5 Natural Cures for Women Who Suffer Migraines
Need migraine relief for women — that is, designed specifically to help you fight those debilitating headaches? Women suffer from migraines three times as often as men–and these horrible headaches get worse as women go through perimenopause in their 40s, according to the Migraine Research Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to finding a cure.
So what can nix migraines? Check our list of the best science-backed natural treatments for migraines that may finally bring relief to your aching head.
Migraine Relief for Women
Relieve migraines with water. Dehydration is a known headache trigger, but a a study found that drinking two extra glasses of water in the morning can make your migraines less frequent and shorter.
Filter out migraine triggers. Turns out, rose-colored glasses are worth putting on! The glare and brightness from fluorescent lamps are a big migraine trigger, and one study found that sufferers who wore a specific type of rose-colored lenses known as FL-41 were able to cut their migraines by 76 percent. Ask your doctor about using a tint to reduce glare–and headaches.
Treat migraines with buckwheat. Buckwheat (or soba) noodles are full of benefits, but one is particularly important to women who suffer from headaches. Researchers found that eating a 1/2 cup every day could reduce your migraine symptoms in as little as three weeks. Buckwheat noodles are extra rich in rutin, a nutrient that reduces irritation to the brain. Other foods high in rutin are apples (with the peel) and asparagus.
Step outside. Research suggests that getting enough vitamin D reduces your risk for migraine pain. Spend about 15 minutes a day getting direct natural sunlight (wear your SPF!), get it from food sources like fatty fish, cheese, and eggs, and talk to your doctor to see if a vitamin D supplement might be helpful for you.
Have chamomile tea before bed. To invite deep sleep, sip calming chamomile to relax your central nervous system and increase your nighttime production of endorphins, which lowers your risk for morning headaches by 50 percent.
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