Migraines are one of the most common and most debilitating problems, affecting some 4 million Americans per year. Other facts according to the Migraine Research Foundation include:
- Migraines are the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world.
- Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households includes someone with a migraine.
- Amazingly, 12% of the population – including children – suffers from migraine.
- 18% of American women, 6% of men, and 10% of children experience migraines.
- Migraine is most common between the ages of 25 and 55.
- Migraine tends to run in families. About 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraine.
Per Natural Medicine, most of the problems originate from the Gall Bladder and Liver being congested. There are a number of substances that can be of great help in these cases.
At the top of the list is an herb called Feverfew.
Feverfew is an herb used to both prevent headaches and migraines as well as treat arthritis and digestive problems.
The liver and gall bladder are considered “brother and sister;” that is, there is a strong connection between the 2 organs. Feverfew helps to decongest both, thus alleviating pain in general, migraines and headaches in particular.
One note of caution: Feverfew affects the speed at which the liver breaks down certain medications. Be cautious if you are on these types of medications -diabetes medications and proton pump inhibitors.
Doc’s Thoughts: Acupuncture and herbs such as Feverfew – the ones that affect the wood element (liver and gall bladder) were effective in (I would estimate) about 80-85% of the patients I saw who had migraine issues. It would take a while to work on the prevention aspect but typically one treatment would “short-circuit” a migraine.
