Millions of people around the world suffer with migraines and the condition is a major public health problem. Migraine medication isn’t always effective, it can have nasty side effects and in some people, it just doesn’t work.
I suffered with debilitating chronic migraines for nearly 15 years. I spoke to numerous specialists and healthcare practitioners and none of them gave me any meaningful advice on how I could manage my migraines naturally.
So I did my own research. I read scientific papers from the cutting edge of clinical research, I discovered the natural compounds that were effective in helping to relieve migraines. And armed with this knowledge, I created a potent migraine remedy.
A natural solution
The resulting all-natural, anti-migraine smoothie (recipe below), contains the dietary compounds shown to be most effective at relieving migraine. These include:
Magnesium – studies have shown that migraine sufferers are much more likely to be deficient in magnesium1 and magnesium has been shown to be very effective in helping to treat migraine2. Dietary sources include spinach and coconut.
Riboflavin – riboflavin is thought to help overcome the metabolic disturbances that occur in the brains of migraine sufferers. Dietary sources include spinach and coconut.
Parthenolide – the active ingredient in the feverfew herb, parthenolide is thought to have a relaxing effect on blood vessels in the brain, making them less reactive to hormones such as serotonin3.
Potassium – potassium is an electrolyte that helps to regulate the body’s fluid levels and is essential for nerve function and muscle contractions. Potassium is also thought to be a natural pain reliever.
Bromelain – the enzyme bromelain is found in pineapples and is a natural anti-inflammatory, pain reliever and muscle relaxant.
Gingerols – ginger has long been known for its anti-nausea effect. Researchers believe that compounds called gingerols are responsible for this effect4.
The Best Anti-Migraine Smoothie Recipe
- 100g/3.5oz fresh pineapple
- 40g/1.4oz fresh, washed spinach
- 10g/0.35oz freshly grated ginger (1 inch root)
- 200 mls/¾ cup coconut milk*
- ½ banana*
- 300 mls/1 ¼ cups water or coconut water
- 200mg dried feverfew capsule**
- Add all of the fresh ingredients and liquid to a blender jug.
- Open the feverfew capsule and empty the contents into the jug, discard the outer capsule.
- Blend until smooth.
- If using frozen ingredients, allow the smoothie to come to room temperature before drinking to prevent shocking the roof of the mouth.
*These ingredients are migraine triggers for some people.
**Consult your doctor before taking feverfew and do not use if pregnant or on blood thinning medication.
Migraines are an incredibly complex neurological disorder. The ingredients used in this migraine remedy are low-risk triggers, however there are always exceptions to the rule. If you have a known sensitivity to any of the ingredients listed then omit them from the smoothie.
This natural migraine remedy stops my severe migraines in their tracks, every single time, and I believe it might just stop yours too.
About the Author:
Sonia Nicholas is a Biomedical Scientist and Freelance Clinical Science Writer. She has two degrees in Biomedical Science and been working in the field of clinical science for over 15 years. Sonia suffered with chronic migraines for over a decade, until she used her combined knowledge of nutrition and clinical science to devise a natural 3 Day Anti-Migraine Protocol. To find out how you can manage and prevent your migraines naturally, the new e-book ‘Food to Fight Migraine: A Complete Guide to Dietary Control’ is available now on Amazon. You can also find more anti-migraine recipes and articles at www.thegreenappleclub.com.
Article references:
- Muskox A, Varughese J. Why all migraine patients should be treated with magnesium. J Neural Transm (Vienna) [Online] 2012; 119(5): 575-9. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22426836 [Accessed 24th May 2016].
- Thys-Jacobs S. Alleviation of migraines with therapeutic vitamin D and calcium. Headache [Online] 1994; 34(10): 590-2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7843955 [Accessed 24th May 2016].
- Herbs2000.com website [Online]. Available from: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_feverfew.htm [Accessed 24th May 2016].
4. Haniadka R, Rajeev AG, Palatty PL, Arora R, Baliga MS. Zingiber officinale (ginger) as an anti-emetic in cancer chemotherapy: a review. J Altern Complement Med [Online] 2012; 18(5): 440-4. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22540971 [Accessed 24th May 2016].
