6 Amazing Ways You Can Use Magnesium for Migraine

Updated on March 11th, 2020
Magnesium For Migraine Headaches

A small headache here and there or a breeze of cold wind or the clouded sky, migraine can pick up on any of these simplest reasons and give you a bad time struggling amidst pills and capsules. But a migraine is a widespread problem, and most people choose to resort to over-the-counter drugs and pain-killers for the alleviation of the pulsating pain in the forehead. Almost 18% of women and 6% of men suffer from headaches in a year, and over 33 million cases of a migraine get reported every year in the United States.

On the contrary, there is one element that can be super-beneficial in those painful head-tying days. It is none other than Magnesium. Read on to find out how to use magnesium for migraine headaches.

What exactly is a migraine?

  • A migraine is a condition that occurs with severe throbbing pain in the left side of the head and the forehead. It is a headache disorder that is recurrent and pulsating in nature.
  • On a global scale, about 15 percent of the people suffer from migraines. Its usual onset is at puberty, and it takes its worst form during middle age.
  • The causes of a migraine include fluctuation in the level of estrogen, skipping meals or fasting, alcoholism, stress, strong sensory stimuli, sleeplessness, and more.
  • The symptoms of a migraine are a pain in the head, sensitivity to light, smell, sounds, and touch, pain in the eyes, nausea, vomiting, the indistinctness of vision, and more.

[Read: Treat Migraine Naturally]

A few interesting pointers on Magnesium

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  • Magnesium is present in abundance in the body. It aids with nerve and muscle functioning and is essential for the healthy cardiac operation and the maintenance of the mineral density of bones.
  • Some of the foods that are rich in magnesium include whole grains, legumes, nuts, and green vegetables.
  • An adequate level of magnesium in the blood can prevent cardiac attack and aid in the quick natural treatment of inflammatory diseases.

What are the types of supplemental magnesium for migraine headaches?

Some of the most common types of magnesium contained in supplements are.

  • Magnesium oxide
  • Magnesium sulfate
  • Magnesium carbonate
  • Magnesium chloride
  • Magnesium citrate

Why should you use magnesium for migraine headaches?

There are several reasons for employing magnesium for migraine headaches.(1) From making the pain alleviate to decreasing the frequency of attacks and intensity of pain, magnesium is indispensable for the natural treatment of migraines.

Significant research reveals that the intake of magnesium in the form of food and supplements on a regular basis can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks by about 41.60 percent. The consumption of magnesium supplements on a daily basis can even cure a migraine that occurs during the menstrual cycle.

[Read: Home Remedies for Migraine]

Top 6 ways of using magnesium for migraine headaches

1. Include foods rich in magnesium in your diet

Foods
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  • The consumption of foods rich in magnesium is one of the best ways of using magnesium for migraine headaches.
  • Some of the healthiest foods that are rich in magnesium include green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains, soy products, peanut butter, avocado, bananas, and more.
  • The consumption of such foods on a daily basis is excellent for the natural treatment of chronic migraines. A migraine occurs due to the low level of magnesium in the bloodstream.
  • Eating foods rich in magnesium can help to cure migraines associated with menstruation too.
  • Start your day with a few slices of brown bread spread thickly with delicious peanut butter to beat a migraine and fight stress as well. Don’t miss out on the bowl of steamed veggies if you want to get rid of a migraine.

How to use?

  • Prepare a bowl of steamed green leafy vegetables and season it with salt, pepper, and herbs to get your daily dose of a migraine
  • Fill a cup with plain yogurt and sprinkle it with chopped nuts and seeds

2. Have supplements of magnesium

  • Supplements of magnesium can be taken orally or in the form of intravenous injections for the natural treatment of migraine attacks.
  • The deficiency of magnesium in the body causes stress and depression which is one of the primary causes of migraines. The administration of magnesium supplements interferes with the production of neurotransmitters, influence the aggregation of platelets, and affect the constriction of blood vessels.
  • The regular intake of the supplements of magnesium helps in decreasing the frequency of the attacks of migraines by about 54.2 percent.

How to use?

  • Magnesium oxide is available in the form of pills and powders. The consumption of magnesium supplement of the recommended dosage of 450-550mg is good for the prevention and cure of a migraine.
  • The administration of intravenous injection of magnesium sulfate is another form of using magnesium for migraine headaches.

3. Take a bath of magnesium for migraine headaches

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  • Taking a relaxing bath in magnesium sulfate water can help with migraines. Bathing in the water of magnesium sulfate is excellent for the natural treatment of migraine headaches. It helps to stay relaxed and soothes the taut muscles and nerves thereby promoting the natural cure of body pain.
  • Magnesium sulfate gets easily absorbed into the skin which is essential for the natural alleviation of body pain and headaches.

How to use?

