Magnesium, Calcium, Omega 3
★★★★★
1 magnesium pill (200 mg)
1 calcium pill ("")
1 omega 3 pill (1000 mg)
1 flaxseed oil pill ("")
Take these daily for six weeks, then you will have no more migraines. You have to wait 6 wks before it goes into effect. I used to get severe migraines, vomiting, etc. up to 3x a week. It was intolerable. Now I get maybe one mild migraine (no vomiting) when I'm PMSing and if I'm tired.
My father takes 2 supplements/day, but I found 1/day was enough for me - I guess because I weigh less than he does.
Magnetic Pillow Case
★★★★★
(Saint John, New Brunswick)
06/30/2011
Marjoram Tea
★★★★★
Menthol-Camphor Ointment
★★★★★
Migraine Triggers: Food
for example, i am intolerant to oranges, lemons, bannanas, tomatoes, diary, but i do not notice any headaches with these.
i do however, relate headaches to preservatives, msg, also chocolate, cheese, wine, and some breads.
as there are preservatives in many foods, it is very difficult to avoid them. i really need to address whatever imbalance there is in my body.
it is difficult for me to know what to take, i cannot take lemon juice and even though i can eat an apple i cannot drink apple juice as it will trigger migraine.
my system seems extremely sensitive as i can take milk thistle tablets but i cannot take milk thistle drops, so if anyone has treatments will they please tell me which form of the treatment is the least likely to trigger migraine? For example, tablets, powder, drops, etc.
if more than one treatment to be taken, please tell me if i can take them together, and what dosage.
many thanks to all who help and if alfred has any further advice i would be glad to hear it.
jackie
Hi, Jackie, Good news and bad news. Bad news first. You have probably already discovered this - buying organic food or good supplements (without fillers) in this country is hard unless you buy on the internet. I personally don't like doing this. But there are some good shopkeepers willing to help if you do the research for them. Farmers cannnot sell direct here because of insurance problems but some health shops will order for customers.
Good news. I followed this regime back in '95. I had severe IBSb(bleeding) chronic candida, headaches and general malaise. I could tell you where every toilet in the south of the country was as I was always having to stop a few times on any journey.
A friend was studying acupuncture and asked if I would go to him as a case study. The day before that my cervical smear had come back positive. Now I was looking at camera's being put up and down - and - my privates being poked at. So I ran for it. He and his instructor recommended that I see a nutritionist. I was a bit wary because we were just coming out of the days when nutritionists would recommend "egg and grapefruit" diets for losing weight.
Anyway the following was what she recommended.
Supplements - Vitamin E. (for help with healing)
Preferably all organic but not necessarily.
Breakfast - Porridge with water or red grapes
Lunch - homemade vegetable soup with homemade brown bread or brown scones
Dinner - chicken, fish or lamb - boiled, steamed or grilled only. Carrots, broccolli and potatoes boiled, steamed or grilled only.
For drinks and snacks - Water, black tea and more grapes.
No sauces or salt or sugar. What you see above is it.
The recomendation was to follow this for two and a half to three weeks then slowly start to re-introduce food i.e one at a time and if there was a reaction go back to basics for a few days then re-introduce another food.
It was daunting and the first three days I felt awful(detox) and dreaded mealtimes as my family were having lovely "normal" meals. By day 4 I knew this was working. By day 7 if I had been told to stay on this for the rest of my life I would have done it gladly. After 2 weeks my family all started to follow this regime because the transformation was obvious. The house had its toilet back. I felt so good that I only introduced 1 or 2 foods a weeks to see if I had a reaction but didn't eat them again and stayed eating that way for 4 months. Turned out my main intolerances are milk and mushrooms. I can drink milk or I can eat mushrooms. Put the two together and I get diarrhea and headaches within an hour and then for about two days everything I eat upsets my stomach.
Sorry to other readers that this is so long. This regime may not be perfect but as a working person this was accessable and easy to implement.
(Wash.)
03/22/2016
I went through all of these tests, saw many doctors and one suggested the SCD diet this is a very simple neutral sort of diet it helps to calm the Central nervous system down and helps heal the body. Taking minerals and electrolytes is helpful I was already eating NON Gmo organic I also figured out that if there is something else aggravating the body, your body just begins to react to things that it once did The body is on hyperalert. Look at everything in your environment. Got rid of dryer sheets, memory foam, all scented things, all chemical sprays, I checked for mold and did an air check, radon and carbon monoxide checks. I went to all natural shampoos. Even the insecticide you neighbor sprays can effect you.
