Homeopathic Medicines for Migraine

Migraine is a disorder characterized by headache, specifically affecting one side of the head (i.e. unilateral side). Migraine headaches are mostly throbbing or pulsating in nature. Common accompanying symptoms are nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, and noise.

Homeopathy carries an excellent scope for treating migraine.  Homeopathic treatment is required in two phases to bring relief, especially in migraine. First, during acute migraine episodes, homeopathic medicines help to relieve pain in the head and its attending symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Once acute pain subsides, the treatment should not be stopped. Relief from acute pain is the first phase of treatment. The treatment is required further, which becomes the second phase of treatment, where homeopathy works in treating the chronic tendency of migraine. These medicines help to prevent the recurrence of migraine and also reduce one’s dependency on medicines. Homeopathic medicines do not work superficially but go to the core of the problem and focus on rooting it out in the second phase of treatment.

Safe option with zero side effects

Homeopathy treats migraine with zero side effects as the medicines used for treatment are of natural origin. Homeopathic medicines work in a very natural and safe way. The basic approach of these medicines is to stimulate or boost the body’s self-healing mechanism to a level where the body can heal itself naturally. Homeopathic medicines are safe to use among people of all age groups.

The time it will take to cure any case of migraine depends on several factors. These include the duration of the complaint, its frequency and severity. In addition, the response of the person’s body to homeopathic medicines decides for how long the homeopathic treatment needs to be continued for a complete cure.

Individualized approach

The basic underlying fundamental principle of homeopathy is treating every case following an individualized approach to get the best results. Homeopathy works wonders only when the medicine is prescribed as per the characteristic key symptoms in every individual case and not just as part of a hit-and-trial method. For example, Belladonna, though the most often recommended medicine for migraine, might not help in all cases. A case where sun exposure triggers headache might need the medicine Glonoine, and in a case where nausea and vomiting are marked with headache, medicine Iris Versicolor may be recommended. Cases with ‘aura’ symptoms may need some other medicine. So, proper consultation from a homeopathic physician with thorough knowledge of the subject is required who will prescribe medicines after detailed evaluation of the case.

Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines for Migraine

The top-ranked homeopathic medicines for migraine are Belladonna, Glonoinum, Iris Versicolor, Epiphegus, Spigelia, Sanguinaria Canadensis,  Nux Vomica, Kali Phos, Natrum Muriaticum and Gelsemium.

1. Belladonna – Top Grade Medicine For Migraine

Though there are numerous medicines available in homeopathy to manage migraine, Belladonna occupies the top position. I can bet this medicine to relieve migraine headache. It is a brilliant medicine to help relieve headaches with intense throbbing, pulsating type of pain.  Beside, there is a feeling of  extreme fullness in the head along with a sensation as if the head would burst. Light seemingly worsens the headache. Noise may get unbearable. In some cases, exposure to cold air may trigger a migraine episode. In others, a head bath with cold water can bring on migraine headache. Manual pressing of the head is the only way one can get some relief.

When to use Belladonna?

This medicine can be used when there is throbbing/pulsating  (beating with strong regular rhythm) headache with a sensation as if the head would burst.

How to use Belladonna?

This medicine can be used in 30C potency twice or thrice a day as per the intensity of pain.

2. Glonoinum – For Congestive Headache

Glonoinum, though mentioned at second position, is as effective as Belladonna for treating migraine with fullness and congestion in head. Those needing it feel excessive blood rush into the head. The head feels very large, as if it would burst. Patients who suffer are seen holding their heads tightly. The eyeballs seem to protrude. Extreme heaviness in the head along with unbearable heat occurs. Uncovering the head relieves the headache. Headache gets better with sleep. However, walking may worsen the headache. Apart from congestive headaches, Glonoinum is a leading medicine administered for headache related to migraine triggered by sun exposure.

When to use Glonoinum?

The use of Glonoine is highly recommended to manage congestive, bursting type of headache triggered by sun exposure.

How to use Glonoinum?

One may take this medicine in 30 C potency one to three times a day depending on the severity of pain. For using its high potencies like 200C one needs to consult a homeopathic physician.

3. Iris Versicolor – For Migraine With Nausea, Vomiting Or Acidity

To manage headache with nausea, vomiting and acidity no medicine does a better job than Iris Versicolor. Though some other medicines can be extremely useful, Iris Versicolor is the first choice. It is best suited when acid reflux leads to a headache. In cases needing it, vomiting of acidic, sour, bitter nature is observed. Bitter, acrid belching with heartburn (intense burning behind the sternum) and burning in the throat is well marked. Other than heartburn, burning may be noted in any part of the alimentary canal. This medicine is also useful in case migraine begins with a blur in front of the eyes.

When to use Iris Versicolor?

Its use is particularly advised to deal with migraine headache attended with nausea, vomiting and acidity.

How to use Iris Versicolor?

This medicine works most wonderfully in 30C potency that can be taken once or twice a day.

4. Epiphegus – For Migraine Triggered By Mental Or Physical Exertion

To treat migraine triggered by exertion (mental or physical), Epiphegus is the best bet. It gives great results when mental or physical exertion sets off the migraine episode. It is used when a slightest deviation from routine work brings on a migraine attack. Although it works for migraine on both sides of the head, comparatively better results are seen when the headache occurs on the left side. A peculiar accompanying symptom is increased saliva with constant inclination to spit.

