Migraine is a primary headache disorder that comes on gradually and is aggravated by physical activity. It is believed to be a result of specific changes within the brain, though the actual cause is still unknown. The frequency of attacks is variable, from a few in a lifetime to several a week, with the average being about one a month. Intensity of the headache may moderate to severe. This headache usually affects one side of the head and may last from 4 to 72 hours. Migraine is generally start at the age of puberty and most often became worst during middle age.
At present, this headache is very common; about 15% of people are suffering from this headache globally. There are different types of migraine and many sufferers have more than one type.
As far as symptoms of migraine is concerned, it may vary from person to person. However, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, dizziness, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, touch or smell are some of the main symptoms of migraine. In some cases, people experience some warning symptoms, that is an aura. People feel a visual disturbance for a short period before occurring the headache. This may be the signal that the headache will soon occur. Although, in some cases it may not occur. In short, migraine is diagnosed by analysing the symptoms, reviewing family history, conducting medical tests etc.
Causes & Treatment:
The underlying causes of migraine are not fully known. According to current researches, it is believed that migraine is a neurological disorder that involves nerves and blood vessels of the brain. It is a result of both environmental and genetic factors. It often runs in families. Role of hormone levels is also important in this type of headache because it affects slightly more boys than girls before puberty. The risk of migraines usually decreases during pregnancy. A number of factors can trigger migraine, such as- stress, strong stimuli (like noise, loud music), specific food, skipping meals, preservatives, drink like- alcohol, due to sleep and weather changes etc.
Though the treatment of migraine includes medication but taking an aspirin or tranquilizer may provide temporary relief; it does not remove the cause. Moreover, frequent use of painkillers may harmful for health and can bring many complications. So, it is better to use some natural home remedies that have been found beneficial in the treatment of migraine.
Home Remedies for Migraine:
1. Lavender Oil:
The lavender oil is good for health. It has an ability to treat many respiratory problems. It cures even the pain of migraine naturally. (1)
Whenever you have headache, take steam of lavender oil. For detailed procedure of using lavender oil, read “Lavender oil for Curing Headache”.
2. Massage for Migraine:
Massage over head, neck and shoulders is more beneficial in migraine. If you have headache, take massage over head, neck and shoulders with aroma oil at first. Then take a towel and hot water in a pan; dip the towel in hot water and put on the affected side of the head for 10-15 times. Massaging head helps to block pain signals sent to brain by stimulating blood flow into vessels.
3. Pranayam for Migraine:
Pranayam is a part of ‘yoga’ that is most effective in curing migraine completely. (2) By practicing Pranayam daily for 15-20 minutes, you can get rid of this type of headache completely. This is the only medicine which removes the root cause of the migraine completely; only need is to be regular. You can get results within 15 days. Bhastrika pranayam is the best treatment for it.
For Bhastrika pranayam, at first sit comfortably on flat surface (floor) upon a mat. You can also sit on chair if you can’t sit on floor. Then take a deep breath through both nostrils and fill the lungs with air. Now exhale completely with hissing sound. Repeat it again for five times.
Anulom-vilom pranayam is also good for curing migraine. For practicing anulom-vilom, sit preferably on floor upon a mat. Now close right nostril with right thumb and keep the index finger on the center point of forehead. And breathe deeply with left nostril. Then close left nostril with middle and ring finger and breathe out from right nostril.
Again breathe deeply with right nostril and breathe out with left nostril. Repeat the same for 5-10 minutes. It relaxes mind and body if you practice it regularly.
4. Peppermint Oil:
If you have headache due to migraine, simply smell fresh peppermint oil by taking 2-4 drops on a cloth. Generally, the main reason of this type of headache is poor blood circulation. Peppermint oil is found to be effective in controlling blood flow in the body. Also read- “ Peppermint to Cure Headache”.
5. Mustard Oil for Migraine:
To cure headache due to migraine (aadha sisi ka dard), mustard oil is a wonderful home remedy. Simply you have to put 2-4 drops of mustard oil in your nostril. Also read – “Mustard oil for curing headache”.
6. Drink Caffeine (Coffee):
Whenever you have headache, drink a cup of strong hot coffee. Caffeine is good in acting on the nervous system; it helps to narrow blood vessels. By adding few drops of lemon juice in coffee, you can get immediate relief from pain.
