Alternative Treatments and Home Remedies for Migraine Relief

Migraine headache is one of the most common neurological conditions in the U.S. And many people find relief with treatments, like over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications.

But some people prefer to use natural or home remedies to treat their migraine symptoms. And others may be looking for options with fewer side effects than their prescription medications. About 50% of people who experience migraines report using some type of natural or alternative treatments for migraines or severe headaches. 

Here, we’ll review some common natural treatments for headaches as well as a few newer migraine treatment options.

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Home remedies for migraines

If you want to get rid of your headache naturally, there are many effective options you can try. Remember, it’s not all or nothing. Migraine treatments at home can be used along with medication. In this section, we’ll review what the research shows about potential home remedies for migraine headaches.

1. Supplements

Research indicates that some supplements may be helpful for preventing and managing migraine headaches. Here are the supplements with the most research to back up their effectiveness: 

• Magnesium: Magnesium is a mineral that may help prevent and treat migraines. It seems to be most helpful for people who have migraines with aura and menstrual migraines.

• Riboflavin: Also known as vitamin B2, riboflavin may be low in people who get migraines. Several studies show that taking riboflavin can prevent migraines, particularly in adults.

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant made naturally in the body. A review of six studies found that people who took CoQ10 had fewer migraines, and their migraines didn’t last as long. It didn’t change the severity of their headaches, though.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Multiple studies support the use of omega-3 fatty acids to help decrease both the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. 

• Ginger: Ginger doesn’t seem to prevent migraines. But it does help reduce pain, nausea, and vomiting with attacks.

2. Essential oils

Essential oils are often inhaled as part of aromatherapy or applied topically to the skin. Some believe that essential oils might be helpful for preventing or treating migraine headaches. However, there isn’t good evidence to support this idea. 

One small study found that people who inhaled lavender oil during a migraine attack had more improvement in their headaches than those who smelled a placebo. But a larger review of seven studies found that using essential oils didn’t lower the frequency of migraines or improve the severity of headaches.

Generally, essential oils are considered safe with minimal side effects. So, if you’re interested, you can see for yourself if using essential oils helps you feel better during a migraine attack. But keep in mind that they can also have side effects. Essential oils can lead to skin rashes, like allergic contact dermatitis. 

3. Butterbur

Some people use extract from the butterbur plant (Petasites hybridus) as alternative medicine. The American Academy of Neurology, as well as the American Headache Society, used to recommend butterbur as an effective natural remedy for migraine prevention. But both organizations later removed this recommendation altogether due to safety concerns.

A big reason for the safety concerns is that the butterbur plant contains toxic compounds called alkaloids. If these compounds aren’t taken out during the manufacturing process, they could lead to:

• Liver damage

• Lung problems

• Cancer

• Blood clots

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With long-term use, butterbur might lead to liver damage, even if it doesn’t contain alkaloids. 

Given these potential issues, butterbur isn’t generally recommended. 

4. Feverfew

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a plant that has leaves that look like chrysanthemum and flowers that look like daisies. Feverfew grows throughout the world. It has been used to help treat things like migraines, joint pain, and minor pain. 

The research on feverfew for migraines is mixed. Some studies suggest that feverfew can help prevent migraines, while others show that it doesn’t work better than placebo. 

Feverfew can lead to mild side effects, like stomach discomfort and mouth ulcers. But these usually go away on their own. It isn’t safe to use feverfew while pregnant because it could potentially lead to preterm labor. Also, if you’re allergic to plants in the daisy family (like ragweed), you may also be allergic to feverfew.

5. Cannabidiol (CBD) oil

CBD is one of the active compounds in the cannabis plant. CBD doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 

Research on cannabidiol is promising. Some studies have found that cannabidiol can help prevent migraine headaches and help migraine headaches go away faster. But it hasn’t been studied well enough to know for sure if it helps. And there aren’t clear dosing recommendations. New studies will hopefully help us understand how to use CBD for chronic pain, including headaches. 

As with other herbal extracts, you’ll want to talk to a healthcare professional first to see if CBD is right for you. CBD can have serious side effects. You’ll also want to be sure that you’re buying CBD or any other supplements from a trusted source, since the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements.

Alternative treatments for migraines

In addition to at-home remedies, there are alternative treatments for migraines that might help prevent or treat migraine headaches. These are often used as part of a holistic approach to migraine headaches. Here, we’ll review which methods have evidence behind them and which don’t. 

1. Acupuncture

People have been using acupuncture for thousands of years. An acupuncturist places thin needles into different areas of the body to relieve pain and improve health. 

