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