Natural Remedies for Migraines

This post is for anyone suffering from head pain. I have had headaches for as long as I can remember. It was difficult to tell if they were sinus, migraine or allergies. One side of my face would typically be very painful with the nostril closed up. Supplements and allergy medicines worked temporarily. Removing eggs and dairy products worked as well, but the headaches would always return. After reading EC over several days, I came across a post on 5htp and learned that SAM-e, 5htp and tryptophan may all support serotonin in the brain. Well, using kinesiology, I tested for tryptophan. My head was still hurting after mega doses of pharmaceuticals but I ran to the health food store to obtain tryptophan. This is day 3 and head pain is 90% gone. Actually, the pain went away after the first day. This is a miracle and I hope it lasts! I take 3 capsules (575 mcg) in the morning with food and follow up with one or two capsules in the afternoon. I never suspected low serotonin as a culprit for headaches because I'm always happy and upbeat and ready for a laugh. If apple cider vinegar, vitamins, magnesium, allergy meds, environmental toxic removal, mercury filling removal, net pots, and chiropractor adjustments don't work for you then it may be something else. Please try this remedy!!! I will repost updates in a few months to make sure the remedy is still working.

Your suggestions are very well for any who have migraine headaches. I just wanted to mention that it sounds like your migraines may be linked to a congested colon. This may not be the exact cause, but it is a key triggering factor, and you may want to try colon hydrotherapy on a regular basis to help cleanse the bowels.

Our bowels are extremely weakened from modern-day living (devitalized food, less movement, less oxygen and more pollution including chemicals in almost every man-made object that our bodies are burdened with, etc.). The weakened bowels (which results in all elimination in the body - liver, kidney, skin, etc. - to be compromised) can cause so many different symptoms it is unbelievable. Headaches are a classic example of bowel troubles, and I highly suspect migraine headaches to be directly linked as well, though the exact causes may differ. Another way to know how well your bowels are functioning are the sinuses. Whenever sinuses are congested, bowels are congested, and a thorough colon cleanse using colonics can literally clear the sinus congestion as the major bowel obstructions are eliminated. This may at times take multiple daily colon cleansing sessions. Extreme cases such as sinus infection may take a few days of colon cleansing to relieve, but pain will decrease with each cleanse in most cases.

I only wanted to mention the colon issue because of your comment on cooked legumes causing migraine headaches. Cooked legumes are constipating food. They are nourishing, and they do have fiber, but they are still heavy, especially since they are often paired with grains (which are also constipating, especially when eaten alone with no salad or vegetables). Whether the cause for legumes being hard to digest is a lack of enzymes in modern man, a lack of movement, not enough fresh foods, toxins in the food, certain bacteria fed by the food, overconsumption, or a combination of these things, they can still be eaten, but if a headache occurs, colonics can be a saving grace and relief.

Perhaps the real solution is to eat a perfect diet, but most people just can't accomplish that today, and I'm not quite sure if that is even possible considering our culture and the Earth's conditions. The body needs help, and this is one of the most simple methods. Colon hydrotherapy is so effective that it used to be the first thing done by old world cultures (the origin of the term physician, physic being an enema), and the next best thing was a laxitive (which some locals here in rural Appalachia erroneously call a physic since they probably were unable to perform enemas safely - in the old days, whenever signs of illness came on, they would take a "physic" which was castor oil in this case).

The most important function of a colonic is to improve elimination of toxins (which are considered "unspecified" and nonexistent by our Medical Association) from the body. Also, by eliminating accumulated filth in the bowels, you are removing a breeding ground for harmful organisms in the body. Since the body has the burden of waste removal eliminated, it can go back to functioning properly and put more of its resources into healing. This greatly improves the immune system, and the body is much less susceptible to picking up contagious illness.

I wrote this to give some of my experiences and observations about colonics since it seems that there is not enough mention of colon hydrotherapy for these people suffering with migraines and headaches. In my opinion, it is one of the first thing that anyone suffering with migraines should try. Regardless of the cause, which most often I suspect to be a combination of toxicity in the body combined with other factors, colonics can ease the body's burden and allow it to do what it is necessary to overcome and heal the crisis situation.

An example of using colonics to help with nauseating headaches is as follows: I once was a vendor at a market which also had a vendor selling power equipment. He would regularly run the gas-powered tools to demonstrate to customers. By the time the market was over, I started becoming quite ill. After five minutes of driving home, I had to pull over and let my partner drive because I was in very bad condition. The nausea and headache and fatigue was intense. Upon returning home, I immediately did a colonic with likely 7 to 10 gallons of water. By the end of the colonic, I was greatly improved and able to function normally. There may have been some remaining symptoms of the toxicity, but through the colonic the body was enabled to heal, and by the next day they were gone.

