A More Natural Migraine Cocktail
Anyone who suffers from migraines will tell you that it’s not just a headache. The debilitating head pain can sneak up on you when you least expect it and ruin all your plans.
Many sufferers of chronic pain may be familiar with prescription drug “cocktails” or the combination of drugs that one takes when pain takes hold. I too, have my go to “cocktail” when a bad migraine strikes, yet I know a lot of us don’t always like to reach for the prescriptions every time, especially if we’ve recognized the pain as more manageable through other means.
Over the last 6 years I’ve worked hard to get my migraines under control. I’ve seen some success through neurologist prescribed preventative therapies (namely Botox and Ajovy). I’ve gotten to the point where not all my headaches are monsters, and I’m sometimes able to recognize a milder headache that may not necessarily need the “big guns” of prescription treatments. When this happens I have to be strategic and attack it early to have the best chance of success, so that it doesn’t turn into a full-blown migraine.
Below I’ve made a list of natural remedies that I use for both migraine prevention, and when I feel one coming on:
- Magnesium/ Feverfew supplements
Studies have shown that migraine can be associated with magnesium deficiency.¹ This is why many migraineurs have incorporated it into their prevention tool kit. Feverfew has been known to reduce inflammation associated with migraine² and is thus worth mentioning as well.
Many brands are available on Amazon and although I’m not able to speak to the quality of all of them, the brand I like is Migranol by Designs for Health (not to be confused with the Migranol nasal ergot medication). This can be used as a preventative for daily use. Since I’m admittedly not great at remembering every day, I’ll load up on 2–3 capsules on days when I wake up feeling out of sorts.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
I know, a lot of people think that essential oils are a bunch of voodoo and I’ll admit that I was skeptical in the beginning. My migraines are stubborn and I thought there was no way any oils would make a bit of difference, but one day years ago I decided to give it a try.
A friend of mine was selling essential oils for one of the MLM companies and advised me to blend a 5:1 ratio of peppermint oil with another soothing oil such as lavender, then add a “carrier” oil such as fractionated coconut oil to dilute and help deliver the oil into the skin.
If you choose to blend the oils yourself they are best applied through a roller bottle such as these found on Amazon. I’ve also found that the brand Saje Wellness makes a product called Peppermint Halo which has been a great off the shelf choice for me.
The directions recommend rolling it on your temples (make sure to avoid your eyes) and up and down the back of your neck and along your shoulders for best results. I’ve found that above my ears is a good spot too. As an added bonus you’ll smell fresh and pepperminty which may encourage you to do some deep breathing while you’re at it.
3. CBD/THC:
No, I’m not over here getting high, but I do live in a state where Cannibas is legal. I realize this is not a choice for everyone, but if you happen to live in a legal state and are open to it I would recommend giving it a try. CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of many chemicals found in the Cannibas plant, but it doesn’t have psychoactive effects.
CBD sparked my interest a couple years ago as I kept seeing it mentioned over again in the online migraine groups I was a part of. Many tout the benefits of CBD and it’s anti-inflammatory properties. After doing some of my own research I learned that it can work well for chronic pain when paired with a small amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).³
THC is the chemical in the plant responsible for the high feeling, so if you’re not a fan I would suggest looking into products that have a much lower amount of THC or leave it out all together, but based on my own experience I do believe there to be a benefit to both when it comes to managing pain.
Some migraineurs claim that smoking marijuana helps their migraines and that does work for some, but that’s not what I’m discussing here. The products I’ve discovered are actually CBD/THC drops (they don’t contain alcohol, so they are not considered tinctures, but instead are mixed with coconut oil).
There are some great brands out there and I’m still experimenting, yet the brand I’ve discovered is Yummi Karma. It’s marketed towards people that suffer from anxiety (win-win). Their Cloud Nine drops boast a 4:1 CBD:THC ratio. Although this certainly doesn’t alter me at all, their website suggests that if you are sensitive to THC to first start with their 20:1 ratio.
