Migraines
Natural Remedies

Natural Remedies for Migraines

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Rosemary Oil
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 05/30/2025
★★★★★

Rosemary Oil Hair Spray for Headache/Migraine/Brain Fog

I have a strange story to tell. Early last week I developed a blistering headache/migraine after working on a sick person (if I had known they were sick, I wouldn't have gone near her). I had never experienced so much head pain before in my life and everyday to got worse. Even my hair hurt to touch it. I had to stop wearing my baseball cap it hurt so bad.

None of my usual tricks to heal myself were working. I had a brain storm and decided to go completely of the reservation. Rosemary oil!

I took a 2 oz. sprayer, filled it with 1 oz. warm water and 20 drops rosemary oil. Shook it til mixed and went to the shower. Ran hot water over my head for awhile, then sprayed my wet hair with the rosemary mixture. Moving my hair around so it makes contact with my scalp. I have short hair so 1 oz. did one treatment for me. Adjust formula according to your needs. After the spray bottle was empty and my hair was completely saturated including my scalp, forehead, around both ears and neck. I got out of the shower and left the mixture on my scalp to air dry and went to bed. Expect to have crazy dreams… I did.

When I woke up. The pain and brain fog I was experiencing had decreased by about 50%. So I decided to repeat the experiment again the following night. Again the head pain and fog decreased again.

Tonight is my 3rd night and again decreased.

What I noticed over the past few days is that rosemary oil does help a lot with headaches/migraines and brain fog. Also, my hair was really soft and thicker too.

Now, how did I come up with this?

The first records of rosemary's use as a medicinal herb date back to ancient times in the civilizations surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The herb was thought to have strong effects on memory and in strengthening the mind.

Rosemary has a tremendous variety of folk uses and mythology associated with it and a number of snippets from folk lore. It has particularly been strongly connected to memory and remembrance since ancient times. The main historical medicinal uses of Rosemary have been as a tonic to the brain and as a gently cleansing liver medicine.

Andrew Chevallier writes 'Rosemary is a well-known and greatly valued herb that is native to Southern Europe. It has been used since antiquity to improve and strengthen the memory. To this day it is burned in the homes of students in Greece who are about to take exams. Rosemary has a longstanding reputation as a tonic, invigorating herb, imparting a zest for life that is to some degree reflected in its distinctive aromatic taste'

Chinese physicians used Rosemary for headaches, indigestion, insomnia and malaria. Rosemary is also much used in European traditional medicine to strengthen the heart and blood vessels and there is a keen appreciation in this old culture of Rosemary being a herb that clears congestion in the liver and gall-bladder thereby lifting the mood and resolving 'liverishness'

Rudolph Weiss says 'Rosemary has a general tonic effect on the circulation and nervous system, especially the vascular nerves; it is therefore effective in treating all chronic circulatory debilities, including hypotension (low blood pressure). It is particularly effective in asthenic young adults who are pale and lack physical stamina...' Rosemary can be used for treatment of general and post-infectious debility in older patients'.

Thomas Bartram writes that Rosemary's actions include 'antibacterial, anti-depressant, antiseptic, circulatory tonic, diffusive stimulant, diuretic, sedative, mild substitute for benzodiazepine drugs. Used in European pharmacy to strengthen the heart and allay arteriosclerosis' and he suggests its uses can include 'migraine headaches, or those from high blood pressure. Headaches of gastric origin or emotional upset, psychogenic depression, cardiac debility, giddiness, hyperactivity, tremor of the limbs, flitting pains from joint to joint. To strengthen blood vessels by decreasing capillary fragility and permeability'

The medical properties may have been over-rated by old Parkinson the herbalist (John Parkinson 1567–1650), but some are recognised even to this day. Thus rosemary is used as an infusion to cure headaches, and is believed to be an extensive ingredient in hair-restorers. It is also one of the ingredients in the manufacture of Eau-de-Cologne, and has many other uses in the form of oil of rosemary. ‘The rosemary is for married men, the which by name, nature, and continued use, man challengeth as properly belonging to himself. It overtoppeth all the flowers in the garden boasting man's rule; it helpeth the brain, strengtheneth the memory, and is very medicinal for the head.

