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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Natural Headache Remedy


Headaches. We all get them and some of us more than others.  I fall into the second category as being a chronic headache sufferer.  Tension headaches and the worst of all...migraines.  

I have been searching for years for a natural remedy or relief from headaches in general. Looking at everything including my diet, exercise, sleep, caffeine usage, herbal remedies including feverfew and homeopathic remedies, etc...I have been pursuing a way to naturally relieve them and prevent their onset.  
 

To be honest; I had just about given up trying until I recently attended a women's conference and the speaker chose to talk about health one evening.  She quickly mentioned about how she would take "a couple of Omega 3's" at the onset of a headache and it would take care of them immediately.  I jotted down what she said and forgot about it later.


However, the very next day I was feeling the onset of a headache that was destined to become a migraine.  I remembered what the speaker had said and quickly took two fish oil pills (Omega 3's) and didn't think much about it until later when I realized that I ended up not getting a headache OR a migraine.

Wow...this is pretty amazing stuff!  I was a bit surprised because I was used to trying everything to avoid one and nothing seemed to work.  So, all week I took two fish oils in the morning and two at night before bed because those were the times that I would tend to get them.  I would feel a bit muscle "achy" but I never got a for two weeks.  When I did get a mild one, I would take two fish oils or Omega's and they would keep the headache at bay.  

The Omega 3's seem to have eliminated my constant headaches to the point I am able to work out with weights again. However, I have had two days of migraines since then but I woke up with them in the morning and wasn't able to take anything to prevent them.  I did use fish oil with other remedies including pain reliever and valerian to help relieve the pain.  The fish oil seemed to help but I did need the extra boost of pain relievers to get through the headache.

So they seemed to be the most effective when taken before a headache comes on and it's important to be able to "read your body" on when you think this is happening.
  

How does fish oil or Omega 3 supplements work?  

This is a great question and to be honest, the medical community is not completely sure how it works exactly but they do know that this type of oil does have benefits that may contribute to migraine relief.

You can use fish oil to help and or other supplements that include, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, chia seed oil, borage seed oil, extra virgin olive oil.  Food that are rich in Omega's include, walnuts, winter squash, kidney and black beans, and wild rice. 

"According to the American Heart Association the ingredients of fish oil help reduce inflammation, reduces blood clotting, lowers blood pressure and steadies the heart rhythm. These actions, particularly the reduction of inflammation or swelling, may be helpful in reducing the head pain and other migraine symptoms of migraine attacks because it may reduce migraine head inflammation." 1

"Some research suggests that since Fish Oil prevents constriction of blood vessel, it can prevent the actions in the brain that lead to migraine attacks." 2

"A 2002 study of 27 adolescents who took fish oil found that they had fewer migraines, shorter headaches and less severe migraine headaches." 3

"Omega-3 fatty acids do decrease inflammation and relax blood vessels. These may also reduce the tendency of platelets -- blood cell fragments that play an important role in clotting -- to clump together or aggregate. Some studies link platelet clumping to the migraine process, and many standard migraine drugs serve to decrease the tendency of platelets to aggregate." 4


So far, they are taking care of most of my migraines.  I am also learning how to regulate my hormones so I can eliminate the migraines associated with them as well.  

You can use fish oil to help and or other supplements that include, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, chia seed oil, borage seed oil, extra virgin olive oil.  Food that are rich in Omega's include, walnuts, winter squash, kidney and black beans, and wild rice.

What to do when you feel like a headache is coming on?  Take a couple of fish oils or Omega 3's and see if you notice a difference.  Our 17 year old son took a couple when he had a mild headache and it went away for him.  If it works then you've just found a great simple, low cost remedy!  If it doesn't, keep trying as it may not work with hormonal headaches the same way it does for tension ones.  

All in all...it's certainly worth trying.  I am so thankful!

Have you found a natural cure that works for you to eliminate headaches?

Be blessed (and headache-free!)

*Here's a link to another great post from an M.D. about eliminating migraines.  He has some more suggestions on symptoms and treatments that are valuable to know.  You can read it here.


References:

1. http://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/natural-remedies/fish-oil-for-migraine-headaches/
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. http://headaches.about.com/lw/Health-Medicine/Conditions-and-diseases/Dietary-Supplements-and-Botanicals-for-Migraine-Headaches.htm

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13 comments:

  1. Wonderful information. I'm off to see if we have any Fish Oil left in the cupboard. If not, I'll buy some. Thank you!

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    1. So far it seems to be helping, taken when I can feel the beginnings of a headache symptoms/causes.

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    2. That's great! It is working for my muscular/tension headaches so much that I can work out again and use weights. Not working for hormonal headaches, but at least I found something that is allowing my body to feel normal again!

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  2. How interesting! I've never heard this before, but it sounds like it works. At least for you anyway, which is great! I do get headaches occasionally, but thankfully I don't get them too often. But I will remember this for next time I feel one coming on.

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    1. It's been a life changer for me as my headaches have increased over the years...I will try to eat more Omega rich foods as I am thinking that I wasn't getting enough in my diet, leading to headaches. :)

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  3. My husband takes fish oil (when he remembers), but I bet he hasn't noticed if it helps with headaches or not. I'll have to show this to him. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  4. We rub some peppermint oil on our temples for headaches, works but burns the nose. Wondering if hemp seed oil would work, it is said to be a great substitute or fish oil. Followed you here from Natural Living Link Up.

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    1. Not sure about hemp seed but I know there are other non-fish oils that have omega 3 in them...I listed some towards the end of the.post. We use fish and non-fish oils. I've tried peppermint and lavender but it hasn't cut through most of my headaches...I think I really need the anti-inflammatory effects of the Omega 3's. I do use lavender at night on my pillow or rice bag to help me relax though... :)

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  5. You've just reminded me that I need to be taking fish oil again. I took the pills regularly, then switched to the plain oil because it was cheaper and it's hard to avoid weird gel capsules but the straight oil is... blech... For migraines I make sure I exercise regularly and do yoga, and when I feel one coming on I have an oil diffuser for peppermint oil that helps a bit.

    Thanks for sharing this on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, I've pinned it :)

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  6. Omega 3 is a great supplement and remedy for many things. I take Omega 3 fish oil in liquid form for inflammation. Thanks for sharing your story about how you gained control of your headache a natural way. More people need to be doing this instead of toxic drugs. Visiting from Jills Home Remedies Blog Hop

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  7. Great! I'm off to the market for some fish oil. Hope it will work.

    Grace Crawford (Visit Aviation One Medical Escort)

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