Eight Ways to Treat Migraines Naturally

Speaking of pain, migraines are the worst.  If you suffer from them then you know they can absolutely stop you in your tracks and ruin your day.  And if you suffer from them then you’re not alone.  More than 29.5 million Americans have migraines.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Migraine symptoms include but are not limited to:

* Severe pain on one or both sides of your head
* Pulsating or throbbing pain
* Nausea and/or vomiting
* Sensitivity to light and/or sound
* Extreme fatigue
* Headache pain lasting from several hours to several days

While there are millions of sufferers, many people do not want to take pharmaceuticals because of the expense, side effects, and potential risks. Not to mention that many drugs don't even really help all that much with migraines. The good news is there are several natural remedies for migraines.  Let’s take a look at eight ways of treating migraines naturally:

1.  Feverfew, an herb, is commonly used as a treatment for migraine, arthritis and fever.  It has been shown to cause a significant decrease in migraine frequency among sufferers.  Unfortunately, as is the case with many herbs, there can be side effects including stomach distress and a possible interaction with blood-thinning medications, so be sure to check with your doctor before taking this. 

2.  5-HTP, or 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a compound produced in your body from the amino acid tryptophan, is used to make serotonin and melatonin.  You can also consume it in supplement form.  It has been studied for its ability to reduce the severity and duration of migraines. 

3.  Magnesium, a mineral naturally found in many foods including greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, has been studied for its ability to reduce the frequency of migraines in sufferers.  However, high doses of magnesium may cause stomach distress, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, irregular heart rate, and it can interact with some medications. Many people are actually deficient in magnesium, so taking a fair amount wouldn't hurt, and could help with other deficiency conditions as well - but you'll want to check with your doctor and get a blood test before taking any large doses. Small doses of 500-250 mg should be quite safe for most people.  

4.  Butterbur, an herb, has been studied for its ability to prevent migraines and it has very few side effects or interactions.   However, if you’re allergic to ragweed then skip the butterbur because they’re in the same family.  You can consume butterbur in tea and extracts and capsule form.

5.  Vitamin B2.  Studies have shown a great reduction of migraines in people who take riboflavin for at least three months, and women who suffer from menstrual migraines seem to receive a significant benefit.

Flax seeds (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6.  Omega-3 essential fatty acids are also thought to reduce the frequency of migraines.  Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel and can also be found in flax seeds and some nuts.   Recommended dosage is 5,000mg in capsules of either flax or fish oil.

7.  Acupuncture has been used to treat migraine/headache successfully for many years.  Not all practitioners are created equal.  Make sure you have a licensed therapist and be sure you’re comfortable with needles.

8.  Biofeedback, guided imagery and relaxation techniques are also highly recommended by many migraine experts to not only help with pain relief and reduction, but to also begin to recognize early on when a migraine is pending so you can stop it in its tracks. 

The causes for migraines are numerous and mysterious.  One way to try to begin to determine the cause or causes for your migraines is to keep a migraine journal.  Often people find that certain foods are migraine triggers.  If you suffer from migraines, make sure you eat a nutritious balance of foods, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly.  These simple steps, in addition to natural migraine treatment, may have you migraine free in no time.

What to Expect From a Detox Diet

If you’re considering a detox diet it’s important to know what to expect. Detoxing can improve your health. However, they’re not easy. Detoxing can be a very big challenge. Whether you’re undergoing an extreme cleanse or a gentle detox diet, here’s what to expect.

Image by Silver Starre via Flickr#1 Headaches. Headaches are a very common side effect of a detox diet. It’s generally attributed to withdrawal.

For example, if you regularly drink a few cups of coffee in the morning and suddenly you stop drinking it, you may experience a headache. Your body is accustomed to the regular consumption of caffeine and will go through withdrawal when it is no longer present.

You can experience withdrawal from sugar and foods that act like sugar in your body as well. Any detox diet will eliminate junk food and high glycemic foods. If you’re accustomed to eating them you quite well may experience a headache.

You can reduce the effects of the headache by making sure you’re well hydrated. This flushes the toxins from your body. Also, headaches can be caused by dehydration which is also a common side effect from a detox diet. Drink a lot of water or tea.

#2 Diarrhea. Diarrhea is caused by a number of things. When you detox you’re intentionally influencing the release of toxins from your tissues so you can purge them from your body. They are expelled from your body when you go to the bathroom and when you sweat. You’ll likely go to the bathroom often as your body eliminates toxins. You may also experience diarrhea simply due to the detox products or foods you’re consuming.

For example, if you’re drinking a detox tea or taking herbs then you are promoting a laxative effect. Also, if you’re juicing then you’ll likely be consuming much more fiber than you’re accustomed to which can cause diarrhea. However, if you are detoxing using only natural and fresh foods, most people should not experience this side effect, although you may find relief from constipation if that is an issue for you.

#3 Insomnia. Often the first few days of a detox are a bit disruptive. Your body is adjusting to your new eating habits or routine. This can cause a bit of insomnia. It’s best to try to detox over a weekend when you can grab naps throughout the day and not get overtired.

Image by sillydog via Flickr#4 Mood swings and irritability. It’s very common to feel quite moody when you’re detoxing. Not only are you dealing with the stress and emotional issues of not being able to eat normally, you’re also purging toxins from your body which can cause hormones to become temporarily imbalanced. Not to worry, when the detox is over you’ll feel ten times better and your systems will have essentially ‘reset’.

#5 Renewed energy, vitality and mental clarity. Once the detox is over most people report feeling fantastic. They have more energy. They have more mental clarity. They are also better able to manage stress and lose weight. Once your detox is complete, and even prior to completion, you will likely begin to feel quite wonderful. This is because the toxins have left your body and you’re regaining your health.

Detoxing can be difficult. Depending on the detox plan you’ve chosen and your detox goals you may experience a few side effects. Many people report that the benefits far outweigh the temporary side effects. Detox smartly. Be prepared for the side effects. Choose a plan that’s right for you and make sure you’re healthy enough to detox by consulting your doctor before staring any detox plan.