Migraine headaches can significantly reduce your ability to perform your usual daily activities. Migraine headaches, which can last anywhere from hours to days, are extremely painful, recurrent headaches that may involve certain visual problems and the sensation that you need to vomit. Herbal remedies are an alternative and natural treatment for your migraine headaches. Discuss the safety and effectiveness of herbs with your health care provider before using them.
Migraine Information
Migraine headaches are often throbbing in quality and begin on one side of your head, although your migraine headache may later spread to the other side of your head. Migraine headaches affect 15 to 20 percent of men and 25 to 30 percent of women. They are often followed by a period of drowsiness.
Herbal Alternatives
In "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., N.D. recommends feverfew and ginger as effective herbal alternatives in treating migraine headaches. Certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," adds that peppermint, ginkgo, valerian, willow bark and cayenne also may help treat migraine headaches. Lemon balm and cordyceps are other effective alternatives for this condition.
Commonly Used
Ginkgo is a commonly used herb in the treatment of migraine headaches. Ginkgo enhances cerebral circulation and may help treat migraine headaches of a vascular origin. Ginkgo biloba has been used to improve brain functioning, due to its ability to increase blood flow to your brain and tissue oxygenation. The leaves of the ginkgo tree have been used to treat many other conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia, memory problems, vertigo and Raynaud's disease.
Warning
If your migraine headache does not dissipate after taking herbal remedies, discontinue the treatment or lower your dosage and meet with your doctor to discuss other treatment options. Certain herbs, including ginkgo, should not be used if you have a bleeding disorder or are scheduled for surgery or a dental procedure. Pregnant women should also exercise extreme caution when using herbs to treat migraine headaches, as some herbs can encourage menstruation.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
