4 Best Natural Remedies to Help Relieve Migraines at Home

Key Points

• A migraine is classified as a neurological condition that extends beyond just a typical headache. This condition is characterised by a range of symptoms that can significantly affect an individual’s daily life. Some of the most common symptoms of migraines include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound or smells.
• Migraines can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life and hinder their ability to perform daily activities.
• While medications prescribed by healthcare providers can be effective in managing severe migraine symptoms, there are also several home remedies that individuals can try to cope with these symptoms and reduce the occurrence of migraine attacks. These remedies may not cure migraines, but some studies suggest they can provide significant relief.

Migraine headaches are a prevalent condition that can pose significant challenges to individuals who experience them. The condition is characterised by symptoms such as pulsating headaches, nausea, vomiting, light and sound sensitivity, and vision changes such as blind spots or flashes of light. These symptoms can disrupt normal life, making it challenging to engage in daily activities. Migraines are the second most common cause of disability among individuals under 50 years old, underlining the significance of the condition.

Regrettably, migraines can be tough to manage. Although there are numerous prescription medications available for treating migraines, many individuals do not respond positively to them. This has led to a quest for alternative treatments for migraine sufferers. 

What Are Migraines?

Migraine is a form of headache that can induce intense throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, frequently affecting one side of the head. This condition often goes together with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, as well as sensitivity to sound and light. These symptoms, in turn, can last for hours or even days, making it challenging to carry out day-to-day activities. Despite the prevalence of migraines, the precise cause of this condition remains a mystery. However, experts believe that temporary changes in nerves, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain may trigger migraines.

For some individuals, a warning sign also referred to as an aura, may emerge prior to or during a migraine. This aura may include visual disturbances like flashes of light or blind spots. Besides that, other symptoms may include tingling sensations on one side of the face or in the patient’s arm or leg. Furthermore, having difficulty speaking may occur as well. While medications can help circumvent certain migraines and alleviate pain, uniting the right medicines with self-help remedies and lifestyle adjustments may provide more effective relief for migraine sufferers.

What Are the Key Differences between a Migraine and a Headache?

Migraine is a genetic disorder that goes beyond being just a headache or a collection of symptoms. It results in the brain overreacting to sensory inputs such as loud noises, strong smells, bright lights, or even internal feedback from the body to the brain. This overreaction leads to a surge of naturally occurring chemicals, which causes the physical symptoms the patient experiences when a migraine has been triggered.

How Can Patients Make Their Migraines Go Away?

Medical Cannabis

What is Medical Cannabis?

Medical cannabis is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. This plant is thought to contain around 100 different compounds called cannabinoids. Numerous forms of medical cannabis are available to patients, including sprays that are administered under the tongue, tablets, and edibles.

The primary cannabinoid in medical cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is a psychoactive medication that is known to alter brain function. While THC may help to alleviate pain, nausea, and muscle spasms, it can also have an impact on behaviour, consciousness, mental processes, mood, and perception. Meanwhile, another common cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which does not have psychoactive properties. In particular, many people believe that CBD may be helpful in treating conditions such as migraines, Parkinson’s disease, depression, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain.

THC and CBD are believed to be the main compounds responsible for the effects of medical cannabis, although their exact mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood. The concentrations of these and other cannabinoids can vary depending on the type and species of the plant. This makes it tougher to clinically assess the effects of medical cannabis, both by itself and in conjunction with other medicines.

How Does Medical Cannabis Help to Alleviate Migraines?

Generally speaking, CBD and THC interact with cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the human body, whereby both of which are part of the endocannabinoid system.

While there are inadequate clinical data points supporting the application of medical cannabis for the treatment of migraines, a number of studies have presented promising results. For example, a series of case studies from 1974 reported that inhaled cannabis offered relief to three patients suffering from headaches and migraine. In more recent times, a cross-sectional survey of 145 individuals who were self-treated with medical cannabis revealed that 61% stated a decrease of 50% or more in migraine attacks every month. The investigation also proposed that there was a long-standing drop in the frequency of migraines and a diminished need for medical interventions.

Additionally, one study discovered that 85% of people taking prescribed medical cannabis to manage migraines had experienced a decline in migraine occurrence. In particular, upon the consumption of medical cannabis, the migraine headache frequency fell from 10.4 to 4.6 headaches per month. Finally, a literature review from 2018 demonstrated that cannabinoid usage substantially helped with the treatment of nausea and vomiting that is connected to migraines, facial pain, as well as chronic pain.

