Solutions for Surviving a Migraine
Hello readers!
As I sit here at my computer still recovering from a bad migraine, I have decided to devote this month’s column to the prevention and treatment of migraines.
Anyone who has ever suffered from a migraine know that they are not just headaches. A migraine is a severely intense pain that shoots through your head, often causing nausea and pain in the eyes. Many victims will lose an entire day of work or social activities just lying in a dark room praying that the pain will stop. I normally reach for the nearest commercial painkiller when a migraine strikes, but I have just done some research and discovered, to my dismay, that most of these remedies, such as aspirin, ibuprophren, and acetaminophen, can cause severe kidney damage in the long run. I searched through my books to find as many all natural methods of relieving the pain and nausea, as well some hints on prevention.
First, the prevention. The best way to get rid of a migraine is to avoid having one altogether!
There are several foods that are associated with migraine. First, chocolate is considered one of the worst contributors, so as much as you may crave chocolate, try to cut it out of your diet as much as possible, if not completely. Women who are prone to migraines should especially avoid chocolate during PMS and periods no matter how strong the cravings are, as this is the time that we seem to be most susceptible to migraines.
Alcohol should also be taking in moderation (or eliminated completely) especially red wines. A hangover can be the most painful form of migraine and is probably not worth the fun of the night before.
Try to steer clear of caffeine from coffee, tea or colas. While caffeine is one of the main ingredients in many migraine medications AND a strong cup of coffee can relieve pain once it has started, excessive intake of caffeine can be one of the causes of migraines.
Drinking herbal teas that promote relaxation on a daily basis can do wonders for prevention. I like to have a cup of peppermint tea every morning to calm my stomach, and a cup of chamomile tea at night to soothe my nerves.
It is best to treat a migraine at the very first hints of pain. Please use caution with these remedies. A aroma or herb that works wonders for one person can make the symptoms more severe for another. When shopping for herbs and essential oils, be sure to smell them first to see that they don’t give you the headaches in the first place.
Lavender, peppermint and ginger are excellent herbs for treating migraines. Ginger is useful in relieving nausea, and so are basil leaves. Any combination of these herbs (or a single herb by itself) can be steeped in boiling water to make tea. Use 1 teaspoon of the fresh or dried herb for each cup of tea. Steep for 15 minutes and drink.
You can also use the above herb in a hot bath. The hot water and the scent of the herbs are very soothing. Add one cup of fresh or dried herbs to 2 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Strain the herbs and add to running bath water. You may wish to soak a washcloth in the bath water and placing on your forehead as a hot compress.
You can make a wonderful forehead compress by filling a basin with either hot or cold water, depending on which works best for you and add a few drops essential oil of either lavender, peppermint or eucalyptus. Soak a washcloth in this mixture and apply to the forehead or the back of the neck. You may wish to soak the cloth again as the warm water cools or the cool water heats up.
Sniffing fresh basil leaves or lavender flowers may provide some relief. If the fresh herbs are not available, substitute with dried herbs.
Willow bark tea is an all natural version of aspirin, but proceed with caution as this may upset some people’s stomachs.
I hope these recipes help my fellow migraine sufferers out there!
Attention Readers: Fall is approaching and the next couple of issues will deal with Fall holidays and traditions. I am looking for some seasonal vegan recipes to include in my next column. If you have any tried and true recipes, including pumpkin pie and mulled cider, please share them with me and I’ll be sure to use them in my column! Thank you so much!
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