Perhaps its because of so much goodness and outside time and fresh air this weekend.
Maybe its nature-withdrawal.
Or hormones.
Or stress.
Or blood sugar.
Whatever it is I have a wicked migraine. Any holistic suggestions out there? I'm game. The only thing that is helping now is a hot bath, aspirin, and a nap. But with Pete away that isn't a likely combination for my morning.
Thanks for any ideas – homeopathic, herbal, or otherwise.
xo
Rachel
Lavender EO rubbed into your temples, ever so gently or massaged into your hands. I actually don’t have experience with this myself but I have read lavender is good for head aches and I know my husband loves hand rubs when he has headaches.
Thanks Renee. Ive never tried it on my hands – just my temples or in my bath. I will certainly try that!
Many thanks,
Rachel
Have you tried any accupressure? The “Hoku point” is excellent for headache relief. It is located on the back of the left hand, in the webbing where the thumb and index finger meet. Squeeze the muscle in the webbed part of your left hand with the thumb and index finger knuckle of your right hand. The muscle will b tender and bulge a little–that’s the spot. It will be very sore if you have a headache, if you don’t have a headache that spot will have no pain. Apply a decent amount of pressure and massage that area while relaxing. You will feel some relief wash over your head. Keep massaging whenever you feel the headache rear back up. With bad migraines I find it can take the edge off but not necessarily take the entire thing away, with regular headaches it can give me complete relief. However, do not use the Hoku Point if you are pregnant!
I have found tiger balm massaged around my hairline and a warm lavender eye bag help quite a bit.
No good! I’m sorry you’re sick.
My advice won’t help once it’s started, but if you get them often it might be useful next time. You know that beginning to the migraine, where your vision narrows? At that point take a dose of Niacin (don’t get the no-flush kind) and drink a lot of water with it. It causes all the blood vessels to dilate and can sometimes stop the progression.
Cassandra,
Thanks for the suggestion. Well add that to the list of good solutions to ease the pain.
Best,
Rachel
Jennifer,
Thanks so much for the idea~
Rachel
Wendy,
What is Niacin? I dont get visuals with my migraines but i know they are coming by some other symptoms.
Blessings,
Rachel
Hi! I suffer from migraines every so often as well…my mom is an herbalist and has recommended I take magnesium supplements as most migraines stem from a magnesium deficiency.
Taking the supplements is a WONDERFUL prevention! I also try to eat foods that are high in magnesium as well. As a result, I rarely get headaches now.
In the past, when I did get a migraine, I would put about 10 drops of peppermint e.o. into a bowl of cool water and dip a washcloth into the bowl. I would then dab my forehead and temples with the damp washcloth. The essential oil helps lessen the nausea and opens the blood vessels so that the pain isn’t as severe and the headache doesn’t last as long.
Hope this helps!
Oh dear, hope things are better with some maternal support down there. Call, call, call…if we are here, we’re glad to have a play date to facilitate some rest.
Tiger Balm on the temples/neck/sinuses and a lavender pillow on the eyes (previously mentioned).
Feverfew is a great preventative measure, though not as effective once the migraine has begun. Depending on how often they are striking, you might consider daily supplementation for suppression.
You mentioned aspirin. Excedrin (or its generic equivalent) is aspirin, Tylenol, and caffeine. Popping these at the onset of the headache is more effective (for some) than prescription medication. You could also take 2 Tylenol (or generic), an aspirin, and a STRONG cup of coffee.
Are your migraines cyclical ( preceding your menstrual cycle)? We could talk more about that another time.
Hang in there. This too shall pass.
Take a toothpick dipped lightly in cayenne pepper and place inside your nostril, without touching the sides of your nose. Inhale deeply. Your headache should ease in seconds. I’m not kidding. Cayenne is a vasodilator and is a great folk remedy for headaches. It’s intense, but worth it. Google “Cayenne” and “migraine” and you will get other less intense methods of administering it, but the sniffing method is the one that works the fastest.
I put apple cider vinegar on a paper towel and lay it on my forehead for about 30 minutes, in a dark room. It really helped me when I used to get them. The smell is tough at first but you get sort of used to it. Also if you try it, be sure to not let it get in your eyes. Good luck!
Vanessa,
Thank you so much for this idea. I dont take any supplements but I think this one would be worthwhile. I get very nauseous with my headaches, so your EO trick sounds like a win as well.
Blessings,
Rachel
Hey Jen,
Thanks for the neighborhood love. Were all good today. Do you take feverfew regularly if you are migraine prone? I had considered that. Coffee makes me puke when I have a migraine, so maybe excedrin is best. I would have taken one if I had it yesterday. Talk to you soon!
xoxo
Rachel
Sarah,
This is simultaneously scary and awesome. For both of those reasons it is my favorite. Ill let you know how it goes next go round!
Peace,
Rachel
Hi Heather,
What is the benefit of the vinegar? Such an interesting remedy. Thanks!
Rachel
Hey Rachel,
I have no idea! My Irish mother told me about it. She used to use it for older brother when he had leg cramps as a teenager, so it has two uses I know of!
Hope you feel better today 🙂
~Heather
Hello,
My cousin swears by the herbal Butterbur. She says you take it as recommended and eventually you can wean yourself off of it with no more migraines. I’ve yet to get some, but most likely will be as mine are worsening lately.
Thanks, Amy. Ive never heard of Butterbur. I will definitely look into it.
Blessings,
Rachel
As my head throbs today…I’m appreciating these ideas as well!
My neurologist gave me an entire list of supplements/herbs to use daily as preventative. I’m not at home to look at my list, but off the top of my head, these were the suggestions she had and she also provided me with a list of reference studies. She said that these are the ones that have been shown to work:
*Butterbur
*Riboflavin (B2)
*CoQ10
*Magnesium (up to 500mg/day, but will make you have soft stools to diarrhea at some point). I agree with others that have talked about it being better absorbed through the skin. I also started gettting muscle twitches when I was taking 500mg/day, but they stopped once I matched it with calcium.
*Feverfew
I will update if I forgot any once I check my list at home. She said of all of these, butterbur has been proven to be most effective. That is the only one I haven’t tried because it’s the most expensive and I totally cheaped out, so I can’t say from experience.