Four Natural Remedies for Migraines
Migraine headaches are a common health problem that affects up to fifteen percent of the population. No one is sure exactly what causes them – although they frequently run in families and are diagnosed more commonly in women than in men. There are a variety of prescription treatments for migraines – although some of these medications can have unpleasant side effects. Are there any natural remedies for migraines that really work?
A Herb That Shows Promise as a Natural Remedy for Migraine
One herb that shows promise for treating migraines naturally is a herb called feverfew. This herb that’s a relative of the sunflower is widely prescribed by herbal medicine doctors, but it’s received more attention recently from the mainstream medical community after preliminary studies showed it could be beneficial for treating migraine headaches.
Feverfew contains two ingredients that alter levels of a brain chemical called serotonin that play a role in causing migraine headaches. Unfortunately, more research is needed to verify the safety of using this herb to treat migraines. Feverfew should only be used under a doctor’s supervision since it can interact with some medications – particularly blood thinners.
Coenzyme Q10 for Natural Treatment of Migraine Headaches
Coenzyme Q10 is a chemical found in cells that’s important for generating ATP – the main source of cellular energy. It’s available in supplemental form at most health food stores. One study involving forty-two people showed that taking 300 milligrams of coenzyme Q10 each day in three divided doses reduced the frequency of migraines more than did a placebo. Coenzyme Q10 appears to be safe with a low risk of side effects, but is best used under medical supervision.
Natural Remedies for Migraine Headache: A Vitamin That Shows Promise
The mineral magnesium and the B vitamin riboflavin both have been looked at as a possible treatment for migraine headaches. In a small study, 55 people who took 400 milligrams of riboflavin a day experienced a reduction in the frequency of migraine headaches. Supplementing with riboflavin appears to be safe with the most common side effects being diarrhea and increased urination. Riboflavin also causes the urine to turn yellow.
A Mineral That May Decrease the Frequency of Migraine Headaches
Some studies have found that migraine sufferers have low magnesium levels. This finding led to the idea that supplementing with magnesium could reduce the frequency of migraine headaches naturally. Most of these studies have involving giving up to 600 milligrams of magnesium not orally, but intravenously – with mixed results. The consensus is that magnesium supplementation may help people with migraine headaches who already have low serum magnesium levels, but may be less effective for people with normal levels. The most common side effect from supplementing with magnesium is diarrhea – which isn’t surprising considering magnesium is a common ingredient in laxatives.
Natural Remedies for Migraine Headache: The Bottom Line?
There are some natural treatments for migraine headaches that show promise – although none have been clinically proven in large, double blind, placebo controlled studies. Talk to your doctor about whether which of these natural treatments would be best for you.
References
Medscape.com website. “Natural” or Alternative Medications for Migraine Prevention.
Feverfew for Preventing Migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(1):CD002286.
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