When to use Epiphegus?

Use of Epiphegus is especially suggested for migraine attacks triggered by either mental or physical exertion.

How to use Epiphegus?

Its 30C potency is good to start with one or two times daily according to magnitude of the problem.

5. Spigelia – Effective Medicine For Left-sided Migraine

Spigelia is undoubtedly the most effective medicine for migraine on the left side. In most cases, the pain begins in the back of the head (occipital region), extends upwards and settles over the left eye. The pain is intense, throbbing and pulsating. A sensation of a tight band around the head is felt. Stooping seems to worsen the headache. Severe pain in the eyeballs may be an accompanying factor. Eye movement worsens this pain.

When to use Spigelia?

It is a good choice of medicine for left-sided headache that starts from the back of the head, goes upwards and finally settles over the left eye.

How to use Spigelia?

It is safe to use Spigelia 30C one or two times daily.

6. Sanguinaria Canadensis – For Migraine Of Right Side

Sanguinaria Canadensis works wonderfully well to settle down migraine on the right side. The characteristic symptom to administer this medicine is pain which starts in the back of the head (occipital region), and then it goes up and sits right over the right eye. Lying down quietly in a dark room or sleeping brings relief. This medicine can also be prescribed when the headache starts in the morning, gets intense during the day and lasts until sunset. Fasting (going without meals) often triggers a migraine headache in some, for which this medicine is helpful. Sanguinaria Canadensis is also a significant medicine for migraine in women during menopause.

When to use Sanguinaria Canadensis?

The key indicating feature to use this medicine is pain beginning in the back of the head, then rising up and settling over the right eye.

How to use Sanguinaria Canadensis?

Its use is mostly recommended in 30C potency one to two time a day.

 7. Nux Vomica – For Migraine With Gastric Issues

Nux Vomica is the most well-suited medicine for migraine with gastric troubles. Migraine associated with indigestion, gas, constipation shows great recovery with the use of Nux Vomica. It is often seen that migraine headache gets triggered by some particular food items. Nux Vomica is suitable when migraine triggers from intake of alcohol, coffee, and spicy food. The headache may be felt in any part of the head. The person feels the need to press the head against something for relief.

When to use Nux Vomica?

The most characteristic feature for using Nux Vomica is migraine linked with indigestion, gas and constipation.

How to use Nux Vomica?

Though this medicine can be used in both low and high potency, initially 30C potency is right to begin with. One may take Nux Vomica 30 C two or three times a day. Keep away from using its high potencies without consulting a homeopathic physician.

8. Kali Phos – For Migraine Due To Stress

To relieve migraine from stress one can surely take this medicine without second thought. The unique indication for the use of Kali Phos is stress, tension, and worry that leads to headache arising from migraine. Such migraine headaches are common among students who suffer school or college-related stress. Exhaustion and weakness usually accompany the migraine in such cases.

When to use Kali Phos?

It is an ideal prescription for cases of migraine triggered from stress, tensions and worry.

How to use Kali Phos?

The recommended dose of this medicine is Kali Phos 6X three to four times a day as per the symptom severity.

9. Natrum Muriaticum – For Migraine Before / During Menses (Menstrual Migraine)

Some women may experience migraine specifically before or during menstruation. For them, Natrum Muriaticum is the best prescription. This medicine works extremely well when migraine attack gets triggered before or during menstrual cycle. This medicine typically works if migraine headache feels like little hammers knocking on the brain. Another kind of headache that can be dealt wonderfully with this medicine is when the headache starts with sunrise, continues through the day and vanishes after sunset. This is popularly known as the “sunrise to sunset headache”. It is also the most suitable prescription for migraine headaches in school girls or in girls who are anaemic. It is also considered the best medicine where numbness or tingling is felt in the nose, tongue or lips before the migraine attack.

When to use Natrum Muriaticum?

This medicine is indicated to manage migraine triggered before or during menstrual cycle and also when headache occurs between sunrise to sunset.

How to use Natrum Muriaticum ?

Its 30 C potency is the most frequently used potency that can be taken once or twice a day.

10. Gelsemium – When Headache Is Preceded By Temporary Vision Loss

Gelsemium is well indicated for cases in which temporary vision loss (blindness) precedes onset of migraine headache. Those who need it usually feel the pain in the back of the head (occipital region). A sensation of a band around the head is also felt. There is heaviness on the eyelids. Excessive sensibility to noise before headache is yet another indication for its use. This medicine can also be given for headache on one side accompanied with dim vision or double vision.

When to use Gelsemium?

This medicine can be selected for cases of migraine with temporary vision loss (blindness) before onset of headache.

How to use Gelsemium?

Use this medicine in 30C potency two or three times a day as the case demands.

Causes

1. Migraines are believed to arise due to brain changes affecting nerve communication, and are also thought to originate from brain changes affecting blood vessels. Some believe that both these factors play a role. These changes send pain signals to the brain.

2. Other than these, decrease in the level of brain chemical serotonin may be a causing factor, the research for confirmation of the role of serotonin in migraines is still ongoing.

3. Genetics is also thought to play a role in migraine as persons having migraine often have a family history of migraine. About two thirds of the migraine cases have a family history of migraine. If a person has one parent with migraine then he/she has 50 percent chance to suffer the same. Both the parents suffering from migraine increases  the risk to 75 per cent in their children.

4. In some cases psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, are linked with migraine