The most effective natural and herbal migraine remedies

Migraines are not just one-sided headaches that feel bad. One type of headache is a recurring chronic neurological condition that can appear at any time, especially when exposed to the trigger. Well, apart from taking migraine medication, there are also natural remedies that you can try to reduce the symptoms. Here are natural or traditional remedies for migraines that may be available in your home.

Choice of natural remedies for migraine relief

Launching the Mayo Clinic, migraine treatment is aimed at stopping symptoms and preventing future attacks. Therefore, migraine treatment is not only with medication from a doctor.

When a migraine attack takes place, it's a good idea to quickly avoid migraine triggers. Then, find a comfortable place to rest and cool off. If possible, take a short nap in a room that is cool, dark, quiet, and cool enough, and not forgetting to get about 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Apart from that simple method, you can also try natural, herbal, or traditional migraine remedies to help reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms. However, keep in mind, whatever natural medicine you want to use, talk to your doctor first about the benefits and risks.

For reference, here are some traditional medicines that can be used as a way to treat migraines naturally:

1. Ginger

Not only warms the body, ginger can also be used as a herbal remedy to get rid of migraines naturally. In fact, in research published in journalsPhytotherapy research, ginger powder is said to reduce the severity and duration of migraines as well as the drug sumatriptan.

In addition, consuming ginger water also has a smaller risk of side effects compared to taking drugs. With sumatriptan, migraine sufferers often report a variety of side effects, such as dizziness, vertigo, or heartburn. Meanwhile, the only side effect reported when taking natural migraine remedies with ginger is stomach upset.

2. Feverfew

Feverfew, or by a scientific name Tanacetum parthenium, is a shrub from the family Asteraceae, which is often used as a medicine or herbal supplement to treat various diseases, including migraines.

From various studies mentioned, fevervew can reduce the severity of pain as well as other symptoms associated with migraines, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Not only that, some research evidence also shows that this plant is effective as a natural migraine preventive drug. The risk of side effects is said to be lower than that of other prescription drugs for treating headaches.

However, there is some risk of side effects reported when taking fevervew for a long time and then stopping it. This risk is in the form of anxiety, insomnia, and muscle and joint pain, although it is only temporary.

3. Butterbur

Another plant that is often used as a medicinal or herbal supplement to treat migraines naturally, namely butterbur (Petasites hybridus). Leaf extracts from the butterbur plant have been shown to reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraines in sufferers.

Reporting from Migraine & Headache Australia, one study found that the frequency of migraines can drop by almost 50 percent by taking this traditional medicine. However, it takes a high dose to see these effects.

However, some herbal products containing butterbur extract can be harmful to the liver, although these cases are rare. Other side effects can also appear, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, or an allergic response. Therefore, you should still be careful about taking this drug and make sure you have consulted with your doctor to find out the benefits and risks for you.

4. Extract willow bark

Take extracts willow barkor willow bark can also be another natural way to treat migraines. Research published in the journal Free radical biology & medicine states, willow bark extract contains an anti-inflammatory ingredient called salicin, and is also an effective source of antioxidants for the body.

As for the salicin from the extractwillow barkoften used as an ingredient in pain relievers, such as aspirin. Therefore, willow bark extract can be a natural remedy for migraine relief that you are experiencing. To get these benefits, you can take an extract willow barkin supplement form or chewing willow bark directly available at your local health food store.

5. Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba (tanakan) is popular as a natural remedy for improving memory. Not only popular, a study from Journal of the Neurological Sciences 2014 also discovered the potential of ginkgo biloba as a natural remedy for migraines.

These findings reinforce the results of an earlier study in 2009. Previous research has found that ginkgo biloba can be useful as a traditional remedy for migraine aura, by reducing its frequency and duration. However, further research is needed regarding the potential of ginkgo biloba for migraines.

6. Coriander seeds

Coriander seeds are a spice ingredient that is often used for cooking spices. But it turns out, you can also take advantage of this natural ingredient as a traditional medicine to treat migraines.

Based on research published in the Quarterly of Horizon of Medical Sciences in 2015, coriander can reduce the duration and severity of migraine attacks. The anti-inflammatory content in it is believed to be beneficial for some migraine sufferers, so that it can cause these effects. In order to get these benefits, you can chew the coriander seeds right away or sip them after soaking them in hot water.

7. Dong quai

Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a herbal medicine originating from China. This natural ingredient is often called female ginseng because it is useful for balancing the hormonal system in women. Not only that, this plant is also believed to be a herbal remedy for migraines, especially those associated with hormonal headaches in women.

However, this natural remedy may interact with some drugs or cause health problems in people with cancer. Therefore, you should first consult with your doctor before consuming it. Moreover, further research is still needed to prove the effectiveness of dong quai as a traditional medicine for migraines.

8. Magnesium supplements

Increasing your magnesium intake can also treat migraines and headaches naturally. The reason is, the problem of magnesium deficiency is more common in people who often have migraine headaches than those who don't.

A study shows, treatment with a magnesium supplement of 600 mg per day can help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches and prevent future migraines. However, in addition to supplements, you can also meet your magnesium needs by eating foods that contain these nutrients, such as almonds, green vegetables, whole grains, and other types of migraine-preventing foods.

9. Supplement vitamin B2 or riboflavin

Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is a vitamin that you can get from food and is needed by the body to some degree. However, riboflavin at high doses (which are generally obtained from supplements), is said to be one of the natural remedies for treating migraines.

However, there are some side effects that may occur with taking this supplement, such as frequent urination, changes in urine color, or even diarrhea. Kidney patients who experience migraines are also advised not to take this supplement because it can endanger their health.

As for supplements, you can find riboflavin in a number of foods, such as lean meat, nuts, green vegetables, or milk and dairy products.

10. Lavender oil

Essential oils can be one way to treat or get rid of migraines naturally. Of the many essential oils, lavender oil is said to be one of the most effective natural migraine remedies.

A small study published by European Neurology found that lavender oil can help reduce the severity of migraine headaches in some people. The study states, people who inhale the scent of lavender oil when their migraines recur faster than those who don't.

In addition, lavender oil is also believed to help deal with stress and anxiety, which can also trigger migraines.

11. Peppermint oil

Apart from lavender oil, peppermint oil can also be another essential oil option as a traditional remedy for migraines. If you inhale lavender oil, you can use this oil by rubbing it on your forehead or temples.

The menthol content in peppermint oil is said to relieve and stop migraine headaches. In fact, based on deep research International journal of clinical practice, Applying peppermint oil can relieve pain, nausea, and also sensory sensitivity due to migraine symptoms.