Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
(Mpls., Mn)
12/03/2013
Hey Bella!
What worked for ME was chiropractic adjustments. If you have tried *everything*, then its something to consider.
(Denver, Colorado)
12/03/2013
Bella: I had headaches too. Brain cells need more fuel than regular cells. I take 600g raw carbs daily from honey, whole sugar, organic fruits, and activated barley. Brain cells need neurotransmitters. Raw proteins from whey, hawaiin spirulina, dessicated liver, and cocoa powders make the best. High mountain cold water extracted shilajit, skate liver oil, and maca are also good. Marine phytoplankton liquid, the expensive one, is the only food that detoxes and energizes the back of the brain where the seat of the emotions are located. Watch raw food and superfood videos for good info.
Bella: I suppose you must be experiencing bad side effects from the sumatryptan. The closest natural substance chemically similar to s is 5HTP. Take 50mg 5HTP before retiring every evening. It seems logical to reduce the s proly 50% (if you have tabs a pill splitter will work fine) while taking 5HTP.
Have you tried brain-specific antioxidants like Chinese Skullcap and Gingko biloba?? I would also recommend Magnet Therapy over the entire skull. A strong magnet like a music speaker mag will work well. Do this about 15-30 min daily for a few weeks. Herbs like White Oak Bark, Buthchers Broom, and Horse Chesnut are indicated in vacular disorders as they strengthen the vascular. Vit-C w/ added Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex also helps veins.
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
12/04/2013
To Bella from NY,
Re your migraines:
I've had them since I was about 16 years old. At that time was and continued to be under great stress. (Like most people.) My own migraine issue has caused me to be especially interested in cures.
Studied a great deal on migraines and conclude this: There is the "classic migraine" which manifests with blurred vision (the aura) and light sensitivity culminating in nausea and the headache lasting any length of time...as long as three days.
Many people have what they call migraines but in fact are not the classic form. Look for light sensitivity and narrowing vision when the migraine sets in. Then nausea.
There is a distinct and genetically driven personality type who is susceptible to CLASSIC migraines. When under great and or continued stress their body will quickly utilize and use up the B complex in their system especially niacin, B-3.
At that point there is a capillary collapse in the temporal region that especially effects the eyes. After first studying this phenomenon I realized that extra supplements of B-3 might forestall the migraines. And the niacin did work. I learned to take enough B-3 to barely be "flushed" and I'd know my system had sufficient B-3 to keep the migraines away. The B-3 was working to keep the capillaries dilated.
This worked for decades with me. But dealing with the flushing balance is a bit frustrating, requiring a needed "flush" at least once a week to make sure enough B-3 was present in my system. Then, about 15 years ago I read about the herb "feverfew." And to my delight I found that feverfew, if I take two a day, four or five times weekly will do the same as B-3.
If I run out of feverfew for a month or two, suddenly, I'm hit with a migraine.
Now that is the "classic" migraine description (aura/light sensitivity, nausea) and the theory that vitamin B-3 depletion is the (immediate) cause of the capillary collapse resulting in the attack.
There is another kind of continuous headache called cluster headaches and I have no experience on whether the same causative issues are at work there and whether using B-3 or feverfew might benefit those suffers.
There is a third kind of often occurring headache. More malevolent even than classic migraines. These might have developed after severe infection, typically to the upper regions of the body. That type of "migraine" (not Classic Migraine) might be caused by the virus migrating into the brain (viral meningitis) being the result. DMSO mixed 50/50 with Colloidal Silver and applied three times in a month would show the sufferer if the Silver might be working to kill the virus if indeed viral meningitis is the cause of that particular continuous headache. The application of the DMSO/ CS mix is topical to back of neck as a poultice using white paper towels (somewhat soaked). If this is going to work, a good indication would be that after the second application the sufferer will feel less nausea, be able to walk better without as much vertigo and will feel a surge of energy. Much more on this in other posts I've written on same subject here in EC.
Another kind of headache...neck injury and a chiropractor might be able to help. Be careful for the ones I call "neck twisters." In cases where the neck is hurt, usually the vertebrae (or muscles) will be bulging to one side of neck and pain will radiate down side of neck causing numbness often to hand on the injured side, causing neck and shoulder stiffness. Headaches will be common in this kind of condition because often the blood will be cut off from the base of the skull, and the brain will be deprived of oxygen. I said be careful for "neck twisters" which is where the Chiropractor puts you on your back and takes your head in his hands and twists, popping the vertebra. I believe this is counter productive in the long run IF YOU HAVE A CHRONIC condition. Rather, look for a chiropractor who will place you FACE DOWN and using what is called the "Pierce technique" adjust against the vertebra's bulging direction. This is "mechanics" when you think about it. If you can feel the vertebra coming bulging to the left in your neck (say C-1 or C-2) it makes no sense to twist the HEAD. No, instead the Chiropractor should be using a vibration machine for adjusting "against" the bulging vertebra. Using either a drop table (the drop is about one quarter of an inch, not much but enough to get the vertebra re aligned with the spine) or a hand held mechanism the result is better than the "twist" technique for long term results. One last thing, don't overlook the condition called "military neck' which is the loss of curvature in the neck around C-2 and C-3. This comes usually from reading a great deal. In that case, the Chiropractor puts the patient face down and the adjustment is straight down with the drop table. This can bring almost instant curvature back to the neck...in just a few adjustments. X-Ray comparison is remarkable.
