Which herbs, vitamins and minerals are best for migraine?

Are you looking to reduce the severity and frequency of your migraines, reduce or avoid pharmaceutical treatments or support overall health? Supplements may deserve a place in your migraine management strategy.

Many supplement ingredients researched have evidence that supports their use as a preventative treatment  - although not so much for an active migraine. The exception to this is ginger, which can help settle nausea during a migraine, and perhaps even stop a developing migraine if taken early enough.

Diving into research papers and clinical trials, these supplements have proven to be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of migraines, when taken regularly:
- Butterbur herb (not readily available in Australia)
- Magnesium (particularly magnesium diglycinate)
- CoQ10
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- and possibly Feverfew herb*

With migraine, it is important to remember that what works for one person, will not work for another. For example, some forms of magnesium will actually trigger a migraine for me, but will work well for other people.

As a practitioner, I also take a personalised approach and look at the overall health picture and possible drivers of migraine in each individual. So, I might consider which herbs and nutrients would work together to address imbalances in the following areas:

• endocrine system (hormones)
• nervous system
• digestive system (including liver)
• cardiovascular system or
• musculoskeletal system

Just like our fingerprints, the supplement regime prescribed is different for every single individual - I’m fairly certain I’ve never given the same prescription twice. (This is why after an initial consultation i spend at least an hour preparing just one client treatment plan as each case is complex, with many factors to consider.)

And, as I always say when talking about supplements, it is important to consult with a qualified practitioner who really knows their stuff - such as a naturopath (trained in both nutrition and herbal medicine), herbalist (trained in herbal medicine) or nutritionist (trained in nutrition). Please don’t take a supplement based on internet articles or because a friend “swears by it”. Supplements vary greatly in quality, potency, effectiveness and safety, and it is important to work with a qualified practitioner to get the best results and avoid possible side effects. Never buy supplements from overseas sites as they may bypass strict Australian quality controls.

Take care and feel free to reach out if you would like a consultation to consider which supplements may work for you.

*Feverfew herb is a traditional herbal medicine for migraine. Some studies show it is effective, while other studies have failed to show this. In clinical practice, I find it does tend to enhance the action of other supplements and herbs, and you will often find it in a combination remedy. (In fact, this is often the case for many herbal medicines - herbs seem to work best in synergy with other herbs, which is why herbal medicine formulas are highly prized in both Western and Eastern herbalist practices. Herbal medicine truly is both an art and a science!)