(34)Migraine headaches are one of the 20 most disabling medical conditions worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
A migraine is characterized by a throbbing pain, usually confined to one side of the head, that tends to get worse with movement. They typically last from four to 72 hours.
Symptoms tend to vary from one person to another. People often experience sensory warning signs, such as blind spots, flashes of light, increased sensitivity to light and sound, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea and vomiting.
Signs like irritability, food cravings, a stiff neck, constipation and frequent yawning may also occur a couple of days prior to a migraine attack.
About 75 percent of all migraine sufferers have a family history of this debilitating problem. The complex condition is thought to be caused by changes in brain chemicals.
Some potential triggers for a migraine are allergies, stress, smoking, alcohol, bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, skipping meals, dehydration, irregular sleep, poor posture, low blood sugar and hormonal fluctuations.
Though there is no known cure for migraines, you can try some natural home remedies to get relief from migraine headaches and reduce their frequency.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for migraines.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Being a nutritional powerhouse, apple cider vinegar helps reduce migraines. Apple cider vinegar also offers health benefits like aiding detoxification, controlling blood sugar, regulating high blood pressure, reducing bone pain, promoting weight loss and relieving constipation.
- Add one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
- Mix in one tablespoon of honey.
- Drink this daily to prevent as well as treat migraines.
If you are not used to taking apple cider vinegar, start by taking one teaspoon and gradually increase the amount. During migraine attacks or when you feel them coming on, you can take two or three tablespoons.
2. Ice Pack
Using an ice pack is perhaps the most popular home remedy to get rid of tension as well as migraine headaches. It has a numbing effect that alleviates pain.
- Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean towel and place it on your temples, forehead and/or the back of your neck for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat as needed.
- You can also try alternating hot and cold compresses for about 15 minutes, as needed. For better results, add lavender and/or peppermint essential oils to the water for the compress.
3. Peppermint
The anti-inflammatory property of peppermint helps soothe the nerves. Plus, it has an antispasmodic and calming effect. A study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience in 2008 found that the fragrance of this herb induces the feeling associated with headache relief.
- Simply drink peppermint tea sweetened with honey. Repeat as needed.
- You can also massage each of your temples with one drop of peppermint essential oil or a combination of peppermint and lavender oils. Leave it on for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Do this a few times a day until you get relief.
4. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a great home remedy for migraines because it stimulates circulation and improves blood flow. Plus, it contains capsaicin, a compound that works as a natural painkiller.
- Mix one-half to one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of warm water.
- Optionally, add some lemon juice and honey to improve the taste as well as health benefits.
- Drink this as needed.
5. Chamomile
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and soothing properties that help relieve migraines. Regularly drinking chamomile tea can also help prevent the problem.
When dealing with migraines, you’ll get best results using German chamomile (Matricaria recutita). So, when purching this herb, look for the label that says “German chamomile”.
- Steep two to three teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers in a cup of hot water for a few minutes. You can also add some lemon juice and honey. Strain and drink this tea three or four times a day for relief from migraine symptoms.
- Alternatively, prepare an herbal tea by steeping equal quantities of chamomile, horehound and meadowsweet in a cup of hot water for at least five minutes. Strain and drink it. Repeat as needed.
6. Ginger
A 2013 study published in Phytotherapy Research indicates that ginger may prove effective in the treatment of common migraines.
It blocks prostaglandins, which are chemicals that promote muscle contractions, impact hormones and regulate inflammation in blood vessels in the brain. Most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), too, work by reducing the production of these chemicals.
- Drink ginger tea a few times throughout the day until you get relief. Make sure to drink it at the onset of your headache. See Ginger Tea recipe here.
- Simply chewing on a piece of raw ginger root will also help treat the problem and relieve symptoms like nausea and digestive distress.
My daughter suffers with migraines very often, I’m hoping some of these hints, teas etc help her
wonderful information provided thank you so much!
I have migraine too. It last about 2 hours Mine is go a way after vomiting few times. To prevent dehydrate I drink 2 water glass before vomit. Then I can vomit easily. After that you don’t need go to the hospital for dehydration. To the food list I like to add vanilla flavor milk and cold jelly.
It’s one of the best article for Home remedies for migraine headaches
Many thanks
I suffer migraines daily. I am a student in college and the fluorescent lights in the classrooms KILL me. not like i can ask the professor to turn the lights off! wish i could sit in the classroom wearing sunglasses without being judged 🙁 Every single day I leave school and have work or studying to do and 9/10 i need to do it while suffering a migraine and vomiting. its affecting my life in every single way possible. i do have other triggers besides the lights but its certainly a huge one for me. i am prescribed Imitrex to take when i feel one coming on but cannot take more than 3 a week. im hoping some of these remedies work for me.
When I have a bad migraine my husband told me I shouldn’t be lying in a darkened room with a sleep mask on cutting out any light. He suggested going downstairs and watching tv with him. It’s obvious he has never had a migraine in his life. I can’t bear any light at all when I have one of my migraine hence the darkened room and eye maskn
Part 1: Description of how the migraine works in my case
I suffer from migraines from time to time. It’s the type that slowly worsens to the point of severe nausea. Until recently the only effective treatments I’ve known are sleep or painkillers (paracetamol). If the migraine has progressed far enough by the time sleep becomes an option, the pain and nausea will make it difficult to fall asleep. Vomiting once or taking a small amount of painkillers is the usual fix for that. Otherwise the strategy is to lie on the side and keep my head in the same position for much longer periods than I usually do. Anyone who have had this will know why.
The most important things I can do to prevent migraines is to eat (the breakfast is cruical) and sleep at the right times, and have moderate physical exercise at least every other day.
Other migraine triggers (that typically only work if I failed with above) include not drinking enough, intense physical activity, laughing too much (really), turning my head to the side for too long (basically my head becomes sensitive to movement and change in pulse, breathing etc.) or eating certain foods that leave an unpleasant aftertaste (feels similar to the bad taste I experience when the migraine has progressed to a certain point) e.g. yoghurt (or certain brands of it?).
Part 2: The simple remedy that consistently works for me
Whenever I feel a migraine coming now, I simply start taking Fisherman’s Friend (original, sugar-free to be precise). As long as I maintain its taste and cooling effect I’m good. If combined with deep and slow breathing it’s even better. This has completely replaced my need for painkillers. Even though it may not always make it go away completely like painkillers or sleep usually does, it’s so effective at removing discomfort and preventing progression of the migraine it feels like any other day, although I should refrain from physical activity until it’s completely gone.
I suppose this lozenge (containing menthol and eucalyptus oil) may be similar to the peppermint oil mentioned in this article, and similar products sharing key ingredients might do the exact same thing for all I know.
TL;DR give Fisherman’s Friend combined with relaxation a try
guys just try one simple remedy. i m 40 year old woman & suffering from migraine since 30 years. i tried almost everything but nothing helped me.then i tried this home remedy which is not expensive at all and quite simple & trust me its been 6 months now i didnt get migraine attack once also. otherwise it used to be like 15 days in a month. the remedy is that just apply 8 drops of mustard oil ( rai ka tail) in your one nostril with dropper and lie down straight for 5 mins. do this twice a day for 5 days every month and your migraine will go forever. no need to heat the oil just apply normal room temperature 8 drops mustard oil in any one side nostril. if you have applied right side in the morning then in the evening apply on the left side. its as simple as that. its very very effective. only problem is that it burns like hell for 1 min in the nose but dont worry its safe.
I don’t get migraines, but they do NOT sound like fun. Get better soon, all of you!