Headaches wear us down, but migraines are punishing in their severity. You can shut yourself in a dark room with no light or noise, and you’d still feel awful.
Migraine attacks aren’t regular headaches; they are accompanied by pulsing, throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and sensitivity to noise, scents, and lights. Additionally, these episodes frequently last for more than 24 hours, causing disruptions to one’s daily life and presenting a significant challenge.
While medications may not always alleviate migraines, we are excited to provide some proven herbal remedies for migraine relief. Here are some unconventional treatments you can use to manage your migraine.
Caffeine
Many of us don’t think of caffeine as an herb, but that is exactly what it is. It is also an effective remedy for headaches. Coffee’s medicinal uses aren’t anything new. Long before it was a steaming cup of heaven, caffeine was used for headaches and muscle soreness.
Many OTC pain relievers now incorporate caffeine as an active ingredient to enhance their effectiveness. Studies suggest that combining it with other painkillers provides the greatest relief. But it is considered a safe additive for migraine.
When dealing with migraine, brewing a strong cup of coffee can help alleviate symptoms before they worsen. Perhaps that is the remedy that was missing from your life.
Ginger
Some episodes of migraine team up with nausea and render you useless for the rest of the day. One herb that can get you up sooner than you could ever imagine is ginger. A 2014 study demonstrated that ginger is as effective as sumatriptan. The latter is a common drug used to alleviate migraine symptoms.
The results of taking either option are expected to be quite alike, so the choice ultimately depends on individual preference. Ginger tea also helps subside nausea and helps you relax and even take a nap, which otherwise proves difficult in some migraine attacks.
Peppermint Essential Oil
The limited research on peppermint’s effectiveness for migraines does not necessarily negate its potential therapeutic properties. The presence of menthol in peppermint gives it a cooling and numbing property. During an episode of migraine, applying peppermint essential oil to the forehead can help alleviate pain.
Peppermint also helps subside the nauseous feeling that usually accompanies migraine headaches. A 2010 study found evidence that applying menthol to the forehead and temples can stop migraine and ease nausea.
Lavender Essential Oil
The calming and sleep-inducing attributes of lavender essential oil are beloved by people worldwide. But few people know that it is also used to treat migraine pains.
There aren’t many studies to support the claim, but one study made a breakthrough in 2012. The trial discovered that inhaling lavender for 15 minutes reduced the severity of the migraine attack in some and eliminated it in others.
Feverfew
Feverfew was named for its effectiveness in treating fever. If you haven’t heard of it, feverfew is a daisy-look-alike flower found across Europe. Its usage is centuries old, but its effectiveness in migraine treatment is considerably new.
Although there are no studies supporting the claim, The American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society suggest that feverfew is “probably effective for migraine prevention.”
Wrap Up
Patients deal with their migraine attacks differently. For some, conventional medication provides sufficient relief, whereas others rely on unconventional methods to alleviate their symptoms.
Seek medical guidance, receive a diagnosis, and try various remedies to determine the most beneficial course of action. Don’t forget to try these herbs; you will surely find some with great results.