Migraines and Alzheimer's Disease Link
★★★★★
I was wondering if migraines might be a forewarning of future AD, and according to the following article, it definitely is with people who regularly have migraine headaches being three times more likely for men and 6 times more likely for women to get AD than non-migraine people :
Here are two very relevant quotes from this interesting article :
' A 2001 study examining the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease found that men and women with a history of migraine were three times more likely to develop AD.5 Looking at women alone, the study found that they were almost 6 times more likely to develop AD.5 '
' Another study was conducted to determine if migraine was a risk factor for dementia subtypes; Alzheimer's and vascular. The study found that a history of migraine was noted in 23.5% of participants with AD compared to 9.9% of cognitively intact participants.6 They also found that people with a history of migraine were three times more likely to have dementia than people without dementia.6 Similar to the previous study, they found that people with AD were four times more likely to have a history of migraine disease.6 Interestingly, when looking at the subtypes of dementia, they found no correlation with a history of migraine and vascular dementia.6 '
I tried to convince my friends to try alternative means of improving her situation, but my other friend, her husband, will not try any alternatives even though she is declining very rapidly. She is now so bad in just two years that she could not remember to take helpful supplements without someone giving them to her.
If you have migraines regularly, you are at increased risk for AD, especially if you are a woman. It may be worth taking steps early on to improve your chances against getting AD.
Art
Migraines and Herpes Virus
Hi Earth Clinic:
I just found out that there is a connection between some migraines and the herpes virus, which is a frequent visitor to so many of us.
I started taking low dose naltrexone and my herpes outbreaks gradually went away. My migraines became very infrequent and when they do come, they are changed, more manageable and tolerable. Still very painful. Now I have to avoid light and I vomit.
I had a hunch (maybe because of the changes) so I started searching online and found out that herpes can cause migraine, and something called herpes meningitis. Also herpes encephalitis, which can be fatal if not treated in time.
Here is a clip of some text I found:
Herpes Meningitis.
Herpes meningitis occurs in 4% to 8% of cases of primary genital HSV-2, and women are more likely to develop it than men are. Symptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Fortunately, herpes meningitis is self-limited, lasting for only two to seven days. Neurologic consequences are rare, but recurrences have been reported.
Anyway, my question is this: Should there be a page for this, so that it can be discussed, and those with migraines could learn that it exists? I searched the site and there is no connection anywhere that I could find between herpes and migraine.
Just a suggestion.
Thanks for this site. It is super!
(Fl, US)
03/26/2015
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
Mind Over Migraine Remedy
★★★★★
I woke up with a headache yesterday which progressed to a migraine, perhaps my worst one ever. I tried the ice pack at the base of the neck remedy for migraines but it was very uncomfortable when you have axe splitting pain in your brain. The last thing my body wanted was an ice pack on my neck. Better on the forehead but only for 20 seconds at the most. Maybe I'm wrong, but there isn't much you can do about a migraine when you get to the point of such severe nausea that your body gags every time you move your head. This went on for several hours. I ended up sucking on an ice cube and then lying in bed half propped up with a pillow over my eyes and forcing my brain to go into quiet mode. Every time a wave of pain seared through my brain as I lay there, I forced myself to go empty. I fell into a half sleep and continued to stay quiet in my head every time the pain cycle hit. I didn't allow myself to get up until the pain had all but passed. The pain was gone after 2 hours. When I could eat and drink I took a potassium and a magnesium supplement and that definitely helped.
Maybe it was just a matter of time anyway, but next time I will try quieting my mind as soon as I have migraine symptoms and see if I can get it to pass more quickly.
Mint Oil
★★★★★
I have suffered from migraines since I was about 5 years old, though after puberty they had become frequent and often unbearable.
After going to a neurologist who confirmed that I have migraines and not just headaches he prescribed Imitrex, it works amazingly, though I just don't like taking medicines (especially expensive ones! ) if I don't have to.
I have tried every remedy on the earth (at least it feels so! ) for migraines and everything I tried either never worked or worked once, maybe, and never again.
Then enter mint essential oil. I use either spearmint or peppermint and rub it on where it hurts, and voila, no more pain. It can take a few applications, but so far it knocks out most headaches/ migraines for me. It's amazing, I have cut back on my Imitrex use by at least half. I have been using it undiluted, however I have read this can cause adverse effects and can make it so my skin develops a sever sensitivity to it. I will from now on try diluting it with almond or jojoba oil and hope it still works as well. Because if I had to stop using mint oil because of my bad judgement I would be kicking myself for the rest of my life. Either way, I am in love with Mint oil, it works amazingly well for me. I have also had success drinking a mint tea for headaches, but not for migraines, I think it's too weak for that.
