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My family seems to have a predisposition to migraine headaches. My husband has never had a traditional migraine but does get the aura. Several of our children have experienced the same thing, Others have experienced full blown migraines on a regular basis, including myself.
My daughter had regular migraines and several other health problems. After taking nettle leaf and kefir almost daily for a year, her health was drastically improved. Since that time her migraines are much less frequent. (She took one capsule of nettle a couple of times a day for about a year.)
I don't think nettle will cure a headache (but I suppose I wouldn't put it past nettle! ) But for a long term blood purifying solution, I think nettle should be considered!
Posted by Evelyn (Rhode Island) on 10/06/2016 ★☆☆☆☆
I tried 5-HTP and I can't really say it worked for migraines. I did find that it caused a bit of sexual dysfunction (and this is a noted side effect). Since it didn't really seem to work, I stopped it.
Hi, About 10 months ago, I underwent Botox injections around my head and neck to help prevent debilitating migraines. However, I suffered a very bad reaction: drooping eyebrows, eyelids, overall face swelling, loosing a lot of hair, but worst of all I started having burning pains in my neck and shoulders, spreading over time to all of upper back, severe sweating spells, fainting feels feeling, and shortness of breath multiple times throughout the day. This continued for several month. Migraines came back with vengeance.
The burning sensation and drooping finally subsided, but shortness of breath have become my major problem, as well as foggy head, difficulty focusing, and constant heaviness in my head. This past month, difficulty breathing has become almost unbearable. I may be wrong, but I feel like poisonous botulinum substance is still in my system. Can you advise on how I can get rid of it?
Cristina, just in case, you may want to consult your dentist on your migraine. Since you report that you have them many mornings, you may be grinding your teeth in the night. A fitted mouth guard may stop that and thus the associated headache. It is worth mentioning to your dentist. Just another possibility that would eliminate other pharma. I am a grinder and probably need a new guard as well as some applied stretching of my upper palate.
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.
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.
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.
I'm curious how immediate is "immediate" with cayenne capsules? I'd imagine that having to digest and break down the capsule barrier would slow it down considerably compared to taking cayenne directly, but is it not much of a difference or a very noticeable delay? This may seem like a silly question, as if I'd never taken a capsule before in my life! However I don't generally tend to observe the exact timing required for capsules to take effect, nor do I have experience with taking cayenne capsules myself, so have no idea if different herbs or supplements tend to have different variables involved... such as if cayenne is so "hot and active" that it can "eat through" a capsule faster than, say, another herb, when in the warm, internal environment of the body (I realize I could be over-thinking this and grasping at straws that have no real, logical basis as I ponder the possibilities with this issue).
I ask about the speed of ingestion/absorption into the bloodstream for a very different reason actually, as I'm a bit concerned that I may possibly be a candidate for heart issues, or possibly even stroke. And though I don't believe I'm in serious danger, it's been at the back of my mind to keep an emergency dose of cayenne on hand with me at all times (or whenever possible) and tell those who're close to me about its ability to stop a heart attack or stroke in its tracks. I make jewellery, so I've been considering making a pendant to wear on a necklace... along the lines of a slim stainless steel, waterproof, pill container that I can pour cayenne pepper sauce into, as it seems the easiest to administer in the event of an emergency, whether I have the capability to self-administer it myself, or whether it be someone else helping me (if anything should ever happen then hopefully I won't be alone! ). I've also considered using a glass vial type of pendant, but they tend to hold less liquid while the stainless steel seems more durable and functional, with a larger capacity.
However seeing your comment makes me wonder if cayenne in capsule form might be more practical for this purpose, since keeping liquid in a vial and periodically having to replace it to keep it fresh seems like messy, fussy business for something that's only meant to be an insurance measure of sorts. Capsule-form seems rather handy, but if it doesn't act fast enough to stop any attack in progress then it'd defeat the purpose. Any feedback or advice on this matter would be great (including if this seems like a ridiculous idea... though I'm not sure I'd be easily deterred as I see no harm in wearing a pendant that could potentially safe my life or someone else's... especially since I wear chunky jewelry anyways and can even make it look nice! )
Magnesium was helpful at first but after a few months migraines became more and more frequent, at least 3 a week, untreatable - nothing touched them.
