The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Iodine
Posted by Lynn (South Carolina, Sc) on 03/27/2010
★★★★☆
I get migraines. I typically get from 2 to 4 per month, and they can last up to 4 days. Often, they don't respond to either OTC pain relievers or prescribed tablets. For some reason, when I get a migraine, I crave salt. I thought it might be the iodine my body wanted, so I tried 6 drops of iodine solution in a glass of water. While it didn't cure my migraine, it did provide immediate relief, and as a bonus, I noticed I could breate more clearly, think more clearly, and had more energy. Don't know what the reason could be, but these results are consistent.
Ice Pack
Posted by Breann (St. Louis, Mo) on 01/11/2010
★★★★★
I am a faithful reader of Earth Clinic. I saw this post regarding migraines and the use of a cool pack. I passed it along to my mom, who suffers from migraines multiple times per week. She tried it with her last episode, and she said it helped substantially. Thanks, EC!
Ice Pack
Posted by Sophie (Pdx, Oregon) on 02/22/2010
★★★★★
I usually do not get headaches or migraines but this time I was really feeling flu-like symptoms, cramps bloated and I had a headache which turned into a migraine, I had the migraine for three days. So I looked up Earth Clinic. And drank about 1 T of Apple Cider Vinegar in some water ...then I read the story a lady shared about using cold packs for migraines. We have the flexible ice pack in the freezer I layed down and place it on the back of my neck where my brain stem is for about 15 minutes and my migraine went away. Great remedy and it worked for me!
Ice Pack
Posted by Michelle (Brunswick, Ga, Usa) on 03/23/2010
★★★★☆
I am currently sitting here, unable to sleep due to a rapid onset of a migraine. Did I mention the carrots? LOL! I don't have an ice pack (you can bet I am buying one tomorrow!) right now, but what I do have is my son's bag of carrots-fresh out of the fridge-on the back of my neck at the base of the skull. I am staring to feel some relief (it's been about 5 minutes), and I am pretty sure that if I raid the fridge for more produce, I may actually be able to go to bed soon! I have suffered with migraines since puberty (I'm 34 now and am post total hysterectomy, so I know it's not the hormones anymore) and I never thought that I could get such fast relief! Thank you EC and those that post what works for them!
Migraines and Herpes Virus
Posted by Harmonious1 (Alamogordo, New Mexico) on 09/29/2009
Migraine and Herpes virus connected?
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.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q="herpes meningitis"&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g7
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q="herpes encephalitis"&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g10
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!
Migraines and Herpes Virus
Posted by Prioris (Fl, US) on 03/26/2015
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jessica (Duluth, MN) on 07/17/2009
★☆☆☆☆
I wanted to put my two cents in regarding Apple Cider Vinegar for migraines: I have had migraines all my adult life and have been on various medications for them, some of which worked somewhat and some which didn't. In recent years I've tried natural remedies as well, and several months back read about ACV for migraines. I began drinking 2T in warm water with honey, and drank it every day for two months. In addition, when a migraine came on during that time, I chugged a glass of the same mixture. I am sorry to say neither method worked in the least bit. I have had luck with ACV for dermatological issues and as a hair conditioner, but for migraines and (my son's) asthma, it didn't work at all. I'm glad it's a cure all for some, and really wish it had worked for us. Oh well!
Magnesium
Posted by Carrie (Palmdale, CA) on 06/30/2009
★★★★★
magnesium cured my migraine. I took 400mg and within a half an hour it was gone!! Thanks to those who previously listed this as a cure. I will never take my prescription medication again.
Air Purifier
Posted by Mary (Regina, Saskatchewan) on 04/17/2009
★★★★★
I bought my daughter a very good air purifier with multiple filtration system and it cut her migraines back to next to none from almost constant.
Feverfew
Posted by Leslie (Inverness, CA) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★
Feverfew, which is an herb has cured my migraines. You can either grow the stuff, chop it up (a tablespoon's worth) and add it to a cup of hot water to make a tea. Or you can buy it in the health food store in tincture form. Don't buy the dried because it doesn't work. Add a few drops of the tincture to a cup of hot water and drink up. You can drink the tea just a migraine is coming on or drink it as a preventative. It's a nice tasting, soothing tea.
Breathe Into a Brown Paper Bag
Posted by Makayla (Knoxville, Tn) on 09/26/2012
★★★★★
This works! When I feel a migraine coming on, I do a variation where I lay down and breathe through my bed sheets. It increases the CO2 in your bloodstream, which in turn dilates your blood vessels.
I've read, and confirmed, that it only works when you do it during your aura. If you do it when the actual headache pain hits, it can make it worse.
Cayenne
Posted by Veronica (Lubbock, Texas) on 01/05/2009
★★★★★
I frequently have headaches and migraines and was complaining at work one day about how nothing works and a coworker suggested that I try cayenne pepper on the tip of my tongue. Her grandfather swore by it and she agreed it worked. Well, today was the moment of truth. I woke up with a headache and reached for a pinch of cayenne to put at the tip of my tongue. Since it is a pepper it does burn a bit, but within minutes my headache was gone. I'm a believer!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Dark Chocolate
Posted by Katie (Cincinnati, OH) on 12/31/2008
★★★★★
I tried the apple cider vinegar when I had a migraine that would not go away. I took a teaspoon in a glass of water and it didn't seem to help. A few hours later, I tried again with a bit more - about a tablespoon this time.
I also decided at that point that I had a craving for chocolate, so I had two squares of dark chocolate. The migraine was almost totally gone within a half hour. I searched online and found out that chocolate contains magnesium, which is good for migraines, plus it elevates serotonin; low serotonin is thought to cause some migraines.
