Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Feverfew has been used for years as a remedy for migraines, and is what I use. Like other herbs and medications, feverfew does not work well for everyone who has a migraine. I use feverfew because it dramatically reduces the frequency and intensity of my migraine headaches.
Some people get headache relief if they take feverfew as a pain relieving agent during a migraine. It doesn’t work well for me as a pain reliever, however, it may be effective for you.
Feverfew is a pretty plant with dark green, finely cut foliage. It has small, daisy-like flowers. The herb grows well in pots or the ground.
My favorite way to use feverfew to simply nibble on one to three leaves each day. The leaves have a bitter, pungent taste, and many experts believe that the bitter taste in itself is healing. If you do not want to keep a plant, then I recommend using a tincture made with fresh leaves.
Feverfew must be taken consistently to be effective. It begins to work within one month of continual use. Maximum benefits are experienced from the third month of treatment forward.
Theoretically, the herb can cause mouth sores, however I have never witnessed this. Researchers who conducted a recent study stated that none of the participants in the research project had developed mouth sores either.
Feverfew should not be used by individuals who are sensitive to plants in the composite family. This includes ragweed, chamomile, marigold, and other species.
If using feverfew, discontinue its use at least one week prior to planned surgery. Feverfew should not be used during pregnancy. Some individuals report gastrointestinal distress such as loose stools, nausea, and abdominal pain when feverfew is used.
Theoretically feverfew could interact with blood thinning medications, so individuals taking anticoagulants should check with a health care provider prior to taking feverfew.
Do not give feverfew to children under the age of two years. Consult with a health care expert before administering it to children over the age of two.
Feverfew is available as a standardized extract. The usual adult dosage is equivalent to 0.2-0.6 mg of parthenolide daily. If taking the dried leaves, 50mg to 150 mg/day is generally effective. Experts recommend that 5-20 drops of a 1:5, 25% ethanol tincture be taken daily to prevent migraines.
Ginger: Zingiber officinale
The next time that you have a migraine, try taking some gingerroot. Either make a tea or eat some candied ginger. A 2014 study proved that ginger is approximately as effective as the prescription drug Sumatriptan, which is employed to relieve migraines.
Researchers found that ginger acted quickly and relieved pain effectively. In addition to being inexpensive, ginger is much safer than Sumatriptan and other pharmaceuticals that relieve migraine pain.
Unlike the drug, which causes dizziness, sleepiness, or heartburn in as many as one out of five users, ginger is well tolerated.
Ginger is one of the most studied herbs on the planet and has been safely used as an herbal remedy for a wide array of maladies for thousands of years.
An added benefit of using ginger to relieve migraines is that it also relieves nausea. Many women get migraines immediately prior to or during menses, and ginger relieves menstrual cramps too. Plus it tastes delicious.
If ginger is too spicy for your taste, take ginger capsules. The recommended dose of capsules is 2-4 Grams daily. To make ginger tea, use one teaspoon of fresh or dried ginger per cup. Take ginger at the first sign of a headache for maximum effectiveness.
Ginger should not be used if gallstones are present without prior consultation with a health care provider. It has been safely used during pregnancy and is safe for children over the age of two.
