Home remedies for migraines

Ginger can be a great remedy for migraine pain. In a study conducted with 100 patients with migraine, ginger was found to have similar effects as sumatriptan (a commercial drug for migraine). But the plus point with ginger was that it did not have any side effects. Moreover, ginger is comparatively cheaper and is easily available in almost every kitchen. Here are some steps to make ginger powder at home:

Requirements:

• Blender
• Ginger
• Knife
• Clean cloth
• Airtight container

Procedure:

• Take some ginger and clean it properly with water
• Chop the ginger into small pieces. The smaller the slices of ginger, the easier it can be dried
• Spread these ginger slices under the sun on a clean cloth
• Grind these dried ginger pieces in a blender to make a powder out of it
• Make sure that ginger it grinded properly
• Store this powder in a clean and airtight container
• Consume one-eighth of a teaspoon of ginger powder daily with some lukewarm water.

Apart from this, you can also add some ginger in your daily diet. This will add on to its therapeutic effects.

Magnesium deficiency is one of the major triggers for regular headaches. Hence, adding an adequate amount of magnesium to your diet can really help with your migraine. It is not just considered an effective migraine medication but also is helpful in preventing a migraine attack. Studies indicate that a minimum dose of 600 mg/day magnesium is required to get all of its benefits. You can either take it in the form of magnesium-rich foods or as magnesium supplements. Some of the magnesium-rich foods include Dry and roasted almonds, Spinach, Cashew, Peanuts, Rice (brown or white), Banana, Chicken breast, Broccoli, Kidney beans, Carrot and, Apple
If you are taking it in the form of supplements, it is better to break this dosage in two 300 mg tablets. Make sure to check in with your doctor before taking any supplements.

(Read more: Magnesium deficiency)

Cold therapy is an excellent solution to virtually any kind of pain. Clinical studies suggest that using cold gel caps for 25 minutes on the onset of migraine can help in reducing pain. Though the exact mode of action of cold therapy is still not clear, most people swear by its benefits.

Since it doesn't have any side effects, trying cold therapy can be a good idea. You just need to freeze a gel cap for some time and wear it. In case you do not have a gel cap, do not worry. The motive here is to cool the head down. Here are some more ideas you can try:

• Wash your head with cold water
• Apply an ice pack on your head
• Keep a frozen peas bag on your head

Note: Avoid using cold therapy if you are sensitive to cold and in case of vertigo.

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin is an excellent remedy for migraine. Clinical studies indicate that regular consumption of about 400 mg vitamin B2 is effective in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks. Although there were no changes in the intensity and headache hours. This means that if you were having 4 attacks of migraine in a month, then after taking doses of vitamin B2, the occurrence will reduce to 2 migraine attacks per month. This can be counted as a great improvement. Wouldn't it?

If you are not keen on supplement intake, you can always switch to some food items that are rich in vitamin B2 such as oats, yoghurt, milk, mushrooms, almond, Swiss cheese, apple (with skin), egg, spinach and, tomato.

Lavender oil is a natural anxiolytic drug (anxiety reducer), a mood stabilizer, a sedative (induces sleep), and an analgesic agent (pain reliever). With such properties, it becomes a great migraine remedy. Research studies suggest that using lavender oil in the case of severe headaches and migraine can give quick and effective relief. Here are three ways that you can use this aromatic oil to reduce migraine symptoms:

• Inhalation: The easiest way to use lavender oil is through direct inhalation. For this, take a few drops of lavender oil on your hand and just take a whiff every now and then.  
• Humidifier: Essential oils can have a strong scent, which may just worsen a migraine in some cases than improving it. If lavender scent seems too strong to you on direct inhalation, you can simply put a few drops of this oil into a humidifier and let it do its work.
• Steam: Steam inhalation works in the same way as a humidifier and thus could be an excellent alternative to a piece of otherwise expensive equipment. For this, you just have to add a few drops of lavender oil in a steaming hot pan of water and inhale the vapour for at least 15 minutes to get noticeable results.

Note: Do not sit too close to the humidifier or steaming pan. Also, make sure to clean the humidifier properly after every use. This will make it last longer and also prevent respiratory conditions.

Menthol is an active ingredient present peppermint, which is really efficient in alleviating several pains including migraine. Mint oil is traditionally used as a topical application to open nasal sinuses and to get rid of congestion headaches. The fresh aromatic scent of mint is also said to be effective in relieving stress headaches.

In a clinical study, thirty-five migraine patients were made to apply peppermint on their forehead. Application of peppermint reported to provide major relief from migraine pain to all of the patients. Apart from relieving pain, peppermint application is also helpful in other conditions during migraine including:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Disturbance or irritation due to light
• Inability to tolerate loud noises 

And one of the best plus points of peppermint is that it does not have any side effects. Here is how you can use peppermint oil for relieving migraine symptoms:

Requirements: 

• Humidifier
• Peppermint oil
• Water

Procedure:

• Fill the humidifier with water after cleaning it properly
• Add a few drops of peppermint oil in the humidifier
• Switch the humidifier on and just sit an relax
• The humidifier will release the peppermint oil in the air along with moisture and you will get relief

Tips:  

• Make sure to close the room before switching the humidifier on to avoid escaping of lavender oil in the outside environment.
• In case you do not have a humidifier, you can use the lavender oil by adding it into some hot water and inhale its vapour.

(Read more: Mint benefits)