Feverfew, Butterbur and Pine Bark - Three Powerful and Effective Herbal Remedies For Migraines
By: Thomas Thorne
When a person develops a migraine headache, the primary and immediate concern is relief from the incredible pain. All too often individuals in this situation grab a bottle and down one, two or three of the common over-the-counter headache medications to fix the issue. The problem is, that does not fix the issue. People who take 2-3 or more of these medications per week are at strong risk to become caught in a desperate rebound headache cycle, where they have near daily headaches of one degree or another.
There has got to be a better way to fight this modern day scourge on mankind. A person in such a situation has lost control of his or her life. They are slave to an evil taskmaster that will not allow them to do many of the things that they would like and not to enjoy so much of what life has to offer.
Through testing, three of the most effective herbal remedies for migraines are feverfew, butterbur and pine bark. Let's take a look at all three of these promising alternative treatments for migraine.
Feverfew
Feverfew comes from the same tribe of plants (asteraceae) as the daisy. Since the 1st century A.D., it has been used for the treatment of headache, stomachaches and fever. Feverfew has anti-inflammatory, stimulant, relaxant, decongestant and anti-coagulant properties.
Feverfew is mainly used for the treatment and prevention of frequent and serious migraine headaches. From the Natural Health (2007-03-01) we are told that "in a recent, well-designed clinical trial, 170 German patients took a placebo pill or an extract of feverfew for 16 weeks. Those taking Feverfew had significantly fewer migraines."
Feverfew should be taken daily as a preventative, rather than a treatment for migraines. Herbal experts recommend tapering off the dose if you are going to quit taking the herb.
Butterbur
Traditionally butterbur has been used to treat spasms in the respiratory and digestive tract. In addition, Butterbur is said to inhibit the production of histamine, which helps to keep air passages open. This may help to relieve allergic congestion and seasonal allergies.
Butterbur is very popular in Europe and becoming increasingly popular in America as a sound way to minimize neurological discomfort. The exact cause of this is still unclear but neurologically severe headaches may be caused by a number of biological factors. Some researchers believe that they stem from an imbalance in the central nervous system that encourages the release of blood-dilating peptides. This could result in inflammation of the brain's thin outer layer, the cerebral cortex. As pressure builds, blood flow becomes more restricted, potentially enhancing migraine headache symptoms. (Carle, R., Plant-based antiphlogistics and spasmolytics' (translated from German). Z Phytother. 1988; 9: 67-76).
Other physicians think that many commonly consumed food items trigger migraines or that they could be hereditary. A 12 week clinical study showed that the active compounds in butterbur can prevent peptidoleukotriene biosynthesis, which is an inflammatory process that has been linked to the onset of mgraines. (Bickel D, Roder T, Bestmann, J. Identification and characterization of inhibitors of peptide-leukotriene-synthesis from Petasites hybridus. Plant Medica. 1994; 60:31-322).
Also of note is the writing 'Petasites Hybridus Root (Butterbur) is an effective prevention for migraine" by Lipton, Einhaupl and Gobel (Neurology, 2004; 2240-4).
One thing to note about butterbur is that the plant contains liver toxins called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). So it is important to choose a formula that is PA free.
Pine Bark
Dr. Sirichai Chayasirisobhon of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center set out to address the question of whether free radical damage can contribute to migraine headaches. ("Use of a Pine Bark Extract and Antioxidant Vitamin Combination Product as Therapy for Medication", Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, Vol 46, No. 5, May 2006) He chose a dozen patients who had a long-term history of migraines with little to no success with various drugs (antidepressants, beta-blockers and anticonvulsants).
At the start of the study, subjects completed a questionnaire which was called the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS). The MIDAS was designed to assess the impact of migraine flare-ups on activities at home, work and while interacting with friends and family. This is a great way to start an unbiased test, so that the results before the test are well documented and there can be no dispute.
For the three month study period, each subject was given daily supplements that contained 600 mg of vitamin C, 300 IU of vitamin E and 1,200 mg of a pine bark extract. Subjects were allowed to continue using the medications they were currently taking.
Upon the end of the trial period the subjects completed a seconds MIDAS questionnaire. Their responses indicated a significant improvement.
The overall MIDAS scored improvement was more than 50%.
The average number of migraine days was reduced from 44 days in the three months prior to the trial, to 26 days during the trial.
