Herbal Medicine – Natural Cures and Remedies for Migraine

Migraines are probably one of the worst headaches that anyone can experience. For most of us, we’ve experienced migraines when we have a very high fever, nauseated from traveling, jetlag, or even from too much fatigue. Apart from the piercing headache, migraine also carries other possible symptoms like nausea and vomiting, throbbing pain in the head, severe pain during physical activities, and even sensitivity to light and sound. According to the National Headache Foundation, there are more than 29.5 million people in North America who suffer from migraines.
When over-the-counter or prescription medication won’t work, one can easily try out some natural cures and remedies for migraine.
1.) Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is considered as one of the oldest remedies for migraines, dating back its uses to Europe centuries ago. Back then, Feverfew was used to treat migraine, arthritis, fever, headache, and pain, but in 1980, it became a popular alternative medication to migraine. While there were studies that proved the effectiveness of Feverfew for the treatment of migraine, there are also studies that say otherwise.
2.) Magnesium is a mineral found in green vegetables, nuts, whole grain, and in various nutritional supplements. Magnesium is required for more than 300 biochemical reactions and helps regulate blood sugar. It also serves as an immune booster, prevents blood pressure from rising, and to improve bone health, normal muscle growth, and nerve function. Several studies have also been done to gauge the effectiveness of magnesium for the treatment of migraine, and in particular study, oral magnesium (600mg per day) was ingested by 81 people with migraine, while another group was given the placebo. Within a span of nine weeks, the frequency of migraines was reduced by 41.6 in the group that took magnesium while the placebo group managed to reduce it by 15.8%.
3.) Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a shrub that is found in Europe, Northern Asia, and some part of North America. Its extracts were used to treat migraine as well as other symptoms like cough, allergies, and stomach cramps. Like Magnesium, a large study was done with a group of 245 people that took Butterbur extract (50mg to 75mg 2x a day) and a placebo. After four months of treatment, 75mg was more effective in treating migraine, but there were mild side effects that accompanied the extract like indigestion, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. It should be noted that Butterbur belongs to the Ragweed plant family, so people allergic to herbs like daisies, marigold, or chrysanthemum should avoid using Butterbur.
Try out these natural remedies the next time you experience migraine.