Home Remedies for Migraine Headaches

What is a migraine? What causes migraines? Try out these home remedies for migraine headaches. Besides information on migraine headache treatment for migraine headache relief, find out how to identify migraine symptoms.

Migraine is one of the different types of headaches besides tension headaches, cluster headaches and sinus headaches. The common symptoms of a migraine headache is severe pain on one side of the head, having blurred vision and feeling hypersensitive to light and also sound or noise. Having a migraine headache may also make a person feel nauseous and may also result in vomiting.

There are quite a number of possible causes of migraine headaches. Certain foods especially those high in tyramine may trigger the headache. Cheese, avocados, processed foods and fermented soy are some examples of food that contain a significant amount of tyramine. And so is red wine.

Other contributing factors that can trigger a migraine headache are certain medications, changes in sleeping patterns, stress, hormonal changes especially in women and certain stimuli such as exposure to bright light and loud noise.

Home remedies for migraine headaches No. 1 - Rest, relax and sleep

Once you sense the early symptoms of a migraine headache, take a rest. Lie down preferably in a quiet and darkened room. Breathe slowly and deeply and relax your body and mind. And sleeping will help a lot to release the pulsating and throbbing headache.

Home remedies for migraine headaches No. 2 - Interrupt thinking patterns

If your migraine headache is caused by stress and tension, try to interrupt those thoughts and anxieties. As you lie down and do your breathing exercise, picture pleasant images. A helpful tool is to apply the NLP or neuro linguistic programming "swishing method". Another helpful tool to release the pain is to apply the tapping method or emotional freedom technique.

Home remedies for migraine headaches No. 3 - Compression therapy

By compressing your scalp arteries at the first signs of a migraine attack, you may be able to stop or reduce the pain. You can either use a cold or hot compress as a home remedy for migraine.

To use a cold compress, dip a washcloth in ice-cold water or use and ice pack and place it on your temples and leave it for at least 30 minutes. If you are using heat to compress, use a warm cloth either by dipping it in warm water or heating it in a microwave oven on in hot water.

Home remedies for migraine headaches No. 4 - Apple cider vinegar

The unfiltered and organic apple cider vinegar may help as a treatment for migraine headaches. Drinking a glass of water mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar may provide relief. Consider drinking it daily. It may provide the cure for migraine headaches as well as offer many other health benefits.

Home remedies for migraine headaches No. 5 - Herbal remedies

Try any of these herbs as natural migraine remedies. But do check with your doctor first especially if you are pregnant, have other health issues or on prescription medication.

1. Feverfew has been clinically tested and shown to lessen migraine attacks.
   
   
   
2. Chamomile is an herbal sleep aid and provides a soothing effect. If you notice the signs of a migraine attack coming, drink a warm cup of chamomile tea to calm your nerves.
   
   
   
3. Passion flower is a natural pain killer and thus may provide relief from migraine headaches.
   
   
   
4. Valerian provides a sedative effect. It helps relaxes your muscles and sleep well.
   
   
   
5. White willow bark is a natural pain relief herb. A clinical study found that when white willow bark, feverfew and St John's wort were given to patients, they were able to greatly reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
   
   
   
6. Ginger is effective in treating nausea which is one of the symptoms of a migraine headache. After taking care of the nausea, you will find it easier to treat the migraine headache.
   
   
   
7. Basil is used in Ayurvedic medicine as one of the natural home remedies for migraine headaches. It provides a calming effect.
   
   
   
8. Dong quai herb is another natural pain killer. It also provides a sedative effect. Women who have migraine headaches due to hormonal changes may benefit from taking dong quai supplements.

Home remedies for migraine headaches No. 6 - Alternative healing

Acupuncture, acupressure and massage are some of the alternative healing methods that are used as migraine headache treatment.

Home remedies for migraine headaches No. 7 - Migraine prevention

Prevention is always better than finding a cure. One of the best things to do to prevent migraine headaches is to monitor the attacks. Take note of the triggers. Find out what causes your migraine headaches. Is it caused by the food that you eat, alcoholic beverages that you drink or some unhealthy habits such as smoking? Once you can identify them, you can and find the right remedy or solution.

Taking time to relax and exercising each day will help you release your stress and is a good way to stay healthy. Besides aerobic exercises, you can include yoga, meditation, Pilates and deep breathing exercises.

Include health supplements in your diet for migraine prevention such as vitamin B2 and coenzyme Q10. Taking butterbur may help too. Take milk thistle supplement especially if can't resist alcohol or red wine.

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