Migraine Relief

Migraine is a clinical condition characterized by a tingle-like sensation followed by intense headache on the temporal nerve of the brain. Simply, the location of the temporal nerve is at the side of the head. The headache is felt at the side as well as at the front part of the forehead. Migraine attack usually occurs suddenly. But the intensity of headaches is gradually progressive.

The discomfort associated with migraine increases with light and sound effects. Nausea and vomiting are two common symptoms associated with migraine. Migraine is not an age-specific disease. The predominance of the disease is unknown but may occur due to stress, sudden changes in blood circulation or neuro-chemical transport, genetic factors, and hormonal alteration. In 2011, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the USA reported that 22.7% population had migraine. 

Migraine Cures

Oral administration of the painkillers available in the drug stores can give instant migraine relief. These medications do not provide permanent migraine relief. There is no medication discovered to treat migraine but can only provide temporary pain relief. Besides, people often do not prefer to intake analgesic medicine to avoid side effects. Different natural ingredients are available as home remedies to safely abate the migraine attack. These natural therapies are beneficial to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Migraine can also be controlled by regular physical activities that are easy to perform at our home.

Home Remedies for Migraine

Ginger Tea

Ginger is a common kitchen ingredient that usually gives a spicy taste to our food items. Traditionally, ginger has multiple therapeutic benefits that are effective for many clinical conditions like nausea and vomiting. As I mentioned earlier, these two are commonly associated symptoms of migraine. 

Prostaglandin is a pain triggering factor present in the human body through contracting muscle, altering hormonal release, and causing swelling. The presence of two hundred key constituents in ginger oil acts together against the prostaglandin synthesis. Thus, ginger gives relief to the extensive headache that occurs in migraine. Ginger controls stomach upset that worsen the conditions of migraine. Ginger also helps pain relief in migraine along with improving stomach health. Scientific evidence has been proved all these traditional claims through a recent study conducted by researchers from headache clinics in the USA. The research report revealed that ginger supplements could prevent the severity of migraine. Also subsides the associated symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Ginger has blood-thinning properties. Experts suggested not to take ginger pieces directly.

Preparation of ginger tea

Chop the freshly cut 1 ½ inch ginger piece. Add chopped ginger to a pan with 1 cup of water and boil it till the volume become half. After this step, strain the extract and gradually drink the ginger tea by taking a sip.

Mint Leaves

Mint leaf is a chief source of peppermint oil. The typical smell obtained from peppermint oil is due to the presence of menthol, a volatile substance that imparts a cooling effect. Mint leaves are easily available as kitchen items. Mint leaves are usually added to many food preparations for cooling effect during hot summer days. Therapeutically, mint leaves reduce stomach problems like nausea and also relieve spasms. In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)conducted a National Health Interview Survey. This survey report mentioned that 12 % of migraine suffered patients among 30,000 population used peppermint oil in the USA to get relief from pain. 

Peppermint acts as a stress buster due to its cooling effect. Peppermint also improves the blood flow in the brain by promoting muscle contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscles of the blood vessels. However, more scientific studies are expected to justify this fact. The best result is obtained by applying the peppermint oils locally on the affected site. Inhalation of vapor released from boiled mint leaves also helps to give migraine relief.   

Preparation of topical application

Peppermint oil mixed with eucalyptus oil and ethanol (type of alcohol) gives the best result in migraine relief. For this, crush mint leaves and eucalyptus leaves and take a cotton cloth. Spread both the crushed leaves on the cloth. Add 15 – 20 drops of ethanol and then quickly fold the cloth. Lie on the bed and then cover the forehead with this cotton piece. Close your eyes and take a rest.

If you want a simple solution, buy authentic peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil to get similar benefits without effort. Ready to use these essential oils are effective relief from migraine.

Drinking of tea or coffee

Drinking tea specifically green tea and chamomile tea have the benefits of relieving migraine. Both these herbal tea are useful for treating the conditions like muscle cramps and stomach spasms linked with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Do you know IBS triggers migraine? 

Post-menopausal syndromes also elicit migraine attacks. The condition can be controlled by drinking unsweetened tea. Tea without milk and sweet helps to regulate hormonal changes. Both green tea and coffee contain caffeine. Required quantity of caffeine is useful to get rid of anxiety and also reduces swelling of the blood vessels. But instead of drinking coffee try tea. Too much coffee drinking may create withdrawal syndrome that also includes a headache.  

Cold Compression

Some patients get migraine relief by using ice bags on the forehead during a severe attack. Using Ice bag is an easy way for cold compression. Alternatively, you can also keep some ice cubes inside the folded hand towel if an ice bag is unavailable. Then, you keep the hand towel on your forehead that may constrict blood vessels and reduce the throbbing sensation. 

Some time alternative hot and cold compression is also effective.

The effective stepwise massage technique for migraine  

• Press the muscles of the forehead. First, start from the upper part of the eyebrows and gradually release the pressure.  
• Close your eyes and tightly squeeze the eyelids and generate pressure. Gradually release the pressure and open your eyes evenly.
• Expand your cheek muscles then relax. 
• Tightly grasp your jaw and then rid of the pressure.
• Place your tongue tip at the roof of your oral cavity and generate pressure. Gradually bring the tongue to its original position.
• Join both the lips and hold them tightly. Gradually open them.
• Generate pressure at the backside of the head by pressing against the support (floor, pillow, and chair) and then release the pressure.
• Lift your shoulders up and hold them as much as near to the ears. Then after 30 sec go back to your original posture. Repeat this for a few cycles. 
• Breathing exercises utilizing the diaphragm (dome-shaped elastic rim-like structure present between the chest and abdominal cavity) reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. 

Scientific evidence is not sufficient to support these home-based treatments. But modern medical treatment services recommend some of these as complementary medicines or remedies.