Peppermint Oil
★★★☆☆
WORKED TEMPORARILY
Peppermint essential oil gave me relief from migraines. I was desperate for something, and I probably saw a post here on Earth Clinic and decided to try it. It works! It doesn't stop the migraine for me, but it relieves the pain and nausea temporarily so that I don't feel like I'm going to die. I just hold the bottle to my nose and inhale it. You can put it on your face if you want, but it burns quite a bit, so I don't really recommend that. The burn is, at least, a distraction from the agony. I definitely suggest investing in a bottle if you get migraines.
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
07/11/2014
Amanda,
Re; Migraines
Solution to classic migraines...I had them since 17 years old. Need to use dilation nutrient...I use either B3 (niacin) in quantity to feel a flush in scalp, face and upper torso...if too much aspirin can relieve itch. I later found that the herb "feverfew" taken five times weekly at two tablets per day can also be a great dilator. The theory is that some genetic types use up more B3 and under pressure or other triggers the capillaries around the eyes collapse in a cascading effect...so supplement with a substance that can neutralize the genetic flaw. I take the niacin three times weekly...usually 250 mg will produce the flush. But a "newbie" should start with 50 mg and work up next day until the flush is obtained. If taken after a light breakfast the effect is greater and faster. You don't need to take both at the same time.
That is my theory and in practice I have no more classic migraine headaches UNLESS I fail to take the niacin/feverfew for a few weeks. Then ...bam! ...migraine time and I curse my stupidity for running out of the preventative.
(Atlanta, Ga)
10/29/2015
★☆☆☆☆
I've read in many places where people had great success using peppermint essential oil (which must be diluted with a carrier oil prior to application to your temple area). I'm not one of those people. In fact, the peppermint EO made the migraine I am currently experiencing much worse. I wonder why that is?
Peppermint Oil
For those looking to use Oil of Oregano for it's antimicrobial properties, I would like to specify that Oil of Oregano is NOT Oregano Essential oil, which would have to be diluted. If you're looking to buy this remedy, make sure that the ingredients list states that there is a carrier oil (like olive oil). Otherwise, be prepared to dilute it yourself, or there could be serious negative effects.
I have seen some people writing in remedies that include putting undiluted essential oils on their skin. I think I saw a remedy for headaches or migraines that recommended putting peppermint essential oil on the temples. I have been studying aromatherapy for 5 years, and one of the most basic lessons is that you almost NEVER use essential oils undiluted. Peppermint essential oil in particular is considered to be a skin irritant to all skin types when used undiluted. If put on the temples, the strength of the fumes could seriously irritate the eyes and the delicate area around the eye. If you are going to try any remedy including essential oils, DILUTE FIRST! Even if the remedy doesn't specify it, you'll be saving yourself from possible complications.
Peppermint Oil
★★★★★
I used to get an average of 4 migraines per week. Now that I regularly visit my chiropractor I very rarely suffer from a migraine. When I do get one, I rub peppermint essential oil on my temples. It helps with both the headache part as well as the nausea.
Peppermint, Lavender Oils
★★★★★
Apply a couple of drops of mint essential oil to the base of the neck and where the pain is, as well as lavender essential oil to the temples. I was shocked at how quickly this works! It completely removed the migraine within 10 minutes.
Potassium
I have had migraines for a long time. Over the years I have been experimenting with many things. I get the migraine over the right eye. I don't have any aura's although the back of my eyes would hurt.
Some things that have helped has been vitamin B2 and magnesium (magnesium oil). These helped some but still not good. I find just putting the magnesium oil on my hands and fore arms and rubbing hard until it heats up avoids skin irritation. Probably helps absorption also. I also use magtein every now and then.
I came to realize that the migraine originated from the right side of skull base between my skull and cervical. For years I have felt neck stiffness and discomfort there, but was unable to diagnose what it was. About 3 years ago, I developed chronic meningitis so wondered if may that was still there. So that complicated things.
I went to a chiropractor. My migraine calmed down more. I still had to use the magnesium oil but could sleep well. After about a month, I came to realize that the discomfort I had was pinched or compressed nerves. The chiropractor treatment wasn't helping quickly enough so I researched some supplements for pinched nerves and found that calcium and potassium is used.
