Due to increased stress levels, migraine headaches have become a common ailment now days. These headaches mostly tend to appear between the ages of 10 and 45 but may also begin later in life. Due to a higher probability of a hormonal imbalance, migraine is a more common ailment in women than in men.
These excruciating headaches can, however, be combated by incorporating these simple suggestions in your daily routine. Soon you will realize that a little change in your lifestyle along with these natural remedies can go a long way in improving migraine headaches. The following home remedies are effective in curing migraine headaches at home.
Migraine Headaches Remedies At Home
Know The Triggers And Avoid Them
The first and foremost step to avoid migraines it to identify the triggers .Some common triggers are smoking , alcohol, changes in sleep pattern , missed meals ,consuming processed foods ,foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG) ,meats containing nitrates like bacon and hotdogs, strong odors and noises. Stress and anxiety are the major causes of migraines.
Hormonal disorders due to menstrual cycle or birth control pills also act as a trigger for most women. A trial and error method will help you identify the cause of your headache and hence assist in self medication. One may start with easy methods like cutting back on alcohol and smoking .
Exercising and ensuring sufficient sleep also helps in reducing stress levels. Junk food should be avoided and a healthy diet plan should be followed. See what works for you by observing the results and then stick to avoiding the triggers to reduce the frequency of headaches.
Try Acupressure
This treatment has been beneficial by many patients suffering from migraines. However, the effect varies from person to person.
Usually acupuncture is used as a preventive treatment and acupressure is used to subdue the pain. Once you learn about the pressure points (mainly on the neck, shoulders and temple) you can easily practice acupressure at home.
Lavender Oil And Peppermint Oil
Nature has the power to heal almost all ailments from which we suffer. Natural remedies also provide an effective cure for migraines. Peppermint oil can be applied directly on the temple region for pain relief. Lavender oil also helps in relaxation.
Butterbur
Butterbur, a plant that grows in Germany, is proven to be one of the most effective and safe medicines in reducing the pain. The butterbur pills are easily available online.
Ginger
Raw ginger or ginger capsules also work well for many patients. You may also use bay leaf to avoid migraines.
Bay Leaf
Take a bay leaf and crush it with your fingers. Now breathe in deep till you feel a cool, sharp sensation in you sinuses. This helps to combat pain temporarily.
Rubbing With Ice
Many patients swear by traditional remedies which are safe, effective and easy. Rubbing ice on the throbbing area of the temple helps constrict the blood vessels and provides relief. Messaging the back portion of the neck is also helpful as is allows more blood to flow to the head.
De- Stress And Relax
It is important to keep calm during migraines as increased stress and tension can increase the intensity of pain. Darken the room and lie down for an hour or so. Avoid bright sun, electronic screens, loud music and other noises.
Listening to light, soft music also has a soothing effect. Do not hold back the nausea as vomiting helps relieve some pain in case of migraines. Light physical activity like walking is also very beneficial.
Head Packs
Sandalwood and clay can be used to prepare an excellent head pack to cure migraine headaches. Apply freshly ground clay or sandalwood to the forehead. Let it dry, rub it off and then wash the forehead with water. This head pack will help to keep the head cool and lessen the pain.
Homemade Herbal Pills
A mixture of peppermint, rosemary and honey make a wonder cure for migraine due to their soothing and cooling properties. Grind peppermint and rosemary together to make your own herbal powder and bind it with honey to make a dough.
Now take a pea sized amount of this preparation to make small balls. Dry and use them as pills to relieve pain. Remember to use these pills within two weeks of grinding.
Massage
Massage is an age old therapy to cure all kinds of pains in the body. It is also very valuable in the case of migraine headaches. Massaging the forehead, neck, temple and shoulder muscles helps to reduce the pain by relaxing the muscles.
Shiro dhara or a hot oil ayurvedic message is also a very beneficial treatment. These oils are easily available in the market. Massage the head and shoulder with these oils and then sleep to relieve pain.
Yoga Postures
Yoga has been proven to cure migraine in the long run. Practicing certain yoga postures on a regular basis helps to cure headaches associated with migraines. Some of the yoga asanas which are useful are moon salutation, hidden lotus, boat pose, spinal twist, head stand and the tree pose.
Stretching and standing on the toes also helps to combat migraines. Yoga postures are easy to perform at home and provide a great cure for migraines by regulating blood flow to the brain.
Breathing Techniques
Pranayam also has a similar effect to asanas like helping in circulation and cooling down. You can do a cooling breathing exercise called shitali. Curl your tongue into a tube and inhale slowly through the curled tongue. Then exhale through the nose, keeping the mouth closed. A regular practice of shitali helps to lessen the frequency of migraine headaches.
Yawn To Pacify The Headache
Yawning is an easy way to reduce pain during migraine headaches .Gently squeeze your earlobes, pulling the ears down and yawn to reduce the intensity of pain. This will relieve the pressure on the blood vessels of the brain which will then pacify the headache.
The above ways will surely help you in diminishing pain and reducing the frequency of migraine headaches. The best part is that they are safe, tried and tested by patients since ages. So see what works best for you and get ready to fight migraine.
