Home Remedies for Migraines

Migraines are not just headaches. They are chronic headaches which involve excruciating pain for hours or even days. It has been found that women are more vulnerable towards developing migraines than their opposite sex. In some cases, people experience signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling sensations in their arms and legs or even temporary vision loss. All such symptoms, when occur, make people to guess that they are about to suffer from yet another episode of migraines. Some people suffer from such severe symptoms that they become highly sensitive to light and sound and seek for a dark and quiet place to lie down. Migraine symptoms which have been noticed in most people include throbbing or pulsating pain, pain that gets aggravated with any physical activities and nausea or vomiting. Migraine pain may be severe or mild by nature and may affect one or both sides of the head.

Apart from these symptoms, there are also certain sensations which may occur several hours or a day before the headache actually sets in. These are sudden cravings for sweet, drowsiness, abnormal thirst, depression or feeling of intense energy. Some people may suffer from migraines several times a month, while some may undergo those which occur less frequently. In the following, first we will touch upon the causes, before we head on to the home remedies for migraines.

Migraines Causes

Although doctors are still undecided on what are the factors which actually cause the onset of migraines in people, there are a few assumptions which are close to being accurate. These are hormonal changes in women, consumption of certain foods, stress, disturbances in wake and sleep pattern, intense physical exertion, changes in weather or climate and administration of certain medications.

Home Remedies for Migraine Headaches

Following regular sleeping schedule is one of the most recommended home remedies for migraines. Such a schedule, when followed appropriately, brings on relaxation and this in turn helps in relieving the symptoms of migraines. It is best if, a fixed time for going to bed and waking up could be brought into regular practice. Oversleeping has to be avoided, as it may respond unfavorably to the treatment.

Destressing the body is yet again, one of the most beneficial home remedies for migraine pain. As stress is considered one of the causes which may create the onset of this condition, going for techniques such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation do great for the body and the mind. Other methods like listening to music, gardening, reading, taking hot shower, having a walk in a silent place, etc., also help in giving the body ample time to relax and revitalize.

When being hit by a migraine, resting in a dark and quiet room would help in curbing the pain form progressing any further. Applying some ice compresses at the back of the neck is also one of the home remedies for migraines.

According to surveys, most migraine sufferers tend to have a dearth of magnesium in their body. Magnesium is known to be a muscle relaxer and so including foods rich in magnesium to the diet would also do great as one of the home remedies for migraines. Some foods which are rich in magnesium are black beans, raw broccoli, halibut, oysters, spinach, rock fish, whole wheat bread, etc.

As I have mentioned that certain foods may also induce migraines in some people. These are chocolate, cow's milk, egg, orange, cheese, tomato, rye, wheat, etc. Alcohol and caffeine are also known to trigger migraines in most people.

Other home remedies for migraine relief include the juice of ripe grapes, foods rich in niacin (a vitamin B essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract), mix of carrot juice with spinach and a mix of beet and cucumber juices. Applying a paste of some fresh lemon crust on the forehead also helps in soothing the migraine pain. Using some fresh crushed cabbage leaves as a compress on the forehead also serves the same purpose.

There has been no medical advancements which could be use for curing migraines. However, following such beneficial natural and safe home remedies for migraines are good enough to lessen the intensity and frequency of the headaches and these can be considered to be no less than any cures. It might happen that such remedies might not yield desirable outcomes and so, it would be wise to get the consultation of a doctor regarding different methods for the treatment.