Why Is Ginger Root Good for Migraines? Best Nutrition Secrets
How many natural remedies have you heard of containing ginger root?
No doubt, you know that it can relieve nausea.
Additionally...
...it’s an ingredient in many detox recipes.
As it turns out, one of ginger root’s secrets is that it can reduce pain.
Bold promise? Definitely.
But stay with me.
Recently, I heard from someone who actually uses ginger root migraines nutrition secrets to ease the slew of symptoms that come with migraines.
So...
...is ginger root a multipurpose miracle?
Or is the power of suggestion - that ginger is medicine - at play here?
Because today...
...that’s exactly what we intend to answer.
The Mystery of Migraines
Clearly, migraines are not regular headaches.
With a traditional headache, you may pop a few ibuprofen or chug a glass of water.
If it’s really bad, you may need to lie down.
Migraines, on the other hand, take people down for days at a time.
Getting regular migraines can have severe impacts on productivity and general happiness.
The real challenge for migraine sufferers is attempting to function at all when under attack.
Symptoms of a migraine include:
Some people dealing with migraines only have three or four of these symptoms at a time.
Moreover...
...these symptoms can indicate a certain kind of migraine.
The various types of migraines one can get include:
For the most part, migraines affect women.
Men are more likely to get cluster headaches, where the pain is still very bad, but it doesn’t last as long.
Yet all told, almost 40 million people suffer from migraines.
A few million people experience migraines regularly, and nearly all have to miss work or school when one strikes.
Treatment seems to be limited for many, who simply rely on OTC pain relievers.
Despite the severity of the condition, only half get a diagnosis.
Furthermore, only a quarter of people turn to a physician for migraine treatment.
It seems like this terrible affliction can only be accepted by those struggling.
To be fair...
...lack of treatment is probably most common among those who suffer episodic migraines, not chronic ones.
Episodic migraines affect 15 days out of 90 days.
Naturally, chronic migraines occur more frequently - approximately half of all days feature migraine symptoms.
Even more troubling is...
It’s as though with the variation in migraine symptoms and types, not all kinds of intervention are effective.
Why does this happen to people?
Why do some get regular migraines, but others don’t?
What are it's secrets?
The thing is, no one really knows.
The best answer you can get is that migraines are genetic.
But if you ask me, that’s not much of an answer.
After all, we don’t know exactly what the family history triggers in terms of an underlying cause.
Potentially, migraines are just a symptom of what that genetic predisposition really impacts.
However, researchers and doctors have some ideas.
The cause of migraines could be a vascular problem in the brain.
It could also potentially be a central nervous system problem or chemical imbalance, such as a drop in serotonin.
In the end, perhaps no one knows better than the person suffering from migraines.
People with personal experience in dealing with the pain have noted some factors that can trigger migraines, such as:
So for some, what we ingest definitely tips the scales toward a migraine.
And on that note, we’ll have a look at the world’s oldest natural medicine - ginger root.
The History of Ginger Root
You know that really fancy supplement or ridiculously high-priced medication we know of today?
5,000 years ago, that was ginger root.
Bold statement? Definitely.
But stay with me...
Originating in Asia, ginger root was a bit of a hot commodity.
So much so that it spread relatively quickly to other civilized parts of the world.
Indeed, the spice trade made ginger a superstar once its medicinal properties became known.
The fall of Rome made ginger more expensive and rare. When the root did pick up again, it didn’t get any cheaper.
In fact, by the 1300s, ginger cost as much as livestock.
Why was ginger so desirable?
I’ve explained here about the basics of ginger before, but here’s the recap.
Ginger is a rhizome that is full of exclusive plant compounds.
There may be over 200 components within ginger that make it so great, but we’ve identified over 100 so far.
More than 30 of these are gingerols or some variation on gingerols.
Some of the compounds may be very easily and rapidly absorbed by the body.
From India to Africa, it seems like many of our ancestors were aware of this.
Ginger was used to:
And as a spice, it’s always been popular in cuisine. These days, we not only eat it, but study it to see just how medicinal it truly is.
Today, we have some evidence that ginger is a really effective antioxidant.
It’s also an anti-inflammatory that does ease nausea and stomach upset.
It may even help fight cancer.
How many people do you know who swear by ginger? I notice that everyone gets something different from it.
Of course, most rely on it solely for the anti-nausea benefits, but I love it for muscle pain.
Those spicy active compounds, by my estimation, really do stimulate circulation.
Many others use it to detox, to relieve constipation, or just in a hot brew to relax.
Yes, just like migraine symptoms, the exact effects of ginger vary from person to person.
So what do we have in the way of evidence that it can help with migraines?
Read Next:
Ginger Root Migraines Nutrition Secrets
The Verdict
Logically, we can already say that ginger is good for migraine symptoms.
Its prevalence as an anti-nausea aid is well-known by most everyone. In some cases, that may be enough to get a migraine sufferer back on their feet again.
Yet there are those who report relief from multiple migraine symptoms thanks to ginger root.
But first...
...let’s rewind just a bit and decide how to best measure these alleged positive effects.
