Herbal Treatment for Migraines

Tens of millions of Americans experience migraine headaches. Headaches are the result of mental stress, physical tension, food allergies and a symptom of illness. Migraine headache symptoms include pain, light and sound sensitivity and nausea. Migraines are a chronic condition in some people and can last for days in the most severe cases. There is no cure for migraines although prescription medicines and over-the-counter treatments offer some pain relief. Herbal remedies are cost-effective and an organic, chemical-free alternative to traditional medicine.

Herbs Recommended for Treating Migraines

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, several herbs are thought to treat and prevent migraines, including butterbur, devil's claw or Harpagophytum procumbens, feverfew, ginko biloba, willowbark or salix and ginger. Several studies show the effectiveness of feverfew and butterbur in the treatment of severe headaches. Most of these herbs are available at alternative health food stores or over the Internet.

  Herbal supplements are not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing and a physician should be consulted before beginning any supplement regimen to protect against drug interactions and allergies.

Preparing Feverfew and Dosage Recommendations

• Feverfew, or Tanacetum parthenium, is a plant that has been used as a medicine for hundreds of years. The herb is sold in capsule and tablet form as well as teabags and liquid extract. Feverfew leaves can be harvested fresh from the garden and eaten with other food or alone, although some people find this causes numbness in the mouth.

  Feverfew, also known as Bachelor button, is a preventative herb whose effects are cumulative. Ingesting feverfew at the onset of pain will have little to no effect. It takes 6 weeks of daily use at least once a day to see any noticeable relief of symptoms. Prepare a tea using 1 oz. of feverfew leaves to 2 cups of hot water. When using the leaf extract, use about 250 mcg (micrograms) a day.

Butterbur Preparations and Dosage

• A member of the sunflower family, butterbur is a small flowering shrub. Because butterbur contains toxins that can affect the liver, only extracts that are free from pyrolizidine alkaloid (PA) are recommended. Over-the-counter products typically contain PA. The unprofessional preparation of butterbur is not recommended. The extract is available in the gel cap form; 50 to 75 mg twice a day is the usual dose. Butterbur is considered both a preventative for migraines as well as a natural treatment. Butterbur root is made into an essential oil but not usually a tea. Due to the potential toxic effects of butterbur, a physician should be consulted before use.