  • Fill a bathtub with lukewarm water
  • Add two cups of Epsom salt or salt of magnesium sulfate to the lukewarm water in the bathtub
  • Stir the bathwater to make sure that the salt gets evenly dissolved. Do not exceed the dosage of magnesium sulfate salt beyond two or three cups as that might have adverse effects on the body. Do not add any essential oils or synthetic additives like bathing salts or bubbles to the water as these tend to derogate the health benefits of magnesium sulfate.
  • Soak your body in the bathwater and stay in the bath for about 15-20 minutes. Do not spend too much time in the tub and make sure that the water stays warm as long as you are in it.
  • Take Epsom salt bath on a daily basis for the natural treatment of migraine headaches.

[Read: Massage for Migraine]

4. Club calcium and magnesium for a relief

  • The blend of calcium and magnesium works wonders for the cure of a migraine. Calcium possesses potent anti-spasmodic properties which help in the healing of painful spasms and headaches.
  • The administration of vitamin D and calcium can considerably reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
  • Clinical research reveals that the abnormality in the channels of the cells that transport sodium, calcium, and magnesium contribute to the occurrence and discomfort of migraines. The calcium channels induce the production of serotonin. With a decrease in the level of serotonin in the body due to the deficiency of calcium, headaches and stress affect the body.

How to use it?

The administration of calcium and magnesium in the form of supplementary pills helps in the alleviation of migraine and headaches.

5. Employ magnesium oil to cure a migraine

  • Magnesium oil is not exactly an oil but a water-based solution of magnesium chloride. The flakes of magnesium chloride dissolved in water resulting in an oily liquid. Magnesium oil is very convenient for use as it does not evaporate and therefore lingers on the skin for a long time. The administration of magnesium oil is excellent for chronic migraine attacks and soreness in the forehead.
  • Magnesium oil has been in use for centuries for the treatment of pain and cramps. Massage therapists, physicians, physical therapists, and even psychologists recommend the administration of magnesium oil for the natural alleviation of headaches.
  • The topical application of magnesium oil helps in the reduction of the intensity and severity of migraines. It is as effective as the most potent pain-killers but is utterly devoid of harmful side-effects.
  • You can also use magnesium oil for muscle pain, menstrual cramps, headaches, and arthritis. Fill a spray bottle with magnesium oil and spray it on the affected area to get relief from the pain and inflammation.

How to use?

  • Soak a piece of clean cloth in a cup of magnesium oil
  • Place the soaked cloth on your forehead and let the oil get absorbed into the skin
  • Alternatively, rub your temples with magnesium oil to get rid of a headache

[Read: Magnesium Oil Benefits]

6. How to use magnesium butter for migraine headaches?

butter
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  • Magnesium butter is not only easy to prepare but incredibly effective. A teaspoon of magnesium butter contains 250g of magnesium. The topical application of magnesium butter can help in the alleviation of migraine pain in no time. It can also get used for fighting against cramps and pain in other parts of the body.
  • The topical application of magnesium butter assists in the alleviation of pain in the forehead. It also helps in beating stress which is one of the leading causes of migraines. Magnesium butter is also good for the cure of arthritis.

How to use?

  • For the preparation of magnesium butter, you need 1/4th a cup of magnesium oil, four tablespoons of coconut oil, two tablespoons of grapeseed oil, and eight tablespoons of shea butter.
  • Melt the coconut oil and shea butter and combine them in a glass bowl after they cool down to room temperature.
  • Add the magnesium oil and grapeseed oil to the mixture and stir again. Refrigerate the mixture until it becomes hard.
  • Whip the hardened mixture using a hand blender or an electric blender until you obtain a thick and buttery consistency. The magnesium butter is now ready for use. You may store it dark-colored glass bottle and away from sunlight.
  • Apply the magnesium butter on the forehead and neck to cure a migraine.

A few words of caution

  • An excessive dosage of magnesium can cause diarrhea, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
  • If you have a history of kidney problems, then avoid the intake of magnesium.

Magnesium is as powerful and effective as pain-killers, but unlike the harsh chemical drugs, magnesium supplements and ointments do not cause cancer and ulcer. Follow through with the ways of using magnesium for migraine headaches to cure the chronic disorder naturally. If in any case the pain persists then do not hesitate to consult a physician.


FAQs

1. What food is highest in magnesium?

Magnesium is one of the must-have minerals for a healthy body. Leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, seafood, whole grains, dark chocolate,  and baked beans are some of the foods that are abundant in Magnesium.

2. Are bananas a good source of magnesium?

Bananas are a good source of potassium. However, it is lesser-known that it is also a good source of magnesium. A medium-sized banana provides 32mg of magnesium along with fiber.

3. What is the best time of day to take magnesium?

Magnesium acts as a perfect sleeping aid. Hence, the besttime to take it is 1-2 hrs before sleep.

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