10 Safe Home Remedies for Migraine You Can Try
Have you ever had a headache so bad it was making you feel sick? Or just a little bit of light sent you spinning and tumbling to the ground in pain? Then chances are you could have had a migraine. Migraines are a type of headache that affects millions of people across the world every single day. They can range from moderate to severe and can be a seldom occurrence or a recurring one. Most often they’re felt as a pulsing or throbbing to one side of the head and can last anywhere from a couple of hours to several days. However, some people will also experience nausea, dizziness, or vomiting too. Fortunately, there are many alternative therapies or quick actions you can try to get quick relief from the pain. In this article, we are sharing 10 home remedies for a migraine headache that you can try safely at home and experience relief.
What Causes Migraines?
While the exact cause of migraines remains unknown, the general theory is that they’re the result of temporary chemical changes occurring within the blood vessels and nerves in the brain. Previous research has also suggested that migraines could be a genetic condition. Sometimes migraines are triggered by certain factors. Here are some of the more common ones.
- Tiredness
- The start of a menstrual cycle
- Some foods or drinks such as those high in sugar or caffeine
- Stress
10 Best Home Remedies for Migraines
If you’re one of the many people that experience migraines, don’t suffer in silence as there are a number of migraine headache home remedies that may help. Here’s some that have already been tried and tested and work for a number of people:
1. Cayenne Pepper
It’s probably not one of the first ingredients that spring to mind when thinking of home remedies, but cayenne pepper is actually very good for helping to rid migraines. This is because not only does it improve blood flow and stimulate circulation, but it also contains the natural healing compound, capsaicin. Try mixing one-half teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of lukewarm water and drink. To help improve the taste you could also add a little lemon juice and honey.
2. Peppermint
If cayenne pepper’s too hot for you to handle, why not try peppermint to get rid of your migraine. Peppermint has anti-inflammatory properties which help to calm the nerves and ease headaches. The easiest way to get some peppermint into your system is simply drinking some peppermint tea. Repeat as often as needed. You can also apply peppermint oil directly to your temples and massage it in. Leave for around 20 to 30 minutes and repeat a few times a day until your migraine’s subdued.
3. Add Some Pressure
While the last thing you’re probably thinking about when you have a migraine is to apply pressure to your head, it really can work wonders if you do it right. There are certain pressure points in the body that when manipulated in the right way can alleviate pain. As soon as you feel a migraine coming on immediately place a small amount of pressure on your craniosacral system. If done right, this will force your brain to relax and relieve itself from pain.
4. Drink Some Caffeine
This may sound controversial considering caffeine is often the cause of migraines, but drinking a small amount could actually soothe your pounding head. The reason for this is that caffeine restricts blood vessels and in doing so blocks certain receptors that may be responsible for causing the migraine. But be careful, as too much may have the opposite effect.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
This stuff is amazing and has a cure or use for just about anything, including helping to get rid of a migraine. The best way to get some apple cider vinegar into your system is to make a drink out of it. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of honey to a glass of water and drink.
6. Ingest Ginger Root
Ginger root is a very powerful, yet natural pain reliever that’s been used for years in the effective treatment of migraines. One study carried out back in 1990 resulted in a patient stopping their migraine attacks by simply mixing 500 to 600 mg of powdered ginger with water and drinking the solution (1). This worked every single time the patient had a migraine. They simply drank ginger water at the first sign and stopped it in its tracks.
7. Drink Chamomile Tea
With anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and calming properties, chamomile is great for helping to relieve the pain caused by a migraine. You can buy chamomile tea already made or you can make it yourself mixing just a few teaspoons of the dried plant in a cup of hot water. Let it brew for a few minutes, strain it, and then drink the mix.
8. Ice it
This is one of the most popular home remedies when it comes to migraines as is quick to numb the pain. Simply wrap some ice cubes in a towel and place it either on the back of your neck or forehead and leave for around 15 minutes or so. The cold restricts the blood vessels and helps to inhibit the brain’s ability to feel pain.
9. Stock up on Nuts
If you find yourself getting migraines on a regular basis, consider increasing your nut intake. Many nuts contain the natural pain reliever, salicin in them. This is the same ingredient that’s used in many over-the-counter medicines you see on offer today.
10. Feverfew
This one seems to be the least heard of yet it’s been used as an effective home remedy for migraines for centuries. Feverfew is a herb that has many healing properties. It prevents inflammation and neutralizes prostaglandins that induce pain. To make an effective feverfew drink simply add 1 teaspoon of feverfew leaves and 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint to a cup of hot water. Leave this to stew for around 30 minutes. Then simply strain and drink a few times a day or until a migraine has disappeared.