The average migraine severity score (which some will argue is the most important factor) was reduced from 7.5 (out of 10) to 5.5
One subject dropped out of the trial. Of the remaining 11, two reported no change in frequency, duration or severity. Among the other nine, the overall MIDAS score improvement was almost 68%.
These three herbal remedies for migraines have all shown very good results when tested as alternative treatments for migraine headaches. If you suffer from headaches of these three appear to be well worth a try. It is possible that people in this country need to take a new approach toward migraine headache relief. Herbal remedies may be the answer.
Visit the Herbal Remedies for Migraine Headaches website for more information on herbal remedies for migraine headaches and great product offers. There are ways to help defeat the battle with migraines or headaches in general that many of us are facing.
About the Author
The author of this article suffered from migraime headaches for 40 years and was constantly led down a dead end when seeking help. Through research, herbal and homeopathic remedies he has found alternative treatments for migraine headaches. Tom Thorne Herbal Remedies for Migraine Headaches
Migraine Pain | Wise Ways To Squash Migraine Pain
By: Catherine Winters
Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from the debilitating, life-altering pain of migraine. Learn what causes the throb and how to stop it.
Who Gets Migraine
It’s not clear why some people develop migraines and others don’t. If both your parents are migraine sufferers, there’s a 75 percent chance you’ll be one, too. If only one parent is, your risk drops to 50 percent. And if a distant relative complains of the headaches, there’s still a 20 percent chance you could end up a migraineur. (That’s the term used to describe a migraine sufferer.) Your gender may predispose you to migraines as well: Women are three times more likely than men to get this type of headache.
What Happens
“The brain of a migraine sufferer is inherently more sensitive than the brains of others,” says Fred Freitag, D.O., associate director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago—and himself a migraineur. “When this sensitive brain gets bombarded by outside and inside stimuli, cells in the cortex of the brain become hyperexcited and start a process of electrical discharge.” As electrical impulses spread across the surface of the brain, chemicals that dilate blood vessels and inflame surrounding tissue are released and kick into action. These chemicals trigger a series of events that eventually produce the throbbing pain (usually on one side of the head), nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound that are hallmark migraine symptoms. Before the headache comes on, about one third of sufferers also experience an aura—flashes of light, blind spots or zigzag lines, or tingling in the face and arm.
What Can be Done
Avoiding triggers is the first step to heading migraines off. Headache experts usually have migraineurs keep a diary for two to three months to identify foods, external factors and behaviors that might be making their heads throb. Then they’re ready for action. “If you that know certain foods give you a headache, avoid them,” says Dr. Freitag. Also, get on a schedule. Eat at regular times and go to bed and get up at the same time every day. If you go to bed at 11 and get up at 6 all week but sleep in on Saturday, your blood sugar will drop because you’re eating breakfast later. In addition, your internal clock gets thrown off. “Both can stimulate a sensitive brain,” says Dr. Freitag.
Eat a healthy diet. Magnesium-rich foods, such as whole grain breads and pasta, may help stave off migraines. And exercise regularly. Even 20 minutes of aerobic exercise a few times per week stimulates the production of endorphins, the brain’s natural painkillers. Relaxation training, acupuncture and massage can help, too. If these measures aren’t enough, ask your doctor whether you are a candidate for medication. The good news: With a little trial and error, experts say, you can usually find relief.
Trigger Effect
Experts have identified a slew of stimuli that can cause migraine attacks. These range from preservatives to perfumes to changes in barometric pressure. In women, hormone levels are often to blame. “Their hormones peak, drop during ovulation and then climb again, and then fall just before menstruation,” says Robert Kunkel, M.D., a consultant in the department of neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Headache Center. “It seems to be the fall of estrogen levels in the blood that excites brain cells, not hormone levels per se.”
About the Author:
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PMS, Migraines and Depression Can Get You Arrested for DUI
By: Andrew P. Jones, M.D.-6743
I didn’t make this one up. Richard Salzman, attorney from Hollywood, Florida wrote a not so humorless article earlier this month which states various health conditions that cause behaviors that can be perceived by police officers as public intoxication. These can get you pulled over and arrested for DUI.
Salzman writes that motorists in less than perfect health can find themselves wrongly arrested on criminal DUI charges. Since Pre-mentstrual Syndrome (PMS) or Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a medical condition that can alter behavior, induce rapid emotional changes, dizziness, irritablity, anxiety and nervousness - these are symptoms that police officers associate with alcolhol or drug impairment.
