Kava isn’t a cure for anything, but the questions was asked “Can Kava Cure Migraine Headaches?” enough times that we felt the need to write a brief informative article about it.
A migraine is neurological syndrome that includes severe headaches, nausea, and altered body perceptions; migraine headaches are only one piece of this puzzle. Migraine headaches, characterized by independent pulsations and throbs, are a condition found more often in women than in men and can last up to 72 hours or more. Symptoms of migraine headaches can include increased sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Some people who experience migraine headaches say they perceive an aura, unusual sensory experiences, soon before their migraine headaches occur. It is more common, however, for a sufferer to experience migraine headaches without seeing an aura.
There are many theories as to what causes migraine headaches. Some studies show migraine headaches to begin when blood vessels in the brain contract and expand inappropriately, which can cause the blood vessels to dilate and become permeable; this allows fluid to leak out and chemicals to be released in the brain to fight inflammation. As the heart beats, blood is sent to the area and causes throbs of pain. Low serotonin levels in the brain could be a cause of migraine headaches as constriction and dilation of blood vessels are a result of having such low levels. Other theories show food is a cause of migraine headaches. Many sufferers report migraine headaches after eating foods containing gluten, which could indicate an undiagnosed gluten sensitivity or intolerance in the sufferer. Other food-related causes of migraine headaches may include Aspartame, MSG, Tyramine, alcoholic beverages, caffeine withdrawal, chocolate, cheese, and red wine. While some of these causes are disputed in medical studies, it is important to note that a sufferer should avoid specific foods that they notice bring on migraine headaches and consult their physician.
Preventative treatment of migraine headaches can include, as previously mentioned, trigger avoidance; that is, avoiding any factors that bring on migraine headaches. In some studies, patients going on a gluten-free diet drastically reduced frequency of migraine headaches. Some researchers posit that many migraine headache sufferers in fact have celiac disease, gluten intolerance. The most common prescription drugs used in treating migraine headaches include beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants. Herbal and nutritional supplement that have been found to be effective in treating or preventing migraine headaches include butterbur, cannabis, coenzyme Q10, feverfew, kava kava, magnesium citrate, melatonin, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. It is advised, however, to consult a medical professional before self-diagnosing and attempting to treat any medical condition.
So what’s the bottom line?
As quoted above, Kava is in the list of natural aids to migraine sufferers. But, no dietary supplement can make any claims on being a cure for anything. So, can Kava cure migraine headaches? In a word; “No.”
Can it help alleviate any of the symptoms of headaches or migraines specifically?
As of this writing, we haven’t found any articles that have tried to use Kava as an aid for headaches. I’ve read various internet articles that cite Kava Kava as one of the effective means of combating migraines, but I’ve been unable to find a scientific paper that corroborates this often-made claim. I’m very interested to hear anyone who suffers from migraines to share their stories in the comments below. In exchange, we’ll send you a free package of one of our Instant Kava mixes. And I know, this opens us up to people making up stories just to get free Kava, but we trust our readers, and ask for a little honesty.
EMMA
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7 Responses
I have suffered from very debilitating migraines for a number of years. I have found that if take a “heady” kava at the first sign of a migraine coming on, it’s almost 100% effective at prevention. Not so helpful if the migraine’s already rolling. A miracle!
I am a 71 year old woman who has been suffering from chronic migraine since a head injury 4 years ago. Nothing was stopping them . I started taking Kava for problems with interstitial cystitis. After a few days. The Migraines stopped! I have a new lease on life.
I just tried Kava for the first time, to help with the migraine. It is honestly the first real help I have had pharmaceutical (have had serious side effects from ) or from the plant natural world (my preferred).
Right now I am more grateful than I can even express!! I know I just found my first real tool… after more than 14 years of chronic migraines.
One of the biggest problems with migraine triggers is it also triggers extreme neck tension and fibromyalgia nerve pain. The kava has relieved all of it.
I get frequent migraines and am on Imitrex for them. There are many times, like today, where I don’t get any relief from my prescription. The only relief I get is by drinking a single shell of Kava. I don’t understand how it works, but I know it does and that’s what is important.
I suffer from intractable migraines and also neuropathy from psoriatic arthritis. I originally tried kava for the neuropathy and it is providing me relief while I’m waiting for the prescription medication to build up in my system. Today at have a throbbing migraine and really do not want to take prescription medication because if makes me sleepy and I agave a Christmas party to attend in a couple of hours. I found your post and decided to take some about 20 mins ago to see what happens. So far the throbbing has calmed down a lot! I can open my right eye more and actually see out of it. I feel well enough to get up and get ready for the party!
Monica, stories like this is why we are here and why we love doing what we do! I’m so sorry to hear about the migraines, but it’s so encouraging to hear that you are finding some relief naturally through the use of Kava.
We have received several stories now from people finding relief from migraines through Kava. This is so exciting to hear, and we have now started to research more deeply into this topic and use for Kava thanks to the heartwarming stories we’ve seen posted here.