Natural Herbal Migraine Remedies

Suffering from a migraine headache does not have to be a life sentence of pain, dark rooms and ice packs. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to lessen the debilitating pain of migraines and they may successfully reduce your symptoms. Herbs can cause side effects, so before using a new herbal product, consult your health practitioner.

Cayenne Pepper

The website relieve-migraine-headache.com explains that cayenne pepper may offer pain relief for people who suffer from migraines, especially cluster headaches. Cayenne's active ingredient, capsaicin, has been found to lower a person's pain threshold by altering the way signals are transmitted through pain receptors to the brain. A pinch of cayenne in a cup of boiling water sweetened with honey is an easy way to use this herb if you have a headache. Start with very small doses of cayenne and increase the amount over time as you get used to its effects.

Butterbur

The herb butterbur may reduce migraine symptoms in two ways, according to a study done by the Department of Neurology at Albert Einstein Medical College in 2004. It lowers inflammation resulting from chemicals like leukotrienes and prostaglandin E2; it functions in a similar fashion to a beta-blocker by controlling blood flow to the brain and reducing spasmodic capillary activity. Researchers have reported as much as a 50 percent reduction of headache symptoms in people who use butterbur. It is important to choose a brand of butterbur that is labeled PA-free. This indicates that chemicals, which may be harmful to the liver, have been removed before packaging. Butterbur is available at health food stores. Consult your health practitioner to confirm whether this herb will be a wise choice for your condition.

Feverfew

The herb feverfew has the reputation of being able to prevent migraine headaches, according to relieve-migraine-headache.com. Although there are few scientific studies on this popular folk remedy, anecdotal evidence indicates it may also help reduce nausea and light sensitivity in migraine patients. In addition, it may reduce spasms in the blood vessels of the head because of its anti-inflammatory properties. For best results, take feverfew on a regular basis every day for prevention. If you think this herb may help your migraines, talk with your health practitioner or an herbalist.

Ginger

An herb used for both cooking and medicinal purposes, ginger may be helpful for resolving the nausea and vomiting that often accompanies migraine headaches, according to "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." You can use ginger in one of several preparations; however, making tea from a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger steeped in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes is one of the easiest ways to use this aromatic herb. Strain the ginger, allow the tea to cool and sip as needed to relieve nausea. Since ginger can cause thinning of the blood and bleeding in susceptible people, consult your health practitioner if you take blood thinners.