Migraine

Other names

Vascular headache
Neurological migraine
Classic migraine (with aura)
Common migraine (without aura)

Synopsis

Migraine is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches, often accompanied by other disabling symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, and visual disturbances. Migraines can last from a few hours to several days and significantly impact daily functioning. They affect more women than men, often triggered by hormonal changes, stress, foods, or environmental factors.

Types of migraine:

  • Migraine without aura: The most common type, typically includes throbbing pain on one side of the head.

  • Migraine with aura: Includes visual or sensory disturbances before the headache (e.g., flashing lights, zigzag lines, tingling).

  • Chronic migraine: Occurs 15 or more days per month.

  • Vestibular migraine: Includes dizziness or balance disturbances.

Typical symptoms:

  • Pulsating or throbbing head pain (usually unilateral)

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Sensitivity to light, sound, and smells

  • Blurred vision or aura (for some)

  • Fatigue or mood changes before/after episodes

Common triggers include:

  • Hormonal fluctuations (e.g., menstruation)

  • Certain foods (aged cheese, chocolate, MSG, red wine)

  • Skipped meals or dehydration

  • Stress or lack of sleep

  • Weather changes or strong odors

  • Caffeine withdrawal

When to see a doctor:
If migraines are frequent, worsening, or affecting quality of life, or if you experience new neurological symptoms, seek evaluation. Diagnosis is clinical, often supported by headache diaries and occasionally imaging (MRI/CT) to rule out other causes. Treatment may include preventive and abortive medications.

Natural Remedies

Identify and Avoid Triggers: Keep a headache diary.

Use Cold Compresses on the Forehead: Can help relieve pain.

Maintain Regular Sleep and Eating Schedules: Prevents fluctuations that can trigger attacks.

Practice Stress Reduction: Yoga, meditation, or gentle movement.

Limit Screen Time and Exposure to Bright Lights: Helps avoid triggering visual stimuli.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat this condition.

