Nearly 29.5 million people in the United States suffer from migraines. Women are much more susceptible to migraines than men. Many people suffering from migraines remain undiagnosed as it is often misdiagnosed as a tension or sinus headache. Turmeric is a plant used as a spice to aid digestion, stomach ulcers, osteoarthritis, cancer, diabetes, and bacterial and viral infections. Some people have used turmeric for migraines. There is not evidence to support the effectiveness of turmeric and its components to help relieve or prevent migraines. Individuals should consult a primary care physician before altering dietary supplements.
Migraines
Behaviors and environmental factors that prompt the onset of a migraine could include a change in sleep schedule, missing or postponing meals, watching television, bright light, and noises. Other triggers include medications, stress, depression and anxiety. Migraines are characterized by a throbbing pain usually one side of the head and affect daily activities. One may experience nausea or vomiting. A migraine can last four to 72 hours.
Turmeric
Turmeric has a bitter taste and is most commonly used as a spice or natural food coloring. The plant grows 5 to 6 feet high. The roots and bulbs of the plant are boiled, dried and ground into a yellow powder. It is used in mustard and provides curry with its yellow color. It is sometimes also used to color butter and cheese. Some assert that the antioxidant influence of turmeric are as strong as the qualities in vitamins C and E, but large quantities of turmeric are considered toxic. This is perhaps why some people may opt to use it as an agent to aid various illnesses, including migraines, despite the lack of any research into its effectiveness for that use.
Medicinal Purposes
Curcumin, a powerful antioxidant contained in turmeric, has been used in ancient Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases and wounds. Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals and can help prevent or reduce damage. These antioxidants lower inflammatory enzymes called COX-2. There is no current research linking turmeric as an aid to migraines.
Effectiveness and Treatment
There is no evidence, which suggests turmeric to be effective in alleviating or preventing migraines. Turmeric can be used to help fight cancer and help with viral inflections such as the flu. The research studies used to examine the affects of curcumin are mostly studies on animals and may not correlate to the effectiveness in humans. The best way to alleviate migraines is to work with your primary care physician to identify and track triggers. Your doctor can work with you to come up with a treatment plan that will work best for you.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Turmeric
- MedlinePlus: Turmeric
- National Headache Foundation: Migraine
- Womenshealth.gov: Migraine
- "Rheumatology"; Curcumin synergistically potentiates the growth-inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effects of celecoxib in osteoarthritis synovial adherent cells; S. Lev-Ari, et al.; February 2006
