Tips to Heal Migraines

Though there is no known cure for migraines, you can try some natural home remedies to get relief from migraine headaches and reduce their frequency. Many migraine patients have found herbal remedies to be effective for treating their pain.
First, find out what causes migraines and how you can deal with it. There are few things you can control to prevent migraine such as avoid alcohol, Caffeine and smoking. Don’t skip meals. Work on your sleeping habit.

Following tips may help you to keep migraine away.
1. Herbs

Herbs such as peppermint, Feverfew, Passionflower (Passiflora balata),Ginko (ginko biloba), Cayenne (capsaicin), and more can help in migraine. Growing up, I heard, eat hot spicy food and stay fit! So true, I guess..
New recommendations from the American Academy of Neurology confirm that the herb butterbur can prevent migraines, possibly because it supports healthy blood flow to the brain. Dry-leaf capsules of feverfew may also reduce the frequency of migraines, though the clinical evidence is still inconclusive.

A 2013 study published in Phytotherapy Research indicates that Ginger may prove effective in the treatment of common migraines.

It blocks prostaglandins, which are chemicals that promote muscle contractions, impact hormones and regulate inflammation in blood vessels in the brain. Most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), too, work by reducing the production of these chemicals.

Drink ginger tea a few times throughout the day until you get relief. Make sure to drink it at the onset of your headache. See Ginger Tea recipe here.
Simply chewing on a piece of raw ginger root will also help treat the problem and relieve symptoms like nausea and digestive distress.

2. Ice Packs

Always opt for cold rather than heat to stop migraine pain. “Ice is an anti-inflammatory,” says Carolyn Bernstein, MD, clinical director of Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians Comprehensive Headache Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

3. Yoga

There are a number of health benefits associated with yoga, and can certainly help in migraine as well. Migraine is a neurological disorder that causes recurring headaches. Shut out migraine from your life by practicing these simple yoga poses. My favorite is Sun Salute (Surya Namaskar) which includes most poses that can help prevent migraine. The best part is that it is side-effect-free method to fight migraines.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Being a nutritional powerhouse, apple cider vinegar helps reduce migraines. Apple cider vinegar also offers health benefits like aiding detoxification, controlling blood sugar, regulating high blood pressure, reducing bone pain, promoting weight loss and relieving constipation.

5. Relaxation Techniques
Massage can ease neck and shoulder spasms, while tai chi increases body awareness, making it easier to detect and treat an oncoming headache. Yoga that focuses on mindfulness, such as hatha and restorative yoga, may also help.

6. Acupuncture
Several studies have found that it provides some of the same long-term results as drugs but without side effects. While this efficacy may be partly caused by the placebo effect, the treatment can still provide real relief.

7. Chamomile

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and soothing properties that help relieve migraines. Regularly drinking chamomile tea can also help prevent the problem.

When dealing with migraines, you’ll get best results using German chamomile (Matricaria recutita). So, when purching this herb, look for the label that says “German chamomile”.

Steep two to three teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers in a cup of hot water for a few minutes. You can also add some lemon juice and honey. Strain and drink this tea three or four times a day for relief from migraine symptoms.
Alternatively, prepare an herbal tea by steeping equal quantities of chamomile, horehound and meadowsweet in a cup of hot water for at least five minutes. Strain and drink it. Repeat as needed.

8. Lavender Oil

Not only does lavender smell great — it’s also a useful home remedy for headaches and migraine pain. Lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically. Two to four drops for every two to three cups of boiling water are recommended when inhaling lavender-oil vapors as a headache treatment. Unlike many medicinal oils, this home remedy can also be safely applied externally without the need to dilute it. Lavender oil should not be taken orally.

9. Flaxseed

Some headaches are caused by inflammation, which can be reduced by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed can help provide headache relief because it’s rich in omega-3s. Flaxseed can be used as a home remedy in several forms, including as an oil and ground or whole seeds.