Top 8 Herbal Supplements for Migraines

More than 10% of the entire global population is affected by migraines. This means that around 1 billion people in the world and 35 million in the U.S. experience the adverse effects of this form of intensifying headache. The problem is, migraines aren’t like your regular headache in even the slightest sense as they can last around 72 hours or even longer and the pain is so intense that it’s often debilitating for many people making them sensitive to light or sound and causing complete disruption in daily life. Migraines decrease quality of life, they cause people to miss work, school, family events, and personal activities.

Rates of depression and anxiety are also much higher for those that suffer from migraines. Over-the-counter medication can help to subside any associated pain but depending on how quickly it’s taken after the onset of symptoms, the effectiveness of the medication may or may not be high. Even prescriptions that are great sources for acute migraine treatment are taken less often and it’s not just because of cost but because of side effects.

This is why migraine sufferers are turning to herbal supplements for little to no side effects at all and for more natural healing. Let’s talk about the top 8 herbal supplements used for migraine pain.

1. Butterbur

While many people might read “butterbur” and involuntarily think of “butterbeer”, an all-time favorite for Harry Potter fans, it’s actually a Eurasian plant that grows near water. It can be found in more marshy-type areas throughout not just Europe and Asia but North America as well. It got its name from initially being used to wrap butter but it was found that this plant had effective medicinal properties.

While it’s great for helping with cold symptoms like a cough and fever as well as with allergies, it’s also a great source to help relieve headaches and general pain. You can use the actual root of the plant or extracts from the plant’s leaves to achieve a reduction in pain and for migraines specifically, around 75 to 150 mg of butterbur extract will be a good place to start.

Although popular for migraine prevention and healing during an active attack, it’s important to be aware that butterbur isn’t the safest thing to try to eat raw. While it may be tempting to want to make a salad out of it given its wide leafy appearance, the plant does contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). When they aren’t prepared properly these chemicals can cause damage to the liver and result in illnesses that will give you far more concerns than just your migraine so it’s best not to chance it by eating it raw.

2. Willow

The willow tree is found in colder and more moist areas and there are at least 400 different species of it. While beautiful, these trees are loaded with natural healing capabilities. It is well known for its positive effects on ulcers, symptoms of nausea and vomiting, and even bleeding within the stomach. It was noticed, though, that willow or white willow specifically was a great source of anti-inflammatory effects because of the salicin that it contains.

This is a chemical that has a very similar profile to aspirin so it’s like taking the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that we can easily get at any drug store but instead, it wasn’t chemically manufactured. Willow is literally considered to be “nature’s aspirin”. This is one of the main reasons that herbalists and those interested in healing naturally flock to this plant because it can help to knock out that feeling of internal swelling that is often experienced during an active migraine attack.

3. Ginger

While we all enjoy ginger on a salad, with sushi or Japanese-style dishes, natural ginger can also be a go-to home remedy for those that suffer from migraines. It helps with the feeling of being nauseated and the general pain that intense headaches cause.

The best way to use ginger for your headaches is using diluted ginger oil and physically rubbing it into the areas that present the most pain. This makes it a great option for those that experience a lot of tension headaches.

4. Coriander Seed

People often get Coriander and Cilantro confused but they are technically different although they both come from the Coriandrum plant. Cilantro comes from the plant’s leaves while coriander comes from the seeds and that’s the difference between the two. It’s the seed specifically that is useful for combating migraines.

Here’s the thing, men who experience migraines are more susceptible to developing heart disease or suffering from a heart attack, and women who experience migraine with aura (a classic migraine) are more at risk for experiencing an ischemic stroke, especially under the age of 50.

These are just two of multiple facts associated with the damage that migraines cause and because of things like this people are more inclined than ever to better maintain their headaches and to prevent them when possible. Coriander seed is one natural solution to help with this. You will notice that coriander seed gives off a delightful and relaxing aroma. When added to hot water, you can help to relieve migraine pain through simple inhalation.

