine attacks may require treatment with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Speak with a doctor about a treatment plan that works for you.
Diet plays a vital role in preventing migraine attacks. Many foods and beverages may be migraine triggers, such as:
- foods with nitrates, including hot dogs, deli meats, bacon, and sausage
- chocolate
- cheese that contains the naturally occurring compound tyramine, such as blue, feta, cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss
- alcohol, especially red wine
- foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer
- foods that are very cold, such as ice cream or iced drinks
- processed foods
- pickled foods
- beans
- dried fruits
- cultured dairy products, such as buttermilk, sour cream, and yogurt
A small amount of caffeine may ease migraine pain in some people. Caffeine is also in some migraine medications. But too much caffeine may cause a migraine attack. It may also lead to a severe caffeine withdrawal headache.
To figure out which foods and beverages trigger migraine attacks for you, keep a daily food journal. Record everything you eat and note how you feel afterward.
Inhaling lavender essential oil may ease migraine pain. Lavender oil may be inhaled directly or diluted with a carrier oil and applied in small amounts to your temples.
A 2016 randomized controlled study found evidence that 3 months of lavender therapy as a prophylactic therapy, meaning taken before a migraine attack begins, reduced frequency and severity of migraine attacks. However, research is still limited.
A 2020 review of studies published in the journal Phytotherapy Research examined the ability of various herbal treatments, including lavender therapy for migraine. The authors found mixed or limited evidence to support the use of butterbur and feverfew for treating migraine but didn’t note that current research supports the use of lavender.
According to the authors, many studies had a high risk for bias, and more high quality research is needed.
Acupuncture involves injecting very thin needles into certain parts of your skin to stimulate relief from a wide variety of health conditions.
A 2020 randomized controlled study found that 20 sessions of manual acupuncture along with usual care was more effective at preventing migraine in people with a history of episodic migraine without aura than sham acupuncture along with usual care. Sham acupuncture is a treatment where the needles are not inserted as deeply.
A 2016 review of 22 studies also found moderate evidence that acupuncture may reduce headache symptoms. In the results summary, the authors explain that if people had 6 days of migraine per month before treatment, it would be expected that they would have:
- 5 days with usual care
- 4 days with fake acupuncture or prophylactic medications
- 3 1/2 days with real acupuncture
Feverfew is a flowering herb that looks like a daisy.
It’s a folk remedy for migraine. It still isn’t well-studied, but there is some evidence that it may be slightly more effective than a placebo for treating migraine.
In a 2015 review of studies, which is an update of a previous 2004 study, the authors concluded that larger studies are needed to support the use of feverfew for treating migraine.
The authors note that one larger study published since the 2004 review found 0.6 fewer migraine days per month in people who took feverfew versus a placebo. They describe previous studies as low quality or providing mixed evidence.
The 2020 review of studies published in Phytotherapy Researchalso summarizes the finding on feverfew as “mixed.”
The chemical menthol found in peppermint oil may help prevent migraine episodes, although there’s a very limited amount of research.
A 2019 randomized controlled study compared the effects of nasal 4 percent lidocaine with 1.5 percent peppermint essential oil and a placebo for managing migraine symptoms.
The researchers found that 40 percent of people in the lidocaine and peppermint oil groups experienced considerable improvements in their symptoms, compared with only 4.9 percent of people in the placebo group.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that very little research has examined peppermint leaf, but a limited amount of evidence suggests topical peppermint oil may benefit tension headaches.
Ginger is known to ease nausea caused by many conditions, including migraine. It may have pain-relieving benefits for migraine attacks. According to a 2020 review of studies, one randomized controlled study found evidence that ginger may have beneficial activity.
More research is needed to understand the extent and usefulness of ginger for treating migraine-related pain.
Yoga uses breathing, meditation, and body postures to promote health and well-being. A 2015 study found yoga may relieve the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraine attacks.
It’s thought to improve anxiety, release tension in migraine-trigger areas, and improve vascular health.
The researchers concluded that yoga could be beneficial as a complementary therapy for treating migraine.
Biofeedback is a relaxation method. It teaches you to control autonomic reactions to stress. During this therapy, electrodes are applied to your skin to monitor physiologic processes that change with stress, such as your heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
During a biofeedback session, you work with a therapist to manage stress using changes in your physiologic processes as feedback.