With that in mind, Lyphe is the most comprehensive medical cannabis clinic in the United Kingdom and provides individualised treatment plans for various medical conditions, including migraine. A team of clinical professionals is present to offer customised private care for every patient. Besides that, anyone who is interested in seeking treatment for migraines can book a private consultation with a specialist physician through the Lyphe website. In addition, during the consultation, patients can learn about multiple treatment options available for their particular medical conditions.

Use Lavender Oil

What is Lavender Oil?

Lavender is a plant belonging to the mint family that is native to the Mediterranean region. Lavender oil is a type of essential oil that is extracted from the lavender plant and is widely considered to be a panacea of aromatherapy due to its diverse range of applications. As a matter of fact, its soothing floral aroma is frequently infused into perfumes, massage oils, and facial care products.

Other than that, lavender essential oil has been used for a wide range of other applications, including as a sedative, an analgesic agent, an anxiolytic medication, a spasmolytic, an antihypertensive, an antimicrobial agent, a mood stabiliser, and as a wound healing accelerator.

How Does Lavender Oil Help with Migraines?

The therapeutic applications of lavender are well-known, and it has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for headaches and migraines. This is because lavender essential oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties, controls serotonin levels, dilates blood vessels, aids in reducing stress and anxiety, and promotes restful sleep.

Interestingly, inhaling the scent of lavender essential oil has been found to help reduce the severity of migraine symptoms, according to a 2013 study that specifically looked at the impact of aromatherapy when treating migraines. More specifically, the study uncovered that the aroma of lavender oil lowered the degree of pain and other related symptoms within 15 minutes of inhalation. Other than that, lavender essential oil can be applied topically or diffused, whilst dried culinary lavender can also be utilised to make a lavender oil-infused drink.

Consider Peppermint Oil

What is Peppermint Oil?

Peppermint is a herb that thrives in both North America and Europe. It is frequently used to add flavour to a variety of products, including chewing gum, tea, toothpaste, and cosmetic items. The plant, scientifically known as Mentha x piperita, has long been utilised as a natural solution and herbal treatment for ailments such as nausea, gas, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In some cases, certain individuals opt to consume peppermint oil or peppermint leaf as a form of dietary supplement, while others choose to apply peppermint essential oil topically.

How Does Peppermint Oil Help to Treat Migraines?

Peppermint oil is known to create a tingling or cooling sensation on the skin, which may result in a minor numbing effect. This property is thought to make peppermint oil beneficial for individuals who experience migraines. Meanwhile, for other individuals, smearing peppermint oil on the forehead and/or temples may offer some respite from migraine discomfort.

According to a 2016 study, diluted peppermint oil was found to be as efficacious in comparison to paracetamol and aspirin in alleviating tension headaches. Despite this, there has not been enough top-quality clinical research on the application of peppermint oil for treating migraines. While there have been a few smaller-scale experiments performed on the utility of peppermint oil to ease headaches, additional research is still required to determine its effectiveness.

Experiment with Feverfew

What is Feverfew?

Feverfew, also known as wild chamomile, is indigenous to western Asia and the Balkans, although it can now be found across the globe. In the past, feverfew was commonly employed to treat fevers and other inflammatory ailments. Hence it developed a household nickname known as the “mediaeval aspirin.”

To dive deeper into the details, the primary active compounds in feverfew are the sesquiterpene lactones that are generated by the superficial leaf glands. Among these, parthenolide is the most extensively researched and abundant ingredient. Besides that, parthenolide is also present in other Asteraceae species, such as German chamomile.

What Is the Application of Feverfew in Migraine Treatment?

In the 1980s, feverfew gained popularity as a migraine treatment. Numerous human-based clinical experiments have been conducted on the use of feverfew to avert and manage migraines. These studies postulated that consuming dried leaf capsules of feverfew each day can potentially decrease the frequency of migraines in individuals who suffer from chronic migraines. In addition, some research projects have reported that individuals who take a particular feverfew extract experience fewer migraine attacks every month in comparison to those who had a placebo.

Despite this, not every study has yielded positive results on the effectiveness of feverfew for treating migraines. More specifically, the efficacy of feverfew in relieving migraine pain might be influenced by the type of supplement ingested. Having said that, it is always recommended that interested individuals consult with their physician first to determine the appropriate formulation and dosage that fit their specific requirements.

Concluding Thoughts

Migraine attacks can be devastating and impede a person’s ability to perform routine activities, such as taking care of their children, working, or driving.

Thus, it is important to consult with a trusted migraine specialist for guidance on coping with migraines. On top of that, it is extremely crucial to note that descriptions of natural remedies are solely intended for informational purposes, so everyone ought to first check with a healthcare provider before starting any medication or supplement and notify them of any other prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) medications or herbal solutions being consumed to avoid any potential interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)