I have been taking some calcium over the years, so decided to look into potassium. I have been taking a few potassium gluconate 99mg tablets for occasional hemorrhoids and diarrhea which it resolved quickly. I didn't realize it but 99mg is just 3% of fda recommended 3500 mg. So I upped my dose to 1200 mg. I took it in divided doses thru day. I found that stiffness in my neck mostly dissipated in a day. They say that people who have low magnesium are also prone to low potassium levels. I have ME/CFIDS so I have been predisposed to low magnesium. Thru experimentation, I have found, magnesium oil and magtein the best. They help the body in different ways.
Foods have less impact on my migraines also.
The only caveat I read is that if you have kidney disease (this likely means kidney failure) that you should be careful with potassium. My kidneys are fine. I am 60 year old male. I went down to a health fair and got my kidneys checked out for $10 without a doctors approval. This is convenient because I don't like using conventional doctors for anything.
They kind of hype the caveat all over the internet probably scaring a lot of people away from potassium because they assume everyone has failing kidneys and kidney disease. If you are taking prescription medications too long, I can see a lot of kidney failure occurring. I stay natural. Some people take 10 grams pf potassium a day with no ill effects.
I notice potassium wasn't listed as a remedy so something for you to research and experiment with if you have a migraine. I am not done with my own experimenting but want to get this out there for people struggling with migraines.
(Fl., US)
02/21/2015
Just an update. I have come to the conclusion that I have Occipital Headache causing migraine.Still trying to find a solution for it. I think the way potassium may help the nerve pain is the ratio of sodium and potassium in body effects the nerve firings.
Too much salt in blood could make nerve firing worse so potassium is an antidote. I have come across one anecdotal report who minimizes salt in their diet and it has helped significantly. So just one more thing to experiment with.
(Fl, US)
03/26/2015
Potassium Citrate Powder
I'm going to try Ted's remedies after reading the causes he talks about in the link I will attach below. I had one of the worst migraines (hemoplegic) last evening about 6pm. Hadn't had one in months. I had eaten a bag of seaweed chips that were very salty, and I added a lot of salt to my home-made soup which was already cooked in broth. So I will at least give Ted's recommend a shot. I feel I was helped a lot by the Epsom Salt, mixed with Magnesium Chloride Flakes but after reading Ted's info, I won't use the Magnesium Chloride if I have a migraine. I guess the chloride can cause a migraine so I think I got lucky it didn't make it worse. Here is Ted's link and I'll try to get back here if I get this migraine completely cleared up. It usually takes 2-3 days to completely pass: https://ted.earthclinic.com/cures/migraines.html
Progesterone Cream
★★★★★
I recently started using bioidentical progesterone cream for awful PMS (caused by estrogen dominance/low progesterone). I read a suggestion online that, for premenstrual migraines (which have been debilitating for me, particularly on cycles where I ovulate), rubbing a little bit of progesterone cream on your temples helps. It worked pretty well for me, during my most recent cycle (I'm only on my second cycle using the cream and my body is still adjusting). I'm hoping the cream will eventually help me achieve hormone balance and that I won't get those awful migraines ever again.
Raw Cabbage, Crystallized Ginger
★★★★★
I suffer from occasional migraines, which I can stop if i catch them early enough (though sometimes I wake with one and there is not much I can do)
To stop the symptoms developing and to lessen the syptoms when I already have one, I eat some chopped raw cabbage (contains the same active ingredient as aspirin, I believe) and chew a piece of crystalised ginger root. This lessens both the headache and the sick feeling. I don't swallow the ginger, just chew it and swallow the 'juice', then spit it out. Because for some reason it gives me hiccups!!
(Houston, Texas Usa)
06/08/2010
I have taken Indonesian type of ginger candy (usually in the Asian section of a regular grocery store, natural health market,or sometimes you have to find an ethnic grocer)--they are strong but tasty. It has helped with sea sickness, nausea from dietary indiscretions and other self-inflicted causes, and with sinus-type headache. I have not tried for migraine but I will. Ginger candy is also good for kids who are motion sick or just have a tummy ache---no danger of overdosing, tastes good, etc. but it does have a fair amount of sugar so mind that....
