Top Five Natural Remedies for Migraine

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

Migraine is a very common type of headache that hits about 28 million people in the U.S. It is one that can be helped considerably through alternative health, herbal remedies and natural supplements. Let’s take a look at the top five natural remedies.

Migraines cost the U.S. $13.0 billion a year in lost work hours in the country. Still, over $4.0 billion is spent a year on over-the-counter painkillers for various types of headache. Many are not effective. That’s where the natural side steps in.

There are essentially two types of migraine: common and classic. This major difference between is that the classic type is accompanied by an “aura” or warning symptoms preceding the onset of headache. The common type does not have the aura. The aura typically consists of visual disturbance, such as seeing stars or blind spots in front of your eyes.

Here is the best that alternative medicine has to offer for migraine headaches:

1. Butterbur: Extract of this herb is proven to help prevent migraines by slowly lowering the amount of headaches you suffer. In studies, it has successfully reduced migraine attacks, as well as the amount of days migraine pain sticks around. Doses tested include 50 milligrams (mg) and 75 mg, both taken twice a day. The larger dose has proven to work better.

2. Feverfew: Another favorite herbal remedy for migraines, feverfew has a lot of potential. Studies have found that feverfew extracted with liquid carbon dioxide might offer the best effect, reducing the number of migraines patients get each month by about half. Others have found benefit with whole feverfew leaf, inside a capsule. Follow package directions for dosage.

3. CoQ10: This coenzyme, taken three times a day at doses of 100 mg, could reduce the number of migraines, the length of time they last, and nausea that comes with them. So says a recent study in “Neurology.”

4. Magnesium: This mineral, taken in a dose of 600 mg a day, could significantly reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. There is good evidence to support this, so this is a supplement that migraine sufferers might want to consider seriously.

5. 5-HTP: Your body makes 5-HTP before it makes serotonin. There is some evidence that 400 to 600 mg a day of 5-HTP could help prevent migraines. It could also reduce pain and duration of a headache. More research needs to be done, but there is sufficient proof for people to give it a try.

6. Other possibilities: Fish oil, vitamin B2, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, and soy isoflavones.