There are many natural, alternative therapies that help migraine headaches dramatically- one underrated ingredient that has entered the spotlight recently is ginger root. In addition to supplementing with vitamin B2, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur, health experts are also recommending this natural ingredient, proven to help people suffering from chronic migraines.
Can ginger help migraines?
According to a migraine study just released by Phytotherapy Research, using natural ingredients such as ginger to help symptoms of migraines is significantly effective for a large number of migraine patients. For the study, they examined the efficacy of ginger powder for migraine attacks, compared to the triptans such as Imitrex, which are commonly prescribed for preventing migraines.
They found that gentle ginger extracts provided positive results that paralleled Imitrex, without causing any of the dangerous side effects associated with prescription migraine medications.
The study
In the double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 100 patients who regularly experience migraines were randomly provided with one of two medications: sumatriptan (Imitrex) or natural ginger powder.
Scientists took into account migraine headache severity, duration of head pain, and time between onset of migraine attacks and medication usage for each patient, for a total of five consecutive migraine attacks thereafter.
The results
It made almost no difference if test subjects used prescription-strength sumatriptan or all-natural supplements such as ginger root.
Two hours after taking medication, regardless of whether they received the Imitrex pills or the ginger, patients reported similar results.
And when asked if they were satisfied with the help they received for migraines, and if they were willing to continue usage, patients similarly gave the same positive response for either treatment.
What about side effects?
Side effect results, however, vastly differ.
The majority of prescription migraine medications such as Imitrex and Topiramate create debilitating side effects that include severe dizziness, memory loss, fatigue, heart palpitations, and sometimes, headaches.
Migraine Medication Pros and Cons: the Basics
Conversely, ginger extracts and other natural ingredients for migraine help by supporting good health- boosting neurological functioning, sustaining normal blood pressure, supporting red blood cell production for oxygen, and destroying free radicals that cause inflammation.
Get more natural migraine help
Countless similar studies have been conducted pointing to the benefits of natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals for people who suffer migraines.
Overwhelmingly, scientists found that a combination of butterbur, riboflavin (vitamin B2), CoQ10, and magnesium provided the most significant results when compared to prescription migraine drugs.
To begin supplementing with natural ingredients that help migraines, consult in your primary care doctor, neurologist, or migraine headache specialist.
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Like this? Read more:
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Chronic Pain
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