Migraines Natural Cures

Rid Yourself of a Migraine Headache, Naturally

I wrote this a couple of years ago..before the gluten free fad had hit home. If you are prone to Migraine, check this out..

Headaches can be basically divided into two types, tension and migraine.
As I was looking over the info on migraine and body pain, I remembered a woman who started her day with 2 pain killers and a coffee. Physical pain is a huge over- the -counter pharmaceutical business.

I hear Folks north of the border spend more than $1 billion every year to get relief from just migraine not to mention body pain. The pain associated with migraines can be incredibly debilitating. I have seen a number of patients who were disabled physically and mentally due to the intense pain of a migraine.

Many of the drugs used to treat migraines are effective in relieving this severe pain and are a welcome relief. Unfortunately they do absolutely nothing to treat the cause and in fact actually contribute to the problem as after a short while they can cause rebound headaches themselves. This is the same old story of western industrial medicine treating the symptom and not the actual cause of the pain. Pain is a heads- up message from the body to let you know that something is out of whack.

It is something like a smoke detector going off. It’s faster and easier to shut down the detector instead of finding the fire and putting it out. Then, after a bit, the detector goes off again and again. Each time louder and longer resulting in a full blown MIGRAINE.

Most migraines also seem to include a food-based reaction relating to wheat, dairy, sugar, acid foods, or artificial preservatives or chemicals. Eliminating these foods and incorporating sound nutritional principle frequently improves migraines and inflammation. A recent study of food based reactions revealed nine out of ten patients tried a gluten-free diet seven stopped having head aches, two other patients had some -- but not complete -- success by switching to a gluten-free diet.

The 10th one flaked out.. Yep, that’s bread, pasta, cereal, cake, whole wheat, and wheat derivatives. Fortunately, there are many natural treatment options that exist to treat migraines. These should always be considered first because as you know now drugs to treat migraines can make the problem worse. It is possible to stop headaches by stimulating your body’s natural painkilling ability. By putting pressure on a nerve just under your eyebrow, you can cause your pituitary gland to release painkilling endorphins immediately. Another method for releasing endorphins is to take 10 teaspoons of cayenne pepper in a glass of water. Endorphins are released by the brain when the cayenne hits your stomach lining.

I think you have to be pretty desperate to try this one, but it works.
Other useful techniques include:

• Putting a cold compress on your forehead or behind the neck
• Massaging the ears and ear lobes
• Massaging the “crown” of your head -- the ring of muscles that circle the head where a crown would sit, it worked for Queen Elizabeth who was a sufferer of migraines.
• Drink plenty of natural liquids, without sugar, sugar substitutes, odd colors or flavors.
• Avoid orange juice, tomatoes and eggplant.. they are just to acidic.
• Keep a journal of what brings on the migraine and get to the root, it may stress, hormone upsets, food combinations, and excess mental energy
• Seek out acupuncture for long term relief.

And lastly, start an exercise program; this will help to improve your response to stress along with the underlying inflammatory conditions that can trigger migraines.

Krystal Frost is a long time resident of Puerto Vallarta. She holds a degree from the University of Guadalajara in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and herbology. Ms. Frost went on to specialize in cosmetic acupuncture at Bastyr University in Washington State. She is the owner of Body & Sol in P.V. for over 18 years where she practices Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, massage therapy, yoga therapy and nutritional counseling. She is also co owner and creator of Organic Select Mexico, an on line organic bakery and market. www.organic-select.com

Krystal has created wellness and specialized culinary programs for individuals, retreats and spas.
Questions and comments may be directed to organic-select@hotmail.com Phone 222 1015, 9-5 Monday -Friday

