Natural Migraine Remedies – Do They Work?
Natural migraine remedies that you can try at home include feverfew, 5-Hydroxytryptophan and butterbur. If you think you are suffering from migraines you should always consult a medical practitioner who will be able to offer a diagnosis and suggest a course of treatment. Many of the natural migraine remedies that you can try have been used for headache relief for many years. We have detailed the the most popular ones below.
Feverfew – Tanacetum parthenium
Feverfew has been used as a natural remedy for migraines for a long time and has also been used for the relief of pain, fever and arthritis. Some clinical studies have shown that feverfew is effective for reducing the pain and frequency of migraine attacks. One study showed that sufferers taking feverfew had a decrease in the frequency of their attacks from 1.9 a month to 1.3. However other studies have shown more mixed results so more studies are needed to conclusively prove the use of feverfew. If you suffer from migraines it may be worth trying feverfew as a preventative.
Side Effects of Feverfew
Feverfew has some mild side effects that include some abdominal discomfort including nausea, gas and vomiting. It belongs to the same family as ragweed so if you are allergic to ragweed, chamomile or yarrow you should not take feverfew. Safety for those pregnant or nusrsing or the safety of feverfew in children has not been established. Also if you have any bleeding disorder and take warfarin or aspirin you should not take feverfew without consulting your medical practitioner to make sure that it is safe.
5-HTP – 5-Hydroxytryptophan
5-HTP is produced from tryptophan in the body and is used for the production of seratonin and melatonin. The 5-HTP found in supplements is extracted from the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. A limited number of studies have shown that 5-HTP can reduce the severity and duration of a migraine attack. In one study of 124 sufferers 71% reported that the pain was reduced after taking 5-HTP. Another study at the University of Milan’s Pain Research and Treatment Unit found that taking 5-HTP by those suffering chronic daily headaches helped nearly 93.5% to feel better and reduced their pain.
Safety Concerns
Some medications should not be taken with 5-HTP. These include Imitrex, Maxalt, Amerge, Zomig and Carbidopa. The safety of 5-HTP has not be studied for pregnant and nursing mothers and children.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that is used in the body in many biochemical processes including the regulation of blood sugar and for normal nerve and muscle functions. It is found in seeds, nuts, leafy green vegetables and whole grains. Some studies have shown that used as a supplement it can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. One study found a reduction in attacks of up to 41% for sufferers taking 600mg of magnesium daily. Not all studies support this finding however so more studies are needed before it is conclusively proved that magnesium is effective.
Side Effects of Magnesium Supplements
Side effects include loss of appetite, low blood pressure, nausea and irregular heart beat. People taking medications including antibiotics, osteoporosis treatments, high blood pressure medications and diuretics should not take magnesium supplements.
Butterbur – Petasites hybridus
Butterbur has been used for many years as a migraine remedy and is a herb found in North America, Asia and Europe. It has also been used for stomach cramps, asthma and allergies. Some studies have shown that butterbur reduces the frequency and severity of migraines. One study of 245 sufferers showed that taking 75mg a day of butterbur extract was effective.
Side effects of Butterbur
Some side effects include nausea, constipation and diarrhoea. Butterbur is a member of the ragweed family so should not be taken buy those allergic to ragweed or other members of this family including daisy, marigold or chrysanthemum.
Natural migraine remedies are sold as supplements in capsule, gel or powder form. Always consult your medical practitioner before taking any supplements. None of the remedies described here have been shown to be safe for pregnant or nursing mothers or children.
The information provided here should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition. A qualified physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified healthcare provider.
About the Author
For more information visit Migraine Remedies and Cures or read Migraine Remedies and Symptoms