Migraines can be debilitating, affecting your ability to focus, function, and enjoy daily life. With triggers ranging from stress and hormonal changes to diet and environmental factors, managing them often requires a multifaceted approach. In addition to lifestyle adjustments, many people are turning to migraine supplements to help reduce frequency, support neurological health, and promote overall balance.
In this article, we'll explore natural strategies to help you manage migraines and feel more in control of your well-being.
What Are Migraines?
Migraines are a common type of headache and may be caused by vascular changes in the brain. A variety of medical concerns can trigger these vascular changes, for example: dehydration, food allergies, hypoglycemia, trauma and TMJ disorders. The most important element in developing a migraine treatment program is to figure out its origin. Then, natural remedies can be tailored to that cause.
Symptoms of Migraines
The symptoms of a migraine can often be debilitating, and for some, they can even last for days. They usually have one-sided throbbing pain localized on either side of the head; nausea, vomiting, cold hands, dizziness and sensitivity to light and sound are often present as well. Some migraine sufferers experience auras that precede the headache and can be an early warning sign that a migraine is about to strike. Most commonly, they can include visual disturbances, but may also take the form of odour disturbances. numbness, or tingling on one side of the face or body.
When these early warning symptoms appear, take careful note of what you were doing, eating, or what might have changed in your environment that might have triggered them. If you notice a pattern developing, then do whatever is possible to eliminate or lessen these factors.
What Supplements Support Migraines?
Feverfew
The most effective natural supplement used to treat migraines is the herb feverfew. Feverfew has been clinically proven in many studies to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines in about 75% or people who use it. Most people who take feverfew get fewer migraines, and when they do get them, they are much less severe. It's thought that feverfew contains substances that cause relaxation of smooth muscle tissue that surrounds the arteries of the body. By relaxing the arteries in the brain, the active ingredients in feverfew can reduce the spasms that are the primary cause of migraines.
Feverfew also acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the production of chemicals that cause inflammation, and as a blood thinner by inhibiting the clotting of platelets. Inflammation may also play a role in the spasms of blood vessels.
Feverfew Supplements
Most feverfew supplements are made of encapsulated dried herb, tincture or loose herb. Better quality supplements are standardized, which is an assurance that the product contains a high concentration of the active ingredients in feverfew. The main active ingredient in feverfew is called parthenolide.
Feverfew should be taken on a regular basis for optimum effectiveness; it is not helpful if taken only during acute migraine attacks. It may take several weeks of using feverfew before migraines are relieved, and a one-month minimum trial is recommended.
Due to feverfew’s blood-thinning properties, individuals with active bleeding, blood-clotting disorders, or those who use blood thinners, anti-inflammatories or aspirin-containing products should use caution when taking feverfew. For the same reason, stop using feverfew 2 weeks prior to surgery or dental procedures. Feverfew may stimulate menstruation and should not be used in pregnancy. Feverfew is in the same plant family as ragweed; therefore, individuals with ragweed allergies should not use feverfew.
Conventional Migraine Treatments
Conventional treatment of migraine involves the use of aspirin and acetaminophen. They do not deal with the underlying cause of the headache and usually only provide minimal relief - if any. Repeated use can interfere with the brain’s ability to deal with the source of the headache. Imitrex is a prescription drug that increases serotonin levels and is helpful for some migraine sufferers. Serotonin influences vascular tone. Side effects of Imitrex are heart palpitations, hypertension and tightness in the chest, jaw or neck. Migraines can also be triggered by hormonal fluctuations, especially during PMS. If the migraines are related to hormonal changes, then oral contraceptives are sometimes prescribed.
How Can I Naturally Prevent Migraines?
To reduce the frequency and severity of migraines naturally, reduce your stress level, have regular chiropractic adjustments and get proper rest. Practice deep breathing exercises to increase brain oxygenation. Keep a log of your headaches to see if things such as food, stress or your monthly cycle affect them. All of these things are easy to do and can go a long way to reducing the frequency and severity of often debilitating migraines.
Use a cold compress on the origin of the migraine pain to constrict vessels. Rub essential oils such as peppermint or lavender over the painful area (keep away from the eyes) to provide quick relief of migraines.
Dietary considerations for migraine headaches include cleansing the body of toxins. If the body is overloaded, it is less able to deal with stressors, and migraines are more likely to occur. See the section on detoxification for more information on cleansing. Prevent dehydration by drinking 2L of filtered water daily. Avoid any foods you are sensitive to. Foods containing tyramine and phenylalanine are well known for their headache-promoting properties.
Tyramine-containing foods are alcohol, bananas, cheese, chicken, chocolate, citrus fruit, cold cuts, herring, onions, peanuts, pork, smoked fish, sour cream, vinegar, wine and fresh-baked yeast products. Phenylalanine-containing foods are aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and foods preserved with nitrates like hot dogs and luncheon meat. Eat a well-balanced diet with ample protein to keep the blood sugar level.
