Ask the Herb Specialist |
|
The opinions listed below are intented for educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the services of licensed health care providers. Always obtain competent medical advice for all serious or persistent illness. If you use any of the procedures in this material to treat any disease in yourself or others without the assistance of licensed health care providers, you are doing so at your own risk.
Q. What can I do naturally for Migraines?
A. First, I’d check the diet. Anything with aspartame (Nutra-Sweet or Equal) can cause headaches as can anything with MSG. I’d been eating some dry roasted peanuts that contained MSG which proved to be one cause of headaches for me. Aged cheese, chocolate, aged or cured food, alcohol and citrus can also be a problem for some people.
If the head feels like it is being squeezed or held in a vise, or has a band around it, it signifies that there may be too little blood getting to the brain. In that case, herbs that increase circulation and relax muscles, like ginkgo, lobelia and ginger might help, as well as lavender essential oil.
If the head feels like its pounding or going to explode from outward pressure, there may be too much blood flow to the brain, so taking something like Digestive Bitters can be helpful as they draw the blood down to the digestive system, away from the head. Feverfew has long been used by people for prevention of this type of migraine but doesn’t seem to help as much when you actually have a headache.
According to Steven Horne in The Comprehensive Guide to Nature's Sunshine Products, there is typically a liver issue with migraines so a formula like Liver Balance can help balance the liver energy and thus eliminate the migraine.
Applying Tei fu oil and lobelia liquid to the neck and shoulders regularly to keep muscles relaxed is helpful.
Lastly, for relieving the pain without medications, I have used IF-C or IF Relief sometimes with the addition of a couple of Nerve Eight Capsules.
Q. What can I do naturally for Migraines?
A. First, I’d check the diet. Anything with aspartame (Nutra-Sweet or Equal) can cause headaches as can anything with MSG. I’d been eating some dry roasted peanuts that contained MSG which proved to be one cause of headaches for me. Aged cheese, chocolate, aged or cured food, alcohol and citrus can also be a problem for some people.
If the head feels like it is being squeezed or held in a vise, or has a band around it, it signifies that there may be too little blood getting to the brain. In that case, herbs that increase circulation and relax muscles, like ginkgo, lobelia and ginger might help, as well as lavender essential oil.
If the head feels like its pounding or going to explode from outward pressure, there may be too much blood flow to the brain, so taking something like Digestive Bitters can be helpful as they draw the blood down to the digestive system, away from the head. Feverfew has long been used by people for prevention of this type of migraine but doesn’t seem to help as much when you actually have a headache.
According to Steven Horne in The Comprehensive Guide to Nature's Sunshine Products, there is typically a liver issue with migraines so a formula like Liver Balance can help balance the liver energy and thus eliminate the migraine.
Applying Tei fu oil and lobelia liquid to the neck and shoulders regularly to keep muscles relaxed is helpful.
Lastly, for relieving the pain without medications, I have used IF-C or IF Relief sometimes with the addition of a couple of Nerve Eight Capsules.