Herbs and Supplements
★★★★★
I am dealing with headaches/migraines since young age of 2, but just the last few years I started using natural ways to stop them. I use many things as I noticed, that sometimes remedies, that worked for me one day, might not work the other. Lately I started combining several remedies together, and that seems to work better than using any one of them. For prevention I use mainly magnesium and alpha lipoic acid. I take either magnesium malate powder or magnesium glycinate capsules without any fillers. I feel that I need minimum of 600mg a day, but if I ate sugar or day was stressful for any reason, I need more. It is not cheap, otherwise I would probably take daily 1000 mg. I can't take more than 300mg at one sitting though without getting belly rumbles, so I take my in two doses. I take 2 alpha lipoic acid 300mg tablets per day-also in two times. I feel that those two help a lot, however I am not particularly good at taking it every day twice a day since I do not like to eat breakfast early, so I have to remember to pack them in my bag. If I take just once a day for a few days, migraine comes. When it comes, I take:
1. 600 mg magnesium at once or within 2 hours (better tummy troubles than horrible headache)
2. drink 2-3 tablsp ACV in a large glass of water (I avoid honey as sugar negates some of the magnesium)
3. drink wood betony tincture (2 droppers in a bit of water.) I also use devil's claw tincture with good results. I tried wild lettuce one, but that tends to give me more nausea.
4. take half teaspoon of turmeric and half teaspoon of ginger powder with some black pepper for better absorption in a bit of water.
Those 4 things work really well for me. Much better than drugs, because even though those would take the pain, but would make me feel weak, and nausea would still be there. Herbs/supplements make me feel good, not just take the pain away.
I did use cayenne tincture couple times to stop it, when I was out and didn't have my usual remedies. It works for a while, but then it would come back. Now I make sure I have at least magnesium and tincture with me at all times.
Himalayan Salt
★★★★★
In the past, I have taken 20 drops of liquid oxygen in water, thus avoiding the nausea, vomiting and headache which would normally follow. I would, however, be very "washed out" for the rest of the day. I haven't been able to stop the aura though, UNTIL TODAY!!!!! I AM SOOO EXCITED.
A few minutes ago I had another attack and thought I would try a glass of water with a teaspoon of sole (which we always have made up). If it didn't work I would also take liquid oxygen but wanted to give it a few minutes trial. Within one minute, maybe less, the aura stopped!!!! Not only that, no headache, nausea, no dull, weak feeling, I just feel normal.
You may ask what is sole (soul-ay) is made by taking Himalayan coarse crystal salt and 1/4 filling a jar and topping it up with filtered water. Cap with a plastic lid: it will rust a metal one. Leave it sit overnight and check in the morning. If the salt is still visible, the liquid is ready to use. If not, add more salt and let it stand for the rest of the day. You should always see crystals otherwise you don't have saturation.
I would imagine taking 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Himalayan fine salt crystals and adding it to a large glass of water and stirring to dissolve, before drinking it, would do the same thing. I used the sole because it was there.
What motivated me to try the salt remedy? Two days ago, a man bought some Himalayan salt from me and said he had heard it was good for migraines and wanted to do some experimenting. Immediately I thought of dehydration, electrolytes, profuse perspiration in this summer heat and it made perfect sense. By my past record, I knew that within the week I would be able to try it out.
For those reading this who think ALL salt is bad, Himalayan salt is not refined so it contains over 90 minerals. This is the good salt and necessary for life.
Refined salt, is not the same, it has had everything removed except the sodium chloride. In processing, they also bleach it and add a flow agent, to stop clumping, which is usually a derivative of fluoride or aluminium, depending on where it is processed. This is the bad salt which does so much damage to our bodies. It has been described as a poison.
It has taken me a while to finish this message, I still feel great; no migraine symptoms whatsoever.
Homeopathic Remedies
★★★★★
This works almost immediately.....find nat.mur 30x and belladonna30x at health food store in homeopathic (about $4.00 each) take 5 each under tongue....works right away. Then find a traditional chinese medicine practioner licenced to help you resolve the underlying cause, if you want to.
Hydrate
★★★★★
I can only assume the message is for someone else as I haven't had a migraine in years. So, if you have migraines, hydrate. That's how you flush out heavy metals that can only accumulate in organs, systems and areas of the brain that are in the process of being sacrificed as the dehydrated body rations what little water has to keep your heart, lungs and brain functioning well enough to keep you upright and conscious enough to go find water.
Ice Pack
★★★★★
I filled a gallon bag half full of ice and wrapped that in a t-shirt and sat with the ice pack on my neck. Slowly relief was coming. I kept it on for the better part of 2 hours and even tried to prop to up to my neck when I got into bed, though by the time I went to bed it had lessened significantly. Usually if I go to bed with a headache I wake up with one.
