Natural Headache Remedies

Learn how herbs and nutritional supplements can be used to naturally ease and prevent headaches.

March/April 2007
By Linda B. White, M.D. 
Headache
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According to the American Headache Society, 12 million Americans endure chronic headaches, meaning they have headaches more than 15 days out of every month.
ISTOCKPHOTO/SUPRIJONO SUHARJOTO
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Almost everyone gets headaches. The good news is that many natural remedies can reduce headache pain and better yet, prevent it.

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Nutritional Supplements

Small clinical trials support the use of three supplements to thwart headache pain: magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and coenzyme Q10.

Magnesium. Research shows that intravenous magnesium helps break migraine and cluster headaches (rare, severe and primarily afflict men), particularly in those with low levels of this mineral. Other trials also have shown that oral magnesium may help prevent headaches. Magnesium deficiency is particularly common in women with menstrual migraines. Patients with migraines can take 400 to 600 milligrams a day of magnesium oxide, as this form is effective and inexpensive.

Riboflavin. The research on riboflavin is less extensive, but nonetheless encouraging. In an open-label trial (no placebo control group), 400 milligrams a day for six months cut migraine headache frequency in half and decreased medication use. Another study showed that three months of riboflavin led to a 50 percent improvement in almost 60 percent of the volunteers, versus a 15 percent improvement over the people taking a dummy pill.

Coenzyme Q10. This a vitaminlike substance participates in mitochondrial energy production. When 42 migraine sufferers took either coenzyme Q10 (100 milligrams three times a day) or a placebo, the supplement significantly reduced the frequency of attacks.

Helpful Herbs

Feverfew looks like a tiny daisy and, in fact, comes from the same tribe of plants (Asteraceae). Out of eight studies on feverfew’s ability to prevent migraines, most found some degree of benefit. In a recent, well-designed clinical trial, 170 German patients took a placebo pill or an extract of feverfew for 16 weeks. Those taking feverfew had significantly fewer migraines. Feverfew is usually taken daily to prevent, rather than treat, migraines. If you do take feverfew long-term, know that there have been some reports of rebound headaches upon discontinuing the herb. Herbal experts often recommend tapering off the dose.

Butterbur also is a member of the Asteraceae family. Traditionally used to treat spasms in the respiratory and digestive tract, the leaves and rhizomes contain petasin, which relaxes smooth muscle tissue and also inhibits the formation of inflammatory substances called leukotrienes. The plant also contains liver toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), so it’s important to choose a formula that's PA-free. Three clinical trials (including one in children and teens) have shown that this herb, taken preventively, safely and effectively reduces the number of migraines. Benefits become obvious at about four weeks.

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Comments

  • Julie B 1/28/2009 10:15:06 PM

    Do you know any solution for the sensation of something LIVING in my nose? This has been going on for months and I really don't know how much longer i can take it.
    I also have a white drip, and a lot of sneezing.

  • J Stone 4/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

    Another very effective way to treat a headache is to drink
    natural, organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar
    with "mother" still in it (this refer to the cobweb like organic
    bits floating in the ACV) ACV has many nutrients, and starts off as
    an acid and later metabolises into an alkaline in the body, which
    is best for it as all disease involves an acidic condition in the
    body. What was found is that when you have a headache, urine passed
    at that time is pH alkaline and should be acidic, as urine is uric
    acid. By drinking a tablespoon of ACV with about 8-10 oz of water
    and some honey, the urine becomes acidic again, and the headache,
    including some very bad ones like migraines, goes away. It is also
    very rich in Potassium, and most of us are deficient in potassium,
    which is brain food. This also helps get rid of the headache. A
    simple, inexpensive way for better health and treating
    headaches!

  • Marie Albro 4/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

    In reply to June concerning statins, PLEASE do not take them,
    they will weaken you and make you very ill. Red Yeast Rice is not
    really recommended for high cholesterol/high triglycerides. It
    causes some side effects. But you could try using GUGULIPID
    capsules. That's what my son uses for his high triglycerides. it
    works very well and absolutely no side effects. also if you like
    cinnamon, take a 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon twice a day, either in your
    cereals or yoghurt. It lowers cholesterol/triglycerides quite well.
    also organic whole ground flax seed. also put it in your cereals or
    yoghurt or salads. it does not have much taste to it and is very
    rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. we use it a lot at home, as well as
    the cinnamon. Grapefruit is also good for lowering your levels but
    you cannot eat grapefruit or drink the juice if your are taking
    certain medications such as antibiotic, anti-depressants and others
    that you may want to look into before eating grapefruits. If you do
    the research on the Net, you may find some other foods that will
    naturally bring your cholesterol/trig. levels down. a healthy
    lifestyle is a lot safer than taking those awful statins. they
    nearly killed my son and my father until I did the research and
    begged them to stop taking that poison. they are doing very well
    now. I hope this info. will be of some help to you and your family.
    Please keep in mind that a cholesterol level of 200 is normal,
    eventhough your dr. may have told you different. Please do the
    research on this too for your own peace of mind. I commend you for
    wanting to take natural supplements instead of synthetic meds that
    cause so many near fatal side effects some times. You can find
    Gugulipid caps at GNC and other vitamin stores.Best of luck,
    Marie

  • June Long 3/10/2007 12:00:00 AM

    What have you heard about Red Yeast Rice? My Doctor wants me to
    start on statins and I would rather use something natural. Please
    Reply! Thank You, June

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