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June 5, 2018

8 Ways to Prevent Migraines and Headaches Naturally

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Migraines are debilitating, incredibly painful and seem to be almost impossible to get rid of or avoid. I suffered from 24/7 migraines after the birth of my youngest child 16 years ago. The specialist put me on three daily medications and I was still getting migraines 3-4 times a week.

Thankfully, I was able to figure out that my trigger was the pesticides, herbicides and synthetic chemicals in our food. About two months after switching to an all-organic diet, I was able to get off of my medications and reduce the frequency of migraines to about once a month.

This was without going on any kind of special diet like gluten-free, Paleo, etc! I simply just changed the foods I was regularly eating to organic. I think this goes to show the importance of figuring out the root cause of your health issue!

Over the years, I’ve learned about other triggers, and how to reduce even my previous monthly migraine, and have had success helping my Nutritional Therapy clients do the same. So, today, I want to share with you what I’ve learned. 

A holistic practitioner shared with me many years ago that a migraine is a severe form of inflammation. And, if you think about it, that makes sense. When you get a migraine, the blood vessels in the head are inflamed. When the blood passes through, it pulses and causes extreme pain. This is why taking caffeine helps, because it restricts the blood vessels. 

So, if migraines are a form of inflammation, then taking the next step to figure out what triggers that inflammation can be incredibly helpful!

Here are my top 8 ways to prevent migraines and headaches naturally:

  1. Do a castor oil pack over the liver once a day for two months and then three times a week for maintenance. Many times, a migraine is triggered because one has come in contact with an environmental toxin (think fumes, perfume, conventional cleaning products, etc.) and the liver is congested and can’t filter out the toxin quickly enough. So, doing a detox therapy like the castor oil pack can gently decongest the liver and reduce the frequency or intensity of the migraine. Migraines closely associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle are also often tied to liver congestion. During this time of the month, the body creates excess hormones that the liver needs to filter out. If the liver is congested, then this can trigger migraines, hormonal breakouts, PMS, etc. during those times during the month.
  2. Eat an organic, unprocessed diet. The amount of pesticides, herbicides, etc. that one is exposed to overall when they eat conventional food really adds up! By reducing the toxins in your body, you can possibly reduce the amount of migraines you get. This was the key for me! And, I wasn’t even on any kind of special dietary protocol, I simply just switched to organic and it made the world of difference.

8 Ways to Prevent Migraines and Headaches Naturally3. If your migraines are triggered by bright lights, being in the sunlight or heat, or you wake up with them, then these migraines are often rooted in adrenal fatigue. Read this article and start taking the steps listed.

4. Remove sugar from the diet that doesn’t come from a fruit or vegetable. Sugar causes inflammation in the body, especially when eaten in excess, so reducing your total sugar intake (including sugars from fruits and carbohydrates) to around 30-40 grams a day can make a significant difference.

5. Reduce your stress to keep your blood sugar levels even. Stress plays just as much of a part in blood sugar balance as eating sugar. Large fluctuations in blood sugar can trigger migraines, so it’s very important to take steps to spend time taking care of yourself each day. Exercising outdoors, not spending too much time on electronics, letting go of anger, etc. can all have a profound affect on blood sugar and the frequency of migraines.

6. Keep a regular sleep schedule. Sleep gives your body time to heal, restore, rest, and also detoxify. A lack of sufficient sleep taxes the adrenals and causes blood sugar imbalance, causes inflammation in the body, and can trigger migraines. Aim to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and stick to a regular schedule.

7.Take daily epsom salt baths to replenish magnesium. Magnesium helps relax the body and may be effective at reducing or preventing migraines. When the body is under stress, the first mineral it burns through is magnesium, so following #5 and replenishing magnesium stores is very helpful. Simply pour a cup of Epsom salts in a bath and soak for 20 minutes. If you still find you need an additional magnesium supplement, Mag Max is the one I recommend for my clients.

8. Walk for 30 minutes daily. This isn’t a speed walk, but a slow stroll to help reduce cortisol levels, calm the body and reduce inflammation to reduce migraines.

8 Ways to Prevent Migraines and Headaches Naturally

If you do get a migraine, here are some remedies that I’ve found beneficial:

Because we are each bioindividual, it’s hard to say exactly how much of these remedies to use, so either talk to your holistic practitioner about the best dosage, or book an appointment with me at Biodynamic Wellness.

  • Taking a therapeutic dose of magnesium can be very helpful. MagMax is one of my favorites.
  • If your migraine is most likely from liver congestion (maybe you drank too much the night before, or you’re doing a detox) then Livaplex and AF Betafood can help relieve the pain.
  • If your migraine is most likely from stress, then taking a therapeutic dose of Cataplex B can help. Sometimes I’ve found that combining Cataplex B with MagMax is also effective.
  • An epsom salt bath with extra epsom salts (2 cups instead of 1) can relax the body, replenish magnesium stores and aid in pain reduction.
  • To alleviate the extreme tension, the combination of Deep Blue, Frankincense and Basila essential oils applied over the area of concern may provide relief.
Have you found any natural ways to reduce the frequency of your migraines or remedies to reduce the pain? Please share in the comments below so we can all learn from you! 