I was thrilled to wake up with no headache. My ice pack was still cold and one part of my shoulder was cold.
~Mama to Many~
Ice Pack
★★★★★
(Munich, Bavaria, Germany)
01/10/2010
★★★★★
YEA - ...I was so close to take a headache tablet and in the last moment I decided to get a cool pack. I am amazed how well it worked - within 10 min. I felt relieve and as if my brain calmed down. Thank you so much for this remedy I will definitely pass it on...it is very relaxing!
(St. Louis, Mo)
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!
(Pdx, Oregon)
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!
(Brunswick, Ga, Usa)
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!
(Houston, Texas Usa)
06/08/2010
I fill two gallon size plastic zip baggies with ice cubes--wrap each in a thin dish towel or t-shirt--place one on the neck and one over the eyes and lie down (a cool, dark, quiet room is best)...this is not a permanent fix but brings relief while waiting for other remedies to kick in....also, drink cool water and cool fresh juice (diluted is best). The ice packs usually make it possible for me to get to sleep and stay asleep through the night...if the pain comes back the next day, then more extreme measures are usually called for...(e.g., prescription meds--ugh).
(Danville, Illinois, United States)
03/04/2012
★★★★★
OMG... Thank you, thank you, thank you! After trying cure after cure and being frustrated to the point of actually taking over the counter meds (gah) which I knew was too far progressed to even put a 'dent' in the headache I had, which seem to grow worse by the second no matter what I tried. After a cold shower and feeling frustrated as well as miserable and in constant agony. I went to the freezer and grabbed a frozen roll of ground turkey and dropped it in a baggy, put it behind my neck then watched a comedy for about a hour (and the headache was baaad). By the time it was over the headache had decreased then went away (I was dancing around my kitchen, lol) after all I tried it was as simple as that! The kind of headache that should have lasted 3 days. I nearly cried because of the relief. So hey sometimes it 'can' be that 'easy'. Hope this works for you. Hugs Hugs.
(Las Vegas, Nv)
03/08/2012
★★★★★
Along with the cold pack on the neck I put my feet in a bathtub with hot water, as hot as I can stand it. After about 10 min the migraine starts to melt away.... Ahhhh relief!
(Destin, Fl)
09/10/2012
★★★★★
This site is Godsend; thank you too all who contribute!
When 'on the road' and a migraine starts, I buy cold drinks (bottles or cans) to cool my neck while driving; they are the perfect fit between my neck and headrest. At home, I often use bags of frozen vegetables (after when I use up all my gel packs), then I make a hearty soup out of them the next day.
(San Antonio)
02/23/2017
★★★☆☆
This feels good while doing it but when the ice pack comes off, the migraine comes back.
Ice Pack
★★★★★
A massage instructor told me that when you have a migraine, the blood is entering the head faster than it is leaving. His solution is to keep a flexable neck wrap in the freezer or refrigerator. Have a very warm wrap ready - such as a slightly damp towel hot (but not too hot) from tap water or a microwave.
To stop a migraine, wrap the cold wrap around the neck - make sure you get the front of the neck - for 30 seconds. Then apply the hot wrap for 30 seconds. This is to shock the veins open. Repeat as necessary. I don't get migraines anymore - thanks to the ACV - but I really would like feedback on this remedy.
Also for the same reasoning, if you donate blood, your migraine will go away almost instantly.
Ice Pack
★★★★★
(Savannah, GA)
07/14/2009
★★★★★
Ice Pack Cured my Migraine
I'd had the worst migraine in years and it had already persisted for a day, and I had already taken the max of my prescription medication. My next step was to go to the ER when a coworker suggested the ice pack at the base of the skull. I placed several ice cubes in a Ziplock bag, placed it on the back of my neck, and lay in my bed again. I also took four more Tylenol and fell back asleep. When I awoke this time, the migraine was gone completely.
Icelandic Vodka
★★★★★
(Newcastle Upon Tyne, Uk)
09/27/2010
★★★★★
I have to agree with the vodka trick. After many years of being a migraine sufferer my doctor told me of this trick that her grandmother used to use. I looked at her in shock, this was a doctor who was at the end of medical remedies for me and said to just try it. It has to be good vodka, and not cheap nasty stuff mixed with chemicals. Next time I had the flashing lights and the sick feeling I had a neat double vodka, (I hate neat vodka) Disgusting. Within 5 minutes the flashing zig zags subsided and the pain was to a minimum, at least something I could cope with until I got home from work ( I am a teacher) then I could go to bed to sleep as migraine makes me extremely tired. So give it a try. I always have a tiny bottle of vodka in my bag "just in case".