Stopped everything for while and gradually reintroduced the 400 mg B2,1000 IU D3,800 microgram Folic acid + a few strands of saffron daily but no magnesium.
Migraines are down to about 3 a month and those have been treatable. (The saffron was the recommendation of an acupuncturist but no, the 8 months of acupuncture didn't seem to help - couldn't even reduce a headache present at the time of treatment).
Everyone's different and migraines seem to follow cycles so one can never be sure what is and isn't helping, but on this regime, so far, so good. Possibly magnesium can be overdone, over time.
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.
Posted by Melissa (Phoenix, Az, US) on 09/15/2014 ★★★★★
Where has mint oil been all my life?! ?
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.
Re your husband's migraines, I take two feverfew five days a week to fight off migraines... and often take niacin (the flushing kind) a few times weekly.
You are correct in using as a preventative...if he takes when migraine is already underway, little help.
I've been on Niacin for ... I guess thirty years, and feverfew for ten.
Never caused stomach upset for me.
Niacin and Feverfew are natural dilators and if your husband's migraines ...which you think may come from the brain injuries... are the cause of the migraines, the dilation of the capillaries staying open may well act to keep blood flowing properly.
Posted by Dave (Victoria, British Columbia) on 01/07/2014 ★★★★★
Another remedy to try to arrest the onset of Migraines is Grapefruit Seed Extract. My complaint was feeling very tired, mild to moderate sickness, a constant sore neck, insomnia and 3-4 mild, non-food allergy triggered migraines in one week.
I immediately tried acupuncture on knots in my neck and shoulders, followed by chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy on these sore muscles. Usually, this helps but did not work this time. Realizing that a virus was causing my migraines, my wife suggested Grapefruit Seed Extract.
The directions on the label suggested 5-15 drops, in water, 3 times a day, to be taken with or without food. I took 5 drops, maybe a total of 7 times over a period of 5 days, whenever I felt ill.
The results were dramatic and amazing. After the first 5 drops, my migraines stopped. The sore neck went away and my general feeling of sickness began to abate. After the next three doses, over the next two days, my general feeling of sickness disappeared and my energy came back to 90% of peak. After a month of abandoning all forms of intense exercise, I was able to run for 20 minutes and cycle for 3 hours.
Posted by Kat Hallyblue (Mccomb, Ms) on 12/04/2013 ★★★★★
I have suffered from migraines for years. Nothing worked. I have found an immediate relief without drugs. white noise celestial white noise. 10 hours long youtube video free.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcJ-o_fh1B4 after a couple of minutes I noticed big difference. I have problems with sounds and light with migraines. Please Please put this for migraine relief.
Please do not play white noise loud, just softly works better.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
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How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 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.
Posted by Marie (Morrison, Tn) on 12/13/2012 ★★★★★
I used apple cider vinegar for my migraine the other day. I had the eye problem first (auras) and then the migraine begins. But about 20 minutes into the aura phenomenon, I came on here and saw the ACV recommendation and did it. My migraine never really had a chance to begin. I felt a little pressure all day, just a little. I drank the ACV (2 tbsp in a glass of water), throughout the day and was just fine!
Posted by Elodie (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 10/17/2012 ★★★★★
Whilst I acknowledge everyone is unique and that this may not work for everyone, I wanted to share my recent experience with using tumeric as a natural remedy for treating migraine.I have been getting semi frequent migrains for the past 12 months, and put it down to neck problems/stress. I get the kind which start in the head and travel down to the face, particularly behind the eyes. Sometimes this is accompanied by nausea. Meditating seems to alleviate it somewhat, but as soon as I get up and start moving about again, the pain comes back. So on the weekend I resisted taking a pill and instead reached for some freshly minced tumeric. I bought organic minced tumeric from the health food store. I took 2 teaspoons with warm water, layed down in a dark, quiet room and fell asleep meditating, anything to divert my attention away from the pain. I woke up the following morning, migraine gone, pain free, feeling relieved! I guess the anti inflammatory effect of the tumeric really helped me, and would strongly encourage people to try this before they reach for the nasty pharmaceutical pill.