The Art of Rest

Aside from keeping your immune system up to par by maintaining a balance between the 3 bodies, i.e. feeding your physical body with the right foods and exercise, disciplining the mental body and coming to terms with your emotional body, sleep is essential.
I often hear the complaint from my clients that they cannot get good nights sleep. During sleep, the hormone melatonin (which is secreted only in total darkness) signals your entire body to shift from daytime running-around mode into nighttime healing mode. In addition to that, it also stimulates the nighttime release of another valuable hormone: growth hormone.
Growth hormone is vital for normal development of children, but it has wonderfully beneficial effects in adults as well. It actually:
• Makes your bones stronger
• Increases your muscle mass through the creation of new muscle cells
• Promotes lipolysis, which helps you lose body fat
• Increases protein synthesis and stimulates optimal maintenance of all internal organs
• Supports your pancreas’ ability to make insulin
• Stimulates your immune system
Needless to say how important deep sleep is. Here are some suggestions you may try if you are not getting enough.
• Listen to white noise or relaxation CDs. Some people find the sound of white noise or nature sounds, such as the ocean or forest, to be soothing for sleep. The River Cuale is great…
• Avoid before-bed snacks, particularly grains and sugars. This will raise blood sugar and inhibit sleep. Later, when blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia), you might wake up and not be able to fall back asleep. Asian medicine states that eating 2 hours before sleep will stimulate the liver, where your spirit resides during sleep. Stimulating the liver with fats and sugar causes the spirit to be restless, this being the cause of restless sleep and excessive dreaming (What??? No more cheerios and bananas before bed time??? Comfort food is good, maybe tea would be better.)
• Sleep in complete darkness or as close as possible. If there is even the tiniest bit of light in the room it can disrupt your circadian rhythm and your pineal gland’s production of melatonin and serotonin. Turn off all the those little red lights on the DVD player, air conditioning, fans, clocks, T.V., or cover them up with cloth.
• No TV right before bed, even better, get the TV out of the bedroom or even out of the house, completely.
It is too stimulating to the brain and it will take longer to fall asleep. Also disruptive of pineal gland function for the same reason as above. Not to mention the news factor that seems to be rather sensational and disturbing.
• Avoid using loud alarm clocks. It is very stressful on the body to be awoken suddenly. And it may save you money when your bed partner tosses the damn thing out the window. Try going to bed a ½ hour earlier and keep the drapes open so the sun light will waken you naturally.
• Avoid foods that you may be sensitive to. This is particularly true for dairy and wheat products, as they may have effect on sleep, such as causing excess congestion, gastrointestinal upset, and gas, among others. (there goes my cherrios again..)…
• Take a hot bath, shower or sauna before bed. When body temperature is raised in the late evening, it will fall at bedtime, facilitating sleep. Try some aromatherapy and candles if you have a bathtub.
• If you are menopausal or perimenopausal, the hormonal changes at this time may cause problems if not properly addressed. I recommend pasiflora tea before bedtime that seems to work well. No coffee after 3 p.m. helps. Green oil works wonders when massaged into hands and feet (www.organic-select.com)
• Make certain you are exercising regularly; at least 30 minutes everyday can help you fall asleep. However, don’t exercise too close to bedtime or it may keep you awake.
• Establish a bedtime routine. This could include meditation, deep breathing, using aromatherapy or essential oils,
• or indulging in a foot massage from your dear one.
• When catching a siesta, or traveling, Wear an eye mask to block out light. I find ear plugs come in handy on flights.
• Order some of sleeping potion No.9 from Organic-Select.com..this is good for 6-8 hours of deep, dreamless sleep. It is a blend of natural Chinese and Mexican herbs. My Mexican mom says to make an infusion of pasiflora leaves and drink ½ cup before retiring.. They also make a small pillow out of the dried leaves and sleep on it… and it REALLY works.
She uses the pillows with fussy grand babies. She also says to take a siesta under the pasilfora tree and you will have sweet dreams.
  And don’t forget the power of the hammock.

Going Bananas...

I used to avoid bananas for the simple reason of its high content of sugars and carbs.

Now I see bananas as a super food, already packaged and ready to take along with me to give me a boost when my agenda keeps me running. Here are some banana facts that may surprise you.

Bananas contain three natural sugars, sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, giving you an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the worlds leading athletes. Energy is not the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression- According to a recent survey amongst people suffering from depression, many felt better after eating a banana.

This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax and improve your mood, generally making you feel happier.

Anemia-High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure- This tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food to help control blood pressure.

So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration (I always wondered why they lump food and drugs together) has allowed the banana industry to make official claims for its ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Constipation-High is fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers-Well, if you must know…

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach, and with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn- Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a ripe banana for soothing relief.

Mosquito bites-The locals do not reach for the insect bite cream, but rub the affected area with the inside of a banana skin.

Many people find it amazingly affective in reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves- Bananas are high in the B vitamins that help calm and restore the nervous system.

Ulcers-The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eate3n without distress in over-chronicler cases.

It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control- Many cultures see bananas as a cooling fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperament.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- Let your friends up north know that bananas con help SAD sufferers because again, they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Stress- Potassium is a vital mineral which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain, and regulates your body’s water balance.

When we are stressed our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high potassium banana snack.

Strokes- According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of having a stroke by as much as 40%.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.

When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.

It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. Also..we have an excellent varity available to us..finger bananas, pear bananas, apple bananas, plantains and Dominican..