Rosemary worn about the body was believed to strengthen the memory and to add to the success of the wearer in anything he might undertake.

It is as an emblem of remembrance that rosemary is most frequently used by the old poets. Thus Ophelia:

‘There is rosemary for you, that's for remembrance; I pray you, love, remember.'

And in The Winter's Tale:

‘For you there's rosemary and rue; these keep Seeming and savour all the winter long; Grace and remembrance be with you both.'

In the 17th century, Nicholas Culpepper wrote in his herbal that rosemary helps “diseases of the head and brain, as the giddiness and swimmings therin, drowsiness or dulness, the dumb palsy, or loss of speech, the lethargy, the falling sickness… It helps a weak memory and quickens the senses.


Magnesium
Posted by ORH (TEN MILE , TN) on 09/01/2021
★★★★★

ORH here and my tractor driver has learned that keeping her magnesium up reduces her mirages. When she has one coming on her vision starts to go, so she takes more magnesium and puts ice on her neck. That normally works. I had them in my youth and no one knew what to do. I just got in the bed and cried. ====ORH====


Coriander Tea
Posted by Janet (Nshvl, Tn) on 07/30/2020
★★★★★

Coriander is the seed of the Cilantro plant. The plant is Cilantro, the seed is Coriander. I had migraines for decades, since I was about 16. It was a misery that put me in bed with a bag of frozen peas on my head until I could go to sleep and "sleep it off". I would wake up with my whole head sore from the pain.

I read all of Hulda Clark's books and she said that migraines are caused by a microscopic wormlet called Strongyloides, commonly called threadworm. Horses and cats are their preferred hosts, and we get the worms from them. Women get migraines much more often than men, and its probably because we associate closely more often with cats than men do.

Dr. Clark said that Coriander would kill them and stop migraine headaches. I found some corroboration for this theory in some ladies who live in India and Pakistan. They take it in tea form and it dispels migraine for a long time. Its a common remedy there. I tried it and my migraines stopped.

If I am reinfected by being in close proximity to carrier cats or horses, the migraines will begin again. A couple of days of coriander tea, and goodbye migraines.

Cumin Seeds
Posted by Dave W (C.t.) on 04/29/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Black Cumin oil is the beat all end all for Migraines and many other ailments. You can buy the black seed oil or black Cumin seeds black and black cumin mean the same thing.

There is the one post here on Earth Clinic about the seeds and the lady said her and her mother chew on the seeds. I take the seeds in a table spoon and just smash them w/ another table spoon then just drink water to swallow them. Eat them right off the spoon then make sure to lick the bottom of the other spoon drink at least 12 ounces of water relief is quick like the other woman said. Just a little easier and the seeds don't taste disgusting but they don't taste great either. I have been told by a friend of mine that has been taking Black Cumin for many years if you have the oil or crush the seeds and rub it on you temples and for head this also will help alot.

Soooo many uses for Black Cumin you should research it and be pleasantly surprised.


Cayenne
Posted by Elaine (Paso Robles, California) on 01/23/2013
★★★★★

I've had migraines for years. Usually ibuprofen and sleeping helps. This time it lasted over 4 days and nothing worked. I tried ACV: no results, I went on a 3 mile brisk walk: no results. On the fifth day I tried the cayenne... It's a miracle cure, the migraine subsided within minutes! A couple of hours later, I thought it was coming back so I made a cocktail of 1 cup hot water, a squeeze of lemon, a few drops of honey and a tsp of cayenne, and again it worked instantly. THANK YOU!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Larry (Glen Ellyn, Il) on 09/05/2012
★★★★★

Have had maybe 4 episodes in 30 years so no expert but when they occur they're doozies. Yesterday AM I'm getting ready for work when my vision began to blur and got flashing. This was as bad as I've ever had and probably the worst symptoms ever. After determining it was a migraine attack I quickly jumped to Earth Clinic for what to do. Found the ACV mixture and immediately drank down about 3 tbs with water and honey. Laid down while covering my eyes as they were already super sensitive and felt nausia and the following headache beginning. Within a half hr I was up and around with only a somewhat upset stomach and a little woozie. By noon I was pretty much myself again.