This situation was not solely caused by the chemicals in the exhausts. It was a combination of several things, otherwise everyone around would have been equally ill (including my partner who is more prone to toxic poisoning from chemicals than I). Other factors may include stress, diet and the condition of the digestive and elimination organs.

It is worth noting that colonics alone are not the answer. They help the body when it is weakened, but the conditions that caused the weakness need to be changed for improved conditions. These conditions will include toxins/chemicals in the environment (synthetically scented candles, air fresheners, detergents, certain synthetic materials, cleaning chemicals and fuels, exhausts, there are so many things that can cause a toxic environment), and diet conditions are another major contributor to a toxic body. Dairy, sweets, refined foods, and overconsumption of meat, grains, starches, and lack of fresh food in the diet will weaken the body.

I hope to have given some direction to any in a hopeless case. There are multiple ways to heal and improve any condition, but this is one that I think could help where nothing else seems to have worked. For those of you interested in trying colon hydrotherapy, it may be advisable to include a probiotic in your diet (such as primal defense) to be sure that you maintain the proper levels of beneficial intestinal flora. And also follow some of the principles outlined in the post above that this is a reply to.

Good health, and God bless!

My migraine headaches started after having my wisdom teeth removed...I immediately became allergic to pollens, too much sun or wind.

I reacted badly to noise and light while having a migraine, also got zig zags in front of my eyes. And felt drained of energy.

After many years of suffering I started taking the herb feverfew. I took one capsule every day, and while taking them never got another migraine. Once over menopause the migraine lessened and now I only need to take antihistamine from time to time.

About a month ago, I experienced a migraine that did not respond to my usual treatment (Excedrin Migraine) so I took a second dose even though the package said not to. I was still suffering and getting worried when I remembered having read about eating almonds to stop a migraine. I happened to have some and by the time I had eaten six of them, the migraine was completely gone! Last night, I got another migraine and took the Excedrin, but also ate about a dozen almonds, and the headache stopped within just a few minutes. I don't know what it is about almonds, but it worked for me.

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?

Been taking 2,000 mg of MSM (pill format) for several months now. I take it in the evening because when I started it caused unpleasant gas. (That side effect eventually wore off but took time.) What I've really noticed is that my migraines have disappeared! I used to get at least 5 - 10 days a month of headaches which would progress to migraines and optical migraines. Since taking MSM I now experience 1 day of headache a month on the first day my cycle starts. There might be other benefits of taking MSM as time goes on but was really surprised that after years of living off pain relievers, I don't need them anymore.

My friend had a migraine so bad that he threw up. I was pretty concerned for him, and knew that migraines often start at the base of the skull, where the neck muscles attach. So I had him rest his head completely on just my thumb and index finger, and after a minute, his pain was gone.

There are massage devices that you can buy on Amazon that do this, or perhaps try putting two tennis balls in a sock so they don't roll away. Hope everyone feels better!

Hello Jesse;

Migraines....

My own thoughts on migraines, and I read this years ago... is that some genetic types use us their B vitamins more rapidly than other folks. Especially, under pressure situations. This is very problematic in the area of the eyes as vitamin B3 is a dialator and if it is used up then there is a collapse of the capillaries...this producing a migraine.

This is the cause ... so my reading told me... for a CLASSIC migraine; the aura...blurred vision and nausea. So I have taken nutrients that are dialators....such as B3 and Feverfew, an herb.

As long as I take a few tablets of B3 daily and get that famous flush I do not have migraine problems. Feverfew also has the same dialating effect.

My girlfriend of a year and a half has been getting migraines since she was a child (also when getting her cycle). Early on in our relationship I suggested she take an all natural approach to curing her migraines. After doing some research online we found a few herbs and vitamins known to help alleviate migraine headaches. A few of which were mentioned above. I recommend trying as many ways (without bad side effects) as you can. Migraines are not fully understood yet, and each person has different migraine triggers; so you never know which remedy will work best for you!

P: Nice to hear your relief. The migraine looks certainly to be the results of dirty colon that allows pathogens to enter the bloodstream thru the "leaky" colon wall.

Here is more info on the subject https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/enemas-and-colonics.html

I have always suffered from migraines and chronic headaches in general. The migraines last an average of 3 days of absolute misery. I got hit with a whopper a few days ago, so painful that I had nausea and vertigo with it. I prayed for an answer and had the thought that I might be toxic and thought of trying an enema. I had a simple saline packaged one in the bathroom so in agony forced myself to try it. Within 20 minutes the migraine started losing it's crushing grip. I feel asleep and when I woke up, it was gone. This is a first in 50 years. Never has anything relieved my migraine that fast ever before. Going to start detoxifying regularly this way. What a blessing.