According to a 2019 study, there’s good evidence to support the use of mind-body interventions such as biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy for treating migraine. These therapies are effectively free of side effects and may make a good alternative for medication for some people.
Magnesium deficiency is linked to headaches and migraine. Magnesium oxide supplementation may help prevent migraine with aura.
It may also prevent menstrual migraine (hormone headaches).
A 2021 study found that 500 milligrams of magnesium oxide taken twice a day for 8 weeks was as effective as the medication valproate sodium for preventing migraine without significant side effects.
You can get magnesium from foods that include:
- almonds
- sesame seeds
- sunflower seeds
- Brazil nuts
- cashews
- peanut butter
- oatmeal
- eggs
- milk
Massage may reduce migraine frequency. Migraine is associated with low serotonin in the brain, and massage has been shown to increase serotonin. There’s limited evidence to support the use of massage for migraine relief, but it’s generally safe and has a low risk of side effects.
Acupressure is the practice of applying pressure with the fingers and hands to specific points on the body to relieve pain and other symptoms.
A 2017 study found evidence that acupuncture may help manage migraine-related nausea during treatment, but that it doesn’t improve pain or quality of life.
According to the American Headache Society, more than 80 percent of people with migraine report stress being a migraine trigger. Learning how to better manage your stress may help you decrease migraine frequency.
Some commonly used stress management techniques include:
- deep breathing exercises
- mental imagery
- music therapy or listening to relaxing music
- counseling or therapy
- meditating
- progressive muscle relaxation
- improving time management
- scheduling more time for relaxing activities
According to the American Migraine Foundation, about a third of people with migraine report dehydration as a migraine trigger.
To prevent dehydration, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when exercising. On hot days, you may need to drink more water than usual.
The connection between sleep and migraine still isn’t entirely clear. Research from 2016 has found a correlation between high migraine frequency and poor sleep quality.
This association is true in people with migraine with and without aura.
Going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and avoiding stimulating activities before bed are some of the ways you can improve your sleep.
Butterbur is a plant that grows throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Up until 2012, the American Academy of Neurology recommended using it for preventing migraine attacks. In 2015, they stopped their recommendation due to the possibility of liver toxicity.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health recommends only using pyrrolizidine alkaloid-free butterbur products, as this chemical can damage the liver, lungs, and circulation. Speak with a doctor before taking butterbur.
If you have migraine, you know the symptoms can be challenging. You might miss work or not be able to participate in activities you love. But the remedies above may provide some relief.
It might also be helpful to speak with others who understand exactly what you’re going through.
Our free app, Migraine Healthline, connects you with real people who experience migraine. Ask treatment-related questions and seek advice from others who get it. Download the app for iPhone or Android.
If your migraine attacks or episodes don’t respond to home remedies, it’s important to talk with a doctor. Visit a doctor if your symptoms are severe, frequent, or interfere with your daily life.
15 Natural and Home Remedies for Migraine Relief
Migraine attacks aren’t typical headaches. You may experience pounding pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. When a migraine attack or episode occurs, you’ll do almost anything to make it go away.
Natural remedies are drug-free methods of reducing migraine symptoms. These at-home treatments may help prevent the onset of migraine attacks or at least help reduce their severity and duration.
Keep reading as we take a look at 15 natural remedies that may help you manage migraine symptoms.
Note that migraine attacks may require treatment with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
Speak with a doctor about a treatment plan that works for you.
Diet plays a vital role in preventing migraine attacks. Many foods and beverages may be migraine triggers, such as:
- foods with nitrates, including hot dogs, deli meats, bacon, and sausage
- chocolate
- cheese that contains the naturally occurring compound tyramine, such as blue, feta, cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss
- alcohol, especially red wine
- foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer
- foods that are very cold, such as ice cream or iced drinks
- processed foods
- pickled foods
- beans
- dried fruits
- cultured dairy products, such as buttermilk, sour cream, and yogurt
A small amount of caffeine may ease migraine pain in some people. Caffeine is also in some migraine medications. But too much caffeine may cause a migraine attack. It may also lead to a severe caffeine withdrawal headache.
To figure out which foods and beverages trigger migraine attacks for you, keep a daily food journal.
Record everything you eat and note how you feel afterward.
Inhaling lavender essential oil may ease migraine pain. Lavender oil may be inhaled directly or diluted with a carrier oil and applied in small amounts to your temples.
