Migraines can be debilitating and incredibly frustrating to deal with. They can affect anyone, at any time, and are often unpredictable, making it difficult to plan your day-to-day activities. While there are many medications available to help manage migraines, those who prefer a more natural approach may find relief through the use of herbs.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most effective natural migraine herbs and how they can help you manage your migraines. From peppermint to butterbur, we’ll cover the benefits, usage, and potential side effects of these natural remedies.
What Are Migraines?
Migraines are a type of headache that can cause intense pain and discomfort. They are often accompanied by other symptoms, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Visual disturbances
- Dizziness
Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, and can impact your ability to perform daily activities. While there is no cure for migraines, there are many treatment options available, including natural remedies such as herbs.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a popular herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains menthol, which has a cooling effect and can help to relieve pain and inflammation. When it comes to migraines, peppermint has been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms associated with the condition.
One study found that inhaling peppermint oil can help to reduce the severity of migraines, while another study found that a combination of peppermint and eucalyptus oils can help to reduce tension headaches.
Peppermint can be used in a variety of ways, including as a tea, in oil form, or as an ingredient in topical creams and ointments. However, it’s important to note that peppermint oil can be irritating to the skin and should be diluted before use.
Ginger
Ginger is another popular herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, ginger has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. One study found that taking a ginger supplement can reduce the number of migraines a person experiences each month, while another study found that ginger powder can be just as effective as prescription medication in treating migraines.
Ginger can be consumed in a variety of ways, including as a tea, in supplement form, or as an ingredient in food. However, it’s important to note that ginger can have blood-thinning effects and may interact with certain medications.
Butterbur
Butterbur is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains compounds called petasins, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, butterbur has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. One study found that taking a butterbur supplement can reduce the number of migraines a person experiences each month, while another study found that butterbur was just as effective as prescription medication in treating migraines.
Butterbur can be consumed in supplement form, but it’s important to note that it can cause side effects such as upset stomach, fatigue, and allergic reactions. Additionally, it should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Feverfew
Feverfew is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains compounds called parthenolides, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, feverfew has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. One study found that taking a feverfew supplement can reduce the number of migraines a person experiences each month, while another study found that feverfew was just as effective as prescription medication in treating migraines.
Feverfew can be consumed in supplement form or as a tea, but it’s important to note that it can cause side effects such as upset stomach, bloating, and allergic reactions. Additionally, it should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Lavender
Lavender is a popular herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains compounds called linalool and linalyl acetate, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, lavender has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of headaches. One study found that inhaling lavender oil can help to reduce the severity of migraines, while another study found that a combination of peppermint and lavender oils can help to reduce tension headaches.
Lavender can be used in a variety of ways, including as an oil, in supplement form, or as an ingredient in topical creams and ointments. However, it’s important to note that lavender oil can be irritating to the skin and should be diluted before use.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a popular herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains compounds called flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, chamomile has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of headaches. One study found that drinking chamomile tea can help to reduce the severity of migraines, while another study found that a combination of chamomile and peppermint oils can help to reduce tension headaches.
Chamomile can be consumed as a tea, in supplement form, or as an ingredient in topical creams and ointments. However, it’s important to note that chamomile can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Willow Bark
Willow bark is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains a compound called salicin, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, willow bark has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of headaches. One study found that taking a willow bark supplement can help to reduce the severity of migraines, while another study found that willow bark was just as effective as prescription medication in treating migraines.
Willow bark can be consumed in supplement form or as an ingredient in topical creams and ointments. However, it’s important to note that willow bark can interact with certain medications and should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains a compound called eucalyptol, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, eucalyptus has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of headaches. One study found that inhaling eucalyptus oil can help to reduce the severity of migraines, while another study found that a combination of peppermint and eucalyptus oils can help to reduce tension headaches.
Eucalyptus can be used in a variety of ways, including as an oil, in supplement form, or as an ingredient in topical creams and ointments. However, it’s important to note that eucalyptus oil can be irritating to the skin and should be diluted before use.
Passionflower
Passionflower is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains compounds called flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help to alleviate pain and inflammation.
When it comes to migraines, passionflower has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of headaches. One study found that taking a passionflower supplement can help to reduce the severity of migraines, while another study found that passionflower was just as effective as prescription medication in treating migraines.
Passionflower can be consumed in supplement form, as a tea, or as an ingredient in topical creams and ointments. However, it’s important to note that passionflower can cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness.
Valerian Root
Valerian root is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It contains compounds called valerenic acid and valeranon, which have sedative properties that can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
When it comes to migraines, valerian root has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of headaches. One study found that taking a valerian root supplement can help to reduce the severity of migraines, while another study found that valerian root was just as effective as prescription medication in treating migraines.
Valerian root can be consumed in supplement form, as a tea, or as an ingredient in topical creams and ointments. However, it’s important to note that valerian root can cause side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and upset stomach.
Conclusion
While there are many medications available to help manage migraines, those who prefer a more natural approach may find relief through the use of herbs. Peppermint, ginger, butterbur, feverfew, lavender, chamomile, willow bark, eucalyptus, passionflower, and valerian root are just a few of the natural migraine herbs that have been shown to be effective in reducing the severity and frequency of migraines.
However, it’s important to note that natural remedies can still have side effects and may interact with certain medications. It’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including natural remedies.
| Herb | Benefits | Usage | Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peppermint | Reduces severity of migraines | Tea, oil, topical creams | Irritation to skin |
| Ginger | Reduces frequency and severity of migraines | Supplement, tea, food | Blood-thinning effects, interactions with certain medications |
| Butterbur | Reduces frequency and severity of migraines | Supplement | Upset stomach, fatigue, allergic reactions |
| Feverfew | Reduces frequency and severity of migraines | Supplement, tea | Upset stomach, bloating, allergic reactions |
| Lavender | Reduces severity of migraines | Oil, supplement, topical creams | Irritation to skin |
| Chamomile | Reduces severity of migraines | Tea, supplement | Allergic reactions |
| Willow Bark | Reduces severity of migraines | Supplement, topical creams | Interactions with certain medications |
| Eucalyptus | Reduces severity of migraines | Oil, supplement, topical creams | Irritation to skin |
| Passionflower | Reduces severity of migraines | Supplement, tea, topical creams | Dizziness, drowsiness |
| Valerian Root | Reduces severity of migraines | Supplement, tea, topical creams | Dizziness, drowsiness, upset stomach |