You need more than just a cold shower. You need to alternate hot and cold water over the affected areas of your head. I position myself in a way that the water only runs over my head and neck, and not the rest of my body. Too uncomfortable!!

I run the hot for about 1-2 minutes, and then turn the water to the coldest setting for about 30 seconds. Keep doing this, alternating between hot and cold, and eventually the shock will knock the headache out. Sometimes you may have to this up to a 1/2 hr. Other times it may only take a few minutes, depending on the severity of the Migraine.

I was suffering with migraine headaches and neck pain for for 7 years. I changed my diet, drank more water, which helped, but didn't cure it. I used peppermint oil topically for the pain, and drank Apple cider vinegar when I had a migraine, which would help also. But overall I still was getting the headaches every few weeks and the neck pain was daily.

I started getting sessions of Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique a.k.a. B.E.S.T. This was life changing. After 3 sessions my neck pain was gone. The headaches took longer to go away. They slowly occurred less frequently, until eventually no more. I feel 10 years younger and now have energy to exercise and am overall much happier and at ease in all areas of my life. I recommend this for anyone who has not experienced full healing from the other things you may be trying. There is a nutritional component to the treatment which may go well with some natural remedies you can find on this site.

here is a link to a comment I added concerning migraines and herpes. This may help some people.

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/trigeminal-neuralgia-treatment4.html#zapper

on further examination, I think it was the fact that it helped some because it was potassium gluconate which is an ionic form.

When specific remedies did not work for me, I looked through my homeopathic stash. Ruta Graveolens (6c) is indicated on the label for "eye strain due to computer use or artificial lights". Somehow that equaled "migraine" to me so I researched online. I saw that it was one of the components in a compound that also contained olive leaf (and some other ingredients) that had been tested for migraines.

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.

Note: I got my first migraine at age 31, after

I get migraines less often since I've modified my diet. However, I can't control exposure to odors, changes in weather, etc. :( Slight headache noticed yesterday upon waking.

The headache progressed to full blown migraine several hours later, with nausea, upset stomach, sensitivity to light and sound. I tried ACV in water, baking soda in water (for the nausea), homeopathic remedies, peppermint tea. Nothing helped.

In the wee hours of this morning I had two separate episodes of vomiting, throwing up at least three times during each episode. I also had several good bowel movements (maybe brought on by the baking soda/water mixture). I felt a little better after the bowel movements and vomiting but my stomach still felt queasy. Finally tried to sleep around 4 a.m. I couldn't get comfortable enough for a deep sleep but dozed for approximately 10.5 hours. My headache lingered and eventually came back full force behind my left eye.

So I decided to try the cayenne pepper. I mixed about 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of warm water with a little honey (not enough to really sweeten). That was a few hours ago. My headache has dulled to a 2 from "off the charts". I'm warming more water and will drink a second dose as soon as the water is warm enough.

What I would like to mention, as we Earth Clinic "regulars" already know, everything doesn't work for everyone.

And what I have found with my migraines is that the same remedies don't seem to work for me each time.

Thankfully, the cayenne worked for me this time. I hope this information is useful to someone else. Be blessed!

Thanks for the MSG info Cindy. That may be the "missing link" for some of us.

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.

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.

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.

Hi Sue, read the book Heal Your Headache by David Buchholz M.D. It's a three step program and food is one of the steps. You're right, MSG is a culprit.

I started getting migraines after eating dark chocolate when I was in my 30s....never bothered me before. So my point is look at what you eat every day. Eliminate processed foods, coffee, tea. eat fruit and veggies for a few days and see if that helps. Or go to a chiro and see if they can do food allergy testing on you or it could be environmental. Try to live as natural as possible and see if that helps.

I just found your site today and have been reading all the posts. For the past couple weeks I have been reading that MSG could be causing my migraines--and this most recent migraine started Dec 26,2014 and I still have it today, Jan 23,2015. I started eating healthier avoiding all additives, preservatives, etc... in July 2014 (So I am still new at this) BUT OVER CHRISTMAS I INDULGED AND ATE THE BAD FOODS AGAIN....then it was the day after Christmas I began with the BAD MONTH LONG MIGRAINE! I am hoping to hear from someone who has migraines and has had luck finding out that MSG was the culprit...or if there is another additive/preservative/chemical that could be causing the bad migraines. I also need websites, books, etc.... if you have them so I can do further research. Thank you so much for your help. I need to get rid of my pain and peppermint oil, mint tea, and Excedrin Migraine are not working :( I want to get rid of this and fix the problem for good...naturally. Thank you!

Try giving your son L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, in sublingual tablets, if you can find them. It is likely he has an MTHFR genetic defect, the inability to assimilate folic acid. L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate is the naturally occurring right supplement to prevent ocular migraines and a host of other MTHFR issues. Good luck!

