15 Home Remedies to Get Rid of a Petrifying Migraine

Updated on December 30th, 2019
How to cure a migraine

When someone prays for it to go away, it is a headache. When one prays not to die, it is a migraine. A migraine as most people know is not a headache or a kind of a headache.

It is a neurological condition that affects a lot of people and could be genetic. If you or your parents have it, it is a viable possibility that your sister or your children may have it.

A pounding pain, a grizzly bear in your stomach, a hammer to your eye. These are the exact feelings put into words by many who are suffering from a migraine.

According to the WHO,
“A migraine most often develops after puberty and is seen in the age group of 35- 45 years. Women are more prone to it than men, usually by a factor of 2:1 because of the hormonal influence.”(1)

While they are several over the counter medications that can be used to give you instant relief, however, these drugs are often unusable after a while as your body develops tolerance to the drug and also these drugs in most cases are dangerous to the body and you may develop hepato-toxicity that is liver damage. It is always advisable to go with natural remedies for migraine

In America, the migraine research foundation (yes, it is real!) estimates that at least 12% of the population suffers from a debilitating migraine.

“It is not a pain in the head; it is a complete assault on your body. Physically, mentally, emotionally on a molecular level. Impacting your daily life on every level possible.”

Causes of Migraine

This may sound trivial to know these because you might think I already know I have a migraine why do I need to know?

Most people live under the rock assuming that they are suffering from a migraine; however, they’re symptoms all point to a cluster headache.

Hence it is always better to know what you’re suffering from.

  • The most apparent excruciating pain in the head, a common symptom. Most people define it as a heavy object sitting on your head or like someone cut open your head and threw in a few nails and is shaking it around. The pain is indescribable.
  • Nausea is a compliment to a migraine although not many people may suffer from this, nausea is marked as the differentiation factor from a cluster headache to a migraine.
  • Fatigued hands or numbness in your limbs
  • Photosensitive, people suffering from an episode will be more prone to detest sunlight and if exposed to light would have an increase in the intensity of the episode.
  • Blurred Vision – Most people having a migraine will tell you that they have problems seeing anything even though it is close.
  • Lightheadedness and dizziness.

[Read: Natural Treatment for Migraine]

Trigger to your Migraine

Unlike headaches, Migraines are triggered explicitly by the body as a response to many factors. It could range from something like lack of sleep, stress to eating the wrong kind of food.

A migraine is often triggered by specific food items that are consumed in the past 24 hours.

Many people have adverse reactions to consuming dairy products, meat, caffeine, food laced with nitrates and sulfites.

Such foods have the effect of dilating your blood capillaries which in turn increases the blood flow to your brain which causes a migraine.

Not only food habits even environmental factors and genetic factors can also play a vital role in causing these attacks.

If you’re regularly using a pack of pills for migraine, you’re now part of the vicious cycle where you only end up harming your body more.

[Read: Cream of Tartar to Heal Migraines]

Natural remedies for migraines

If you want to know the answer for “how to cure a migraine”. Here is all the help you need, the next time you have a ringing in your mind, make sure you follow them diligently to get rid of the migraine, and you may not have a migraine, not for a long time at the least.

  • Peppermint Oil

peppermint oil
Image: ShutterStock

Research conducted by the National Centre For Complementary and Integrative Health, suggests that peppermint oil is the best home remedy for migraine

Peppermint oil(2) is a well know muscle relaxant; this essential oil helps you control the blood flow in your brain, opens up the sinuses and improves oxygen flow so you could feel your mind relaxing.

Its active ingredient, menthol lessens the intensity of acute migraines.

To use this effectively and to be benefitted by it,  Add a few drops in your bath and relax and let it work its magic.

You could do this every time you experience a migraine. It is suggested to add this into your daily regimen.

Alternatively, you could also add this into your massage oil or sip on some peppermint tea for best results.

  • Nutmeg Paste

nutmeg paste
Image: ShutterStock

Nutmeg is the spice for your migraine. This aromatic spice is not only used in cooking delicious dishes it is also used in a helping you fight that migraine.

To make this paste, you’d need nutmeg, enough for your forehead and water.

You’d need to crush the nutmeg into a fine powder and then add it to the water and apply this slurry on your forehead when you’re experiencing an episode.

Nutmeg is a natural relaxant and helps you alleviate the pain and induces sleep.

  • Drinking Ginger Tea

ginger tea
Source:ShutterStock

Author of The Complete Guide to Migraine Headaches, Alice Peart strongly recommends having ginger tea daily as it helps to cope with symptoms caused by migraines.

Ginger is a known anti-prostaglandin that prevents the chemical compound prostaglandin to go to the brain and cause muscle contraction and pain.

Peart suggests that you have a daily intake of 4-5 grams of ginger to help promote better health conditions.

Most health experts also suggest making it a part of your diet, as it is a best food for migraine relief and also increases the overall health of your body.