I'm not sure which helped more, or maybe it was the combination, but after 24 hours, I can finally function again!
Oil Pulling
Posted by Hazlin (Singapore) on 12/11/2008
★★★★★
I was quite fascinated when I read about oil pulling and decided to try it out for my migraine. I could not find sesame or sunflower so made do with VCO and Safflower oil. 1 tablespoon every morning. It worked the first time I tried it! No migraine. It also helped to ease my achy jaw,which was a result of clenching my molars for long periods, to bear wit the migraine. I sleep better too! Will continue this for as long as I can!
Magnesium, Calcium, Omega 3
Posted by Lisa (Queens, NY) on 11/11/2008
★★★★★
My mother discovered this cure for migraines - my father has suffered from them and also others in our family. When I started having severe migraines often, I called her.
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.
Red Wine Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Cristian (Toronto, Ontario / Canada) on 10/08/2008
★★★★★
Ailment: Migraine Headache and Nausea.
I ate some bad chinese food and got a really bad migraine headache followed by nausea. I layed in bed to try to wait it out but it just got worse. I had this for about 5 hours.
Remedy: My grandmother (85 years old) is visiting from Spain and when I told her how I wasn't feeling good, she made me the following mixture:
1 8oz glass of water
15ml of red wine vinegar
15ml of baking soda
She mixed it all together and forced me to chug it while the baking soda was still fizzing. For a few seconds later I felt like I was really going to vomit! But then miraculously 5 minutes passed and my headache had COMPLETELY dissapeared and a couple of minutes after that I had no more nausea!!! i couldn't believe that this old natural cure worked so effectively! And the baking soda kept making me burp which felt really good!
After that I got a lecture from my grandmother about not eating chinese food, while she waved her finger in my face! She's so cute.
Thanks grandma!
EC: Yep, that MSG will getcha every time!
CoQ10
Posted by Dabagga (Denver, Co) on 12/23/2014
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!
Avoid Soy
Posted by Darryl (Cato, New York) on 01/29/2008
★★★★★
I have no remedy except to stay away from soy. It causes me to have migraines.It is so hard to find food that doesn't have it in it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Doreen (Atlanta, Ga) on 08/26/2007
★☆☆☆☆
I am laying here feeling like I'm going to die with yet another migraine. I found your website last evening when it started and asked my husband to get me some Apple Cider Vinegar because of all the success others have had mixing it in water with honey. I wish I could say it helped me but it didnt even touch my migraine, Ive tried it twice, please help me to find another cure, Im laying here with two Vicodins in me, yes my migraine is numb but its still there haunting me and I know itll be back after they wear off. Please help.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by E Orlando (Seymour, Ct) on 12/03/2009
Try taking acv every day in a glass of water or whatever you prefer. Stop thinking about it (the headache) and you will be pleasantly surprized . It helps a myriad of conditions!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sam (Toronto, On) on 06/13/2011
Do not take it with Honey. Take ACV alone.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Trulyjen (Tucson, Az) on 09/04/2011
Make sure you are using the REAL Apple Cider Vinegar. Some are flavored and are not the real thing. Best to use [organic] brand to be sure it's real.
Garlic
Posted by Beverly (Willsboro, New York) on 08/23/2007
★★★★★
I have started taking garlic tablets EVERY DAY Because in the past I have had over the period of 2 yrs flashing bright lights, like lightening) in front of my eyes. Even when I put my head under a pillow I still saw them, and it was very scarey. I went to a nuerologist and had a cat scan of my brain, his conclusion was' he said I have the side effects of a migraine with out the headaches. Well, since taking one garlic tablet every day, I am very excited to say, that I have had NO problems for about 4 years. So of course I told the Doctor. He didn't say much,I guess he was skeptic.
Butterbur
Posted by Ani (ontario, canada) on 07/14/2007
★★★★★
I was reading your migrane section today because i just got over my first real migrane and wanted to educate myself on home remedies in case i ever get another one. In any case I ready the butterbur cure and remember a customer of mine telling me that she had suffered from weekly migranes until her doctor told her about Butterbur. She said it relieved her migranes significantly and she now leads a normal mostly migrane free life. Thought i'd pass it on."
Francoise from Los Angeles, CA sent us this remedy for migraines which she found on the internet. Like us, you've probably never heard of this product!
Here it is: "Don't like the thought of taking strong prescription medications for migraine headaches? Consider trying butterbur (Petasites hybridus). This herb is native to Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia, and has been used for centuries as an effective remedy for headaches, back pain and asthma. Recent studies suggest migraine sufferers may benefit from butterbur's actions - reducing inflammation and spasms in blood-vessel walls - without experiencing the side effects associated with prescription medications (except some burping). A study published in Neurology, Dec. 28, 2004, reported that after four months, people taking 75 mg of butterbur daily for migraines had 48 percent fewer migraine attacks per month - similar to the effects of prescription migraine drugs. Be very careful about the butterbur you purchase - only use butterbur extracts that are guaranteed to be free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The adult dosage ranges from 50-100 mg twice daily, and should be taken with meals.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda and Sea Salt
Posted by PD (USA) on 05/01/2007
★★★★★
I wrote you the above message earlier, I am giving you an update, I wound up in a 4 day hospital stay do to my throat problem, I could not do my usual ACV & Baking Soda & iodine, wnet in the hospital on Wednesday night, Friday morning woke up with a terrible migrane, I have come to the conclusion, if I put one drop of Iodine on my hand every night and do my Baking Soda in the morning on an empty stomach, I do not get a migraine, or acid reflux, I think the iodine is keeping me from getting the migraines, and I know the backing soda is keeping me from the acid reflux problem.
