Migraines can be very painful and affect daily life. Most individuals choose various medications to cope with the intense throbbing pain. However, natural therapies and herbal remedies that produce little or no side effects are becoming more popular. Here are a few herbal treatments that might give you relief from migraine pain.

1. Peppermint
Peppermint leaves and essential oil is used to treat many different ailments including toothaches, nausea, gastrointestinal issues, and migraine headaches. Available in menthol capsules or as a tea, peppermint essential oil can also be applied topically to soothe migraine pain. Peppermint is one of the easiest herbal remedies to try as it is available in most health food stores and pharmacies.

2. Willow
Willow bark extract contains the anti-inflammatory agent salicin that is used in the development of aspirin. This herbal medicine is found in the form of capsules and chewable barks; it can help to relieve tendonitis, lower back pain, fever, headaches, and migraines.

3. Ginger
Ginger is used in traditional Chinese and Indian forms of medicine. Health problems such cold and flu, stomach pain, and nausea can be treated with ginger. It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it very effective as a treatment option. For migraine relief, ginger root, be it in fresh or dried form, can be used. You can also buy ginger capsules or tea in grocery stores and pharmacies.

4. Valerian
Valerian has been used to treat insomnia, tremors, anxiety, headaches and heart palpitations. Available as supplement, tea or tincture made from the dried roots, this herbal remedy is also widely found in the United States in the form of capsules that contain liquid extract.

5. Corriander
Corriander is used for headache and sinus treat treatment. While this herb is widely used in older medicinal practices, studies to determine the effectiveness of coriander for migraines is ongoing. However, it is available in seeds that can be chewed or used when cooking or to prepare a tea.

6. Lavender Oil
The sweet-smelling oil extracted lavender flowers has been much in demand by the perfume industry. This oil can be used to relieve stress and fatigue, which are triggers for headaches, migraines and insomnia. You can breathe in the oil or apply it in diluted form to the temples to get relief from a migraine. Note that if this oil is not diluted, it could irritate the skin. When taken orally, this oil can also be toxic.

In addition to these herbal treatments, you can also try preventive measures such as avoiding trigger foods to cope with migraines.