Raw Local Honey
★★★★★
Raw Local Honey for Migraines
I have suffered migraine headaches since I was 30 years old. They identified were so bad that I would vomit. I have used Sumatriptan to abort a migraine, which normally works. I am now 50 and am going through menopause. While I believe that my migraines are hormonal in nature and may be ameliorated by a change in my hormone levels, I have had a much better time since having two cups of black tea each morning, and in each cup putting a spoonful of raw, local honey. I also cut way back on dairy, but I think it is the honey that has made my situation so much better (and made me really regular too! ) I am so pleased! I did not see honey here as a remedy for migraine, but I definitely think it is.
Red Wine Vinegar and Baking Soda
★★★★★
Ailment: Migraine Headache and Nausea.
I ate some bad chinese food and got a really bad migraine headache followed by nausea. I layed in bed to try to wait it out but it just got worse. I had this for about 5 hours.
Remedy: My grandmother (85 years old) is visiting from Spain and when I told her how I wasn't feeling good, she made me the following mixture:
1 8oz glass of water
15ml of red wine vinegar
15ml of baking soda
She mixed it all together and forced me to chug it while the baking soda was still fizzing. For a few seconds later I felt like I was really going to vomit! But then miraculously 5 minutes passed and my headache had COMPLETELY dissapeared and a couple of minutes after that I had no more nausea!!! i couldn't believe that this old natural cure worked so effectively! And the baking soda kept making me burp which felt really good!
After that I got a lecture from my grandmother about not eating chinese food, while she waved her finger in my face! She's so cute.
Thanks grandma!
EC: Yep, that MSG will getcha every time!
Reflexology
★★★★★
For headaches, my acupuncturist suggested massaging the bottom of the feet -- probe around til you find the most painful, tender spots, and rub them. I've stopped several headaches, including a migraine, as well as vertigo, using this method.
Remedies to Prevent Migraines
Some anti migraine steps:
1. Walk for an hour and a half nonstop everyday for circulation
2. Daily, take pills made of black grape peels and pips, Take 1 and a half or twice the amount recomended on the bottle (for circulation)
3. Take digestive enzymes whenever you eat anything that isn't raw. And/or other natural digestive aids.
4. Try not to get very upset emotionally.
5. Eat one or 2 big lettuce salads with lots of raw ingredients everyday & avoid the well known triggers- coffee, chocolate, any cheese that isn't fresh or cottage (Blue cheese is especially dangerous), milk, cream, ice cream, and soya sauce, or miso or soya products that resemble meat, and black tea.
6. Sleep in a very well ventilated room (preferably in a howling gale)
Salt and Water, Acupressure
★★★★★
I have been doing the "Your body's many cries for water" cure and it has helped lower the number of migraine attacks. The cure is drinking half your body weight in water adding some celtic salt to the water. I drink 5 12oz bottles of water a day with an eighth of a tsp. of sea salt in each bottle.
I have also learned a technique someone told me about that has helped stop migraine pain. You go inside your mouth with your index finger and massage the area of the jaw juncture. Your thumb massages outside and your index finger inside. When you find the point it will be very sore. I actually worked both sides (right and left) at the same time... and relief came in about ten minutes. I hope this helps other people and ends the suffering.
(Columbus, Ohio)
04/22/2010
Sinus Buster
★★★★★
I have migraines from the age of 4. That was 66 years ago. The only sure relief came from Sinus Buster and
you can find it on the web. It works so well I no longer need to carry hydrocodone with me at all times. I even make my own using elixir of cayenne and water in a nasal spray bottle..Try it and see for yourself.
Spirulina
★★★★★
I have had migraines for 24years. nothing seemed to work at all. By accident, I found a cure for them! I was using spirulina (12 capsules a day) for something else and I realized that I had gone two months with absolutely nooo headaches at all. I'm a very skeptical person when it comes to trying new things, but spirulina made me a believer. Try it and let me know how it works for you.