Migraine Relief

Have you ever had a migraine headache? If you have, you know how painful one can be, and if you haven’t, chances are someone you know has. Given how debilitating migraine symptoms can be, anyone affected wants to know how to get rid of a migraine.

Wondering how to get rid of a migraine without the use of prescription medications? Natural remedies for headaches and migraines include adjusting your diet to avoid trigger foods, preventing nutrient deficiencies and learning to manage stress more effectively. Read on to learn exactly how to get rid of a migraine naturally.

How to Get Rid of a Migraine Naturally

There are many options for how to get rid of a migraine, and different things work for different people. Try the following ways for how to get rid of a migraine to see what works best for you.

1. Foods that Help Migraines

Foods that can help prevent or treat migraines include the following:

Omega-3 Foods

Nuts, seeds and wild-caught fish, such as salmon or sardines, help control blood flow and lower inflammation.

Organic, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

These foods are high in magnesium and other key electrolytes, which are especially important for controlling blood flow and muscular functions, along with preventing an electrolyte imbalance. They also provide antioxidants that help decrease inflammation, counteract effects of toxin exposure and balance hormones.

Magnesium-Rich Foods

Some of the best sources include spinach, swiss chard, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, kefir, almonds, black beans, avocado, figs, dates, bananas and sweet potatoes.

Clean, Lean Protein Foods

These include grass-fed beef and poultry, wild-caught fish, beans and legumes.

Foods with B vitamins

Some research suggests that people with migraines could benefit from consuming more B vitamins, especially vitamin B2 (riboflavin). (2) Sources of riboflavin include organ meats and other meat, certain dairy products, vegetables like green leafy veggies, beans and legumes, and nuts and seeds.

2. Foods to Avoid that Make Migraines Worse

Some researchers believe that up to 40 percent of migraines could be avoided if people improved their diets and avoided triggers. A poor diet, high in things like processed grains and sodium, is one of the biggest triggers for migraine symptoms. Foods that can make migraine headache pain worse include:

• Added sugar

• Refined grain products

• Conventional dairy products

• Aged cheeses

• Pickled or cured fish

• Breads or pastries made with gluten and yeast

• Red wine and other types of alcohol (especially when consumed in large amounts)

• Chocolate (contains a chemical called phenylethylamine that sometimes causes blood flow changes that trigger headaches)

• Caffeinated drinks (for some people, about one cup of coffee or tea daily can help headaches, but withdrawal or drinking more are usually problematic)

• Eggs (especially if someone has an unknown allergy)

• Artificial food additives and artificial sweeteners, including aspartame

• Flavor enhancers and preservatives in packaged foods, including MSG

• High amounts of sodium, especially when coupled with low intake of other electrolytes

• Very cold foods

• Nitrates found in processed meats like hot dogs, cold cuts, salami, bacon and ham

• Fried foods and fast foods, especially those made with MSG (such as Chinese food)

• For some people, certain types of beans and legumes (including lima beans and snow peas, which contain natural amine chemicals)

Other dietary tips for how to get rid of a migraine include avoiding extreme dieting or skipping meals, preventing dehydration, avoiding drinking too much caffeine throughout the day, and maintaining normal blood sugar levels by eating something balanced every few hours (especially if you’re diabetic).

3. Essential Oils for Treating Headache Pain

Essential oils have a variety of uses, and you can add essential oils to the list for how to get rid of a migraine. They’re natural painkillers, help lower stress or anxiety, reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, help balance hormones, and lower muscular tension.

Essential oils can be applied to the painful side of the head, neck and elsewhere to soothe muscular tension and stress. You can also numb any pain directly by applying several drops of an oil to a heated towel (or simply use a heating pad or ice pack applied to the head and neck for about 15 minutes at a time).

Essential oils for headaches include:

Peppermint: Reduces pain and inflammation. Works by having a natural cooling effect on the skin, inhibiting muscle contractions and stimulating blood flow around the head when applied topically.

Lavender: Soothes stress and anxiety. Can improve sleep quality, decrease muscular tension, and has natural antidepressant and sedative qualities.

Eucalyptus: Improves blood flow, is uplifting, helps cleanse the body of toxins and harmful substances, and reduces high blood pressure and pain.

Frankincense: Lowers inflammation and has numerous benefits for improving overall immune function, anxiety and hormonal balance.

Rosemary: Reduces pain through regulating blood flow, helps decrease withdrawal symptoms of caffeine or medications, aids digestion, and soothes an upset stomach.

If you feel your nutritional needs are being met, i would definitely suggest trying essential oils for relief. They are my go-to remedies for everything at the moment. Contact me for more information and how to purchase your essential oils : )