Certain dietary supplements may help treat migraine headaches. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, migraine headaches involve an intense pulsing or throbbing pain on one side of your head. Migraine headaches may also involve sensitivity to light and noise, and are more common in women than men. Before taking dietary supplements to help treat your migraine, consult your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Feverfew
Feverfew, also known as Tanacetum parthenium, is an herbal supplement that may help treat your migraine headaches. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, feverfew, a member of the Aster family, has been used to help treat numerous health problems such as migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, fevers, stomachaches, toothaches and insect bites. Feverfew is a medicinal herb native to Eastern Europe, although it's now cultivated in other parts of Europe, North America and Chile. Feverfew has a bitter and slightly sweet taste, with drying and warming tendencies. The dried leaves of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," says feverfew has aspirin-like action and is particularly effective in treating headaches, including migraines.
Lemon Balm
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," says lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a nervine, sedative, antidepressant, antispasmodic and hypotensive that has been used to help treat migraines, insomnia, depression and stress-related hypertension, or elevated blood pressure. Smith says lemon balm, a member of the mint family, may help treat nervous irritation and indigestion. Lemon balm is a perennial herb native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, has a sweet, sour and lemon-like taste and has slightly warming tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the flowering herb medicinally. If you're pregnant or have hypothyroidism, cautions Tilgner, you should avoid taking dietary supplements containing lemon balm unless you're under the care and supervision of a qualified health care professional.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo, a member of the Ginkgoaceae family, is a type of tree that can grow to a maximum height of about 150 feet. Also known as Ginkgo biloba, ginkgo is the oldest living tree species. The leaves of the tree, which have a slightly sour taste, are used medicinally to help treat many health problems. The University of Maryland Medical Center says ginkgo leaves contain flavonoids and terpenoids that are thought to have antioxidant properties. According to Tilgner, ginkgo is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic that increases blood flow to your brain and is used to help treat migraine headaches due to its ability to stabilize your blood platelet and serotonin levels, and therefore blood flow, in your brain. Tilgner notes that consumption of supplements containing ginkgo may cause gastrointestinal upset and increased bleeding time in some people.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What is Migraine?
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Feverfew
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginkgo Biloba