Oh, and they types of migraines I get are typically hormonal, non-aura. Occasionally they are allergy triggered, and rarely offensive smells (like strong B.O. or perfumes) . I do not drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
This is just to maybe help those who know what triggers their migraines, maybe if it works for me, it will work for you if you have similar triggers.
(Latvia)
09/09/2021
Hi Melissa!
Sounds like my story, too. Except I do drink organic coffee, twice a day. Now I opened my essential oil box and took the peppermint oil and rubbed my right side of the head. Today is the 7th day of my migraine. Pills work, but I got allergy and this morning because of such desperate state I took my ibuprofen and then antihistamine. My poor body... But it gave some relief. I am having hormonal migraines (at least I think so, because they appear before ovulation and after, and if pain is for 7 days, then I would say it longs my whole ovulation period). Then short after there is the first day with its weird headache and then again the same. These days I tried: acupuncture, lavender oil, ginger, pine pollen, bamboo, vitamins B, ice packs, peppers. Now I just read that cardamom bean can help. Once I am ready to get up to search for it, I will try it, too. What is that demonic pain that us women must experience? What are we paying for? Anyway, thank you for your comment, I feel already ease from the mint oil!!! Be blessed!
Inga.
Misc Remedies for Migraines
Supplement your diet with magnesium. Up to 50% of patients experiencing an acute migraine attack have lowered levels of ionized magnesium. Because of its safety profile, oral magnesium supplementation can be recommended to a majority of migraine sufferers. One study showed that migraine attack frequency was reduced by 41.6% in those who participated in regular magnesium supplementation.
Take 5-HTP in the morning. 5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin. Migraines are caused in part by low serotonin. When serotonin levels are low, blood vessels dilate. Therefore, increasing serotonin may be helpful in preventing migraine occurrences.3 * Supplement with CoQ10. In one particular key trial, 61.3% of migraineurs who supplemented with CoQ10 during a four-month trial period reduced their occurrence of migraine attacks by at least 50%.4
1. Add ground flax seed to your diet since it contains healthy dietary fiber and omega-3 essential fatty acids.
2. Add virgin coconut oil to your diet to benefit from plant-based healthy saturated fat.
3. Add foods rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids to your diet.
4. Eat plenty of unrefined low-glycemic carbohydrates (brown rice, sprouted grains, winter squash).
5. Limit intake of fruits that have a high glycemic index such as apricots, raisins, banana, papaya, and mango.
6. Eat plenty of vegetables and vegetable juices (kelp, sprouts, green and black olives, peppers, spinach, chard, celery, zucchini).
7. Drink purified water throughout the day.
8. If you are a caffeine addict,chances are caffeine are causing your headache, detox your body of caffeine and stay away from caffeine and you will not have any more headache.
No need to see a doctor for he will just prescribe medicine with side effects, it is simply not worth it.Do not overload your body with artifical chemical!
1. Feverfew is great for migraines.
2. Gingko helps with the blood circulation in the brain.You can get a good one from this brand (pharmanex).
3.You can get buy 1 or 2 cans of isotonic drink (eg.100PLUS), and mix it with drinking water according to a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 (simply, it means one cup 100plus, one cup water.or 2 cups water). Another method will be to submerge your feet in a basin of warm water so that it bring the blood pressure down from your throbbing head.
4. Tian ma mi huan jun pian is cheap and effective for headache. You can get it from chinese medical shop.
5. Gatorade is useful for headache.Try it!
6. Inhaling lavender,eucalyptus or pepermint oil work for headache.Just dab some pepermint, eucalyptus or lavender oil to a cotton ball & breathe in the scent for a few moments. Do not get pure peppermint oil on your skin-this could burn it,if it is not duliuted. This remedy works everytime for John.You can also apply any of these oil to your temple.
Eye pillow stuffed with lavender also works great for headache.
7. Rub half a lime on your forehead and you will have no more headache.
8a. Rub the area right above your eye brows slowly in a circular motion and your headache will go away.
b. Rubbing the area on the back of your head right where the head and neck meet is useful too!
9. A study at Michigan State University suggests that apples act as a tranquilizer. The study reveals that eating 2 apples a day reduces tensions, headaches, and emotional upsets.
10. For headache relief, apply a cold compress of witch hazel over the forehead.
11. Spicy soups will cure a migrane.It's capsaicin in the Hot Chili peppers that does the trick.Chinese Hot and Sour soup works too. So next time you get a migraine, get some of these soup.
12. Raw cabbage is useful for headache.
Molybdenum
★★★★★
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!