[Read: Tea for Migraine]

  • Biofeedback Therapy

cure migraine
Image: ShutterStock

This word might sound very complex, Or you must be wondering how biofeedback therapy and how to cure migraine is related? however, it is a straightforward process. You are meeting your friend, you shake his hand or waving goodbye, you go for a job all these are voluntary functions that you control with your mind.

It doesn’t mean that your brain isn’t functioning, they are several functions that are simultaneously happening at the same time such as breathing, digestion, blood pressure, temperature.

All these are controlled by your nervous system involuntarily.

You can’t process your mind and make digestion faster, the process of these involuntary functions being controlled to a level by your mind is called biofeedback.

This therapy is popularly used for people suffering from a high blood pressure, chronic pain and migraine pain relief.

Look for the nearest and most convenient place for you to go to biofeedback therapy.

  • Journal Entries

This may seem like a nerd thing to do, to write something down!

However, if you are prone to severe migraines, it is suggested by experts that you maintain a journal documenting the stimuli that affect you, pain patterns and your daily activities.

This will help you and your physician to narrow down the trigger factors. It could be very monumental in helping migraine prevention.

[Read: Acupressure for Migraine]

  • Acupuncture

acupuncture
Image: ShutterStock

A treatment plan derived from the ancient Chinese which is used extensively for relaxation and to cure muscle and joint pains, or any chronic body aches.

Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into your skin in areas that would help you in migraine headache cure.

The British Medical Association endorsed the treatment of migraines using acupuncture as it alleviates your pain effectively, reduces any swelling and boosts the levels of serotonin- the happy hormone.

  • Lavender Oil

This essential oil is famous for its relaxation benefits; lavender oil is a proven migraine busting oil.

According to a recent study conducted on lavender oil and its migraine busting properties have shown that 92 people of the 129 people who inhaled lavender oil during an episode have had some degree of relief.

For the best results, it is advised to rub this oil on your temples and wrists; you could even add a few drops of it in your bath or for the most effective results you could add it to the diffuser in your house.

  • Best Way is the Rest Way

Resting in a dark room or sleeping in without the lights could help you to facilitate your migraine.

This is an effective natural treatment for headaches and migraines if you are having a late night episode and no one is around.

For the best results, turn off all your electrical devices, switch off the lights and close your eyes and relax your neck and back.

  • Drink Up!

One of the most common triggers for migraine is dehydration, not having enough water in your body causes your brain to heat up, very literally causing a migraine.

One of the simplest ways to keep a migraine at bay is to stay hydrated.

Drinking ample amounts of water during the day could help you a lot!

[ Read: Are You Drinking Water At The Right Times Of The Day? ]

  • Run it out!

According to Migraine Trust,  many people have vouched for the fact that a brisk walk or a jog has helped them clear their mind, very literally!

It has brought down the chances of having an attack by 47% and has also helped alleviate the symptoms.

  • Massage

massage
Image: ShutterStock

Undoubtedly massage comes in the list of best home remedies for migraine.  A weekly or a bi-weekly massage may reduce the chances of having a migraine and also improve sleep quality.

According to a study conducted in 2006 by Annals Of Behavioral Medicine, it suggests that massage improved the perceived stress and coping skills.

It was also observed that it decreases heart rate, anxiety and cortisol levels.

[Read: Massage for Migraine]

  • Yoga

yoga
Image: ShutterStock

This ancient spiritual discipline is a proven living art that facilitates a holistic lifestyle and robust health.

Using a combination of breathing techniques and postures you could ease that migraine pain very quickly.

Yoga(3) promotes better blood circulation to your brain by opening up your neck, shoulders, and spine.

[Read: Yoga for Migraine]

  • Ice it out!

A study conducted in 2003 found that holding an ice pack to the neck and on the temples drastically reduced the pain and the severity of migraines.

It is recommended that you use the ice pack when having an attack for 15-20 minutes and relax!

  • Add That Magnesium

According to several studies conducted it was observed that a lack of magnesium is one of the triggers for a migraine.

Magnesium deficiency also triggers aura migraines. You could describe this is as a visual disturbance that occurs on the onset of an attack.

Not everyone who has a migraine would be susceptible to this.

Enriching your diet with magnesium could be the answer to treat your migraine.

Supplementing your balanced meals with magnesium-rich food and pills could help you in reducing the occurrence of a migraine.

  • B Complex Vitamins

These are water-soluble vitamins that your body requires to function. Ideally, it is assumed that you would have your dose from a balanced diet.

However, skipping those meals or not eating the appropriate diet would lead to a deficiency of these vitamins.

Taking a supplement of Vitamin B complex would have a drastic impact on reducing migraine and the impact of it on your body.

Nevertheless, it is mandatory that you consult with your physician before you start this.

Get Rid Of That Migraine!

Having a migraine is a colossal hassle not only is it mentally taxing it also affects one’s life and the people around them in different ways. These home remedies for migraine are one of the best ones that have been curated, and if you follow them religiously, you wouldn’t have the ‘migraine’ anymore. Additionally, it is also strongly advised to consult with a physician if these remedies are not working for you.

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