The only thing worse than having a migmigraine is having a migraine and no remedy for it. And the only thing worse than that is having a migraine, having a remedy for it, and finding out it doesn’t work. If you’re in the latter category and you’ve tried everything you can think of to get rid of the pain, here are a few natural migraine remedies that are proven to work. Say goodbye to pillsand over-the-counter medication, but more importantly, say goodbye to those migraines!
Curing Your Migraine Naturally
While migraines may seem to be an evil, painful curse with no escape, mother nature hasn’t left you alone in the fight. These natural remedies are simple and cheap treatments you can do at home, at work, or wherever a migraine strikes.
Hold An Ice Pack To Your Neck
Chances are if you’ve tried anything for your migraine it’s an ice pack. I can’t tell you how many times I found myself curled up in bed with an ice pack on my forehead, not because it really helped, but because the cold at least distracted me from the pain. If I only knew that a simple change in the ice pack placement could make all the difference.
Migraines usually affect the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes, and our first instinct is to place an ice pack right where the pain is. Studies show that the neck is actually a better place for the ice pack to help numb the pain. The key is to target the carotid arteries, which are found at the back of the neck, and make sure to keep the ice pack in contact with your skin as much as possible for at least 15 minutes. Using this technique, rather than targeting the head, can help reduce the pain much more effectively.
The Magic Mineral Magnesium
There is a strong connection between magnesium and migraines that lots of people don’t know about. Often times people who get migraines are actually magnesium deficient and could benefit from a little extra dose of this magical mineral. One study showed that taking a magnesium supplement decreased migraine frequency.
One way to get your daily dose of magnesium is to use a supplement. However, it is always best to talk with your doctor before taking this route. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone. Another way to get magnesium is through diet. Green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are all great sources of this mineral. (4)
All The Vitamin B
Vitamins can also play a vital role in migraine prevention, specifically vitamins B2, B6, B9, and B12. These vitamins have shown to be especially useful in decreasing the severity of migraine symptoms, and even more so for those who tend to get ocular migraines. (5)
- Vitamin B2. Also known as riboflavin, vitamin B2 can help reduce migraine frequency. You can find this vitamin naturally in foods such as eggs, lean meats, asparagus, broccoli, and spinach. (6, 7)
- Vitamin B6. This vitamin is found naturally in foods such as chickpeas, beef liver, tuna, and salmon. (8)
- Vitamin B9. Also known as folic acid, this vitamin is found naturally in foods such as beef liver and spinach. (9)
- Vitamin B12. This vitamin can be found naturally in foods such as clams, fish, poultry, and eggs. (10)
Start A Diet Diary
This next remedy is less of a quick fix for your migraines and more of a long term solution. A large percentage of people find their migraines are connected with and caused by the foods they consume. If you haven’t been able to find a trigger for your migraines, it’s a good idea to start a food journal. Begin by documenting everything you eat, taking note when you get a migraine, and watch for patterns.
If you are having a difficult time knowing where to start or what to look for, here is a list of foods that many people found to cause migraines in order of commonality:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Mutton
- Fatty meals
- Fried foods
- Durian
- Tea
- Soft drinks
- Cheese
- Wheat
- Oranges
- Eggs
- Nescafe
- Milk
- Sugar
- Red meat
- Pickles
- Alcohol
- Mushrooms
- Corn
- Onion
- Garlic
One study found that when a group of participants removed all of these foods from their diet, both their migraine frequency and overall symptoms were decreased. So while it may be hard to give up chocolate, sugar, and coffee, it might just be worth a try.
Becoming Migraine Free Naturally
If there’s anything I’ve learned in all my years of getting migraines, it’s that they never go down without a fight. But using these natural remedies and techniques, I hope you’ll be able to kick your migraines to the curb and live pain-free at last.