But you must call to different Chiropractors to ask specifically how they adjust. Look for one that uses the Pierce technique...or ask if the Doctor uses a drop table where he presses against the impaired side of neck.
(Tennessee, Usa)
12/04/2013
Dear Bella,
I will add a couple of more thoughts to the excellent suggestions I have already seen come through. I would seriously consider each of them. There are so many different causes of headaches. All of these ideas will help you to leave no stone unturned in your quest for a solution.
I have family members that have had migraine relief from taking feverfew daily as a preventative. I myself have been relieved of headaches from going to a good chiropractor.
Herbalist Rachel Weaver cites two common sources of headaches that seem too simple...dehydration and/or constipation. She recommends for a headache to drink a tall glass of water with a pinch of sea salt in it. Better yet, just be sure to be getting plenty of water (a pinch of sea salt is a great addition to that.) Regarding the constipation, if your system is not eliminating toxins daily, you can get all kinds of symptoms, including headaches. If this is an issue for you, do look at the constipation solutions on Earth Clinic.
Do you have chronic sinus infections? How is your diet?
Do you have dental issues? Mercury fillings or root canals? Sometimes these things are linked to headaches. (Mercury fillings from the toxicity of mercury and root canals because sometimes there is an underlying infection that cannot get out.)
Please let us know what you try and what helps. I hope you find relief soon. I am sorry you have had to deal with this for so long. I am praying for wisdom and relief for you.
~Mama to Many~
(Media, Pa)
12/05/2013
Ever consider you might be GLUTEN SENSITIVE? I have been hearing a lot about the connection to migraines. I don't experience these myself, but it's part of every gluten book and post I've read. One thing you could do is find a FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE doctor and get tested. Google the Functional Medicine Institute for a doc in your area. There should be a directory. I know a conventional doc probably won't administer this type of test. I believe it measures your anti-bodies specific reaction to gluten. Good Luck!!
(Barrie, Ontario)
06/08/2017
Multiple Remedies
1.) Digestion - always have enzymes with you to take whenever the first sign of a migraine appears and /or after you have cooked food.
2.) Circulation - there is certainly a circulation disorder in a migraine sufferer. So improve circulation-a.) By walking at least an hour a day nonstop 6 days a week b.) Natural supplements that are known to help circulation.
3. Sugar balance - It is important to maintain sugar levels so take stevia instead of sweeteners or sugar or fructose and eat regularly.
4 Nutrients. - Very important to take nutrients that the brain needs ie: magnesium, linseeds, vit B, wheatgerm and beetroot
Other essentials for avoiding migraines:
A- Eat alot of raw food - the minimum per day a big lettuce salad with at least 2 other raw veg and seeds, and apple cider vinegar, cold pressed oil, sea salt or rock salt and cayenne pepper
B. - Completely avoid coffee, black tea, milk and soya products like miso.
C- Sleep in a very well ventilated room.
Good luck
Multiple Remedies
★★★★☆
Lots of raw vegetable salads, minimum daily- 1 big lettuce salad(with other raw veg as well) and 1 small or big one with or without lettuce.
Whenever I eat anything cooked (except bread or potatoes) I take lots of natural vegetarian enzymes 4 x what is indicated on the bottle and 6 tabs of a formula that aids the organs of elimination to function. And if a slight feeling of migraine starts I repeat all that.
Everynight and morning I do the Do-in exercise to cure rhinitis, empyema and pollen allergies(one exercise for all those)
I take magnesium and also feverfew
But if a migraine is about to start or has just started, juice of at least 4(or more) freshly squeezed grapefruits (or eating a lettuce) and doing EFT works wonders you can find out what EFT is on the internet.
The cidervinegar at first lessened my migraines but then suddenly completely stopped working and made them worse
After 10 years I hope/believe that the above is the answer
Nattokinase
★★★★★
Then I took 200 mg of Nattokinase because it was throbbing in spite of all this and started in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, so to take all this again was a bit too much. After about 1 hr pain stopped. In the morning I had just a vague sensation of throbbing maybe 1-2 out of 10.
So I took 200 mg of Nattokinase more and NO PAIN. AND I DID NOT TAKE ANYTHING FROM THE LIST ABOVE.