Some sufferers find that adjustments in nutrition, as well as avoiding caffeine and alcohol, reduces their migraines.
For everyone else, medication is an obvious solution.
One such migraine drug available is known as sumatriptan succinate.
It’s often sold under the brand name Imitrex.
Like pretty much all migraine remedies, it’s best to take it the moment you feel one coming on.
Sumatriptan works to alleviate multiple symptoms, not just pain. It does so by constricting the blood vessels in the brain stem.
Watch this short video for more details about Sumatriptan vs Ginger Root.
Additionally, it blocks or reduces triggers that typically cause the symptoms.
Because it can take a few hours to work, it’s available in a variety of forms.
This includes injectable by syringe, which can cost well over a hundred dollars.
On average, a pill containing the highest dose will run around 20 bucks - for one dose.
Clearly, it is effective for many.
Up to 64% can alleviate their symptoms with sumatriptan in two hours.
Up to 30% find that their pain disappears completely in the same amount of time.
However...
...as is common with medications, there are side effects to consider.
The following are common or almost common with sumatriptan:
And many more with varying reports.
On the other hand, ginger presents few side effects in a reasonable dose.
“Reasonable” means a spoonful or so.
The thing is, ginger is spicy, and isn’t easily consumable in high doses.
Generally, people just don’t have to worry about eating too much.
However, high amounts aren’t recommended in those with heart conditions, people on blood thinners, or pregnant women.
You should talk to your Doctor if you have these conditions.
If you take ginger on a totally empty stomach, you might experience a little upset.
It also isn’t a synthetic, like medications.
Perhaps most appealingly, ginger root is a natural whole food that provides good nutrition in the form of antioxidant compounds.
And it’s just as effective as sumatriptan at relieving migraines.
Yes, that’s correct.
How is this all possible? Here’s a clue:
Double-blind, randomized, and controlled clinical trials do confirm that ginger root is just as good as the prescription treatment.
Only, ginger presents fewer side effects and is a whole lot cheaper.
In my book, the most exciting part is the dosage.
For this study, it only took roughly 1/8 of a teaspoon of ginger to get the benefits of the prescription.
Think this is crazy?
Of course, everyone’s results may vary.
But for now, I’m confident that ginger is indeed an effective alternative everyone with migraines or cluster headaches can try.
How to Use Ginger Root Migraines Nutrition Secrets
To reduce migraines with ginger, it’s imperative that you take it as soon as you sense one coming on.
Fortunately, I have some migraine-friendly ways to use ginger that can be whipped up before all is lost.
No More Migraines Smoothie
Blend up a simple green smoothie and drink it down right away for shorter, less painful migraines.
To make it, you’ll need:
Pulse it all until broken down, and then blend until smooth and green.
Simple Ginger Infusion
It doesn’t get easier - or more effective - than making a straightforward ginger infusion.
You can make this brew ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for an immediate remedy.
It’ll last for a few days, and tastes great even when you don’t have a headache.
To make it, simply cut off a ½ to ¾ inch piece of fresh ginger, and chop roughly.
Over medium-high heat, begin to boil a few cups of water.
Once it’s boiling, drop the ginger in and allow it to boil in the water for 5-10 minutes.
Remove from heat, and let the ginger steep in the water for another 15 minutes.
Pour the infusion into a jar, straining out the solid ginger pieces.
For taste, you can add a little maple syrup or lemon.
Looking for something more convenient?
Personally, I think working with fresh ginger is the way to go.
However, if you’re always on the move, look into getting a bottle of ginger juice or ginger syrup to keep around.
Other Ways to Use
Ginger doesn’t have to be eaten, although it may be more effective that way. Still, you can augment your internal usage with a topical formula using ginger.
Make a ginger compress to apply to your forehead as you work to be rid of migraines.
For this...
...you don’t even need fresh ginger, the powder - click for price will do just fine.
Add a few drops of water to a spoonful of ginger powder and mix until it becomes a paste.
Now lie down, and spread the paste across your forehead. You may feel a warming sensation - that’s good. It should take effect in 5-10 minutes.
And whether or not you drink that infusion, you should definitely inhale the steam. As fresh ginger boils gently, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the vapor.
Make sure the heat doesn’t exceed medium to medium-high, so you can keep breathing for several minutes.
Always keep your face several inches at least from the hot water. This is also great for refreshing the skin and resolving sinus issues.
All I got today on...
Ginger Root Migraines Nutrition Secrets
If you need proof that life just isn’t fair, ask a migraine sufferer.
Migraines are a debilitating condition that cause intense pain and discomfort.
Millions upon millions deal with them more days than anyone should.
In spite of that, there isn’t much in the way of innovative research or answers.
The best we can guess is that your propensity for migraines is genetic.
Fortunately, there is just enough recorded history and research to suggest that ginger root can help cure migraines.
Best of all, it can do so at a fraction of the price of medications, with fewer side effects.
I really want to hear more from others on this topic.
Do you think better nutrition can help alleviate migraines?
What cures do you know of?
Be sure to share your thoughts below, and I’ll check back in with you very soon.