feverfew
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ginger
magnesium
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
zinc
turmeric
vitamin D
vitamin B6
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
5-HTP
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)
5-HTP (test)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Acetylsalicylic acid
Active Amines
Agmatine
Agmatine Silicate
Algal Oil
amino acids
Anthocyanidins (unspecified)
anthocyanin
Anthocyanins
Apigenin
Apple Cider Vinegar
DL-Phenyl-Alanine 4,2-Dimethylaminoethyl
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Ginseng, Panax
14-Hydroxydocosahexaenoic Acid
17-Hydroxydocosahexaenoic Acid
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-Methoxytryptamine
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Acacetin
Acetoglyceride
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Acetyl L-Carnitine Arginate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Alaska Blueberry
Albizia
Algae (unspecified)
algal oil
algal oil
Alkylamide (unspecified)
Alliin
Allyl Sulfide (unspecifide)
Aloe Polysaccharide
aloe vera
Alpha Lipoic Acid
alpha lipoic acid
Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercetin
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
Alpha-Humulene
Alpha-Linolenic Acid
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-pinene
alpha-pinene
Alpinia
Amaranthus tricolor
amber
Amber
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Ananain
anchovies
Aniracetam
Ankaflavin
anthocyanidin
anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
Antioxidant (unspecified)
Apigenin
Apple
Apple
Argan nut oil
Arginine Creatine
Arginine silicate
Arsenic
Arsenic
Ashitaba
ashitaba
ashwagandha
Asparagus
asparagus
Astaxanthin
astaxanthin
Astragalin
atractylodes
Auricularia
Avocado
Axocopaque
Bacillus subtilis natto
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
bacoside
Bacosides
Bacosides (mixed)
Bacosine
Baicalein
Baicalin
Balsam
Bamboo
bamboo
Banyan
barley
Bassia scoparia
Beadlets
beet
Beet
Beet nitrate
Belladonna
benegut perilla (proprietary)
Benzopyran
Beta Hydroxybutyrate
beta-carotene
beta-cyclodextrin
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-zeacarotene
Betony
Bicarbonate
Bifidobacteria
bilberry
bilberry
bitartrate (unspecified)
Black Currant
black garlic
Black garlic
Black Hellebore
Black Pepper
Black Seed
black tea
Black Tea
Blackberry
Blepharis
Blue Wiss
Blueberry
blueberry
Blueberry (unspecified)
Blueberry fiber
Bog Bilberry
Boswellia serrata
1, 3, N-Dipropyl-7-Propargylxanthine
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Ginseng, Oriental
SOD (Superoxide Dismutase, antioxidant activity)
16 carbon alkyl (unspecified)
3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid
3-Ketosteroid
6-Paradol
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Adenosine
African Basil
Aga
Agmatine sulfate
Albizia (unspecified)
Algae
algae
Almond
almond fruit
Almond Oil
Amentoflavone
Amino Acid Chelate
Antirrhinin
apple
Arecoline Hydrobromide
Arisaema cum bile
arjun tree
Aronia melanocarpa
Astragaloside IV
Atractylone
Avian (unspecified)
Avian (unspecified)
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Baikal Skullcap
Baker's Yeast
Basidiomycota
bee pollen
bergamot
Bergamot Oil
Bergamot Orange
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta Glucans
beta-tocopherol
Betanin
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium longum
Biogenic amine (unspecified)
black currant
Black Seed Oil
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blue-Green Alage
Blue-Green Algae
Blue-Green Algae
Boron Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Boswellia
Bottle gourd
Brahmi
Brown Rice
bupleurum falcatum
Butter oil
Butterbur
Butternut
C-Phycocyanin
C-Phycocyanin
Cacao
Cactus (unspecified)
Caffeic Acid
Caffeine
Caffeine pterostilbene
caffeoylquinic acids
Caffeoylquinic acids (unspecified)
Calcifornia chia
Calcium 2-aminoethylphosphate
Calcium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
camu camu
Canadian Goldenrod
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiolic acid
Cannabigerolic acid
Cannabinoids
Cannabinol
Cape gooseberry
Caratuberside
Carbon Dioxide
Carotenoids
Carrot oil
Carry Me Seed
Carthamus (unspecified)
Cassava
Cassia (unspecified)
cassia bark
cat's claw
Catechin
Catechin (unspecified)
Catechins
catechins
Catechins (unspecified)
Catecholamine (unspecified)
Centidepa (unspecified)
Ceramides
Cereal grass (unspecified)
Ceylon cinnamon
Ceylon Spinach
Chalcone (unspecified)
Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile (not specified)
Chamomile (unspecified)
Chard
cherry
cherry (unspecified)
Chinese Club Moss
Chinese orchid
Chinese salvia root
Chinese Silkvine
Chinese Tinospora
chlorogenic acid
Chloroplast
Chocolate
Chocolate liquor
chokeberry
chrysanthemum
Cinnamic Acid
Cinnamomum tamala
Cinnamon
Cinnamon (unspecified)
Citicoline
Citrus maxima
Citrus reticulata
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
cocoa
cocoa
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q-10
Coenzyme Q-10
Coenzyme Q10
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coffee
Coffee (mixed)
coffee fruit
cola nut
Condonopsis
CoQ10
Cordycepic acids
Cornelian Cherry
Corydalis
Creatine
Crioceras
Crocin
Cryptoxanthin
cucumber
Cupric ascorbate
curcumin
Curcumin
Currant (unspecified)
Cyanidin
Cyanidin-3-glucoside
Cysteine
Damask rose
Dandelion
Danshen