It’s important to pay attention to the dosage to know how much you are getting and work your way up to see how you react to it. The drops are administered sub-lingually and held there for 15–20 seconds before swallowing. This can be done daily as a micro-dose or when you feel pain coming on.
Other products to check out are CBD/THC topical balms or rubs which can be beneficial at the first sign of a headache and applied to the neck and shoulder area. Keep in mind, however, that not all CBD is created equal and to research that you are getting the highest quality and purest form.
4. NUCCA Chiropractic
For years I went to traditional chiropractors and I can’t say for sure whether they made any difference for my migraines. These were the traditional pop and crack methods of adjustments, and I was unaware that there were any other options.
In May 2019 a bad chiropractic experience landed me in the ER and scared me away from traditional chiropractic for good. The day after my adjustment (which included the cracking and twisting of my neck) I recall waking up with a level 10 head pain. After calling in sick to work I knew I was going to end up going to the hospital for the pain. After a CT scan to rule out anything serious they put me on a classic migraine cocktail and sent me on my way.
It wasn’t until months later that I discovered NUCCA chiropractic. NUCCA stands for National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association and involves the manipulation of the upper vertebrae in the neck to achieve balance. It’s a gentle adjustment, so gentle in fact that it’s hard to tell it’s even happening.
I’ve been receiving NUCCA care for over 1 year now and I have seen an improvement with the severity and frequency of my headaches. If this is an area you are interested in exploring, I would recommend searching for NUCCA chiropractors in your area and make sure to review their ratings.
5. Stretching/Yoga: Finding 10–15 minutes per day to stretch your body, with a focus on neck and shoulders can be beneficial in preventing pain. I used to underestimate how crucial this practice was until I started making it part of my routine. There are plenty of free stretching and yoga videos available on YouTube (a friend recently introduced me to “Yoga by Adriene” and I love it!). There are also plenty of paid apps like Peleton or Beachbody that incorporate great stretching videos in if you are using these apps for fitness anyway.
6. Massage: Massage has plenty of benefits, including improved circulation and reduced muscle tension. If regular massage isn’t an option financially there are plenty of at home options to keep your muscles loose. I would recommend investing in a foam roller as well as a theracane. I like the theracane because it allows me to get the hard to reach trigger points in my neck and shoulders where my headaches can start, and foam rolling is great to relieve muscle tension in both the upper and lower body.
If you are able I would recommend finding a good masseuse, as it can be so beneficial. I’ve found that it’s worth sacrificing some online shopping (my weakness!) to incorporate this into my prevention routine. Nowadays many massage franchises offer memberships and more reasonable rates than say, going to a day spa. I’ve found that the quality is quite good as well (pssst…I’ve had better massages at Massage Heights than a fancy spa).
Besides these measures there are the obvious…getting enough sleep, enough water and not waiting too long between meals. Personally my list of triggers is long, so it’s a balance game.
We migraine sufferers are always looking for ways to increase the number of pain-free days we have without having to reach for the medication every time. It’s my hope that these more natural solutions can help somebody in this situation manage their pain drug free whenever it’s an option.
Cheers to more migraine free days!
Note: All recommendations in this article are based on my own personal experience and are not meant to replace medical advice. Make sure to talk to your doctor before trying alternative therapies or supplements. I am not affiliated nor receiving payment or commissions on any brands or products mentioned.
- Chiu HY, Yeh TH, Huang YC, Chen PY. Effects of Intravenous and Oral Magnesium on Reducing Migraine: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pain Physician. 2016 Jan;19(1):E97–112. PMID: 26752497.
2. Guilbot A, Bangratz M, Ait Abdellah S, Lucas C. A combination of coenzyme Q10, feverfew and magnesium for migraine prophylaxis: a prospective observational study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Aug 30;17(1):433. doi: 10.1186/s12906–017–1933–7. PMID: 28854909; PMCID: PMC5577764.
3. Baron EP. Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Marijuana, Cannabinoids, and Therapeutic Implications in Medicine and Headache: What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been …. Headache. 2015 Jun;55(6):885–916. doi: 10.1111/head.12570. Epub 2015 May 25. PMID: 26015168.
