Are you a migraine sufferer like me. If you have any experience with migraines then you’re familiar with this devastating condition. You know that it’s not just another headache as some people think, and when a migraine strikes, everything comes to a halt, as you deal with the throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, smell, sound and debilitating nausea. But the thing that makes things worse is that many of the recommended prescription remedies for migraine headaches, either just don’t work or they come with a catch. So let’s take a look at some of the available migraine treatments and separate what works from what doesn’t.

Doctors often prescribe a range of over the counter and prescription drugs for migraine. From prescription drugs like Imitrex to over the counter drugs like Advil but as I mentioned before these don’t work for everyone, and many have troubling side effects that can interact with other medications. This is the main reason by I searched for a natural remedy to overcome my migraines.

Now before we go into this too far I want to discuss an area of concern that I have. Many fellow migraine sufferers have been prescribed Topamax, originally an anti-eplilepsy drug that is often prescribed to prevent migraines, but personally I have been quite wary of this drug. The reason is that although it has shown promise in helping many people it also comes with a host of side-effects. For instance, according to FDA warnings being sent out to physicians, it increases the risk of glaucoma and acute myopia. This and a host of other side-effects associated with it that can make it as much or more of a problem than my migraines are why I refuse to touch it. The thing that’s even more worrisome is that you often see cheap generic Topomax advertised on websites as relief from migraine headaches. The Topamax that you buy through these websites are from another country and they can be substandard, or even potentially dangerous.

Being skeptical of natural cures for migraines is perfectly reasonable, then there is no major cause for concern since many medications originate from plants and their extracts. For example, Native Americans used willow bark to treat pain long before the drug companies purified it and turned it into aspirin, and the drug dihydroergotamine AKA DHE, which is used to treat acute migraine headaches originated from a fungus that grows on damp rye grain.

Today herbal migraine prevention is easy to find if you know what you’re looking for. The key is to remember that not all herbs and vitamins and minerals treat migraine consistently. So you should be an informed shopper when looking for your natural migraine remedy.

One easy way to prevent your migraines is to include eating bran cereal. Bran is very is high in magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral that is found naturally in nuts and whole grains. The connection between magnesium and migraines is that magnesium levels are often low in the blood migraine sufferers. According to a research study taking up to 600mg magnesium each morning can reduce the incidence of migraine attacks by up to forty two percent while reducing their severity by up to thirty four percent.

Riboflavin migraine supplementation is often combined with fewerfew in proprietary herbal remedies

Research has indicated that taking a 50mg supplement of the root extract of Butterbur twice a day for three months lessens the incidence of migraines by up to forty two percent.

Here are some other natural migraine remedies that work. Peppermint Oil, Co-Enzyme Q10, 5HTP and Melatonin. Although herbs are natural it is important to remember that this doesn’t mean that they can’t have side effects, so it is wise to discuss this with your health practitioner before you start taking anything as well as do you own research.

Health and Personal Care Disclaimer: The content in this article is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute for advice given by a physician, pharmacist or other health care professional. You should not use this information for self diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease. Information and statements concerning dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent and disease or health condition.

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