David's Milkberry
Delphinidin
Dendramine
DHA
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
Diclofenac
Didymin
Dimethylresveratrol
Dioscorea oppositifolia
Dipeptide (unspecified)
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dogwood (unspecified)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
Durian
Earthworm
Ecklonia (unspecified)
EGCG
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Emulsion
English Walnut
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
epicatechin
epicatechin
Epigallo catechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Ergothioneine
Eriodictyol
Erodium cicutarium
Esein
Ester derivatives (unspecified)
Ethyl Ester
Ethyl Esters (unspecified)
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Fatty Acid Esters (Unspecified)
Fenuside
ferulic acid
Ferulic Acid
Ferulic acid derivative
Feverfew
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
Fish
Fish
Fish
Fish (including shell)
Fish (including shell)
fish oil
Fish Oil
Fish roe oil
flavan-3-ols
Flavanol (mixture)
Flavanols
flavanols (various)
Flavanones
Flavanones (various)
Flavin mononucleotide
Flavoglycosides
Flavones
Flavones (various)
Flavonols
Flavonones (unspecified)
Flosin B
Folic Acid
Frankincense
Frankinsense
Fritillary (unspecified)
Frog
Fruit & Vegetable Blend
Fruit acid (mixed)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
Gallic Acid
Garden Cress
Gastrodia
Gelsemium
German Chamomile
Gerovital H3
Giant Blazingstar
Ginkgo
ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo Flavonglycosides
Ginkgolide A
Ginkgolide B
Ginkgolide C
Ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
Ginseng
Ginseng (unspecified)
Ginsenoside
Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides (unspecified)
Glutamic Acid
Gluthathione
Glycophospholipid
Goldthread
Gooseberry
gooseberry
Gotu Kola
gotu kola
Grape
grape
green bell pepper
green tea
Green Tea
Green tea antioxidant (unspecified)
Guaranine
Gypenoside
Haematococcus pluvialis
Hazelnut
Hellebore (unspecified)
Hemp oil
Hempnettle
Heneicosapentaenoic acid
Hericium mushroom
hesperetin
Hesperetin
hesperidin
Hesperidin
Hesperidin
Hesperitin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Honeybush (unspecified)
Horn
Houttynia
Humic acid
Hyacinth bean
Hydrogen
Hydroxycinammic acid
Hydroxycinnamic acid
Hygrophila
Hypericum (unspecified)
Hyperoside
Indian Cassia
Indian Chrysanthemum
Indian Frankincense
Indian frankincense
Indole alkaloid (unspecified)
Iridoid glycosides
iridoids
isoliquiritigenin
Isomers (unspecified)
Isoquercetin
Isovitexin
Japanese persimmon
Javanese Turmeric
Jiaogulan
jiaogulan
Jujube
jujube
Juniper
Kaempferide
Kaempferol
Kaempferol
Kakkonein
Kale
Ketone
ketone (unspecified)
Ketone Salts
Knotweed
knotweed
Kola Nut
Kombucha Tea
Korean Angelica
Krill
Krill Oil
krill oil
Kuding tea (unspecified)
Kudzu
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-Methionine
L-Phenylalanine
L-Taurine
l-taurine
l-theanine
L-Tryptophan
Lavender
lavender
Legume (unspecified)
lemon balm
Lentein
Lesser speargrass
lettuce
Licorice
Ligustilide
Lily (unspecified)
Limonene
Linalool
lingusticum wallichii
lingzhi
Linolenic Acids
Lipoic Acid
Little ironweed
Loquat
Lotus
Lotus (unspecified)
Lovastatin
luteolin
Luteolin
Lycopene
Lymph
Macadamia Oil
mackerel
Magnesium Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Magnesium citrate malate
Magnesium Creatine
Magnesium Malate
Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium Taurinate
Magnesium threonate
Magnolol
Maitake Mushroom
Malvidin
Mandarin
mandarin orange
Manganese
Mangostin
Marine fat
Marine fat (unspecified)
Marine lipid (unspecified)
Marine oil (unspecified)
maritime Pine
matcha
Mate
MCT / Medium Chain Triglycerides
Meadowsweet
melatonin
Melatonin
Melatonin
Mesua
Methoxylated flavones
Methylmethionine sulfonium
Methylxanthine (unspecified)
Millet (Panicum miliaceum)
Mitoquinone mesylate
mixed carotenoids
Monounsaturated fatty acid (unspecified)
moringa
Moroccan oregano
morus
mulberry
Mulberry (unspecified)
Mum
Mushrooms
Myrcene
Myricitrin
Myristicin
N-acetyl leucine
NADH
Nardostachys
Naringenin
Neohesperidin
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
niacin (vitamin B3)
Niacin ascorbate
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
nicotinamide riboside
Night jessamine
Night-Blooming Cereus
Nitrate
Nitrate
Nitrate (unspecified)
Nitrates
Nitric Oxide
Nitrous Oxide
Noni fiber
Notopterygium
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Olive
Omega Blend
Omega-3
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids
omega-3 fatty acids
Oolong Tea
Ophiopogon
orange
Orchid (unspecified)
Orchid tree (unspecified)
Organic Greens
Oriental Bush Cherry
Osthole
P. nigraclens (unspecified)
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)
Paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Palmyra
Panax Ginseng
Panax Notoginseng
Panax Pseudoginseng
Paraxanthine
Passionfruit
peach
Peach
peanut
Pearl
peppermint oil
perilla
perilla
Perilla Oil
Perperine
Persimmon
Petasin
Petasines
phenethylamine (PEA)
Phenolic diterpenes
Phenols (unspecified)
phenyl alkyl ketones
Phenylalanine
phenylpiracetam
phosphatidyl inositol
phosphatidyl inositol
Phosphatidylinositol
phospholipid
Phospholipids (unspecified)
Phthalide
Phthalides
Phycocyanin
Phycocyanins
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
phytocannabinoids
Phytoestrogen
Phytoestrogen (unspecified)
Phytoplankton
Picamilon
