Vitamins and herbal products

Unlike medications, herbal products do not undergo vigorous clinical study and review by the Food and Drug Administration, so you should always approach them very cautiously. Not all herb products are safe, and more research--especially in children--is needed to find the proper dose, define who can benefit, and to identify any side effects. There is some scientific evidence showing that the mineral magnesium given daily either alone or with a daily dose of riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2) can reduce migraine frequency. Ask your doctor about this treatment option.

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The following herbal products have been used to treat headache or for pain relief:

• Feverfew: the best studied herbal for headache; has shown value in preventing and treating migraine headache and may also be helpful in cluster and menstrually related headaches.
• Cayenne (capsaicin): the "hot" in hot peppers. It has been used topically to provide pain relief; there is some evidence of its effectiveness in cluster headache.
• Chamomile tea: has sedative effects and relaxes the body; has been used to ease the nausea of migraine.
• Dandelion: contains magnesium and vitamin B, which is helpful for headache prevention.
• Ginger: an anti-inflammatory that might offer some benefit for migraine.
• Gingko: has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and reduce platelet clumping.
• Stinging nettle: is an anti-inflammatory; has been used to relieve chronic headache.
• Willow bark: used to relieve pain.

It's important to tell your doctor if you decide to try herbal remedies. Some products interfere with the actions of both prescription and over-the-counter medications and should not be taken together with them.