| Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
| |
| | months (Neurology, 2005, vol. 64, no. 4).
|
| What it is: Feverfew grows throughout
| |
| | Compared with those taking placebo,
|
| Europe and North America. An extract from
| |
| | Co-Q10 users experienced fewer migraine
|
| the dried, powdered leaves of the plant
| |
| | attacks, had fewer days each month with
|
| can ease the frequency, severity, and
| |
| | migraines, and had fewer episodes of
|
| length of migraine attacks.
| |
| | nausea. To prevent migraines, take
|
| How it works: Several studies show that
| |
| | 150–300 mg of Co-Q10 daily. (Be
|
| taking this herb daily protects against
| |
| | prepared for sticker shock, however, as
|
| migraines (Cephalalgia, 2005, vol. 25,
| |
| | taking a preventive dose of this
|
| no. 11), though scientists aren't certain
| |
| | supplement costs $50 to $100 a month,
|
| exactly how feverfew does so. Keep in
| |
| | depending on the brand.)
|
| mind that this herb is preventive;
| |
| | Side effects: None.
|
| although feverfew can reduce the
| |
| |
|
| frequency and severity of attacks, it is
| |
| | Magnesium
|
| not useful to start taking it once a
| |
| | What it is: The mineral magnesium plays
|
| migraine sets in.
| |
| | numerous essential roles in the body,
|
| Side effects: Only minor problems, such
| |
| | including building strong bones, relaxing
|
| as gastrointestinal upset, have been
| |
| | muscles, clotting blood, and helping to
|
| reported with the use of feverfew, and
| |
| | produce mitochondrial energy.
|
| even these are fairly uncommon.
| |
| | How it works: Similar to Co-Q10,
|
|
| |
| | magnesium is thought to quell migraine
|
| Coenzyme Q10
| |
| | attacks through its role in increasing
|
| What it is: Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10), a
| |
| | energy production in the mitochondria.
|
| compound made naturally by the body,
| |
| | People with recurrent migraines tend to
|
| helps turn food into energy inside a part
| |
| | have lower levels of magnesium. When
|
| of the cell called the mitochondria.
| |
| | frequent migraine sufferers supplemented
|
| Co-Q10 also has powerful antioxidant
| |
| | with 600 mg of magnesium daily for three
|
| properties.
| |
| | months, they reported a significant—42
|
| How it works: A lot about migraines
| |
| | percent—drop in the frequency of their
|
| remains a mystery, but one leading theory
| |
| | migraines (Cephalalgia, 1996, vol. 16,
|
| suggests that impaired energy production
| |
| | no. 4).
|
| within the mitochondria could set the
| |
| | Side effects: The high amount of
|
| stage for a migraine. Through its support
| |
| | magnesium used in most research studies
|
| of mitochondrial energy production,
| |
| | (600 mg daily) could cause diarrhea. If
|
| Co-Q10 appears to help prevent migraines.
| |
| | that occurs, try lowering your dosage to
|
| In one recent study, 42 migraine patients
| |
| | 200–300 mg.
|
| took coenzyme Q10 daily for several
| |
| |
|
