Herbs were the first choice in healing for centuries before pharmaceutical companies took over, mass producing pills in every shape and color to treat everything from high cholesterol to foot fungus. These days however, herbs are making a comeback as their health benefits can hardly be denied. Herbs for migraines might sound silly given the debilitating pain and agony commonly associated with these 3 hour to 3 day headaches, but when you feel the symptoms of a migraine headache coming on, reaching for one of the top 7 herbs for migraines can reduce your pain and even shorten the length of time your attack might last. Here we will review the top 7 herbs for migraines starting with the most effective:
1. Feverfew: Feverfew has been proven in clinical trials to relieve discomfort and pain associated with migraine headaches making it the best of the herbal treatments for migraines.
2. Caffeine: Caffeine is found in many herbs and has been proven very effective in the treatment of migraine headaches. It is also commonly found in many medications for migraine relief given its proven efficiency. However, note that while caffeine may be successful in alleviating a migraine during the onset of its attack, it should never be used as a prevention method. In fact, Neurologists confirm that your daily coffee cup can actually trigger your migraines, so consider switching to a caffeine-free tea break at work and take a vitamin C supplement daily for extra energy!
3. Willow Bark: A centuries old pain reliever and fever reducer, willow bark is effective in pain relief from many sources of pain and fever. Users have reported mixed results however and there are not any clinical trials to yet determine its medical effectiveness.
4. Butterbur: This herb has been suggested to reduce the length of migraines, and possibly reduce their frequency according to a butterbur migraine trial in a University Study meaning that once again, the herbs can possibly provide natural migraine relief.
5. Periwinkle: While there are no conclusive results to determine periwinkle’s true effectiveness for migraines, periwinkle can help stabilize blood vessels and since migraines are associated with blood vessel constriction, it’s easy to see how this herbal connection was made to qualify it as one of the best medicinal herbs for migraines.
6. Ginkgo: Tones blood vessel walls to potentially reduce migraine recurrence, meaning that again, it’s effect on our blood pathways, who’s constricting can cause migraines make it a probable aid for migraine relief, although no studies have yet proven conclusively that this is the case.
7. Oil of Oregano: It has been suggested that oil of oregano has morphine-like pain relieving properties, and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Because of its potency however, it should be mixed in equal parts with olive oil. Once you have concocted your Greek anesthetic, rub into the area where a unibrow would grow and on both sides of your sniffer, along with a smidgen on the temples and forehead. You can also sample the aromatic blend nasally, although dilution is not necessary via this method.
Remember to discuss all medicinal herbs for migraines and supplements you are considering with your doctor or health care provider before trying any of them. He or she will discuss the potential risks and side effects of herbs for migraines with you, along with possible drug interactions or exacerbation of current health conditions you may have. And don’t forget that the most effective long-term natural migraine relief can only be achieved when your body is pushed into the natural healing mode by being supplied with vital vitamins and nutrients.