A 2016 randomized controlled study found evidence that 3 months of lavender therapy as a prophylactic therapy, meaning taken before a migraine attack begins, reduced frequency and severity of migraine attacks. However, research is still limited.
A 2020 review of studies published in the journal Phytotherapy Research examined the ability of various herbal treatments, including lavender therapy for migraine. The authors found mixed or limited evidence to support the use of butterbur and feverfew for treating migraine but didn’t note that current research supports the use of lavender.
According to the authors, many studies had a high risk for bias, and more high quality research is needed.
Acupuncture involves injecting very thin needles into certain parts of your skin to stimulate relief from a wide variety of health conditions.
A 2020 randomized controlled study found that 20 sessions of manual acupuncture along with usual care was more effective at preventing migraine in people with a history of episodic migraine without aura than sham acupuncture along with usual care. Sham acupuncture is a treatment where the needles are not inserted as deeply.
A 2016 review of 22 studies also found moderate evidence that acupuncture may reduce headache symptoms. In the results summary, the authors explain that if people had 6 days of migraine per month before treatment, it would be expected that they would have:
- 5 days with usual care
- 4 days with fake acupuncture or prophylactic medications
- 3 1/2 days with real acupuncture
Feverfew is a flowering herb that looks like a daisy. It’s a folk remedy for migraine. It still isn’t well-studied, but there is some evidence that it may be slightly more effective than a placebo for treating migraine.
In a 2015 review of studies, which is an update of a previous 2004 study, the authors concluded that larger studies are needed to support the use of feverfew for treating migraine.
The authors note that one larger study published since the 2004 review found 0.6 fewer migraine days per month in people who took feverfew versus a placebo. They describe previous studies as low quality or providing mixed evidence.
The 2020 review of studies published in Phytotherapy Researchalso summarizes the finding on feverfew as “mixed.”
The chemical menthol found in peppermint oil may help prevent migraine episodes, although there’s a very limited amount of research.
A 2019 randomized controlled study compared the effects of nasal 4 percent lidocaine with 1.5 percent peppermint essential oil and a placebo for managing migraine symptoms.
The researchers found that 40 percent of people in the lidocaine and peppermint oil groups experienced considerable improvements in their symptoms, compared with only 4.9 percent of people in the placebo group.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that very little research has examined peppermint leaf, but a limited amount of evidence suggests topical peppermint oil may benefit tension headaches.
Ginger is known to ease nausea caused by many conditions, including migraine. It may have pain-relieving benefits for migraine attacks. According to a 2020 review of studies, one randomized controlled study found evidence that ginger may have beneficial activity.
More research is needed to understand the extent and usefulness of ginger for treating migraine-related pain.
Yoga uses breathing, meditation, and body postures to promote health and well-being. A 2015 study found yoga may relieve the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraine attacks. It’s thought to improve anxiety, release tension in migraine-trigger areas, and improve vascular health.
The researchers concluded that yoga could be beneficial as a complementary therapy for treating migraine.
Biofeedback is a relaxation method. It teaches you to control autonomic reactions to stress. During this therapy, electrodes are applied to your skin to monitor physiologic processes that change with stress, such as your heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
During a biofeedback session, you work with a therapist to manage stress using changes in your physiologic processes as feedback.
According to a 2019 study, there’s good evidence to support the use of mind-body interventions such as biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy for treating migraine. These therapies are effectively free of side effects and may make a good alternative for medication for some people.
Magnesium deficiency is linked to headaches and migraine. Magnesium oxide supplementation may help prevent migraine with aura. It may also prevent menstrual migraine (hormone headaches).
A 2021 study found that 500 milligrams of magnesium oxide taken twice a day for 8 weeks was as effective as the medication valproate sodium for preventing migraine without significant side effects.
You can get magnesium from foods that include:
- almonds
- sesame seeds
- sunflower seeds
- Brazil nuts
- cashews
- peanut butter
- oatmeal
- eggs
- milk
Massage may reduce migraine frequency.
Migraine is associated with low serotonin in the brain, and massage has been shown to increase serotonin. There’s limited evidence to support the use of massage for migraine relief, but it’s generally safe and has a low risk of side effects.
Acupressure is the practice of applying pressure with the fingers and hands to specific points on the body to relieve pain and other symptoms.
A 2017 study found evidence that acupuncture may help manage migraine-related nausea during treatment, but that it doesn’t improve pain or quality of life.