Though coffee is a good home remedy but excessive intake may worsen headache in some cases; therefore take precaution before applying this remedy.
7. Cow’s Ghee:
If you frequently have headache due to respiratory problem like- migraine, try cow’s ghee remedy. Also read – “Cow’s ghee for Headache”.
8. Pure ghee and Jaggery:
Use of clarified butter (ghee) with jaggery (gur) helps to ease headache due to migraine. If you have headache that increases or decreases according to sunrise and sunset, simply mix 12 gm jaggery with 6 gm pure ghee and mash with finger tips thoroughly. Now ingest this with warm water or milk. It helps to constrict blood vessels and control pain without medicine.
9. Cinnamon or Dalchini:
Dalchini or cinnamon is very good to treat migraine. You will get relief from migraine pain in few minutes. For detailed procedure of using cinnamon, read – “Cinnamon or dalchini for Headache”.
10. Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice is valuable in treating headache like migraine. Simply take one cup of lukewarm water and squeeze 3-4 slices of lemon (nimbu) in it. Now ingest this water for getting relief from the pain of migraine.
Even lemon crust (chhilka), which is generally thrown away, is also effective in curing headache. You have to make paste of lemon crusts at first. Then apply this paste on your forehead as plaster. Also apply some paste of yellow rind on each temple (sides of forehead); it gives relief from headache.
11. Apple for Migraine:
Apples are most effective in curing all types of headache. Read “Apple to cure headache” for details.
12. Honey for Migraine:
Migraine can cause severe headache which is occasionally accompanied with vomiting and nausea. If you have these symptoms with headache, simply lick 2 spoon honey at the time of meal daily.
Or in case of severe headache due to migraine, lick half teaspoon of rock salt mixing with 1 tsp of honey in it.
To control migraine, instill 2 drops of honey in the opposite side nostril of the affected side of the forehead. You will get relief, especially when the headache increases or decreases according to sun position.
13. Basil Leaves or Tulsi:
Basil leaves are good for curing migraine. Dry some basil leaves in sunlight and grind them to make fine powder. Now, ingest half tsp of basil (tulsi) leaves powder with honey thrice a day. This home remedy is more effective when the migraine started since morning.
14. Black Pepper and Pure Ghee:
To treat the headache due to migraine, use of black pepper (kali mirch) with ghee has shown good results; it will cure migraine completely if you take it regularly for 2-3 months. To know about the detailed procedure, read- “Black pepper and Ghee for Headache”.
15. Garlic or Lahsun:
Garlic works like a pain killer in headache due to migraine. For detailed home remedy, read- “Garlic for Headache”.
16. Grapes Juice for Migraine:
Grapes (angoor) juice contains vitamin C, B-12 and riboflavin which help to relieve pain. Simply, extract juice of some grapes after washing with water. Now, ingest it in the morning regularly for 15-20 days. It cures migraine permanently.
17. Camphor and Ghee:
If you are suffering from migraine, take some pure ghee of cow’s milk and mix a little amount of camphor (kapoor) in it. Then massage your head with this ghee gently; it gives relief from headache.
18. Asafoetida or Heeng:
Asafoetida (heeng) helps to ease pain of migraine. Simply, make paste of some asafoetida with water and apply on your forehead and temples. At the same time, inhale the smell of asafoetida too.
19. Dry Ginger (Sonth):
To get relief from migraine, apply the paste of dry ginger (sonth) on forehead and each temple. For making paste, grind dry ginger by adding little water and apply. Even by inhaling smell of dry ginger powder, you can get relief within few minutes.
20. Cabbage for Migraine:
To control migraine, grind few leaves of cabbage (patta gobhi) and make paste. Then apply this paste on your forehead as plaster; it will give relief from pain without using any painkiller.
All the ingredients used in above said natural remedies such as- peppermint oil, lavender oil, dry ginger, camphor etc.- are available for sale at supermarket or in any grocery shop.
Though the remedies given above are safe and effective but if it doesn’t suit you and your headache persists, seek immediate medical attention.
Kindly remember, all the remedies are given here only for the purpose of knowledge; it is not to be considered as a substitute for medical care from a doctor. Better to consult your doctor before trying these natural remedies; results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person.