A migraine attack is not an ordinary headache. You may experience throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. When you have a migraine attack or joint, you’ll do almost anything to make it go away.
Natural remedies are drug-free ways to reduce migraine symptoms. These home remedies can help prevent migraine attacks or at least reduce their severity and duration.
Read on as we take a look at 15 natural ways to help you deal with migraine symptoms.
Note that migraine attacks may require treatment with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that’s right for you.
- Avoid certain foods
Diet plays an important role in preventing migraines. Many foods and drinks can trigger migraines, including:
foods containing nitrates, including hot dogs, deli meats, pork, and sausages
chocolate
Cheeses that naturally contain tyramine, such as blue, feta, cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss
alcohol, especially red wine
foods containing the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG).
very cold foods such as ice cream and iced drinks
processed foods
pickled food
beans
dried fruit
and cultured dairy products such as butter, cream, and yogurt
Small amounts of caffeine can relieve migraine pain in some people. Caffeine is also found in some migraine medications. But too much caffeine can cause migraines. This can lead to caffeine withdrawal headaches.
Keep a daily food journal to find out what foods and drinks trigger your migraines. Record everything you eat and how you feel afterward.
- Apply lavender oil
Inhaling lavender essential oil can relieve migraine pain. Lavender oil can be inhaled directly or diluted with a carrier oil and applied in small amounts to the temples.
A 2016 randomized controlled trial found that lavender treatment for 3 months as a preventive treatment for migraines reduced the frequency and severity of migraines. However, research remains limited.
A 2020 review of research published in the journal Phytotherapy Research examined the therapeutic potential of various herbs, including lavender, for treating migraines. The authors found mixed or limited evidence to support the use of butter and soy in the treatment of migraines, but did not find support for the use of lavender in the current study.