Q: I always get migraine and want to know if there are any natural therapies that can help ease the frequency and severity of attacks?

A: There are many causes and triggers for migraines and these include dehydration, food intolerance, low blood sugar levels, stress and tension and hormonal changes. On top of that there is the added muscular tension that is created by stress so stress management and relaxation techniques are advised when life goes crazy.

 

It is also possible that the hormonal changes that occur around menstruation can aggravate changes in vaso-dilation. This is also a time when you are more likely to feel stressed, tensed and have blood sugar swings and sugar cravings.

 

To ease the frequency and severity of attacks avoid all dehydrating drinks such as tea, coffee, alcohol and chocolate and make sure you drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day – more if you exercise.

 

Avoid sugar and refined foods to help keep your blood sugar levels stable and eat little and often leaving no more than 3 hours between meals and snacks. Aim for a good whole food diet rich in whole grains and raise your levels of B vitamins found in eggs, bananas, nuts, seeds, which support the nervous system during times of stress and levels of magnesium, found in green vegetables which are often depleted during times of stress.

 

Anti-spasmodic herbs can also help tension headaches and migraines – try wild yam, fever few and cramp bark. Butterbur contains compounds that prevent blood vessel inflammation, a possible migraine trigger. If these simple methods don’t work get tested for any food intolerances and see a osteopath to see if your posture is a contributory factor. If all this still doesn’t help make an appointment with your doctor.

Give your teenagers the edge in summer exams with a herb called Rhodiola which can help with memory and concentration. It has also been shown to help boost energy, and may also act like an herbal antidepressant.

In one study, Rhodiola was tested against a placebo in students during stressful exams. Their physical and mental performance was assessed before and after the exams. The students taking the Rhodiola coped better generally with the stress of the exams and experienced less mental fatigue.

Rhodiola has also been given to hospital doctors working night shifts to see what effect it had on their ability to perform certain tasks and their level of fatigue. The doctors took the herb for two weeks and it was found that their mental performance improved on tasks such as short term memory, calculations, ability to concentrate even when under stress from sleep deprivation and their energy levels were better than without the herb.

There are different species of Rhodiola herb and it is important to use Rhodiola rosea as it this kind that has the stress buster effects.

Take a walk in the fresh air every day. This will help speed up your circulation and your brain will feel more alert and your body more energised – ten to twenty minutes is ideal.