Thanks again Earth Clinic, you'ved saved me from the pill dispenser once more!

Breathe Into a Brown Paper Bag
Posted by Homebaked (United Kingdom) on 04/29/2020
★★★★★

Had a migraine that was escalating and a search for remedies brought up breathing into a paper bag. I was sceptical but willing to give it a shot. I added a drop of peppermint essential oil to the bag and did 20 mins of breathing. And it worked! Didn't cure it, but there was an 80% improvement in pain & other symptoms. Definitely worth trying.


Himalayan Salt
Posted by Julie (Melbourne, Australia) on 03/07/2016
★★★★★

Although I have suffered from migraines for decades, to varying degrees, this summer I have had a disturbing number; several times a week and sometimes twice in one day. I always see a shimmering jagged aura as the first sign of its onset.

In the past, I have taken 20 drops of liquid oxygen in water, thus avoiding the nausea, vomiting and headache which would normally follow. I would, however, be very "washed out" for the rest of the day. I haven't been able to stop the aura though, UNTIL TODAY!!!!! I AM SOOO EXCITED.

A few minutes ago I had another attack and thought I would try a glass of water with a teaspoon of sole (which we always have made up). If it didn't work I would also take liquid oxygen but wanted to give it a few minutes trial. Within one minute, maybe less, the aura stopped!!!! Not only that, no headache, nausea, no dull, weak feeling, I just feel normal.

You may ask what is sole (soul-ay) is made by taking Himalayan coarse crystal salt and 1/4 filling a jar and topping it up with filtered water. Cap with a plastic lid: it will rust a metal one. Leave it sit overnight and check in the morning. If the salt is still visible, the liquid is ready to use. If not, add more salt and let it stand for the rest of the day. You should always see crystals otherwise you don't have saturation.

I would imagine taking 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Himalayan fine salt crystals and adding it to a large glass of water and stirring to dissolve, before drinking it, would do the same thing. I used the sole because it was there.

What motivated me to try the salt remedy? Two days ago, a man bought some Himalayan salt from me and said he had heard it was good for migraines and wanted to do some experimenting. Immediately I thought of dehydration, electrolytes, profuse perspiration in this summer heat and it made perfect sense. By my past record, I knew that within the week I would be able to try it out.

For those reading this who think ALL salt is bad, Himalayan salt is not refined so it contains over 90 minerals. This is the good salt and necessary for life.

Refined salt, is not the same, it has had everything removed except the sodium chloride. In processing, they also bleach it and add a flow agent, to stop clumping, which is usually a derivative of fluoride or aluminium, depending on where it is processed. This is the bad salt which does so much damage to our bodies. It has been described as a poison.

It has taken me a while to finish this message, I still feel great; no migraine symptoms whatsoever.


Cayenne
Posted by Tiffany (Philly, US) on 02/03/2015
★★★★★

I would like people to know of the miracle of cayenne pepper. My chronic headache which would spike into migraine has been eliminated by taking 2 capsules of cayenne pepper after breakfast. The results are immediate and lasting. I also take magnesium at night which has helped greatly. The cayenne, however, not only stops pain but gives you such a boost that the need for coffee is gone. I tried the pepper mixed in water but it made me nauseous. The capsules are convenient and easier to get down. PLEASE try this simple remedy if you have suffered from lifelong headaches. You may be really pleased and surprised.

Breathe Into a Brown Paper Bag
Posted by Brett (Ca) on 09/03/2018
★★★★★

My doctor showed me an article in the NJOM years ago about bag breathing for migraines. This has changed my life and made me functional when otherwise I might be a mess.