MSM
★★★★★
Multiple Remedies
★☆☆☆☆
(Mpls., Mn)
12/03/2013
Hey Bella!
What worked for ME was chiropractic adjustments. If you have tried *everything*, then its something to consider.
(Denver, Colorado)
12/03/2013
Bella: I had headaches too. Brain cells need more fuel than regular cells. I take 600g raw carbs daily from honey, whole sugar, organic fruits, and activated barley. Brain cells need neurotransmitters. Raw proteins from whey, hawaiin spirulina, dessicated liver, and cocoa powders make the best. High mountain cold water extracted shilajit, skate liver oil, and maca are also good. Marine phytoplankton liquid, the expensive one, is the only food that detoxes and energizes the back of the brain where the seat of the emotions are located. Watch raw food and superfood videos for good info.
Bella: I suppose you must be experiencing bad side effects from the sumatryptan. The closest natural substance chemically similar to s is 5HTP. Take 50mg 5HTP before retiring every evening. It seems logical to reduce the s proly 50% (if you have tabs a pill splitter will work fine) while taking 5HTP.
Have you tried brain-specific antioxidants like Chinese Skullcap and Gingko biloba?? I would also recommend Magnet Therapy over the entire skull. A strong magnet like a music speaker mag will work well. Do this about 15-30 min daily for a few weeks. Herbs like White Oak Bark, Buthchers Broom, and Horse Chesnut are indicated in vacular disorders as they strengthen the vascular. Vit-C w/ added Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex also helps veins.
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
12/04/2013
To Bella from NY,
Re your migraines:
I've had them since I was about 16 years old. At that time was and continued to be under great stress. (Like most people.) My own migraine issue has caused me to be especially interested in cures.
Studied a great deal on migraines and conclude this: There is the "classic migraine" which manifests with blurred vision (the aura) and light sensitivity culminating in nausea and the headache lasting any length of time...as long as three days.
Many people have what they call migraines but in fact are not the classic form. Look for light sensitivity and narrowing vision when the migraine sets in. Then nausea.
There is a distinct and genetically driven personality type who is susceptible to CLASSIC migraines. When under great and or continued stress their body will quickly utilize and use up the B complex in their system especially niacin, B-3.
At that point there is a capillary collapse in the temporal region that especially effects the eyes. After first studying this phenomenon I realized that extra supplements of B-3 might forestall the migraines. And the niacin did work. I learned to take enough B-3 to barely be "flushed" and I'd know my system had sufficient B-3 to keep the migraines away. The B-3 was working to keep the capillaries dilated.
This worked for decades with me. But dealing with the flushing balance is a bit frustrating, requiring a needed "flush" at least once a week to make sure enough B-3 was present in my system. Then, about 15 years ago I read about the herb "feverfew." And to my delight I found that feverfew, if I take two a day, four or five times weekly will do the same as B-3.
If I run out of feverfew for a month or two, suddenly, I'm hit with a migraine.
Now that is the "classic" migraine description (aura/light sensitivity, nausea) and the theory that vitamin B-3 depletion is the (immediate) cause of the capillary collapse resulting in the attack.
There is another kind of continuous headache called cluster headaches and I have no experience on whether the same causative issues are at work there and whether using B-3 or feverfew might benefit those suffers.
There is a third kind of often occurring headache. More malevolent even than classic migraines. These might have developed after severe infection, typically to the upper regions of the body. That type of "migraine" (not Classic Migraine) might be caused by the virus migrating into the brain (viral meningitis) being the result. DMSO mixed 50/50 with Colloidal Silver and applied three times in a month would show the sufferer if the Silver might be working to kill the virus if indeed viral meningitis is the cause of that particular continuous headache. The application of the DMSO/ CS mix is topical to back of neck as a poultice using white paper towels (somewhat soaked). If this is going to work, a good indication would be that after the second application the sufferer will feel less nausea, be able to walk better without as much vertigo and will feel a surge of energy. Much more on this in other posts I've written on same subject here in EC.