I am so happy! I will continue to have Nattokinase 100 mg as a support for the next few days. I am an emergency physician myself and I can say this supplement is miraculous. In the way to replace Aspirin, but now with Elaine's 2011 post (nattokinase page), it saved my life. Thank you.
Nettle
★★★★★
My daughter had a migraine this week. She tried a couple of things but nothing was helping.
Finally, I suggested nettle tincture. She took one dose (one dropperful) and then 15 minutes later another dropperful. It didn't totally eliminate her headache but made it much more tolerable.
She hasn't taken nettle daily for quite some time, so I don't think it was a blood purifying effect as when daily use seemed to eliminate migraines.
I have noticed with my children that they have "go to" remedies. One responds well to coconut oil. I give it to him for everything.
This daughter responds well to nettle.
So, I think the moral of the story is, when nothing is working for what ails you, consider what remedies your body has responded well to for ailments in the past.
~Mama to Many~
Nettle
★★★★★
My daughter had regular migraines and several other health problems. After taking nettle leaf and kefir almost daily for a year, her health was drastically improved. Since that time her migraines are much less frequent. (She took one capsule of nettle a couple of times a day for about a year.)
I don't think nettle will cure a headache (but I suppose I wouldn't put it past nettle! ) But for a long term blood purifying solution, I think nettle should be considered!
Niacin
★★★★★
Here is a very quick and cheap thing to try, because all it'll cost is a small bottle of the niacin form (nicotinic acid) of Vitamin B3! I note that B3 is not listed under the Vitamins on this site, and B3 is not in the Remedies list under Migraines, either.
From the Linus Pauling site (well, one of them):
Http://www.orthomolecular.org
Two Case Reports on the Treatment of Acute Migraine with Niacin: Its Hypothetical Mechanism of Action Upon Calcitonin-Gene Related Peptide and Platelets
Jonathan E. Prousky, N. D. , FRSH; Erika Sykes, N. D. (Cand)
http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2003/pdf/2003-v18n02-p108.pdf
At the first sign of aura, he orally ingested 300 to 500mg of niacin, slightly chewing the niacin pills to allow them to dissolve slowly in his mouth. Hall found that the benefits of niacin were most pronounced when taken on an empty stomach, although it was noted that there was still a MH relieving effect when taken after meals. Additionally, he remarked that the migraines were resolved when intense flushing occurred.
NSAID + Real Coke
★★★★★
Good luck and feel better!
Oats
★★★★★
Ocular Migraine Remedies
★★★★★
Oil of Oregano
★★★★★
Oil of Oregano
★★★★★
I put four pellets under my tongue then rubbed a little organic olive oil on my left temple. I also had my daughter give me Reiki for a few minutes. Thankfully it was enough to get me to a painless sleep. In the morning, I woke up without pain. However, when I put my glasses on, the pain began to pulse. *sigh*
I did more research, this time on oil of oregano. (NOT oregano essential oil.) I read that it has worked for some. The recommended dosage was three (3) drops under the tongue (to stop a current migraine; not to be taken as a preventive). Ran to my medicine cabinet, took three drops under the tongue, then headed to my water bottle. For those of you who are not familiar with it, oil of oregano (NOT oregano essential oil) is spicy HOT. For some it may burn. It is STRONG.
We keep it in our medicine cabinet to ward off viral issues so I'm used it. Still, I can only take about 10 seconds of it under the tongue before I chug-a-lug as much water as I can. Sometimes my lips tingle for a while after and the smell has a tendency to linger on the breath for a while.
The oil of oregano worked but not 100%. The throbbing ceased within five minutes and I was able to wear my glasses again but at various times during the day I've felt the migraine threatening to rebound. It's been more than 12 hours since I took the oregano. I've been sipping water all day to stay hydrated, eating small amounts here and there so I don't get a hunger headache.
Compared with the off-the-charts level of pain I had Thursday and Friday, I would say the pain has been 1-3 all day Saturday.
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
I had no expectation of it affecting the headache, just thought I should get it in while I had some down time. But before I could even finish the 15 minutes, my migraine was GONE!
Makes me sad that I've suffered migraines for so many years and have also known about oil pulling, but never tied them together therapeutically. Either way, I can't wait till I get another migraine so I can see if it was a fluke, but by the way I feel and how quickly it just went away, I'm inclined to think I have stumbled upon something that works great, at least for me.
I hope those of you with migraines will also give it a try! It's worth a try! Incidentally, I was using an organic, first cold pressed sunflower seed oil.
I wish you all the best : ) I'll update next time I try it...
Oil Pulling
★★★★★
EC: Read more about Oil Pulling here: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/oil_pulling.html
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
★★★★★
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831323014503
High Dosage Omega-3 Fatty Acids Outperform Existing Pharmacological Options for Migraine Prophylaxis: A Network Meta-Analysis
