Cayenne for Migraines

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4 star (1) 
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(1) 
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Beth (London) on 02/21/2022:
0 out of 5 stars

I thought you may be interested to read that there's a complex connection between migraine and capsaicin (as in cayenne and chilli) and that while a topical application might help, eating chilli can trigger migraine. I'm inclined to wish to believe that chilli is a curative, as I love the stuff, so it was awful news to me to discover there's evidence of capsaicin triggering migraine by increasing sensitivity to CGRP via ion channels and Schwann cells.

There's a clear and simple explanation here:

Https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220203083601.htm

Or here:
Https://mineralsformigraines.com/avoid-spicy-food-if-you-get-migraines/

Or here: https://www.futurity.org/migraine-pain-schwann-cells-2692282-2/

I've had no chilli or cayenne for 2 weeks, and though it's too early to be sure (migraine is unpredictable. I do occasionally, though rarely, have 2 weeks without an attack) so far so good.

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Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 12/27/2017:
5 out of 5 stars

Dear Felix,

Our experience is that cayenne pepper or other herbs in capsules (when I make my own using NOW brand empty capsules) is that you begin to taste the herb in under ten minutes. Maybe even faster. (Taste, as in you taste it if you burp.)

If you are using cayenne as a rescue remedy for a heart issue (while waiting for further help) you want the cayenne to get into the blood stream as fast as possible and may not have minutes to wait while the capsule dissolves. If you have with you cayenne capsules, you could always empty them into water and drink it down. Not pleasant but, as my mother in law would say, "It beats the alternative! " Also, Herbalist Dr. Christopher recommended an entire teaspoon in the event of a heart attack/stroke. That would be 4-5 capsules.

Hope this helps!

~Mama to Many~

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C. (Charlotte) on 03/13/2015:
4 out of 5 stars

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!

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Tiffany (Philly, US) on 02/03/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

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.
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Elaine (Paso Robles, California) on 01/23/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

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!
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Healyourself (Smyrna, Ga, Usa) on 05/29/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

I had been out of commission for several hours with a full blown migraine when I was having my boyfriend read earthclinic looking for something new to try. I decided on drinking cayenne and knew the honey couldn't hurt and would make it eaiser to drink. So I warmed a cup of water 20 secs, then added 1/2 tspn of cayenne and a long squirt of honey. Drank it down all at once with a straw, then several gulps of cold water.... In 15 mins I was 80% better. Did it 5 more times over the next day and a half. Just one may not make it stay away, but it was amazing. Definitely worth trying for a headache or migraine. I will be using this method again, for sure.
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Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 06/18/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

I had a migraine coming on yesterday.. It was getting a bad enough to need something for it... I could feel the pulsating vein in the side of my head. I decided to try cayenne pepper to see if I could stop it.

Last time I drank the cayenne mixed with hot water and I did feel a bit sick afterward so I decided to try something different.

I grabbed a pinch of cayenne and put it directly under my tongue and left it there. I thought I felt pretty quick relief as the pulsating vein seemed to be less noticeable, but the pain was still there. I added a pinch of cayenne a few more times under my tongue, swallowing the excess cayenne along the way. Doesn't taste too good but better than a whole cup of hot cayenne tea. It is a bit painful and you do salivate a lot. I also put a pinch of cayenne directly on the tip of my tongue and left it there.

Well I can say it got slowly better and then vanished (within 1/2 an hour to an hour). Normally it would just get worse until I take about 3 panadol.

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Dee (Melbourne, Australia) on 12/24/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

I woke up a few times during the night with a dull migraine. In the morning it was still there. As I had been reading about Cayenne being good for opening veins for blood flow and being good for the heart (in stopping a heart attack in its' tracks), I figured that it would be good for migraine as well. I took about 1/2 tspsn in hot water as soon as I got out of bed and the migraine vanished practically straight away. It did not return all day. Usually when I wake up with a migraine that I have had all night it stays with me all day. Anyone with heart problems should seriously research cayenne and keep some with them at all times.
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Sam (Noyb, Usa) on 01/02/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

It is so wonderful that Cayenne pepper works for migraines, but it isn't just cayenne pepper, many different kinds of hot peppers work. My Dad's a fan of this remedy, he grows all sorts of hot peppers in his garden every year. This has made me do some research into the subject. I came upon some information which was very interesting, and it linked migraines with digestive problems.

It goes like this...

If you are not digesting your food properly, then it will sit in your stomach and rot, in more pleasant terms, it ferments. Needless to say, fermentation is the creation of gas. This gas is then absorbed into the bloodstream and when it reaches your head it expands resulting in a migraine. Now, the fun part is that when one consumes these hot peppers the heat will expel these gasses, and in turn, relieves the migraine. With that in mind, digestive aids, probiotics or simply mindful eating may do the trick to alleviate your problems on a more permanent and effective basis. I hope this information is helpful, I have found alot of helpful information on this site for myself, and simply wanted to give a bit myself.

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Christie (Houston, TX) on 03/20/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been using Cayenne pepper to treat my Migraines. I take 2 small caps. and an over the counter pain reliever. I DO NOT take any "Migraine" Medication with Cayenne pepper. But I find that it works great. I also take cayenne pepper the day after a migrain to get rid of the remnants of it.
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