Are There Any Home Remedies for Migraines?

There are many home remedies for migraines but the word remedy should be taken with a grain of salt. These remedies may not work for you when migraines are severe and disabling, and you should consult a doctor should migraines become frequent. There are many proven medical treatments that can help alleviate these horrendous headaches.

Some people swear by aromatherapy, especially with scents like peppermint, lavender and sandalwood to cure migraines. Aromatherapy can help a person relax and might be something to try. If you feel nauseous when you get a migraine, at the least, peppermint scents often help alleviate some nausea.

A tried and true method is massage, particularly of the web space in between your thumb and index finger. You’ll note when you have any type of headaches, this area may be very sensitive. With your other hand, use the thumb and forefinger to massage the web space and apply pressure. This may alleviate migraines somewhat, though it may not entirely cure them. You may also benefit from applying a cold or warm cloth to the forehead, and lying down and resting.

In between headaches, make sure to exercise. This may prove of great benefit. If you can get about 30 minutes of exercise daily, even just walking, you may be able to reduce migraines.

Though it may be difficult to eat when you have a migraine, some foods may help the pain dissipate. These include foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like fish. If you don’t feel like eating, you might try fish oil or flaxseed caplets. Peppermint tea may be of some benefit, and any food rich in magnesium may prove helpful as well. Consider magnesium loaded foods like spinach or kale, or take a daily supplement with magnesium.

Some foods may cause severe headaches, which are labeled as food-sensitive migraines. Avoid foods with MSG, yeast, tannins like those in grapes/wine, and any foods high in sodium. You also should watch your caffeine intake.

If you’ve given up coffee suddenly, you can expect a severe headache to occur. Though caffeine is sometimes used to treat a migraine, if you take it over a few days, you can have what is called a bounce-back effect, where the caffeine begins to cause a headache instead of cure one. Caffeine may work for the occasional migraine, but if you get them all the time, it might be best to avoid caffeinated foods and drinks. Similarly, you should give up smoking if you smoke, as this can often transform a small headache into a whopping migraine.

When these home remedies are ineffective, do see your doctor. These headaches can sometimes indicate serious conditions and may require medical investigation and treatment. The good news is that there are many treatments that can help block a migraine or stop one before you’re really miserable. Further, recent studies suggest a correlation between migraines and lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. So while a migraine may be a pain now, it might be of benefit later in life.