Another kind of headache...neck injury and a chiropractor might be able to help. Be careful for the ones I call "neck twisters." In cases where the neck is hurt, usually the vertebrae (or muscles) will be bulging to one side of neck and pain will radiate down side of neck causing numbness often to hand on the injured side, causing neck and shoulder stiffness. Headaches will be common in this kind of condition because often the blood will be cut off from the base of the skull, and the brain will be deprived of oxygen. I said be careful for "neck twisters" which is where the Chiropractor puts you on your back and takes your head in his hands and twists, popping the vertebra. I believe this is counter productive in the long run IF YOU HAVE A CHRONIC condition. Rather, look for a chiropractor who will place you FACE DOWN and using what is called the "Pierce technique" adjust against the vertebra's bulging direction. This is "mechanics" when you think about it. If you can feel the vertebra coming bulging to the left in your neck (say C-1 or C-2) it makes no sense to twist the HEAD. No, instead the Chiropractor should be using a vibration machine for adjusting "against" the bulging vertebra. Using either a drop table (the drop is about one quarter of an inch, not much but enough to get the vertebra re aligned with the spine) or a hand held mechanism the result is better than the "twist" technique for long term results. One last thing, don't overlook the condition called "military neck' which is the loss of curvature in the neck around C-2 and C-3. This comes usually from reading a great deal. In that case, the Chiropractor puts the patient face down and the adjustment is straight down with the drop table. This can bring almost instant curvature back to the neck...in just a few adjustments. X-Ray comparison is remarkable.
But you must call to different Chiropractors to ask specifically how they adjust. Look for one that uses the Pierce technique...or ask if the Doctor uses a drop table where he presses against the impaired side of neck.
(Tennessee, Usa)
12/04/2013
Dear Bella,
I will add a couple of more thoughts to the excellent suggestions I have already seen come through. I would seriously consider each of them. There are so many different causes of headaches. All of these ideas will help you to leave no stone unturned in your quest for a solution.
I have family members that have had migraine relief from taking feverfew daily as a preventative. I myself have been relieved of headaches from going to a good chiropractor.
Herbalist Rachel Weaver cites two common sources of headaches that seem too simple...dehydration and/or constipation. She recommends for a headache to drink a tall glass of water with a pinch of sea salt in it. Better yet, just be sure to be getting plenty of water (a pinch of sea salt is a great addition to that.) Regarding the constipation, if your system is not eliminating toxins daily, you can get all kinds of symptoms, including headaches. If this is an issue for you, do look at the constipation solutions on Earth Clinic.
Do you have chronic sinus infections? How is your diet?
Do you have dental issues? Mercury fillings or root canals? Sometimes these things are linked to headaches. (Mercury fillings from the toxicity of mercury and root canals because sometimes there is an underlying infection that cannot get out.)
Please let us know what you try and what helps. I hope you find relief soon. I am sorry you have had to deal with this for so long. I am praying for wisdom and relief for you.
~Mama to Many~
(Media, Pa)
12/05/2013
Ever consider you might be GLUTEN SENSITIVE? I have been hearing a lot about the connection to migraines. I don't experience these myself, but it's part of every gluten book and post I've read. One thing you could do is find a FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE doctor and get tested. Google the Functional Medicine Institute for a doc in your area. There should be a directory. I know a conventional doc probably won't administer this type of test. I believe it measures your anti-bodies specific reaction to gluten. Good Luck!!
(Barrie, Ontario)
06/08/2017
Multiple Remedies
1.) Digestion - always have enzymes with you to take whenever the first sign of a migraine appears and /or after you have cooked food.
2.) Circulation - there is certainly a circulation disorder in a migraine sufferer. So improve circulation-a.) By walking at least an hour a day nonstop 6 days a week b.) Natural supplements that are known to help circulation.
3. Sugar balance - It is important to maintain sugar levels so take stevia instead of sweeteners or sugar or fructose and eat regularly.
4 Nutrients. - Very important to take nutrients that the brain needs ie: magnesium, linseeds, vit B, wheatgerm and beetroot
Other essentials for avoiding migraines:
A- Eat alot of raw food - the minimum per day a big lettuce salad with at least 2 other raw veg and seeds, and apple cider vinegar, cold pressed oil, sea salt or rock salt and cayenne pepper
B. - Completely avoid coffee, black tea, milk and soya products like miso.
C- Sleep in a very well ventilated room.
Good luck
Multiple Remedies
★★★★☆
Lots of raw vegetable salads, minimum daily- 1 big lettuce salad(with other raw veg as well) and 1 small or big one with or without lettuce.
Whenever I eat anything cooked (except bread or potatoes) I take lots of natural vegetarian enzymes 4 x what is indicated on the bottle and 6 tabs of a formula that aids the organs of elimination to function. And if a slight feeling of migraine starts I repeat all that.
Everynight and morning I do the Do-in exercise to cure rhinitis, empyema and pollen allergies(one exercise for all those)
I take magnesium and also feverfew
But if a migraine is about to start or has just started, juice of at least 4(or more) freshly squeezed grapefruits (or eating a lettuce) and doing EFT works wonders you can find out what EFT is on the internet.
The cidervinegar at first lessened my migraines but then suddenly completely stopped working and made them worse
After 10 years I hope/believe that the above is the answer