pine bark
Piperin
Piracetam
Pistachio
Plankton (unspecified)
Polar Lipids (unspecified)
pollen
Pollen
Pollen (unspecified)
Poly-thyronine
Polydatin
Polygonatum
Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Polygonum (unspecified)
Polyphenol (unspecified)
Polysaccharides
Polyunsaturated Fat
Polyunsaturated fatty acid
Pomegranate
pomegranate
Pomegranate protein
pomelo
Poncirin
Poppy (Unspecified)
Potassium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Pregnenolone
Proanthocyanidin
Proanthocyanidin (unspecified)
Proanthocyanidins
Procaine
Procyanidin (unspecified)
Procyanidol
Progesterone
Provence Rose
Puerarin
purple butterbur root
Purslane
Pycnogenol
pyridoxine-alpha-ketoglutarate (PAK)
pyridoxine-alpha-ketoglutarate (PAK)
Pyritinol
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
quail egg
Quercetin
Quercetin
quercetin
Raspberry
Raspberry (unspecified)
Raspberry (various)
Rasperries (mixed)
Rauvolfia (unspecified)
Rauvolfia canescens
Red Raspberry
Red Sage
Red Wine
Reginin A
Reishi
Reishi mushroom
Resveratrol
resveratrol
Resveratrol analog (unspecified)
Resveratrol analogue
Resveratrol conjugates (mixed)
Rhemannia
Riboflavin
Riboflavin (B2)
Robusta Coffee
Rooibos
Rosabin
Rose water
Rosmarinic Acid
Royal Jelly
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae (unspecified)
Rubus (unspecified)
Rue
Rutaecarpine
Rutin
rutin
Safflower
Saffron
sage
sage oil
Saigon cinnamon
Salicylate (unspecified)
Salidroside
Salidrosides
Salmon Oil
Salt (Himalayan)
SAM-e
SAM-e
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
San-Qi Ginseng
Sandalwood (unspecified)
sardines
Satsuma mandarin
Scabrous Gentian
Schisandra
Schisandrin
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Scleranthus annus
Scurfy Pea
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea Lettuce
Sea vegetable (unspecified)
seaweed
Seaweed (unspecified)
Selenium
selenium
Seleno Methionine
Sensitive Plant
Sesbania grandiflora
Shark Liver Oil
Sichuan Pagoda Tree
Silkmoth
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Nitrate
Sour Cherry
Sour Cherry
soursop
Spantholobus
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
Spikenard
Spinach
Spirulina
spirulina
Squalene
Squash
St. John's Wort
Sulbutiamine
sunflower
Superoxide Dismutase
Suspension matrix
Sweet Potato
swertia
Tall Kale
Tamarix (unspecified)
Tangerine
tangerine
Tanshinone
Taurine
Taurine
Taxifolin
Terminalia
Terpene Lactone (unspecified)
Tetra-Hydro-Iso-Alpha-Acids
Tetrahydropalmatine
Thai kudzu
Theaflavin
Theobromine
threonic acid
Tinospora Cordifolia
tomato
Tomatoe
Tree Nut (unspecified)
Tree Peony
Tryptophan
Tumerone
Turnip
Tyramine
ubiquinol
Uncaria (unspecified)
Uncaria rhynchophylla
Uncaria sinensis
Unsaturated Fat
Unsaturated fatty acid
Ursane-type triterpenoid
Valerian
valerian root
Vanillin
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Vegetable Juice
Verbascoside
Viramin E (mixed tocopherols)
Vitamin A (vitamin A cetate)
Vitamin B1 (fursultiamine)
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 (mixed)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin Phosphate)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 (unspecified)
Vitamin B2 (various)
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 (Inositol Hexanicotinate)
Vitamin B3 (mixed)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Vitamin B3 (Nicotinamide riboside)
Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide)
Vitamin B3 (various)
Vitamin B5 (mixed)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 (unspecified)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (Mixed)
Vitamin B6 (pridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine HCl)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
Vitamin D (mixed)
Vitamin D3
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitamin E
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (alpha tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocomonoenol)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl hydrochloride)
Vitamin E (beta and delta tocopherols)
Vitamin E (beta tocopherol)
Vitamin E (beta tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (beta-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (beta-tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (delta-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (delta-tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (gamma tocopherol)
Vitamin E (Gamma Tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (gamma unspecified)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols
Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols and Tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols/tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (mixed tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (mixed tocotrienols/tocopherols)
Vitamin E (mixed)
Vitamin E (mixied tocopherols and tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (tocopherol not specified)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (tocotrienol unspecified)
Vitamin E (tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (unspecified)
Vitamine E (mixed tocotrienols)
Vitexin
Vitricin
Walnut
Walnut (unspecified)
watermelon
Watermelon
Western Mugwort
White Tea
Wild Thyme
Wine
Wine
Withanolides
Wood Betony
Xanthine
Xanthine (unspecified)
Xanthone (unspecified)
Xanthophyll
Xanthophyls
Yeast
Yerba Mate
Yuzu
Zeaxanthin
Zinc magnesium aspartate
Zingerone