Natural remedies for migraines refer to drug-free methods that can help you with better management of migraine symptoms. These natural and at-home treatments aid in preventing the onset of these attacks or have the potential to reduce the duration and severity of the pain.
Natural remedies for migraines might differ from remedies for typical headaches. This is because people with migraines are also more likely to experience sensitivity to sound, light, nausea, and pain.
In this article, we have curated a list of the six best natural remedies for migraines that will provide you with some relief from the symptoms.
Effective Migraine Relief at Home
1. Avoid Trigger Foods
Changing your diet tends to be among the first natural remedies for migraines. This is because there are certain foods that can trigger migraine attacks, while others might help in preventing them.
Foods that are migraine triggers should be dropped from your diet. These include chocolate and blue, Swiss, cheddar cheese (which contains tyramine), alcohol, pickled foods, cold foods and beverages, processed foods, and foods containing nitrates like bacon, sausages or hot dogs.
2. Massage
Massage is also one of the most effective natural remedies for migraines that can help in reducing migraine frequency. Migraine is often linked to low serotonin in the brain, and research shows that massaging may help in increasing serotonin in the body. Therefore, massages can give you instant migraine relief at home.
Though there is limited evidence to support this, massaging is generally a safe method that can lower the chances of side effects.
3. Essential Oils
Essential oils are also one of the most incredible natural remedies for migraines. Lavender essential oils, for instance, will help in relieving headaches, anxiety, and stress. Other essential oils such as basil, lavender, chamomile, and peppermint generally contain certain components that will help in easing migraine symptoms.
However, you should consult a medical professional before using essential oils as they are harmful for pregnant women, nursing women, people with asthma, and children.
4. Use Ginger
Ginger is commonly used to ease nausea that is caused by certain conditions such as migraines. This will help with the pain-relieving benefits caused by migraine attacks. However, research at a wide scale needs to be carried out to properly understand the use of ginger being one of the natural remedies for migraines.
Though using ginger might be beneficial for your health, it also tends to have an increased risk of side effects. This is why consultation with a doctor is recommended in this case.
5. Yoga
A study has found that the benefits of yoga also include reducing the intensity, duration, and frequency of migraine attacks. Regularly practicing yoga with slow and controlled body postures along with conscious breathing boosts the overall health and well-being of the body.
Moreover, yoga is known to improve overall vascular health, reduce anxiety, and release tension from migraine trigger areas. Therefore, yoga is not only among the most efficient natural remedies for migraines, but it also provides a multitude of other benefits to the body.
You can easily start doing yoga at home, especially with the availability of wide-ranging resources. There are also both online yoga apps and offline yoga classes that one could sign up for.
6. Add Magnesium
Incorporation of magnesium in your diet is also one of the lesser known and most effective natural remedies for migraines. This is because magnesium deficiency is often linked to migraines and headaches. Studies have shown that supplementary magnesium will help in reducing the frequency of migraine episodes for some people.
Foods that are a good source of magnesium include oatmeal, almonds, sunflower seeds, milk, eggs, peanut butter, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, cashews, and more.
What Herbals Should Be Used for Migraine?
Research concerning the significance of herbals in treating migraines is limited, so there is no known proof of their effectiveness. Some of the herbs that can be used to manage migraines include betony, peppermint, feverfew, willow, coriander seeds, mullein, evodia, and more. Many of these herbs have been gaining popularity over the last few years with the support of modern medicines.
However, always use herbal treatment for migraines with caution, and consult your doctor before starting or stopping these herbal treatments since they can interfere with other medications.
Natural remedies for migraines may not be effective for everyone, and in case of severe symptoms, they may require over-the-counter or prescription medication. In this case, you should speak to a medical professional about the treatment plan that will work best for you.