| More and more migraine sufferers are turning to | | | | symptoms of an attack once it is underway. |
| natural methods of migraine relief to replace or | | | | These natural cures include feverfew and |
| complement prescribed medication. There are | | | | butterbur. |
| three major categories of natural migraine | | | | Feverfew is a traditional herbal remedy that not |
| treatments: | | | | only helps to prevent migraines but also lowers |
| 1. Abortive treatments - help to reduce the | | | | fever, reduces the symptoms of arthritis, and |
| symptoms of a migraine attack once it has | | | | helps with digestive problems. It works by |
| begun, and are designed to relieve nausea and | | | | inhibiting the natural release of serotonin and |
| pain | | | | prostaglandins, which limits the inflammation and |
| 2. Preventative treatments - are taken regularly | | | | spasms of the blood vessels in the head that |
| to limit the frequency and severity of migraine | | | | cause migraines. |
| attacks | | | | While feverfew is effective for mild migraines, |
| 3. Dietary supplements - are designed to replace | | | | butterbur is considered a better option for people |
| the natural vitamins or chemicals in the body | | | | that suffer from severe migraines. Although |
| whose absence can cause migraines | | | | butterbur's anti-inflammatory properties make it |
| Let's take a look at a few natural migraine | | | | ideal for preventing migraine attacks, it should not |
| remedies in the above three categories. | | | | be taken in conjunction with prescribed |
| - Peppermint can be an effective abortive | | | | medications. |
| migraine treatment | | | | Experts have expressed concerns that when |
| The cooling properties of peppermint oil enable it | | | | herbal remedies such as butterbur and feverfew |
| to relax the blood vessels and muscles in the | | | | are taken with migraine medications these can |
| head and neck which can relieve the pain of a | | | | cause adverse and sometimes dangerous |
| migraine. Massaging a small amount of peppermint | | | | reactions. Always tell your doctor if you are |
| oil into the temples, the forehead, or the back of | | | | regularly taking herbal remedies and, if you are |
| the neck can provide almost instant relief from | | | | looking for a natural treatment you can take |
| migraine pain. Many people say they can actually | | | | alongside medication, you could look for one of |
| feel the cooling effect of the oil moving through | | | | the following dietary supplements instead. |
| their head. | | | | - Natural dietary supplements can be used with |
| For those that have sensitive skin, they could | | | | migraine medication |
| consider mixing the neat peppermint oil with base | | | | Deficiencies of certain chemicals in the body can |
| oil. Alternatively there is a new treatment available | | | | make migraine attacks more regular or more |
| called 4head which is available in an applicator stick | | | | severe. By taking dietary supplements on a |
| or an adhesive strip. 4head contains natural | | | | regular basis you can reverse this trend and |
| levomenthol, or black peppermint, and can be | | | | reduce or even prevent your migraines. |
| used to complement migraine medications. | | | | The two most common dietary supplements that |
| - Herbal remedies can prevent the onset of | | | | can help migraine sufferers are magnesium and |
| migraines | | | | riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2. These are |
| There are various herbal migraine cures that, | | | | safe to take with your regular migraine medication |
| when taken regularly over a long period of time, | | | | if necessary, although you should still inform your |
| seem to reduce the frequency and severity of | | | | doctor if you are taking them. |
| migraine attacks, although they won't reduce the | | | | |