Migraine sufferers know this all too well: It isn’t just a headache. Migraines tend to be more severe and may also include nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and noise. While medications may be necessary and beneficial for some, others may not tolerate these medications or their potential side effects. Fortunately, there are alternatives, including the well-studied herb feverfew, which is found in MygraFew. With regular use, MygraFew, from Nature’s Way, may help reduce the number and severity of headaches experienced.

Feverfew and Migraines
A cousin of the sunflower, feverfew has been used for centuries in Europe. And, as the name implies, traditional uses include reducing fevers as well as treating minor aches and pains and menstrual disorders. But it has been its effect on headaches and migraine prevention that have garnered the most interest and attention.

Numerous studies, including some double-blind clinical trials discussed in the British Medical Journal, the Lancet, and Phytotherapy Research, have found using dried, powdered feverfew leaves to be very effective in easing migraine-related symptoms while also reducing the duration and overall number of attacks. In these studies, migraine sufferers reported a reduction in pain, nausea, and vomiting, and were less sensitive to light and noise. The part of the feverfew plant used is important. Effective studies have made their preparations from the dried feverfew leaf, which is the form found in MygraFew.

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Chamomile has long been known as a powerfully soothing, relaxing herb, but you’ll find even more benefits of this potent plant when using it in aromatherapy. Chamomile is commonly associated with treating insomnia, and is often added to sleep aids as a natural relaxant. Most people find comfort in a cup of chamomile tea, but there are other ways to use the herb if you’re suffering from anxiety, nervousness, tension, or even skin problems.

What Is Chamomile?

Chamomile oil itself has a fairly sweet fragrance, and its essence is extracted from the flowers of the herb. It was used heavily during the Middle Ages as a natural soothing agent, to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritated skin. Egyptian cultures used it to treat fevers and heal wounds.

It is made from the flowers of the Matricaria recutita plant, and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Since it can soothe the body both inside and out, it’s one of the most versatile essential oils available.

Chamomile also contains the active ingredient azulene, which can help fight infection and speed up recovery time. This natural pain reliever has been shown to reduce joint inflammation and can even stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are essential for healing, and keeping the immune system in balance.

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Did you know that many over-the-counter and prescription medicines are derived from plants? For example, aspirin, recommended for everything from headaches to certain heart conditions, is made from salicylic acid. This is also the active ingredient in the herbal remedy willow bark—used by Native American people for thousands of years before Columbus made his famous journey.

Fortunately, though dosing yourself with herbs is best done under the guidance of an expert, aromatherapy is easy and safe. To choose the best essential oil for the job, you’ll first need to determine what triggered your headache.

Here are some of the more common types of headaches and the essential oils that work best to relieve them:

Chamomile. Used for centuries to relieve the pain of severe headaches such as migraines, chamomile oil provides a wonderfully calming influence that helps to dispel headache pain. Because of its gentleness, chamomile is considered safe enough for use in children; however, do remember that because chamomile is a member of the daisy family, people allergic to daisies can have an allergic reaction to this oil as well.

Eucalyptus. If your headache seems to be located in your forehead, eucalyptus oil may well provide the relief you seek, especially for headaches associated with head colds and sinus infections. Eucalyptus oil, a favorite ingredient in cough syrups and cold medicines, can help clear infected material from sinuses, thus reducing pressure and headache.

Lavender. Tension headaches, especially those caused by emotional tension, respond well to the scent of lavender. Lavender acts on the limbic brain to encourage relaxation, which in turn releases the tight neck and shoulder muscles that usually accompany a tension headache. By encouraging deep breathing, it increases blood flow to the brain.

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Citronella is usually associated with candles for warding off mosquitoes and other insects in the summertime, but, as an essential oil, it has many other natural properties to offer. Taking advantage of the therapeutic benefits of citronella essential oil can help treat a variety of ailments and conditions. The oil is derived from the grass of the citronella plant, which is primarily found throughout Costa Rica. It has a fresh and lemony scent, and many people find that it has natural healing properties beyond a simple candle.

Why Are Essential Oils Important?

Essential oils have long been used in aromatherapy for their natural healing benefits and therapeutic properties. The oils are extracted from plants and leaves, then distilled and stored for use. Essential oils can be combined with carrier oils to be used in massage, or combined with products such as lotions and creams for topical application. Scented oils are often used in fragrances, candles, or room sprays; the aromatherapeutic benefits of essential oils can help enhance well-being and relieve illnesses. Read the rest of this entry »

Garlic has been used both as a medicinal herb and a food source for thousands of years, and studies have shown a significant relationship between garlic and the prevention of infection and disease. It’s one of the few foods that has a high natural sulfur content, and it also contains amino acids that are not easily obtained from other sources. Read the rest of this entry »

Few herbs are as important in religious traditions as they are in folk remedies, but holy basil fits that description. Holy basil derives its name from its importance in Hindu religious rituals. Thought to help inspire concentration and sharpen the memory, the plant is commonly grown around temples and in the courtyards of religious families’ homes. The holy basil plant itself is worshiped as a deity, and it is an important feature in Hindu life. Read the rest of this entry »

The natural power of aromatherapy can help with a variety of health imbalances and ailments simply by working with your sense of smell. While aromatherapy oils can be mixed with massage oils and lotions for topical application, a few of them have potent elements that can help relieve flu symptoms, reduce breathing problems, and even manage a cold. Read the rest of this entry »

Depression is a troubling condition that affects more than one in five adults each year. Symptoms of depression include both physical and emotional problems, including fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, feelings of sadness or despair, disordered thinking, and loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities. Headaches, digestive problems, chronic pain, and weight changes can be symptoms of depression as well. Read the rest of this entry »

CoQ10 sounds more like a play shouted out on the football field than what it really is—a vitamin-like substance found in nearly every cell of the body. CoQ10 is the abbreviated version of its more formal name, Coenzyme Q10. A coenzyme is sort of like an assistant that helps complete chemical reactions in the body. CoQ10 has an important job working in the mitochondria, a fancy name for the energy-producing part of cells, where it assists in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is what cells use for energy to make chemical reactions and muscle contractions. In addition to assisting with the vital job of energy production, CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant. Read the rest of this entry »

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from sinus pain and pressure, medically referred to as sinusitis. They spend billions of dollars on doctor’s office visits, treatments, and remedies. What are some of the natural remedies and treatments available that offer relief?

When the sinuses are inflamed or blocked, pressure and pain result. The causes of inflammation and blockage are many, including colds and other viral infections, allergic reactions, fungal infections, and irritation caused by pollution. While many cases of sinusitis are short-lived, sometimes the problem can become a chronic condition that is a constant irritation to the sufferer. Read the rest of this entry »