Natural Approaches May Ease Migraines
Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A April 5, 2008
Q. I am 29 and have been suffering from migraine headaches since I was 12 years old. I have seen countless neurologists who have prescribed every drug under the sun. Nothing has worked to keep them from coming.
I am curious about the hot and sour soup or any other remedy that might prevent or ease my pain. I am willing to try anything because this disease is getting the best of me.
A. Several years ago we heard from a migraine sufferer that hot and sour soup could interrupt a migraine headache. Another reported that spicy gumbo did the trick.
Other natural approaches include magnesium, B vitamins (especially riboflavin) and herbs such as feverfew or butterbur. We provide far more detail on treatments for headaches and migraines in our book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available from libraries, bookstores or online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Tags: butterbur, feverfew, gumbo, headache, hot and sour soup, magnesium, migraine, riboflavin
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.





Reader Comments
I suffered from migraines for years, then I started taking 500mg of chelated magnesium daily and started practicing yoga. I don't suffer any longer. I also eat a low carbohydrate diet, low in yeast, sugars and grains. It's a blessing. Change your diet and learn how to relax, too.
Posted by: SJ | April 5, 2008 1:15 PM
I used to suffer from several migraines a week until my mother read about magnesium in The Saturday Evening Post. I began taking magnesium and calcium at night before bed and my migraines stopped completely. This also helped me sleep better at night and feel rested in the morning as an added bonus. I began taking magnesium over 25 years ago and have had only two migraines since then.
Posted by: Laurie | April 5, 2008 6:20 PM
I have a friend who has fibermyalga and has cluster migrains. She has been hospitalized in the past with bleeding ulcers caused from over use of asprin. She has past medpause , but the headaches have increased. She has headaches every day plus the problem of the fibermyalaga. She can't work so is very poor. is there any natural or low cost treatment for her?
Posted by: cheryl | April 6, 2008 3:36 PM
I keep a can of regular Coca Cola in the house at all times for when I get the aura of a migrane headaches. When that is about to happen I get some loss of vision or spots in my vision. If I do not get caffine and the headache persists it usually is a real winner. Nausea vomiting bed, etc.
Posted by: dc | April 6, 2008 6:22 PM
Eat a whole banana at the first sign of spots in vision. Then close your eyes and relax for 10 minutes. It works for me every time!
Posted by: Meg | April 8, 2008 11:45 AM
Severe migraine headaches can often be diagnosed as a stroke because the symptoms are so similar. After having an exceptionally severe migrain, I went to a different neurologist and got an MRI. The neurologist saw some brain damage from the migrains and suggested that I see a cardiologist - I thought he was out of his mind. However, the cardiologist found that I had a large hole in my heart (between the right and the left ventricle chambers) and recommended a PFO (a plug for the hole).
I had the PFO done several years ago as an outpatient, as has my wife who also had severe migrains. Neither of us has had a migrain since the PFO procedure. I am grateful that our neurologist went a step further that all our previous neurologists and recommended that a simple outpatient procedure cured a migrain problem that each of us had experienced for decades.
Posted by: Don F. | April 11, 2008 11:32 AM
I have suffered with migraines for almost 30 years, although some years have been much less severe than others. My doctor put me on Metoprolol (25mg once/day). That seemed to be a miracle drug (and it was super inexpensive) until my hair started falling out. One of the listed, possible side effects is reversible hair loss.
I stopped taking the Metoprolol but started exercising (vigorously at least 6 days a week). I believe the exercise has kept the migraines at bay. In the past year I have had maybe 3 migraines. I was experiencing a least one, usually two, per week and they were lasting multiple days.
I also take Magnesium (250 mg) per day. However, I have been taking that for years. I firmly believe the exercise is working for me.
Posted by: AJA | April 11, 2008 1:59 PM
There are members of our celiac support association who have cured their migraines by going on a gluten free diet. Although many people expect that those who are gluten intolerant or celiac would have digestive symptoms, the majority will not have digestive symptoms. Many will present with neurological symptoms such as the migraines or ataxia.
Posted by: Dru | April 11, 2008 2:00 PM
I suffer classic migraine. I have been able to cut way down on the frequency of these attacks by (1)avoiding my food triggers (you should know your own triggers by experience); (2)taking blood thinners such as aspirin, vitamin E, Omega 3 and 9.
Now I have to take Warfarin (Coumadin) every day because of a heart problem, and therefore, I have cut way down on all of the above blood thinners. This routine has almost stopped my migraines completely, but I still have to avoid caffeine, chocolate, red wine, aged cheese or too much of any kind of alcoholic beverages
Posted by: Alan | April 11, 2008 5:31 PM
Acupuncture has just about cured me of the migraines that tortured me for almost 30 years. No drugs, no side effects or toxicity. This has been a win-win situation for me.
Posted by: Arlene | April 14, 2008 9:54 PM
My daughter has chronic daily headaches and i am always looking for something too do for her. She is 16 and they started the beginning of 2007 - 24/7. She is not going too school due to the pain and the environment causing things to become worse. I am desperately looking for help regarding Chronic Daily Headaches - I hope someone has some information to help us. Ann
Posted by: Ann | April 18, 2008 10:27 PM
My daughter has chronic daily headaches and i am always looking for something to do for her. She is 16 and they started the beginning of 2007 - 24/7. She is not going too school due to the pain and the environment causing things to become worse. I am desperately looking for help regarding Chronic Daily Headaches - I hope someone has some information to help us. Ann
Posted by: Ann | April 20, 2008 11:25 PM