YOU MAY BE HOUSING A POWERFUL MIGRAINE TOOL IN YOUR SPICE CABINET. EXPLORE SIMPLE WAYS TO START USING GINGER FOR MIGRAINE RELIEF.

Ginger houses a pharmacy of its own. The root has strong anti-inflammatory properties, settles the stomach, helps with nausea, and aids in digestion. For those that deal with Migraine attacks, it’s an all-around powerhouse and must-have addition to your pantry (and purse!).

Research has shown that ginger powder can play a huge role in curbing migraine attacks: taking a half teaspoon of ginger in a little warm water at the onset of a Migraine attack has been shown to be as effective as taking sumatriptan, a commonly prescribed Migraine abortive (1).

4 SIMPLE WAYS TO USE GINGER FOR MIGRAINE

If you don’t always feel like throwing back the powder, here are five ways you can incorporate ginger into your diet and turn to it if you feel an attack coming on.

ginger for Migraine

Ginger essential oil on your inner wrist can help soothe an upset stomach. Image: Pixabay

1 – Essential Oils. If your Migraine attacks come with an upset stomach, digestive issues, or nausea, try using a ginger essential oil. Rub a few drops along your inner wrists, where the points to your stomach channel are and along the stomach where the discomfort is felt. You can also take a few drops of the oil in water.

There are essential oil blends combined specifically to aid for digestion, or you can try mixing a few different essential oils with the ginger oil. Other oils that settle the stomach, promote healthy digestion, and help with migraine symptoms include fennel, coriander, and peppermint. Make sure to buy an organic, food-grade essential oil that is safe to ingest and be absorbed by your skin.

2 – Ginger Candies. For something fast and easy to carry in your purse, car, or grab from your desk drawer, try ginger candies. Made from all-natural ginger, but put into delicious candy form, these are the perfect thing to pop into your mouth to settle your stomach or when you feel a Migraine attack beginning. Plus, they are safe to use for relief while pregnant.

3- Ayurvedic Mask. Ayurvedic medicine, the healing modality for balancing mind, body, and spirit in India, suggests creating a strategically placed face mask with ginger powder to treat a Migraine attack. The mask is simple to make and calming to use:

Add warm water to organic ginger powder, make it into a paste, and dab it lightly along your forehead and temples. Rest in a quiet, dark room or somewhere calming.

4 – Fresh Ginger for Migraine Relief. Incorporate fresh ginger root into your diet and routine. Here are some simple ways to use the real thing:

Whip up a smoothie. Have fun experimenting with ingredients that are complementary to your taste buds, or if you’re looking for a good combo to start with, try tossing spinach, kale, pineapple, pear, coconut water (which is super hydrating), and an inch of shaved ginger into the blender.

Or try this  Potent Migraine Pain Relief Shake.

Juice it. If the texture of the blended ginger bothers you, consider making a juice with the same ingredients above—the only difference is the juicer will strain out all the pulpy contents.

Slice it. Slice the ginger and rub the real stuff on your wrists and temples.

ginger for Migraine

There are several different ways to use fresh ginger for Migraine relief. Image: Pixabay

Brew some tea. Shave, cut, and crush one to two inches of fresh ginger. Boil in several cups of water for 15-20 minutes, strain, and drink the elixir. It’s warm and comforting with a spicy kick, and super soothing.

Make your own ginger ale. To quickly and easily relief nausea, you can make a healthier version of ginger ale in your own kitchen. This is one of the most refreshing – and most delicious – ways to use ginger for Migraine relief, and it works quickly to settle an upset stomach.

INCORPORATE GINGER FOR MIGRAINE RELIEF WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Ginger is so easy to use, it’s inexpensive, and it’s versatile with many different ways to incorporate it into your routine. The night time you feel the familiar rumblings of a Migraine attack beginning, try this ancient spice along with your other pain-relieving tools. You might just find the perfect natural complement to add to your arsenal for migraine prevention.

FOOTNOTES

  1. Maghbooli, M., Golipour, F., Moghimi Esfandabadi, A. and Yousefi, M. (2014), Comparison Between the Efficacy of Ginger and Sumatriptan in the Ablative Treatment of the Common Migraine. Phytother. Res., 28: 412–415. doi:10.1002/ptr.4996