Migraines

Happy Saturday to you! I hope this blog finds you well. I have had so many ask me lately about natural remedies with migraines and I have seen so many posts inquiring of tips

for migraines. I thought migraines would be a good topic to chat about today.

If you have experienced a migraine you definitely are aware of how miserable they are. You should always seek a healthcare professional and make sure there are no serious health concerns to address and this is your bodies way of letting you know to get checked. If you have ruled out serious health issues out, I can suggest some tips.

First suggestion is going to be hydration. Are you hydrated? Because your body needs fluids and a migraine can be your body telling you give me some water. We basically are complicated house plants. Magnesium and calcium is also super key! These are minerals that help to regulate muscular tone and to transmit nerve impulses throughout the body and to the brain. Personally, for magnesium, I like the Opti-Mag from Xymogen brand. I use most of their supplements. Omega 3 and probiotics are important to take. Taking CO-Q10 is good to take. It increases the blood flow to the brain and improves circulation. Primrose oil is good to look into and see if that would be helpful for you to take. Primrose is an anti-inflammatory agent to keep the blood vessels from constricting. A B Complex is also good to look into. Adding a little Himalayan pink salt to your water consumption jar for the day- or even look into trace minerals- can help reduce migraine pain, as well as strengthen your immune system, increase your energy levels, and balance the serotonin levels in your blood stream, it can also restore the body's electrolyte and alkaline balance. Glutathione is great to take as well. I carry a couple of supplements at my studio called Daily Detox, organic Sulfur, and PurXcel, I take these daily and highly recommend them. They have ingredients such as L-cysteine, turmeric extract, milk thistle, pomegranate extract, glutathione, schisandra, devils claw, dandelion root and leaf, resveratrol, peppermint leaf powder, and black pepper.

There are some herbs that can be helpful to look into ( the anxiety tea I make, available in my website and Etsy store would have you covered here. It is great stuff!). Ashwagandha, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Black Cohosh, Valerian Root, and Milk Thistle.

Essential oils I would recommend for migraines and pain (the healing salve I make would have you covered with this as well. I will take some and rub it on the base of my neck and across the tops of my shoulders and the bottoms of my feet. I also make a roller oil specific for migraines. These items are in my website and Etsy store.) Oils such as, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass, and clary sage.

Diet is also a big deal with migraines. There can be foods that are triggers. I would suggest a food diary to see if there is something you are consuming that is triggering a migraine. Refined sugar, MSG, dairy, gluten, and processed foods are just horrible for our bodies. A lot of processed foods have nitrates. I would avoid fried foods and fatty greasy foods. Caffeine can help reduce inflammation and that can bring relief, however, as with anything, the overuse of caffeine can turn on you and cause headaches and migraines. Alcohol can trigger a migraine l. For me, I cut refined sugar, dairy and bread and feel so much better. I would add cherries, ginger, watercress, parsley, garlic and fresh pineapple to your diet and look into an anti inflammatory diet. Inflammation is tragic for our bodies. Eat small meals, grazing, throughout the day to help stabilize wide swings in blood sugar that may precipitate a migraine.

Now that we talked some basic supplements, herbs, oils and nutrition, I have some other suggestions. I suggest finding a great chiropractor and massage therapist. If your neck is out of alignment and your muscles are super tight that really is setting you up for a migraine. See your dentist and make sure you don't have any teeth issues such as gum decay, bacterial infections, TMJ, tooth grinding that could be contributing to the problem. Avoid cigarette smoke, loud noises, strong odors, and high altitudes. I have an acupressure mat and pillow. I love it so much. Acupuncture is great and so is reflexology. Stretching, exercise and sleep routines are important. An ice pack that comes with a velcro so you can strap it around your head is great to have on hand in the freezer, which you could do a combination of cold and heat. You can look into biofeedback. It can teach you how to control autonomic reactions to stress.

I have mentioned in some of my other blogs my love for detox baths and having a good water filter for the tub several times a week. I suggest checking out those blogs if you haven't. I would highly recommend a half a bag of epsom salt and dead sea salt several times a week for 45 minutes to an hour.

Lastly, stress management. I know, easier said then done. Finding healthy ways to cope with stress, reading, hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, something outside. Try earthing or grounding> A trauma therapist is great to look into as well. I know some good ones if you want a referral. I hope if you suffer with migraines you find some tips in this blog helpful. Much love and light to you.

~Jennifer

ps. I had to come add some things I forgot. I’d look into regular sauna time, dry brushing, TRS, and looking into anymore of these detoxing processes.