According to the American Headache Society, more than 80 percent of people with migraine report stress being a migraine trigger. Learning how to better manage your stress may help you decrease migraine frequency.
Some commonly used stress management techniques include:
- deep breathing exercises
- mental imagery
- music therapy or listening to relaxing music
- counseling or therapy
- meditating
- progressive muscle relaxation
- improving time management
- scheduling more time for relaxing activities
According to the American Migraine Foundation, about a third of people with migraine report dehydration as a migraine trigger.
To prevent dehydration, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when exercising. On hot days, you may need to drink more water than usual.
The connection between sleep and migraine still isn’t entirely clear. Research from 2016 has found a correlation between high migraine frequency and poor sleep quality. This association is true in people with migraine with and without aura.
Going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and avoiding stimulating activities before bed are some of the ways you can improve your sleep.
Butterbur is a plant that grows throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. Up until 2012, the American Academy of Neurology recommended using it for preventing migraine attacks. In 2015, they stopped their recommendation due to the possibility of liver toxicity.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health recommends only using pyrrolizidine alkaloid-free butterbur products, as this chemical can damage the liver, lungs, and circulation.
Speak with a doctor before taking butterbur.
If you have migraine, you know the symptoms can be challenging. You might miss work or not be able to participate in activities you love. But the remedies above may provide some relief.
It might also be helpful to speak with others who understand exactly what you’re going through. Our free app, Migraine Healthline, connects you with real people who experience migraine. Ask treatment-related questions and seek advice from others who get it. Download the app for iPhone or Android.
If your migraine attacks or episodes don’t respond to home remedies, it’s important to talk with a doctor. Visit a doctor if your symptoms are severe, frequent, or interfere with your daily life.
7 Natural Headache Remedies That Really Work
Headache can be caused by a variety of causes: fatigue, stress, nutrient deficiencies and many others. natural remedies for this disease are not only effective in relieving symptoms headache, but are also able to eliminate the causes of its occurrence and do not have side effects.
1. Water
Surprisingly, often this is all we need. To Unfortunately, many of us suffer from chronic dehydration. And the use coffee, alcohol and sugary drinks only exacerbate the situation. As soon as you feel the symptoms of a coming headache, drink one large glass water. And continue to drink a lot throughout the day. Also increase the amount Water in the body can be eaten by eating vegetables and fruits with a high content of it. Add in your daily diet fresh cucumbers, celery, cabbage, zucchini, spinach, watermelon, grapefruit and orange.
2. Magnesium
One of the common problems of migraines and headaches is a low level of magnesium in the body. Taking 400-600 mg of magnesium will enhance blood flow to the brain and relieve spasms that cause discomfort. Magnesium can be taken on an ongoing basis - this will reduce the general tendency of the body to occurrence of migraines and headaches. For a quick effect, use liquid nutritional supplements.
You can also increase your magnesium levels by adding to your diet. plant foods high in it, such as nuts and seeds, legumes, cereals, avocados, broccoli and bananas.
3. B vitamins
Deficiency of B vitamins - another possible and frequent cause of headache. According to one of the theories about the causes of its occurrence, in there are too many tasks for nerve cells, and sometimes the energy to complete them simply does not enough. So, vitamin B12 plays one of the most important roles in the development of the very energy. Often, patients with migraines are prescribed the entire complex of vitamins of the group B, including 8 vitamins: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin and pantothenic acid. Benefits of B vitamins B is great: they not only relieve headache symptoms, but also improve state of brain cells, blood circulation, as well as the work of the cardiovascular and immune systems.
4. Essential oils of lavender and pepper mint
The natural properties of these essential oils make them very effective in relieving headaches.
When applied to the skin, Peppermint Oil stimulates blood flow to the affected areas, which relieves spasms. and relieves pain. Lavender oil works as a sedative and stabilizer moods. Applying oils to relieve headaches is very simple. mix a few drops of both oils in the palms, and then with gentle massaging movements Apply to forehead, temples and back of neck. If the scent is too strong for you, just dilute the mixture with a little almond or coconut oils. It would be ideal to find a quiet place where you can relax, consciously and take a deep breath and wait until the headache starts to let go.
5. Herbs
pain. Among them is feverfew (feverfew). It has a relaxing effect on constricted blood vessels of the head. This herb has another ability to suppress inflammation and other types of pain. Action feverfew is akin to aspirin, only this remedy is natural and therefore does not have side effects.