A review of 22 studies suggests that acupuncture may be just as effective as medications for migraines. Plus, people who had acupuncture reported fewer side effects compared to those taking preventive medications. Long-term effectiveness of acupuncture for migraines isn’t known and requires additional research. 

2. Massages

Aside from being a great way to unwind, massages may help prevent migraines. They may do this by lessening the stress that can trigger a migraine headache. One small study showed that after 5 weekly massage sessions, people had fewer migraines and improved sleep quality. However, bigger studies are needed to know for sure if massage is helpful, and to uncover what type and frequency of massage is best. 

3. Daith piercings

Daith piercings are a form of body piercing that goes through the small, thick fold of cartilage right above your ear canal. Think of it as the innermost part of your ear. Many people get daith piercings for aesthetic reasons. Some people report that it can help migraines and relieve migraine pain. But there’s no good evidence to say that it’s effective. Plus, the process comes with risks. Cartilage piercings carry a high risk of infection, and they can be quite painful. 

4. Botox

Botox is a form of botulinum toxin, a chemical produced by bacteria that blocks nerve activity in muscles, temporarily paralyzing them. It’s best known as a quick cosmetic procedure to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines. But it’s also FDA approved to prevent migraine headaches in certain people. During treatment, a healthcare professional injects small amounts of Botox into seven key areas of the head and neck. This blocks the release of chemicals involved in migraine pain. 

Botox can help prevent migraines. But it may take several treatment cycles before you see a benefit. The effects of each treatment last about 12 weeks, and studies have shown that it can help reduce how often you get headaches. 

5. Migraine glasses

Blue light and fluorescent light can increase light sensitivity and make migraine headaches worse. People who experience migraines tend to be more sensitive to light than others. So, it’s possible that glasses that block these types of light might improve migraine symptoms. 

These special glasses have FL-41 tint (“FL” refers to fluorescent), which filters out specific blue and green wavelengths of light. There’s limited evidence that these glasses might lead to a modest improvement in migraine symptoms. More research is needed.

6. Medical devices

The FDA has approved four devices to prevent and treat migraine headaches. A prescription from a healthcare professional is required for most of them. These devices work by sending electrical signals to different nerves involved in migraine attacks. Here’s how each device works:

1. Cefaly Dual can help prevent and treat migraine headaches. The device is attached to an electrode, which is then placed on your forehead for treatment. This is the only device on this list that can be purchased without a prescription.

2. The Relivion system is a headband device to treat migraines in adults ages 18 or older. It isn’t used to prevent migraines.

3. GammaCore stimulates the vagus nerve, which is believed to play an important role in blocking pain signaling associated with migraines and cluster headaches. It’s a portable handheld device that’s placed on either side of the neck.

4. Nerivio stimulates the nerves in the upper arm, helping to control and stop migraine attacks. During treatment, a portable device is attached to your arm, and the device is controlled through a smartphone. 

Does exercise make migraines better or worse?

The relationship between exercise and migraines is tricky. For some people, exercise can trigger migraine attacks. This seems to happen more often to people who have neck pain as one of their early migraine symptoms. But regular physical exercise can lower the number of migraine episodes you have. 

The key to using exercise to help your migraines is to do it regularly. Scientists aren’t sure exactly why exercise seems to help. But research suggests that exercise releases chemicals that change how your body perceives pain. 

The best type of exercise for migraine prevention is yoga or moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise. 

How to avoid migraines

Migraines can be severe and disrupt your life in more ways than one. It helps to avoid migraine triggers. Triggers aren’t the same for every person. 

Here are some of the most common triggers:

• Stress: Stress is a trigger for almost 70% of people with migraines. Stress-reduction techniques — like mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation — can help you lower your stress levels. 

• Bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells: Many people find that their migraines are triggered by strong sensory input, like bright lights and strong smells. Consider asking for workplace accommodations if you find that these triggers are causing headaches when you go to work. 

• Certain foods: Common triggers include cheese, processed meats, artificial sweeteners, nuts, and citrus fruits. Coffee and alcohol are also common triggers.

• Lack of sleep: Keeping a regular sleep routine is especially important for people who experience migraines. 

• Hormone changes: Some migraines are triggered by hormonal shifts during menstruation or perimenopause.

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Written by:

Nicole Rowe, MD

Dr. Nicole Rowe, MD, is a telehealth family practice physician. She received her medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed her residency in family medicine at University of Colorado’s Swedish Medical Center.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician in a variety of clinical settings. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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