Friday, January 10, 2014

Home Remedies for Migraines

What is a Migraine?

The word ‘migraine’ is derived from a Greek word which translates into English as half-skull. A migraine headache is a chronic neurological disorder. Symptoms are marked by:
  • Recurring, moderate to severe headaches
  • Often along with autonomic nervous system symptoms 

Migraines can be produced by the body’s neurological responses to certain triggers:
  • Hormonal changes
  • Flashing lights
  • Chemicals, or additives such as MSG, in foods and medications. 

Typically a migraine will affect one-half of the head and may pulsate from 2-72 hours. You may have nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and/or sound, and the pain may be increased by activity; some people perceive an aura. Migraines are believed to be a neurovascular disorder that affects about 15% of the global population at some point in life.

Types of Migraines and Other Headaches


Tension headaches

Tension headaches, or stress headaches, are the most common headache for adults, characterized by mild to moderate band of pain, tightness or pressure in the forehead or back of the neck and head. They are nearly always triggered by an environmental or internal stress. Severity of these headaches often increases with frequency and can last from one-half hour to numerous days.

Home remedies for a tension headache include:

  • Adequate rest and sleep 
  • Good posture
  • Reduction of stress and depression
  • Adequate nutritious diet
  • Not overexerting your body and mind
  • Holding a pencil between your teeth to ease the muscles in the temple area

Sinus Headaches

More than 4 out of 5 people who presume they have a sinus headache are actually suffering from a migraine headache. Sinus and migraine headaches have some symptoms in common. Sinus headaches are normally caused by an infection/inflammation of nasal passages leading to congestion, which causes both pressure and pain.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are a neurological disorder distinguished by recurrent and severe headaches on one side of the head, usually near the eye. A person suffering from cluster headaches may have swelling of one eye. If you have a cluster headache, your doctor may prescribe very strong prescription anti-inflammatory medication. In the meantime, rest, follow a regular sleep schedule, and avoid alcohol.


Ocular Migraine

These headaches are most commonly associated with migraines, but can cause vision loss or blindness lasting less than an hour, plus the pain of the headache. They are at times called monocular, one-eye or retinal headaches. These headaches are, as of yet, poorly understood.

They are usually caused by one or more of three things:

  • Being overtired
  • Following cataract surgery
  • Migraine headaches

Vision problems that affect the one eye include:

  • Flashing lights
  • Blind spots in vision
  • Blindness of the eye

The headaches may last anywhere from four to 72 hours:

  • Affecting one side of the head
  • Be moderately to severely painful
  • Pulsate
  • Become worse when you are more active
  • Possible nausea/vomiting/sensitivity to light or sound

Home remedies for ocular migraines include:

Curcumin
  • Applying cold compresses to reduce both swelling and the headache
  • Close your eyes or go into a darkened room
  • Remove all stimuli
  • Lie down
  • Drink lots of water at room temperature
  • Use an over the counter (OTC) homeopathic lubricating eye drop
  • Take a supplement that encourages blood flow such a natural product containing rutin and white willow bark
  • An herbal complex that will help with inflammation and blood flow may contain turmeric and Chai Hu (Bupleurum root) 
  • Curcumin (Turmeric) - use as a supplement to reduce inflammation, or add turmeric to food

Home Remedies for Migraines 


While different types of headaches are covered in this article, many of these remedies can help ease the pain of a headache regardless of what type it is. Some home remedies that may help to relieve the pain are:


  • Muscle relaxation exercises, possibly mediation and yoga
  • Go to bed and wake up at regular times–get enough rest
  • Rest/relax in a dark, quiet room if you feel a migraine coming on
  • Place a wrapped ice-pack on the back of your neck while hands and feet are submerged in as hot a water as you can tolerate
  • Apply gentle pressure to painful locations on the scalp
  • Vick's VapoRub - apply to the forehead, temples, wherever the pain is most intense.
  • Keep a headache diary to see what triggers the migraines; also which treatment is the most effective

Supplements and herbs that help to ease a migraine include:
  • Peppermint oil - applying to the forehead and temples may bring relief for some people
  • Butterbur - take  only in supplement form - 100 mg every 3 hours, to a maximum of 300 mg per 24-hr period.
  • Feverfew - eat a few leaves a day, make into a tea, or take 0.2 percent parthenolides concentration in 100 - 150 milligram tablets daily
  • Willow bark - make into a tea, or take capsules as directed by the manufacturer  
  • Ginger - make a tea with boiling water, fresh, grated ginger root; add honey and lemon
  • Caffeine- drink in the form of coffee, black or green tea
  • Valerian - is available in various forms: tablets, capsules, tea, liquid, drops and also cut and sifted valerian root. Side effects and precautions include: headaches, dizziness, itching, stomach problems, unsteadiness, low body temperature, excitability and uneasiness. If valerian is used for more than two months it may actually cause sleep difficulties. Many of valerian’s compounds tend to relax people, which may lead to migraine relief.
  • Coriander Seed - pour boiling water over the seeds and inhale the steam
  • Dong Quai - has not been studied enough to actually be recommended for migraines; however, modern medicine often mixes with other herbs to relieve headaches
  • Lavender Oil - breathe in the oil or apply a diluted solution to the temple area; it can be toxic at a certain dosage level and can also irritate the skin if not diluted enough
  • Rosemary - the oil can be diluted and applied on the skin or inhaled; leaves can be dried and ground for use in capsules and for teas, tinctures, and liquid extracts I have used a tea for a migraine made with 1 tsp ground rosemary, 1½ tsp. of xylitol (natural sweetener), juice of ½ lemon plus 1 cup of BOILING WATER. Let steep for about 5 minutes; drink while hot. I found it quite effective.
  • Linden - pour boiling water over it and make into a tea
  • Raw potato cuttings - folk medicine uses raw potato cuttings wrapped in thin cloth either wound around the head or placed on the temples
  • Horseradish - the simplest method of using horseradish is as a condiment; it stimulates blood flow and can help in digestion and elimination that could be the source of the headache
  • Honeysuckle - more research is needed for the relation between honeysuckle and migraines but it is thought to relieve inflammation. Check out the various forms at your health food store.
  • Mullein - tinctures of this plant are used in homeopathy for migraine headaches
  • Yarrow -  comes in a wide variety of forms including capsules and tinctures; it has anti-inflammatory properties that may relieve a migraine headache
  • Tea Berry - can be made into teas, tinctures, oils or extracts; it is a potential migraine treatment
  • Common Hops - use 1-2 teaspoons of the flowers per cup of boiling water—steep for five minutes; drink 1 cup at bedtime or 1-2 cups during the day—may help relieve migraine
  • Betony - the leaves may be used as a juice, poultice or ointment; its mildly sedative properties help to relieve a headache
  • Evodia - is used for headache relief. Check with your health food store concerning the availability and forms obtainable that may be used for migraine headaches
  • Magnesium 12 - adding this supplement to your daily regimen can prevent migraines and constipation, and may even help prevent asthma attacks
  • Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) - add this supplement to you vitamins to treat and prevent migraines
  • Riboflavin (also known as B2) - available in yeast extract spread, liver, dried herbs, spices and peppers; almonds; dried roasted soybeans (Edamame); Roquefort, Brie and Limburger cheese plus many others; wheat bran; fish—particularly trout, mackerel and Atlantic salmon; sesame seeds and sun-dried tomatoes; also available as a supplement




Links for Other Conditions:

Rashes and Allergies:

Respiratory Conditions / Colds and Flu


Cardiovascular / Gastric Conditions


Pain


Miscellaneous

Home Remedy For Hair Loss




Sources and Citations


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