4 Home Remedies That Will Make Migraines Go Away Fast
In a world of traffic lights, work stress, skimpy sleep schedules, and high-speed everything, migraines are becoming increasingly common. The pain of a migraine can make your day-to-day life a miserable challenge you are unwilling to stand up to, forcing you to take aspirins and other over-the-counter pain killers that can slightly alleviate symptoms, sometimes having no effect. The following home remedies for migraines will help you successfully relieve that unbearable pain that prevents you from enjoying life and all its little things as you should.
1. Feverfew for Consumption
As its name suggests, feverfew can be used against fever, yet it has been scientifically proven to combat migraine pain as well. A British study has shown that taking feverfew every day could alleviate headache and migraine pain in 70 percent of participants. Theories suggest that, when you are experiencing migraines, your blood vessels are dramatically expanding and pressing on nerves. Feverfew can constrict blood vessels, ease the painful pressure, and also reduce inflammation and pain due to the parthenolide it contains, a chemical with properties similar to an aspirin – but without the side effects.
Add 1 ounce of fresh flowers to 1 pint of boiling water, steeping for about 10 minutes. Drink half a cup of this mixture twice a day when migraines are bothering you, and they should be gone in about half an hour.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar for Topical Compresses and Steam Inhalation
Apple cider vinegar has been long known as an efficient and multifunctional treatment against a wide range of health issues, and especially migraines. If the pain you are experiencing is throbbing, you might want to try applying apple cider vinegar compresses on your forehead and temples to ease it. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water, then soak a clean cloth or towel in this mixture, squeezing it thoroughly to make sure that it will not wet your hair or bed. Refresh the compress every 10 or 15 minutes until your painful migraine goes away.
Alternatively, you can try inhaling apple cider vinegar, but only in conjunction with water. Pour 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into a bowl, then fill it halfway with boiling water. Place a towel (or any other clean cloth you have handy) on your head so that it drapes over the bowl, hence trapping the steam for you to inhale. Do this for no longer than 10 minutes, and make sure that your face is not too close to the steam, otherwise you risk burning your skin. When you are done, drink a glass of water to replenish your body’s water reserves.
3. Lavender Oil for Vapor Inhalations or Topical Applications
Apart from having a great smell, lavender oil is also an efficient home remedy against migraines, having a soothing effect that will quickly alleviate the pain. To apply lavender oil, you can choose to either inhale it, or apply it directly to your skin without having to dilute it with water beforehand, unlike several other medical oils. Add two to four drops of lavender oil every two to three cups of boiling water to prepare a healthy and potent mixture for inhalation purposes. Once you bring the mixture to a boil, start inhaling the vapors until you feel your migraine alleviating. When using it externally, make sure to use only one or two drops, and apply it right at your temples, massaging with slow, firm strokes until the oil is fully absorbed in your skin.
4. Fish Oil for Consumption or Supplementation
One of the most common causes of migraine is the lack of omega fatty acids, which are usually found in fish. Assuming that you are not eating too much fish, you can consider either consuming fish oil, or supplementing your lacking diet with it. According to the American Heart Association, the ingredients in fish oil can have lots of great benefits for your health, helping reduce blood clotting, inflammation, lower blood pressure, and also steady heart rhythm. As such, once blood vessels are not inflamed anymore, they will not press on your nerves, resulting in pain relief.
If you decided to consume fish oil, you can simply add one tablespoon to a glass of natural (preferably freshly-squeezed/pressed) orange juice, which will make it taste better so you can drink it. If you are going to take fish oil supplement instead, then make sure to carefully follow the dosage instructions on the label for best results.
In Summary
Treating migraines does not have to be time-extensive or expensive. There are several home remedies for migraines you can carry out at home and at no expense, and most of them will help improve your overall health as well. Do not forget that making specific diet and lifestyle changes can contribute to preventing migraines in the future, so be sure to eat more protein, fruits and vegetables, and less red meats and unhealthy (trans fats).
Sources
British Association of the study of Headache (BASH)
8 Home Remedies for Headache Treatment
18 Helpful Remedies to Relieve Headache Pain & Tension
Dr. Oz’s Top 9 Home Remedies