A migraine is a severe headache that is often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound. When you suffer from migraines, you know how it can affect your daily life, with violent spells or nausea and pain.
While there are many medications available to make the symptoms more bearable, many individuals have turned to self-help remedies and natural supplements to relieve these acute headaches (Authority Reports has more on migraine support using natural supplements).
Let’s take a look at some natural ways to relieve migraines:
Cut Out Triggers
What you eat affects your migraines and diet plays an important role in what triggers your attacks. If you are struggling to pinpoint which foods are causing your migraines, keep a food journal and write down each meal you have eaten for the day. You will soon find a common pattern between the foods that are causing your symptoms and triggering the migraine.
Nitrates and Nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites have been reported to trigger migraines in some individuals. Nitrates are found in a select number of vegetables, such as broccoli and collard greens. While nitrites are most commonly used as a preservative in meats (bacon).
Both of these substances pose threats to migraine sufferers as they increase the body’s production of nitric oxide, which is a blood vessel expanding gas.
Tyramine
Tyramine is a substance found in some aged and fermented foods such as cheese, cured meats, and smoked fish. Due to its chemical structure, tyramine is known as a monoamine. There is an enzyme in our bodies, named monoamine oxidase, which breaks down monoamines. If you are prone to headaches, foods with tyramine might trigger migraines.
Alcohol
Alcohol is another common migraine trigger. And while the exact link between the two is still being speculated, it is believed that alcohol could bring on these severe headaches in two ways.
The alcohol-byproduct congeners is a substance produced during the fermentation process. Congeners are more present in dark-colored alcohols (red wine) and could be the reason that many report migraine attacks after drinking. Another possibility is histamine. Histamine is an organic nitrogenous compound, found in alcohol, that increases inflammation and allergic reactions.
Determine what foods and beverages you consumed before experiencing a migraine and keep a log. This will help you to cut out most triggers.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are widely used for a variety of home remedies, from infections to aches and pains. These natural oils can also be used to relieve your migraine. With many studies investigating the impact, they may have on headaches.
Lavender
This essential oil is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, with many natural healers backing its migraine reducing qualities. As lavender relaxes you it can diminish the effects of migraines caused by stress.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another stress reliever that can be used to reduce the pain associated with migraines. For headaches that are brought on by anxiety and stress, chamomile may be helpful in reducing pain.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil is traditionally used to fight infection and reduce inflammation. It can also clear your sinuses and help to relieve pain and low blood pressure.
Get Some Acupressure
Acupressure is a technique commonly used in alternative medicine. Working on the same basis as acupuncture, this process consists of applying pressure to various touch points on the body.
Forehead
Apply pressure between the eyebrows. This helps to relieve eye strain, headaches and improves concentration. Apply pressure for approximately one minute.
Face
Apply pressure on either side of the nostrils. This helps to reduce tension headaches and open your sinuses. Apply pressure for approximately one minute.
Hands
This is a common headache relieving point, located between your index finger and your thumb.
This helps to release tension from the neck, head and assist your headache.
Apply pressure for approximately one minute.
Migraines are painful and can leave you unable to function. If you don’t want to take pill after pill, there are more natural solutions that might be exactly what you have been looking for. Always remember, as migraines are complex conditions, what works will vary from person to person.