Oil of Oregano
Posted by Sue (Fairfax, Va) on 08/26/2017
★★★★★

Once every few years I get a migraine, with the visual aura for a while and then a headache. This evening the visual aura started, and I decided to try oil of oregano (wild/organic, in olive oil.) I inhaled a deep breath from the bottle and then put a drop under my tongue. Within one minute, the aura was gone and I haven't gotten a headache. It's an amazing remedy for so many things.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vinece (Van Nuys, CA) on 05/02/2009
★★★★★

wow! ACV really worked for my boyfriends migraine. He was in soooo much pain. I could not stand to see him like that. So after taking meds and nothing happened i came across this site. So I ran out to the store and got migraine meds and Apple cider vinegar.

When I got home, he was in the bathroom with his face in the sink filled with water! I wanted to laugh but I couldnt. So I made him a mix of 8oz of water with 1 tbl of honey and 2 1/2 tbl of ACV. I had him drink it and it worked so fast!! He was so surprised!

I kid you not, within 2 minutes he was like im going to play NBA Live (A video game on Xbox) I was like OMG! One sec he was dying and the next minute he is playing video games. I am so happy that I came across this site. And I dont usually post anything, but I hope this helps someone else out.


Breathe Into a Brown Paper Bag
Posted by Russ (Los Angeles, California, USA) on 01/10/2009
★★★★★

I myself do not suffer from migraine headaches, but I heard a lady on the radio who does. She said this method works every time for her. As soon as you feel a migraine coming on, take a brown paper bag and breathe into it (hold it against your face so that very little outside air gets in). Keep the bag in place for 10, 15 or even 20 minutes. If a paper bag is not available, you can use a plastic bag, but since it doesn't "breathe," you'll need to take a few breaths outside the bag periodically. She said it will seem like nothing is happening, but the migraine will not develop. By the way, her husband is an emergency room doctor and she learned this method from him.

Breathe Into a Brown Paper Bag
Posted by Brett (Los Angeles, Ca) on 10/23/2012
★★★★★

I have done this now for a few Months ever since my Doctor explain why it work. Migraines are a swelling of the brain. CO2 make the blood vesels constrict causing the flow of blood to slow down. It works almost every time if I do it soon enough.


Incandescent Lightbulbs
Posted by Ness (London) on 11/08/2025
★★★★★

Replace LED Lightbulbs With Incandescent

On my long journey with ocular migraines and headaches, an acquaintance suggested replacing LED lightbulbs with incandescent lightbulbs to prevent headaches. It simply never occurred to me that this new LED technology might be contributing to my migraines in some way.

Anyway, to cut a long story short - my lightbulbs in my living areas, particularly my reading lamps, now have incandescent lightbulbs in them. The difference is night and day. The light is so much more natural and calming. I have not had a migraine in months and I attribute this solely to using incandescent lightbulbs. Hope this information can help someone.

Molybdenum
Posted by C (Co) on 08/01/2017
★★★★★

Back in early 2016, I was looking into molybdenum-containing foods and realized that a regional diet study had found lower morning sickness in areas where the diets were high in legumes and whole grains, which happen to be the best commonly-eaten food sources of molybdenum (element #42). The grains that are high in molybdenum are oats and barley, not wheat.

While I was researching the morning sickness issue, I noticed that the nausea triggers were similar to migraine triggers. A friend who gets awful migraines decided to try molybdenum for her migraines since none of her prescribed medicines were helping her. She found that around 500 mcg of molybdenum glycinate could end her migraine even after it got started. No need to take it chronically. We both thought that was pretty cool, and so I told a couple of other migraine-sufferer friends about it. They also experienced dramatic relief from their migraines. Not bad for a supplement that costs less than $10 at our local vitamin store.

Molybdenum is used by five known enzymes in the body, one of which is sulfite oxidase. Sulfite oxidase, which converts sulfite to sulfate, catalyzes the final step in the process of breaking down endogenous (made in the body) hydrogen sulfide all the way down to sulfate (which is recycled or excreted in urine). Sulfites are known for making people sick, including with migraines and nausea. It looks as though migraines could be a result of excessive sulfite in our brains due to not being able to break sulfite down fast enough. Foods that interfere with sulfite oxidase (sulfites and nitrites, especially) do seem to be common triggers for migraines.

Do post if you try it. Maybe enough people will notice it helps them and spur a scientific study as to why it does so. The world definitely needs progress in migraine research!



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