Coriander as a remedy isn’t new as it’s actually a traditional ancient remedy practiced in Ayurvedic and Iranian healing systems but it’s back in the spotlight in modern-day healing and people are catching on to why it became a part of traditional healing in the first place. You can use the actual powdered seed in different foods or you could take it in capsules. If you plan to go with the encapsulated option, around 1 to 5 grams and up to three times a day is a good enough dose for effective prevention. Coriander syrup is another good option.

5. Peppermint

Peppermint is more than just a remedy for bad breath or a delicious additive to holiday-inspired drinks, it’s also a solution for migraine sufferers. We aren’t talking about the candy that you can get from the grocery store but the actual plant itself. Peppermint is better known for providing aid to spasms and toothaches but lo and behold, it’s just as great for migraines too.

Menthol is a natural active ingredient in peppermint along with other types of mint plants. The reason that this is important is that menthol found in peppermint oil helps with not just relieving migraine pain but helping to subside its associated symptoms like nausea and you can get it at just about any drug store.

6. Feverfew

While it may sound like something to indulge in when you have a fever (because it is), feverfew is actually a known herbal remedy for migraine prevention and active healing. Mount Sinai conducted a study to prove the effects of the plant and found that 50 to 100 mg daily was effective in doing so. Feverfew looks exactly like a daisy and that’s because it’s part of the daisy family, Asteraceae. Feverfew while great for headaches, is also a good natural option if you suffer from arthritis and if you didn’t know, it’s even considered to be a great antiseptic.

Just as we recognize Willow as “nature’s aspirin”, Feverfew has a similar identity known as “medieval aspirin” which is just another way of saying that it was the aspirin of the 18th century. While it might sound like an “old way” remedy, keep in mind that feverfew is considered to be the best-known herbal treatment for migraine headaches to date.

7. Rosemary

You might use rosemary in your drinking water to give it flavor but did you know that this aromatic plant is good for migraine relief as well? It’s part of the mint family and when made into oil, it’s similar to using topical solutions on your skin for muscle relaxation.

It can help with muscle pain and what most people don’t realize is that rosemary oil is a great circulation enhancer. Rosemary oil in particular has analgesic properties and this is what helps with pain relief from headaches.

8. Kratom Powder

Just like migraines disrupt your day-to-day life, there’s a way to completely disrupt migraine intensity and duration. The answer to the prayers of so many migraine sufferers once they become aware of the comfort that is given by this plant is kratom powder. Kratom is natural as it comes from a plant and that plant is a good source of relieving physical discomfort, including what is caused by migraines. Keep in mind that there are multiple strains of kratom powder and although each may present discomfort-lifting properties, there is one type that is perfect for fending off migraines and that’s red vein kratom powder.

You should be aware that although there are different colors of kratom powder, there are different types within the same color category as some will often have different alkaloid profiles. In better terms, while red kratom powder, in high doses, is a good go-to for migraines, there are some red vein kratom options that may give off too much of an energizing effect more than another.

So, if you’re experiencing a migraine, it might be best to steer clear of this strain until you start to actively heal. Dark Red kratom is one of the most potent options that you will find on the market and this strain is what you want to avoid for a migraine.

In general, though, different kratom strains and different doses of those strains will help you to achieve the effects needed to get much-needed rest during a migraine attack as well as to knock out the discomfort that you’re experiencing. If you’re looking to buy kratom online, use The Kratom Family, they help you understand the doses most appropriate for what you need. If you want to heal while supporting sleep, anywhere between 5 to 7 grams of kratom powder would be an adequate dose. On the other hand, if you feel a migraine coming on and you are in the preventative stage, around 4 grams of kratom powder will be effective in giving you relief.

Combating Pain Naturally and Taking Back Quality of Life

Migraine headaches can make migraine sufferers feel as though their world is being uprooted during the time of an attack. It can be difficult to keep your eyes open, go out in sunlight, remain calm when there are loud noises, and it can even be difficult to stand and stay standing as intense migraines can cause a series of negative effects from dizziness to nausea and actual vomiting.

With the pain and life disruptions that migraines cause, migraine sufferers are taking their lives back with herbal remedies rather than resorting to chemically altered solutions that often cause more problems.