Ginger Tea for Migraines

Migraine suffers may find relief with ginger tea. While studies have been inconclusive, anecdotal evidence indicates that this inflammation fighter may help with the chronic and persistent pain experienced by headache sufferers.

These vascular headaches can come on without warning, but often they arrive with a set of symptoms that include auras (flashes of light or sometimes a loss of vision) and nausea.

The auras generally last a few minutes. Light, noise or movement may become troublesome. The headache pain is described as throbbing or pounding and can last anywhere from two hours to several days.

Migraines can be caused by any number of things, including certain foods (cheeses, nuts, chocolate), alcohol (particularly wine), low blood sugar, and odors such as strong perfumes or cigarette smoke.

For thousands of years, healers have used ginger for nausea and cardiovascular health. Since both of these issues are prevalent in migraines, ginger is a good choice for headache suffers seeking a natural remedy.

One study indicates that 500 to 600 mgs of dried ginger taken at the onset of a migraine is an effective antidote to the headache.

Repeat the dosage every four hours for four days. Including uncooked fresh ginger in the diet may benefit headache suffers to the point that migraines are no longer as severe or frequent.

Ginger comes from a tuber or root, which is grown the West Indies, Jamaica, and Africa. Most larger grocery stores carry it in their produce aisles.

A prepared tea of ginger can also be found in the tea aisles and some health food stores carry it as a capsule or extract.

Be sure to check with your physician before using ginger as an herbal remedy because the herb can conflict with some medications.

Sources: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd edition, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, 2nd edition revised, by Michael Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.

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