1. Migraines: More Than Headaches
Migraines are the most debilitating form of headache you can get. They represent about 10 percent of all headaches, and they are more common in women than men, primarily because they are often tied into the menstrual cycle. Migraines are accompanied by pain in and around the eyes and by throbbing on one side of the head. Many people also experience nausea, diarrhea, cold hands and/or vomiting when they have a migraine headache. Some migraine sufferers also describe an aura--characterized by blurred vision or spots or numbness--that occurs before the migraine. Severe migraines can last for several days.
2. Feverfew Stops the Pain
Feverfew, an herb that is a member of the sunflower family, has been used for centuries as a cure for migraine headaches. Feverfew has been shown to alleviate pain, nausea and vomiting that often accompanies a migraine headache. When it is taken every day, it usually reduces the incidence of recurring headaches in about four weeks. The active ingredient in this herb is parthenolide, a substance that relieves muscle spasms. You can buy feverfew supplements in a number of forms--fresh or freeze-dried leaves for tea, as well as tablets, capsules or liquids. The recommended dose is 125 mg per day up to four times daily. If a feverfew supplement is carbon-dioxide extracted, 6.25 mg, three times daily, is the recommended dose.
3. Butterbar and Ipriflavone Help Too
Ipriflavone is a semisynthetic version of an isoflavone found in soy. It has been found to help women with hormone-dependent headaches. Petasites, also known as butterbar, was first used by native Americans to relieve migraines. Recent studies have shown that people who take butterbar have significantly fewer migraines, and that migraines don't last as long when they do occur. The recommended dose for butterbar is 75 mg twice a day.
4. Sip Some Ginger Tea
If you are currently experiencing a migraine headache, take some ginger. The recommended dose is 500 mg every four hours. This spice can relieve headaches and soothe the nausea that often accompanies these headaches. You can also make ginger tea by added a four inch piece of ginger to four cups of boiling water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes and sip the tea to relieve nausea and vomiting.
5. Don't Forget Kava Kava
Kava kava reduces stress and relaxes muscles, which can help relieve headache symptoms. Take 200 mg per day when you have a migraine.
