11 Home Remedies For Migraine Headaches

Talk about gender bias.

Three out of four of the nearly 30 million Americans who suffer from migraines are women.

The reason may have to do with a woman’s menstrual cycle, but triggers can also include alcohol, weather changes, stress, food and lack of sleep, said Dr. Brian Grosberg, assistant professor of neurology and director of Inpatient Headache Program at Montefiore Headache Center in Bronx, N.Y.

Nonetheless, there are therapies you can try at home to relieve your migraine pain, Grosberg said.

And the best thing about these remedies? They aren't gender-specific.

1. Drink water

“Dehydration can be a big cause of headaches,” Grosberg said.

2. Drink caffeine

Caffeine is a double-edged sword – it can help and hinder headaches.

“Caffeine can restrict blood vessels, it can lessen pain, it’s a constituent of some pain over-the-counter pain medicines, but it can also trigger headaches for some people,” Grosberg said. “If someone uses caffeine excessively, it can cause a rebound headache, making existing headaches worse.”

3. Tying a headband around the head

Grosberg said this is a practice that's been done since ancient times, and he’s not sure how it came about, but some people claim it works.

4. Fish oil

Enthusiasts claim that fish oil reduces inflammation and works by restricting the blood vessels in your temples. Grosberg said there's no sound evidence, but he recommends trying it.

5. Peppermint oil

Rub it on the part of your head that hurts.

“There’s been no literature to support this, but again, people say it works,” Grosberg said.

6. Eat ginger or take ginger capsules

“No one really knows how this works either,” Grosberg said. “It clearly reduces nausea, but other than that ..."

7. Magnesium

Grosberg said this has been studied and when taken in doses of 400 to 600 milligrams per day, magnesium is effective for menstrual-associated migraines and migraines associated with auras.

The downside: Magnesium may cause diarrhea, if you take too much, Grosberg said.

8. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

In doses of 400 milligrams a day, vitamin B2 can also act as a preventative for migraines, Grosberg said. It can cause some people to urinate more frequently or have darker urine, so the dosage may have to be adjusted.

9. CoEnzymeQ10

Grosberg said that taking 300 milligrams per day has proven to be effective in reducing head pain. The downside: It can be expensive.

10. Butterbur

The most effective "natural medicine," Grosberg said, is called butterbur, or petasites.

Butterbur is a plant grown in Germany, and extensive studies have proven that in pill form, it is very effective in treating migraine pain and asthma, as well as alleviate upset stomachs. Butterbur is safe, although it can only be ordered online.

11. Cold (or hot) compress

This is another remedy that no one knows why it works, but it some swear by it.

"It's hard to study something like that," Grosberg said. "It can have a placebo effect, or it can have a distracting effect on the patient. But a lot of patients swear by it."

Whether you try one or all of these at-home remedies, Grosberg said you should still keep a headache diary to monitor what works and what doesn't, and what triggers your headache. This will assist your doctor in treating you.

"Overall, the less medicines you take, the better," he added.

Source: Fox News

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Natural Remedies For Gout

Gout occurs when there is an excess of uric acid in the body and the kidneys cannot get rid of it effectively. The acid crystallizes into tiny sharp deposits like miniature needles. These collect in joints in the toes or feet but sometimes elsewhere such as earlobes, causing intense pain and inflammation. The first sign of an attack may in fact be a feverish feeling, before the joint swells. People who suffer from gout are, understandably, extremely bad tempered and undoubtedly resent the sniggers it causes. Pleasant Soothing herbal teas, a light diet and any entertainment guaranteed to keep the blood pressure down are the best answers although there are alternatives.

Aromatherapy - In an acute attack it is definitely not appropriate to massage the affected area - there is too much inflammation, Instead, use oils in cool or cold compresses to reduce the discomfort. For a detoxifying effect, try Cypress Fennel, Juniper, Lemon or Pine oils. These may also be used in the bath. As the swelling and inflammation reduce, perhaps switch to oils such as Lavender or Rosemary for inducing local warmth and flushing toxins out of the joints.



Herbalism - Take Celery Seed 2 to 3 cupfuls a day for acute attacks of gout and to encourage strongly the excretion of uric acid.

Uric acid may accumulate within the kidneys themselves, leading to kidney stones, which may have to be surgically removed. Generally speaking, all the advice for Arthritis will be applicable to gout.

An acute attack of gout is extremely painful and may require medical treatment. Try reducing food to a minimum but make sure to drink plenty of water, which will encourage removal of uric acid from the body.

Homeopathy - A couple of home remedies that often give some relief are -

Arnica: for repeated attacks of gout, especially affecting the big toe with hot, painful and very tender joints.

Rhus Tox: a versatile remedy for most rheumatic or arthritic problems.

Naturopathy - Use cold compresses to reduce the swelling, switching to hot/cold applications in the longer term to encourage better circulation around the joint. Increase vegetable intake, especially raw or juiced, for a more alkaline intake, and cut out cheese, red wine (in the short term all alcohol), red meats, coffee and strong tea. When the swelling and inflammation has subsided, increase exercise to maintain joint mobility.

Drink plenty of mineral or spring water to encourage kidney action. Pain can be eased with some of the herbs discussed above.

The best and most devious remedy for gout that I have heard of to date is that of advising the patient to get undressed in the early evening hours, swathe him or herself in blankets and sit in hot water up to the knees prior to retiring to bed before 10 o'clock.

Bran and vinegar poultice or tallow and garlic shared equal popularity with a thick covering of treacle or honey applied on a flannel cloth. However, the most highly prized infusion with which to bathe a gouty toe was made from meadow saffron which, in the language of flowers, means my best days are over - a message hardly conducive to improving the Gout patient's spirits.

Source: Home Remedies

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