Herbal Headache and Migraine Remedies
Headache CuresSo many people are looking for alternatives to drugs when it comes to treating their headaches. Herbal headache remedies can be quite effective if the right ones are chosen! In low doses, many herbs can help stop a headache if the headache is mild. Some are great for daily use to prevent headaches, while others can sooth the upset stomach.
Keep in mind, that a little goes a long way and many herbs used for pain and mood can interact with prescription drugs. Another thing to keep in mind that the FDA does not standardize herbal preparations in the US (as of yet). One way to insure your quality of herbs is to get them from a company that produces only organics and maintains standards.
Ginger
Ginger can be an excellent herbal remedy for that "wonderful" symptom of nausea. Proven throughout the years, ginger in many forms can help settle the stomach. Many people prefer to use ginger teas but keep in mind the earlier you can get the tea into you, the better off you will be. It is very difficult to swallow anything if full blown nausea and vomiting is going on!
It has these anti-nausea effects because it speeds digestion and increases saliva production. Also, it has some anti-inflammatory properties. If taken in large quantities it causes diaphoresis (excessive sweating). In centuries past ginger was used this way to break a fever by causing sweating.
Feverfew
Feverfew is well known to migraineurs as an herb headache preventative. It has gentle anti-inflammatory properties which may stop part of the migraine from progressing. Because of this it is also used for arthritis.Feverfew can take up to 3 months to be effective in migraine. Too many times, people will tell me the herb was not effective and come to find out, they took it for only two or three weeks.
Feverfew should NOT be taken if you are pregnant as it runs the risk of causing bleeding.
Children and adolescents tend to respond faster and better to feverfew than adults do.
Butterbur
Gaining attention recently as one of the herbal headache remedies, Butterbur is showing promise in this area. Like feverfew, clinical trials have been conducted and have shown up to a 50% reduction in headaches in those taking Butterbur.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne is available in a nasal spray to treat headache. YUK you say! Spray this up my nose? Well, true it hasn't been proven yet but there is a method to the madness! Capsician is the key ingredient here and when sprayed up the nose it hits a nerve plexus at the back. This nerve "talks" to the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for migraine.
Unfortunately, the effect wears off soon which is why it hasn't been too successful..oh that and the possible burning sensation!
Ginko
I am mentioning ginko because there is some "buzz" in the headache community about this herb. Ginko has been promoted for memory with the idea it increases blood flow to the brain. While it doesn't affect blood vessels, it DOES thin the blood which could improve flow.
That's all well and good, but it has no effect on headaches or migraines. In fact if you take it with feverfew and aspirin you could run the risk of microscopic hemorrhages in the brain. So it is best to leave this one alone when it comes to headache treatment.
Herbs for Sleep and Anxiety
One of the problems many headache sufferers complain of is sleep problems. Use of Valarian and Camomille before bed has been shown to have some relaxing properties. Regular exercise before bed can also help to calm the nerves, and who knows? Maybe a cup of Valarian tea will help! Read more about sleep and headaches.
Many herbal supplements are very effective for migraine prevention and other types of headache. Remember to ask your practitioner first before combining these items with any prescription medications that you are taking for migraine.
Mary K. Betz, MS RPA-C is a practicing Physician Assistant in neurology who specializes in headache medicine at a large headache center. She has suffered from migraines for over thirty years and now teaches people how to take charge of headaches by learning more at http://www.headache-adviser.com