Ocular migraines are the very frustrating zig zag bright moving light flashing migraines that can be accompanied by pain or not. Conventional medicine has not crosstream figured out that they can be stopped within 15 minutes with a dose of (optimally) sublingual L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate (a form of folic acid). This is the natural occurring folic acid, NOT the usual found in fortified foods and prenatal vitamins.

If you cannot get sublingual, taking the capsules will also relieve the visual disturbance, just a little slower to relief.

Some emergency rooms will treat a ocular migraine with a folic acid IV, also effective, but is not the best way to treat long term.

If you suffer from ocular migraines, ask to be tested for a genetic defect, MTHFR. It's likely you have this inability to assimilate folic acid, causing a myriad of problems.

Hello, wonderful people! I came across this awesome website about two years ago. I was trying to help one of my BFFs cure her uterine fibroids. Unfortunately, she ended up having surgery but I became addicted to your site. I have suffered from migraines for many years. I had to take medication because my migraines would become a vicious cycle until I took pain relievers to get out of it. I read a lot about Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and how wonderful it is for migraines. I took 2 tbsp of AVC and 1/2 tsp of baking soda in an 8 oz glass of water and it did not work. I went back to the site and read some more and realized I needed to play around with the dosage. So I now take 3 tbsp of ACV and 1/2 tsp of baking soda in an 8 oz glass of water and my migraines disappear within 10 minutes or less. It is just awesome! I am so grateful for this site and all the people who contribute to it. God bless you all and let's keep helping each other. It is the right thing to do.

Update 3 months later: After a good start, there's no real reduction in average number or severity of migraines, unfortunately. That's with daily doses of: 1000 IU Vit D3; 2.5 ml ionic magnesium; 10 squirts transdermal magnesium (magnesium oil); and an excellent diet. However for various reasons I've had less exercise than usual and that certainly plays a part as well. I will continue and report back

I've had frequent migraines since I was a teenager and tried many remedies over the years with little success. Painkillers don't touch the pain; triptans don't work, ACV triggers one within minutes and I've tried pretty much everything else to boot. So I recently visited a specialist migraine consultant and thought I'd share the advice.

Firstly, magnesium in much larger doses than one would normally think. Even if blood levels are normal the specialist suggested that individual body chemistry may result in deficiencies at the transcellular level. She suggested any or all of:

Transdermal magnesium oil (solution of magnesium chloride and distilled water, 50:50 by volume - buy the crystals in bulk online) 10 sprays per day - may sting at first - wash off after 30 mins if uncomfortable

Ionic magnesium: 2.5 ml per day diluted in a large glass of water

Magnesium malate (better absorbed than many of the other forms taken orally). She didn't specify a dose for this but implied it can be taken up to one's tolerance level - if it results in diarrhoea, take less

Epsom salt baths. If it seems extravagant to put 1 lb of Epsom salts in the bath and then run it all out down the plughole, use a half cup in a footbath instead.

A lot of people have posted that they sleep better after using magnesium at night. I found it kept me awake so I use it earlier in the day. Everyone's different.

So far so good - 3 weeks and no migraines, despite a number of potential triggers.

In addition she recommended 400 mg/day of Vitamin B2; and 1000 IU Vitamin D3 (I would suggest not to take this dose long term - perhaps have a break in summer).

And at first sign of an acute attack to take some form of gastric protection such as 10 mg Domperidone or 20 mg Omeprazole before any painkillers.

I hope this helps.

It works! My 12 year old daughter just tried this and shockingly IT WORKED! 10 minutes in and the pain was subsiding. 15 minutes in and the pain is nearly gone!

Thanks for the post Melissa. Two items that need clarifying. One, like most all supplements or drugs there is a dose dependent factor which must always be considered. Generaly speaking, natural supplements are much, much more safer at even large doses than their counterpart pharmaceutical drugs at small doses. Way too many folks have left this world as a consequence of overdose of drugs.

Second, supplements are regulated by the FDA by the same standards as foodstuffs. Hospitals report any problems w/ bad food or supplements from sick patients the same as drug interaction or overdoses, and these reports are monitored for public safety. Also many or most supplement manufacturers are standardized and inspected by oversight companies like GMP which is overseen by the FDA as well as WHO. So yes, nutritional supplements ARE regulated for safety.

Melissa.. About 5HTP

I am also leary of 5 htp after doing research on it.. Actually the last doctor who I didn't like said I should take it for anxiety.. she also gave me a supplement with L lysine, 5 htp and folate and L tyrosine in it.. the 5htp is 150 miligrams.. I am a bit scared to take it as I have read good and not so good things with 5 htp.... I also meditate and use essential oils.. maybe just stick to that.. I also try and get sun and take vit.D..