In addition to PMS, I also treat many patients with migraine headaches and depression, both of which can lead to altered mental states and confuse arresting officers. For example, sufferers of migraines often have severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting, in addition to intense photophobia rendering them nearly blind in the daylight. Sudden onset of a migraine while under these conditions can lead to erratic driving, poor vision and someone who appears to be quite intoxicated to a police officer once pulled over.
Depressed patients have overlapping symptoms with someone who is in the lethargic phase of alcohol consumption.
Mr. Salzman discusses and strategies for unfairly tagged motorists to get out of their charges. I will defer the lawyer advice to him. But for the medical conditions, these are serious matters and unfortunately, mainstream medicine has dropped the ball on treating these conditions, all of which are curable.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Dr. Andrew P. Jones, M.D. is the Medical Director for the Women’s Health Institute of Texas. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and by the American Academy of Biologically Identical Hormone Therapy. Find out more about Dr. Jones and the cure for migraine headaches at: www.Migraine-Headaches-Information.com/. Find out more about Dr. Jones and the cure for PMS at www.pmscure.com/. His medical experience primarily revolves around the relationship of women’s health issues and bio-identical hormone management of PMS, menopause and migraine headaches.
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Answering your "What is...?" questions...
Whenever people talk about or look for information regarding migraine disease and headaches, one of the most commonly asked questions is, "What is...?" We have answers to many "What is..." questions, and we'll be adding more along the way.
What Is or Are...
Abdominal Migraine?
Abdominal migraine is a form of migraine seen mainly in children. It's most common in children ages five- to nine-years-old, but can occur in adults as well, and consists primarily of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.Acephalgic or Silent Migraine?
Many people are confused by the terms acephalgic and silent migraine. That's partly because those terms are descriptive terms rather than diagnostic.Simply put, an acephalgic migraine is a migraine without a headache.
"Alice In Wonderland" Syndrome?
The most distinctive symptom is this type of metamorphosia, a distortion of body image and perspective, which migraineurs know is not real.Basilar-Type Migraine?
Basilar-type migraine has aura symptoms originating from the brainstem and/or affecting both hemispheres of the brain at the same time, but with no motor weakness.Chronic Daily Headache?
Chronic daily headache (CDH) is headache, not migraine, that occurs 15 or more days a month. Doctors divide chronic daily headache into a number of subcategories that are further defined.Cluster Headaches?
Cluster headaches are attacks of severe pain lasting 15-180 minutes and occurring from once every other day up to eight times in one day.Hemicrania Continua?
Hemicrania continua is a persistent, strictly unilateral headache responsive to indomethacin.Hemiplegic Migraine?
Hemiplegic migraine is a rare form of migraine disease, made more confusing by there being two variations: familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) and sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM).Ice Pick Headaches?
Ice pick headaches are stabbing, extremely intense headaches that can be absolutely terrifying. They generally only last between five and 30 seconds. However, they come out of nowhere, can strike anywhere on the head, literally feel as if an ice pick is being stuck into your head.A Migraine?
Migraine has now been shown to be a genetic neurological disease characterized by flare-ups often called "migraine attacks."New Daily Persistent Headache?
New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) is characterized by continuous daily head pain, varying in intensity, and sometimes accompanied by Migrainous symptoms.Pseudotumor Cerebri, aka Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?
Pseudotumor Cerebri is a condition in which the body either produces too much cerebrospinal fluid pressure or doesn't absorb it well, resulting in increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure.Retinal Migraine?
Retinal migraine is poorly understood, partly because the term is often misused.Status Migrainous
Status Migrainous (Migrainousus) is a debilitating migraine attack lasting for more than 72 hours. If moderate to severe migraine pain lasts more than 72 hours, with less than a solid four-hour pain-free period, while awake, it should be considered an emergency.Tension-Type Headache
Tension-type headache is the most common form of headache, affecting nearly 80% of people. It is often described as "a band around the head."Transformed Migraine?
Transformed migraine (TM) is migraine disease which began manifesting in episodic migraine attacks, increasing in frequency and changing characteristics, and resulting in almost daily less severe headaches punctuated by severe and debilitating migraine attacks.source: about.com
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