- Natural remedies for migraines that can provide relief and prevent future seizures include B2 supplements, magnesium, yoga, and getting enough sleep.
- Avoid common migraine triggers like alcohol, bright lights, and loud noises to further prevent future migraines.
- You should see a doctor for your migraines if they are accompanied by certain conditions, such as dizziness or cognitive problems.
- Check out Insider’s Insider Reference Library for more advice.
A migraine is a neurological disease and is much more than just a headache Symptoms that include Nausea, dizziness, tiredness and increased sensitivity to sounds, light or smells.
If you think you have migraines, see your GP or a specialist who can adequately diagnose you and rule out other causes.
“The first step is to make sure that your headache has been properly assessed and that your specific headache syndrome is diagnosed,” says the board-certified neurologist Thomas Pitts, with Hudson Medical + Wellness in New York City.
Once you determine that your pain is related to migraines, you can take steps to find relief. Here are some home remedies to treat some of the symptoms of migraines.
Natural Remedies For Migraines
Migraine remedies are those that can help you find relief and prevent more migraines from occurring in the future. Adding magnesium to your diet, supplementing with vitamin B2, practicing yoga, and getting enough sleep are some of the home remedies you can try to relieve the pain and prevent future episodes.
1. Magnesium
Adding a magnesium supplement to your diet in doses of 400 to 500 milligrams per day can help prevent migraines American Migraine Foundation. The supplement can prevent the appearance of aura, a type of sensory disorder, as well as sensitivity to light and noise. Keep the dose at 400 milligrams if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Diarrhea and abdominal cramps are the most common side effects of taking magnesium.
2. Vitamin B2
A small 2015 study found that 400 milligrams of vitamin B2 daily reduced the frequency and severity of migraines with minimal side effects compared to Sodium valproate. However, more research is needed to fully understand how vitamin B2 prevents migraines and whether it works for the general population as current studies are limited and small.
3. Caffeine
Some studies have found that caffeine can help treat migraines. A. Review 2019 found that chronic caffeine intake seemed to increase the likelihood of migraines – especially those Cleveland Clinic recommends limiting yourself to 150 to 200 milligrams of caffeine per day.
Ultimately, more studies are needed to determine whether caffeine can help with migraines. Therefore, it is important to speak to a doctor about whether or not this treatment is right for you.
4. Hot or cold remedies
Applying heat or cold can help relieve migraines Mayo Clinic. When used at the beginning of a migraine, a frozen neck wrap significantly reduced pain, such a small one 2013 study.
Placing a heating pad on your head or neck can also relax your muscles, which can lead to tension and migraines.
5. Yoga
Adding yoga along with several other natural remedies can help reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of migraines 2015 study.
6. Avoid light
Since migraines increase sensitivity to light and sound, the Mayo Clinic recommends relaxing in a dark and quiet room. Try to sleep when you can.
7. Regular exercise
Exercising regularly can help reduce the risk of migraines by reducing anxiety, depression, and obesity Mayo Clinic. Ask your doctor what types of exercise he recommends and how often.
8. Sleep
When you have migraines, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep, as lack of sleep can trigger a seizure. Good quality sleep means going to bed at the same time every evening, waking up at the same time every morning, and having a quiet and comfortable bedroom.
9. Peppermint oil
ON 2010 study found the menthol in peppermint to be a safe and effective treatment for migraines without aura. Apply to forehead and temples at the first sign of a migraine.
10. Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that supports your daily rhythm and makes you tired at night and more alert during the day. ON 2010 study found that migraineurs had abnormally low levels of melatonin. Research suggests that taking a melatonin supplement – up to 3 mg per day – could help with migraines.
Migraine triggers
Keep a migraine journal to determine what your triggers are so that you can avoid them. If you get a migraine, write down the date, time, what you did, your symptoms, everything you ate and how you slept.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common migraine triggers are:
- Menstruation
- pregnancy
- menopause
- alcohol
- too much caffeine
- stress
- bright lights
- loud noises
- strong smells
- lack of sleep
- Jet lag
- intense physical exertion
- sexual activity
- Weather change
- certain medications such as oral contraceptives, nitroglycerin, and vasodilators
- Skipping meals
- salty or processed foods
- aged cheese
- Food additives like MSG and aspartame
When should you see a doctor about your migraines?
Pitts says you need to seek medical help with migraines:
- Changes in intensity or quality.
- Is accompanied by numbness.
- Is accompanied by dizziness.
- Causes cognitive problems.
- Creates problems with arm or leg strength.
- Worsens when you lie down or sit up, or is relieved by changing positions.
These symptoms, along with migraines, could indicate something more serious, such as a stroke, that should be ruled out by a neurologist.
Some over-the-counter medications can help relieve mild to moderate migraines such as aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, and ibuprofen Jessica Ailani, Neurologist and director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. You can use an elimination process to determine which is best for you.
Home remedies for migraines are not always enough. Pitts says some excellent migraine medications can help. According to the American Migraine FoundationInclude migraine-specific prescriptions Triptanslike sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and rizatriptan. When these drugs don’t work, doctors turn to Ergot alkaloidslike Migrinal or Ergomar.
Other medical treatments include monthly and quarterly injections, nerve blockers, botox, and supplement infusions. Ask your doctor if natural remedies don’t work for you. Together, you should be able to find a drug that works.
Insider to take away
You can often control or prevent migraines with home remedies.
According to Pitts, the top three natural remedies for migraines are good sleep hygiene, regular exercise, and a daily intake of magnesium and vitamin B2.
See your family doctor once a year for preventative screening to rule out other health issues, Pitts says.