Decoctions of chamomile and collection of spring primrose, lavender, rosemary, mint and valerian.
6. Ginger
Ginger is able to reduce inflammation, including number in blood vessels. For headache relief, prepare hot ginger drink. Pour 3 small pieces of fresh ginger into 2 cups water, bring everything together to a boil and let it brew. In the finished drink for add a slice of lemon and honey to taste. Be sure to inhale when using ginger couples - all together will have a pleasant sedative effect and facilitate headache.
7. Relaxing bath
cleansing of unnecessary toxins. Try taking a regular detox bath such a recipe. Pour hot water into the bath; temperature should be high enough to stimulate the movement of toxins to the surface of the skin. As the water cools, your body will gradually get rid of harmful substances. toxins. Take this bath once every 7-10 days. Add to water:
1 cup baking soda - it kills bacteria, reduces inflammation and softens the skin,
· essential oils, such as peppermint oil or lavender,
and 2 cups of apple cider vinegar - it is also known for its healing properties, including the ability to relieve headaches, tone the skin and have a beneficial effect on the joints.
Such a variety of natural remedies successfully fight against headache. In general, try to listen to yourself, analyze what could be the cause of the malaise - perhaps this is a changed diet, and the headache is caused by an allergic reaction. Or maybe your body is just dehydrated, or you skipped a meal and your head hurts from low levels blood sugar.
Migraine treatment - how to relieve pain, what helps and what not to do
Migraine requires careful medical supervision. But few patients go to the doctor. Studies conducted by a group of American scientists from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that the vast majority of people with migraines did not consult with doctors. Of the 2.5 thousand people, 1,675 (67%) said they had to stay in bed because of migraines.
Let's list the mistakes that patients with migraine make.
Self-treatment for migraine
A common mistake is to relieve pain on your own, without a doctor's prescription, with medicines purchased at a pharmacy.
Trusting drug advertising, people start taking analgesics 15 days a month or more. Uncontrolled use of painkillers leads to chronic daily pain, dependence on the drug is formed, the neurologist of the Moscow State Medical University named after M.V. Sechenova Natalya Karatygina. An alarming problem arises: the remedy no longer helps, and the person can no longer do without drugs.
According to Marina Koreshkina, head of the Headache Treatment Center, only 25% of patients with migraine consulted a doctor, considering this reason not serious for visiting a doctor.
Scientists from the German, Austrian and Swiss Headache Societies and the German Society for Neurology have collected the most common recommendations for migraine self-treatment and analyzed them. Doctors concluded: none of the substances that are used in self-treatment in the prevention of migraine can be considered effective.
Only 25% of migraine patients consulted a physician.
Alcohol to relieve headaches
Some patients try to get rid of headaches with alcohol, as it can dull the senses and reduce nervous tension. The problem is only getting worse.
Alcohol relaxes the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow through them. The pressure decreases, the heart rate increases. As a result, the nerves in the brainstem that connect the brain and spinal cord are stimulated, leading to migraines. Relevant studies were conducted by Dutch scientists from the Leiden University Medical Center. According to the results of the survey 2197 patients found that alcoholic drinks became a trigger in 35.6% of survey participants.
Alcohol can make headache problems worse.
Folk medicine recipes
There are a lot of traditional medicine recipes for headache treatment on the Internet. Sometimes the recommendations are on the verge of common sense. It is advised to apply plantain to the forehead, use all kinds of herbal preparations.
Absolutely absurd recommendations: remove the pain with a chicken egg mixed with hot milk.
Describes traditional medicine and methods that are contrary to scientifically proven facts: to be treated with alcohol. Patients are offered to drink a mixture of red wine, horseradish and sugar.
At the same time, there are also effective folk recipes:
- Find points on the edges of the jaw, and massage them with your fingers with light pressure.
- A bath with the addition of a decoction of valerian root will help to quickly stop a migraine attack.
- Cool a wet towel in the freezer, apply at the beginning of an attack to the affected areas of the head.
Alternative medicine practitioners also find that turpentine helps with migraine. It supposedly improves blood circulation and normalizes blood pressure.
Medical opinion about such migraine treatments is skeptical. Yes, it is possible that adequate traditional medicine can be used as an addition to traditional treatment, but it will not replace medical care.
