Written by: Judith Blakley

I was talking with a new friend about various different pain remedies, and she mentioned that she had a problem with migraines. I shared my methods of dealing with them, and realized I need to share them with everyone. I find myself telling people how I get rid of my migraines all the time. I’m one of those people who talks to everyone in the supermarket.

I get migraines off and on throughout the year. I may go a whole year without one, and then be bogged down with one attack after another. Fifteen years ago, I even took medication for them. I hated the way they stole your day and forced you to lie in bed hoping the nausea would go away.

I know there are many new medications on the market, but I live with chronic pain, so I try to avoid adding more prescriptions with all their side effects. Through trial and error, I found three remedies which work well for me.

Eucalyptus Oil

I keep eucalyptus oil around because it helps my arthritis. Please see my article: “Eucalyptus Oil – A Natural Pain Reliever and Anti-Inflammatory” for directions on its use for inflammatory diseases.

Whenever I feel a headache coming on, whichever kind it may be, I apply a few drops of eucalyptus oil. If I can get to the headache before it comes on full force, this generally works. I take a few drops and rub it into my sinus area – just between and right above the brows and on each side of the nose. I apply more drops to my temples. The eucalyptus draws out the inflammation, and will help stop the headache in its tracks.

Eucalyptus oil does not always work. I find it works best if used when you feel the tingle of the pain begin.

Massaging the scalp

I call this, playing with my hair. I usually bribe my kids into doing this for me because they are experts at it. Once a migraine has hit, the best natural relief comes from a good hardy scalp massage.

Vigorously brush through the hair, from the scalp to the ends. Brushing the hair from underneath works best. Alternate by pulling the hair to the top of the head and brushing as if you were putting it into a ponytail on top of the head. Mix it up by taking smaller sections of the hair and brushing underneath from scalp to ends. Gently pull on the hair as you brush it. Take the brush and massage against the scalp, then begin brushing again.

It usually takes about fifteen to twenty minutes for relief. This is the drug-free way to go.

Multi-Symptom Pamprin

Believe it or not, this stuff is better than any over-the-counter migraine medication out there. I have even convinced men to take it because it works.

You have to make sure you buy the Multi-Symptom Pamprin because Pamprin reformulated Extra Strength Pamprin and made it nothing more than a high dose of Aleve. The Multi-Symptom Pamprin contains the original formula of the Pamprin we are used to. It is that unique combination of ingredients that wipes out every single migraine I’ve taken it for. This has worked one-hundred percent of the times I have taken it.

The side effect is that it makes you drowsy. Most people who are experiencing a migraine don’t really care whether something makes them drowsy, so that is usually not a problem. My biggest issue with taking this for migraine relief is that I suffer from chronic pain and may be taking NSAIDS (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) and it is important to watch how much of these products you are taking in a day. That is why I appreciate the relief I get when someone plays with my hair.