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Herbal Migraine Headache Prevention

Herbalists and traditional western physicians often recommend herbal migraine remedies to supplement or replace pharmaceutical options. Migraineurs (migraine sufferers) use herbal remedies to treat the causes of migraines as well as to treat migraine pain. Herbs, including feverfew, ginger and butterbur show promise for herbal migraine prevention. Migraineurs can use recommended herbs in decoctions, infusions, teas, and supplemental forms.

  1. Feverfew

    • Holistic Online lists feverfew first and in the most detail on the site's section on herbs for migraine prevention. Feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent dilation of blood vessels, a factor in migraines. Since feverfew is a potential migraine preventative, take the herb for at least a month to experience relief. Feverfew does not treat migraine pain.

      Holistic Online refers to a London Migraine Clinic double-blind study resulting in migraine relief for those who took feverfew. A different protracted study with a different group, followed 17 participants who already were taking feverfew. Eight of the 17 patients continued to receive feverfew and experienced decreased migraine severity and frequency over a six-month period. The remaining nine patients took placebos and experienced increased and debilitating migraine events. This result also leads researchers to believe it is contra-indicated to abruptly stop taking feverfew. Holistic Online recommends taking a minimum of 125 mg of dried feverfew leaf daily. Feverfew is unsafe if you are pregnant or lactating. Do not give feverfew to children younger than 2 years old.

    Ginger

    • Ginger's properties can aid migraine treatment and prevention by controlling blood clotting. Ginger tea can ease frontal migraine pain. According to Holistic Online, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology reports a limited study on one female migraine sufferer. The woman took ginger powder dissolved in water, six times a day for four days. Study authors noted rapid relief when the patient took ginger at the aura stage of migraine onset. As the woman continued taking ginger, she experienced decreased migraine severity and frequency.

    Butterbur

    • Dr. Andrew Weil describes butterbur extract as a relative newcomer in the United States to migraine prevention and treatment. Dr. Weil describes a small study reported in May 2000 in the journal, Headache. The study showed that butterbur root extract "significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks and days per month of migraines with no adverse drug reactions."

      Dr. Weil also reports that patients tolerate butterbur extract well. Taken at the onset of a migraine, butterbur can ease pain and prevent a full-blown migraine. Taken daily, butterbur may help to prevent the frequency and severity of migraines. According to Dr. Weil, use caution when selecting butterbur products. Use only PA-free butterbur extracts to prevent liver toxicity. Take 50 to 100 mg of PA-free butterbur extract daily with food.

    Disclaimer

    • Herbal remedies for migraines may have negative interactions with pharmaceutical migraine medications and/or other medications you may be taking. Always consult with a neurologist or migraine expert before beginning a new regimen of migraine prevention and treatment.

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