Homeopathic News

Homeopathy and Migraines

Migraines are a problem that affect around 17% of the world’s population according to a study by the WHO in 2003 and 2004 and they affect women more than men. They can affect people to varying degrees and common symptoms include one-sided headaches, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbance and disturbed sense of smell or taste. There are also whats called “complicated migraines” which include a neurological component and can include blindness, paralysis and the inability to talk. Complicated migraines are the rarest form of migraine.

Homeopathy can be very successful in helping people deal with the acute attack of a migraine and can also help people deal with the underlying cause of the migraine. The cure of my migraines was one of my reasons for going into homeopathy myself. I have also observed with many patients that their migraines have greatly improved and/or cured through the use of homeopathy.

Common acute remedies used are:

Belladonna – Throbbing, pulsating, hammering and/or bursting headache. Worse for – jarring movement, light, noise, heat, sun. Better for – Pressure. Often with a flushed face. The person may often feel delirious and may want to lie down in a dark room with their eyes closed. There may also be visual disturbance and photophobia. The person’s head may also be very sensitive to touch or washing.

Bryonia - Worse for – movement (much worse), alcohol. Better for – pressure (much better), closing eyes. The person will often be irritable and will not be inclined to talk to anyone. They will prefer to be left alone. The migraine may have started as a result of work stress. The person may be very thirsty but may not want to move to go and get themselves a drink.

Gelsemium - Headache from occiput (back of head) over to the right eye. Flushed face. Heavy, droopy eye-lids. They may be trembling and exhausted. The migraine may have been triggered by excitement or anxiety. There may be double vision. The person will not be thirsty. Their head may feel heavy, as if they can’t hold it up.

Sanguinaria - Right sided headache. Often come on every 7 days. Also good for headaches tha start around menses. Headache from occiput (back of head) over to right eye. Sharp pain, like electric shocks. Better for – sleeping, vomiting. Worse between 12-3pm.

Lycopodium - Right sided headache often from excitement or anxiety. The person may have often missed big events in the past due to a migraine attack on these days. The headache may start on one side and then pass to the other where it is worse. Worse for – not eating.

Spigelia – Left sided headache. Often sharp pain in eyeball. Pain from left occiput (back of head) to over the left eye. Worse for – stooping over.

Iris Vers. - Migraine attacks every 7 days. This person will often have a headache just after all the pressure has stopped e.g. it has been really busy in work for the last few weeks and then when they finally get a weekend off they get a migraine attack. Often visual disturbance and increased saliva. Better for – walk in fresh air.

Lac Defloratum – Weekly. Severe nausea and vomiting. Very chilly. They will often last for 3-5 days. Worse for – light. often left sided headache.

Nux Vomica – Often as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Irritability. Often there will be nausea and/or vomiting. Photophobia. Worse for – light, noise, alcohol, sun.

Natrum Muriaticum – Often as a result of emotional stress/trauma. The headache often starts on waking and is worse in the morning. The person will often want to keep their eyes closed.  It may feel as if their head would burst. Visual disturbance. Better for – gentle walk outside. Worse for – sun, sympathy. Photophobia.

Lachesis – Menstrual migraines. Left sided headache. Often start on waking. Worse for – sleep. Better for – flow of period.

These are some of the most commonly used remedies to treat the acute attacks of migraines. However in order to truly deal with the migraine a consultation should be sort with a homeopath so that the underlying causes can be addressed of which there can be many, and are individual to each person. The treatment of migraines brings a lot of people to homeopathy.

With a migraine it is also good to avoid foods that stimulate the adrenal glands such as tea, coffee, chocolate, coca-cola, hard cheese, red wine or orange juice.

Two herbs that are often used successfully to manage the symptoms of the migraine are Ginko Biloba and Feverfew (please take according to instructions on bottle).