(New York, NY)
08/04/2012
Indian Herb Called Aak
★★★★★
AN INDIAN PLANT (AAK) HAVING GREEN BIG LEAVES GIVES MILK LIKE SUBSTANCE. IN MORNING BEFORE 10-15 MINUTES OF SUNRISE, ITS SMALLEST PAIR OF LEAVES IMMEDIATELY AFTER PLUCKING TAKEN WITH WATER FOR THREE DAYS....AND MIGRAINE GONE. WHAT A MIRACLE HERB!
EC: Aak's botanical name is Calotropis procera, correct?
Medical Abstract: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1526483
More information here: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/calotr09.html
Iodine
★★★★☆
Ketogenic Diet
★★★★☆
In the last few years, maybe only 1 bad migraine a year but what was a game changer to start with was a ketogenic diet, basically very low carbs, no sugar at all, just carbs I get in things like brocolli, spinach, yogurt, nuts. All I can eat to on Keto.
Then I began a supplement regime just 7 days ago recommended by Art in California but I never mentioned the nagging migraine pain every day of my life in the last few years. It's because I could pop a couple of tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen to end them within 30 minutes. I was just so focused on issues I that were way more nagging and no fix so far.
At this point, because I am still on the same foods that seemed to keep me with mild migraine, but started the supplements for other issues I'll list below, I think I've found I do not need aspirin as there are no more pains in my temple, usually left one. I'm thinking something I've added in is blocking the pain. I just don't know and want to stick with the 5 supps so I can let Art know if they are working for my other issues. Of course letting him know if my lack of head-pain keeps on.
Just hoping we can figure out what I'm taking that might be helping, I'm also knocking on wood here because if anyone here has experienced what they've called classic migraine and even hemoplegic (I also get aphasia with the bad ones) they will know the pain. I also usually had bad nausea during the pain part of a full-blow migraine.
Here are the supps I'm taking according to dose on the bottles:
Magnesium citrate 1000mg in 2 doses https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/magnesium.html
ALA 600mg in 2 doses https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/ala.html
Lutein 40mg 1 a day https://www.earthclinic.com/mobile/cures/eyes-vision/lutein/)
Vitamin D-3 1 a day https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/art-solbrig-protocol-for-memory-loss.html
Citicoline 250 1 a day https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/art-solbrig-protocol-for-memory-loss.html#ar_192059
I want to do more of Art's Protocol on memory loss but I am starting out slowly, for one thing, I can't afford everything at once, and also, I need to watch closely for side-effects. Seems if there are any, I seems to get them. I have my MD appointment on Friday 3/9/2023. My doc will probably order more labs since he'll be told my new supplements etc. I get regular labs for cholesterol and HbA1c for my type 2 diabetes, no meds, just food and supps.
Sorry this is so long, and I just put 3 stars because I am new at a review, only 7 days but sort of profound how I'm no longer having to take aspirin every day which is dangerous for many reasons. Denise
PS I also should add I've been doing a tsp of turmeric a day, heaping tsp collagen powder, tsp of nutritional yeast, tsp of flaxseed, tsp of chia seed, which I still had the headache and I didn't do any of those except turmeric for inflammation.
If you'd like a good site to hear about Keto, here's a link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8153354/
Denise,
The vitamin D and ALA are noted for helping with migraines in some people :
Here is a relevant quote :
' According to the current findings, vitamin D supplementation in episodic migraineurs, particularly in those with migraine with aura, may potentially improve migraine headache characteristics and disability probably through attenuating CGRP levels. '
Art
(Crescent City, CA)
03/09/2023
Thank you Art, so much! I do see the Lutein and ALA were started on the 27th of Feb., D-3 and Citicoline on the 1st. I'm going to read the info you've sent on the D-3, and sticking with everything else as well on the supps.
No weird dreams last 2 nights so maybe my body is adjusting. I'm so hopeful but will continue to let you know how it's going.
There are so many things these different supps I'm taking can help that I haven't even thought of. Like I mentioned, I just attack the things that are the worst for me and my quality of life. I'm sure I mentioned that somewhere but I don't remember, LOL!
L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
★★★★★
If you cannot get sublingual, taking the capsules will also relieve the visual disturbance, just a little slower to relief.
Some emergency rooms will treat a ocular migraine with a folic acid IV, also effective, but is not the best way to treat long term.
If you suffer from ocular migraines, ask to be tested for a genetic defect, MTHFR. It's likely you have this inability to assimilate folic acid, causing a myriad of problems.
L-Tryptophan
★★★★★
L-Tyrosine
★★★★☆
Without the l-tyrosine I get an instant migraine so don't run out if it helps you. You can get them online, but most vitamin stores don't carry it. God bless.
(Nashville, Tn)
08/13/2023
★★★★☆
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.