Posts may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Filed Under: Thyroid Disease, Thyroid Disease | 16 Comments

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16 Comments

  1. Melissa

    June 6, 2018 at 4:01 pm

    Thank you so much for this post! It's an answer to many prayers. My 11 yr old son has suffered from monthly migraines since the age of 4. Sometimes 4-5 a month. He has every classic trigger possible. We already eat organic, local, clean, etc. but have yet to fully get control of the migraines. We've done medications with a neurologist in the past. We do essential oils-he puts Frankincense on his feet daily. We also are currently trying homeopathy, and our doctor is still struggling to find a remedy that works for him. Interestingly, he completely fits the adrenal fatigue description! Exactly! I'm going to have my son read the article and see what he thinks. Thank you so much again! I've enjoyed your insights for years and years!
    to Melissa" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Melissa'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      June 7, 2018 at 1:51 pm

      I'm so glad this post was helpful! If you think he fits the adrenal description, it would be a good idea to have him get an adrenal saliva test so your practitioner can see exactly what's going on with his levels throughout the day. We offer that test at our office, if your practitioner doesn't offer it. Biodynamic Wellness 858.259.6000
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  2. Jessica Lindell

    June 6, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    Wow! Thank you Carrie! This article will be a life-saver. I am currently trying everything I can and I'm so happy to hear you were able to control your headaches with these steps.
    to Jessica Lindell" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Jessica Lindell'>Reply to this comment
  3. Stacey

    June 14, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    Hi there! I'm a migraine sufferer and super interested in trying your recommendations above. I'm not sure what a castor oil pack over the liver is?
    to Stacey" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Stacey'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      June 18, 2018 at 10:00 am

      This article explains it and gives step-by-step instructions: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/prevent-migraines-headaches-naturally/
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  4. Vanessa

    December 6, 2018 at 7:19 am

    Thanks for this insight! When beginning castor oil packs for liver detox is it common to experience mild headaches?
    to Vanessa" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Vanessa'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      December 7, 2018 at 11:24 am

      It's possible to experience headaches as the liver is slowly detoxing. I would try increasing your consumption of beet kvass (have some in the morning and also mid-day) and try and get as much rest as possible.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
      • Gerldina

        October 2, 2020 at 7:32 pm

        I'm treating my adrenals and gut at the same time with a protocol with my doctor everything was going well since this week I was experience some allergies and they triggers a pounding migraine. I back up a few suplement meanwhile. What can I take for the pain?
        to Gerldina" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Gerldina'>Reply to this comment
        • Deliciously Organic

          October 8, 2020 at 2:42 pm

          Legally, I can't give personal health advice, so I recommend talking to your doctor.
          to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  5. Jenny

    September 13, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    The minute I start to see sparkly lights and my vision starts to go, I drink a TON of water, probably 24 to 32 ounces or more and then lay down. I keep drinking water whenever I can. It really curbs it for me and I find I've often recovered within approx 30 minutes. I've never known why (and I know everyone is unique). I assume mine is related to digestion back-up and dehydration issues combined, after a stressful week, so that would make sense regarding toxins building up in the liver, perhaps?
    to Jenny" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Jenny'>Reply to this comment
  6. Nancy

    October 13, 2019 at 9:19 am

    Wow! I've been suffering from migraines all my life and any doctor ever told me about the things I read in your website. The adrenal fatigue, I have a lot of the symptoms and I never heard of it. So I think finding your website and your information is going to change my life. Thanks for helping others find health.
    to Nancy" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Nancy'>Reply to this comment
  7. Angela

    January 3, 2020 at 7:43 pm

    I discovered my migraines were histamine related. After eating cacao, fermented foods, Drinking coffee, wine, any thing that would raise my glucose levels would cause my frontal sinuses to swell and then would trigger migraine. I discovered “Seeking Health” Histamine blocker. The blocker is the enzyme DAO that I’m deficient in to block histamine action. Also, Butterbur herb has shown to reduce migraine by 40%. It has been very effective for me. I haven’t had a migraine in months since I stared the above.
    to Angela" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Angela'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      January 6, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      I'm glad you're feeling better!
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  8. Liz

    May 20, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Thank you for such an informative article! I would love to try the castor oil packs, but am still breastfeeding. My son is 2.5 and only nurses 2 times a day, and only on 1 side one of the times. What is the reason behind not doing the packs while breastfeeding and might it be ok when only breastfeeding a little?
    to Liz" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Liz'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      May 22, 2020 at 1:36 pm

      You're welcome! It's not recommended to do any kind of detoxification when breastfeeding.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  9. Ben

    February 13, 2021 at 6:04 am

    For headaches and migraines I rub an oil on my temples and forehead which contains peppermint oil and other oils. It has a very immediate effect for me. I have also found an ice pack helpful.
    to Ben" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Ben'>Reply to this comment

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Hi, I’m Carrie Vitt, NTP
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Through unprocessed, organic food and detox I’ve reversed Hashimoto’s disease, chronic migraines, IBS and eczema.

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