Posted by Wendi (San Clemente, Ca) on 09/20/2012 ★★★★★
I came across 5-HTP on my doctor's vitamin website. The description said that it was for Depression, Mood Swings, Sleeplessness, Headaches, etc. Since I have all those things, I decided to give it a try! Much to my delight, I found that my 25 year struggle with Gluten and Casein related migraines was suddenly over!! After suffering through years of debilitating migraines, that effectively put a damper on my Junior High, High School, College, and Marriage life. When I was 27ish, I finally figured out that if I removed gluten and cow-related dairy products from my diet, I no longer had migraines. This was great! Except, that gluten and casein are in EVERYTHING! This food allergy (food intolerance) discovery was a blessing in disguise, because now I eat fresh organic fruit and veggies and organic/grass-fed meat. No packaged meals or fastfood ever! But eating out or over at friends' houses was still causing me to lose days due to the migraines. 5-HTP literally changed my life! I started taking 100mg/day in the morning and noticed after a month that I could have little cheats in my diet and get away with them!
Currently I take 200 mg/day and can have a sandwich for lunch and cheesecake! (it's SO wrong, I know! ) I still try very hard to keep the gluten and casein out of my diet. Even though I can cheat and not have a migraine attack, I still can tell that my body feels wrong or icky when I have those foods. But it's SO nice to go from 10 migraines a month, down to 1, maybe 2 per month. I plan to cut back to 100mg/day because I know that there is differing opinions about how much is too much. Plus being able to eat whatever I want makes it very hard to stay gluten/casein free. I hope this post helps other people to realize that they may have food allergies/intolerances that they are unaware of yet.
Posted by Melanie B (Los Angeles, Ca, Usa) on 06/25/2012 ★★★★★
The following month I tried this same remedy (Fenugreek & Thyme) and did not receive the same comfort as before. I have now learned the monthly headaches have been caused by a magnesium deficiency. A few days before I expect to begin menses I soak my feet in warm water with about 1-2 cups of Epsom Salt in it.
I do this for a few days. Sometimes if I start to feel a headache coming on I will soak in a warm bath of Epsom Salt, 2 cups or the full container. I haven't had a headache come on for the past couple months now, and I used to suffer through 3 days of headaches prior.
Posted by Sonja (Greenwood, La) on 07/18/2011 ★★★★★
About a year ago I stopped drinking anything with caffeine in it and quit eating chocolate as this was advice given in a book about preventing migraines. It helped my migraines not to be as long and as painful, but they came back none the less. I decided to stop using artificial sweetener in my lemonade I make every day and started using Stevia. One package every morning is all I use. I NEVER get migraines anymore as long as I faithfully use this natural sweetener. I have made the mistake of not using it for a couple of days and I wind up with the start of a migraine. But if I take some stevia, mix it in some water and drink it real fast before the migraine gets worse, it gets rid of it for me. I don't know what it is about this natural sweetener that has cured my migraines but I thought I'd share it with others just in case it can help them too. The stevia I get is the Wal-Mart brand that is in the vitamin section in a box.
Posted by Melanie B (Los Angeles, Ca, Usa) on 06/29/2011 ★★★★★
Fenugreek & Thyme for Migraines
For years I suffered from Migraines. The symptoms I experienced were nausea, light sensitivity, smell sensitivity, and sharp pain on the left temple as well as my eye. To make matters worse this lasted for 2-3 days. I then noticed that it would happen around my menstrual cycle ever month without fail. I couldn't find relief in any over the counter medications. It got to be debilitating. The only thing I could do is lay in bed in a dark quiet room with a cold towel over my head.
One night I said enough is enough, I got up and ran cold water over my head and neck, as I did this the migraine would subside but when I took my head away from the water it would come back. I then remembered being given Fenugreek & Thyme capsules a few months back and decided to give it another try, but this time instead of taking the recommended dose of 1000 mg (700 mg of which was Fenugreek and 300 mg of Thyme), I increased the dosage amount by three and I took 3000 mg.
In 20 minutes my migraine was GONE! All these years of failed over the counter medications and being miserable and all I needed was in an herb. I was able to get a good night's sleep and when I woke in the morning I felt it coming on again so I took 1500mg, but it didn't seem to stop it so I took another 1500mg 30 minutes later and again the migraine disappeared. (I haven't noticed any side effects so far but if anything comes up I will repost).
I hope this helps, and I am happy to add my experience to the community as you all have given me so many great remedies over the years!
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