Some Natural Help for Night-Time Bedwetting

I belong to a really great list-serve through the Holistic Mom's Network and oddly enough that is where I got the idea for today's post. A mom had written in wondering what she could do for her 5 year old son who was wetting every night. This brought back a few memories of about a year ago when our son seemed to have nightly wetting episodes. People will tell you it's so normal, and that it's a stage, which is all true; but when it's you up every night at 2 am changing sheets and laundering a complete set of bedding every night, you hope there is something to stop the cycle.

There is a lot of literature out there about the effectiveness of using Homeopathics and Bach Flower remedies to stop bed wetting and we found the homeopathic Pulsatilla to be invaluable in helping our son quickly get over his issue with bed-wetting. He completely fit the profile for Pulsatilla and it wasn't long after giving him Pulsatilla that we finally had some dry nights. I stopped giving him the Pulsatilla as a test and found that the problem re-occurred soon after. It seemed like forever, but probably after a month or two of no wetting we again stopped giving him the Pulsatilla and he was able to stay dry at night. What a relief. I still believe to this day that he wouldn't have gotten through that stage as quickly without homeopathics.

Unlike traditional medicine where there is a one size fits all approach, when you use homeopathics and Bach flower remedies you must find the right remedy for the person you are treating. I can't count the number of times I've heard people say - "Oh, I tried XYZ remedy for teething, homeopathy doesn't work." There are half a dozen remedies to try for teething and each one fits a particular personality and situation. It's not always easy to see yourself or child in a remedy, but a little investigation and perseverance usually pays off.

Homeopathics for Night-Time Bed wetting

• Belladonna - helps the child who sleeps so deeply he cannot wake up.


• Causticum - helps the child who wets the bed in the first sleep and is worse in dry, clear weather.


• Equisetum - helps the child who had dreams or nightmares when urinating


• Kreosotum - helps the child who sleeps so deeply he cannot wake and often has dreams or nightmares involving fire or of being pursued.


• Pulsatilla - helps the child who is shy, sensitive, weepy and affectionate.


• Sepia - also helps the child who wets in their first sleep. This child generally loves vigorous exercise and dancing, and is sensitive to cold air.

Bach Flower Remedies for Night-Time Bed Wetting

• Chicory: due to lack of attention - reduces the child's dependence on the parents at night.


• Crab Apple: helps overcome a feeling of uncleanliness. When a child is ashamed of his own weaknesses, it becomes harder for him to overcome them.


• Mimulus: alleviates the anxiety induced by anticipation.


• Pine: relieves guilt feelings


• Willow: due to contrariness, resentment, or bitterness

Any of the Bach flower remedies can be mixed and taken together. Use a combination of Bach flower remedies and homeopathics to suit your child's needs. You can find Bach flower remedies and homeopathics at your local health store. I also purchase a few homeopathics at 1800homeopathy.com.

For those of you going through this stage: Good Luck and remember "This too shall pass"!

Karla

Better Sleep With Bach Flowers

If you suffer from insomnia, and it has nothing to do with the ghosts and ghouls running around this Halloween season, Bach Flower Remedies might just be the trick (or treat) for you. I know this is the second post this week with Bach Flower Remedies, but I'm reading a really great book and so inspired to use more of these great, natural remedies. I promise next week I will move on to other topics.

Insomnia usually stems from either organic toxicity issues or stress and worry. If you wake between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., it's usually a toxicity issue and a good cleanse of the liver, gall bladder, lungs, intestines, or thyroid might be in order. If you wake between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. it's usually a sign of stress and worry. Note: these are generalizations and only you know will be able to figure out what is causing your lack of sleep.

If stress and worry are contributing to your lack of sleep, and let's be honest in these times who doesn't have plenty of stress and worry, here is a great list of Bach Flower Remedies to help you get some sleep.

• Agrimony: due to problems kept secret
• Elm: due to mulling over worries
• Holly: due to anger and rage
• Hornbeam: due to a general feeling of stress and overwork
• Impatiens: due to a general restlessness and nervousness
• Mimulus: due to fear
• Mustard: caused by depression
• Olive: caused by a weakness of the heart
• Pine: caused by a guilt complex
• Red Chestnut: caused by worrying about others
• White Chestnut: caused by mental over stimulation
• Willow: caused by bitterness and resentment

For those who may be unfamiliar, Bach Flower Remedies are tinctures made from the essence of 38 different flowers. They are safe, natural remedies. You can mix up to six of them for the most beneficial results. Look for these in your local natural health store.

Happy Halloween to all of you! Have a very fun and safe weekend!

Karla

Source: Advanced Bach Flower Therapy: A Scientific Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment; Gotz Blome, M.D.

Using Bach Flowers for Seasonal Depression

We all unfortunately fall victim to depression at various times in our lives. Some have more severe cases than others and some go on for years, but the fact remains that we all suffer from this malady. Depression stems from many root causes: disappointment, being overwhelmed, fear, exhaustion, guilt, worry, poor nutrition, and etc. I'm currently reading a very good book on Bach Flower therapy and I learned some very interesting things about depression.

• Depression results when important life-affirming impulses or needs that are crucial to our happiness are suppressed.


• When we know and understand the reasons for our depression, we call it reactive depression (meaning a reaction to unhappy circumstances). Reactive depression is often overcome by treating the condition or circumstances that created the depressed state.


• When the cause of our depression seems inexplicable, we call it endogenous depression (stemming from the mind or psyche). Endogenous depression is much more difficult to overcome and sometimes requires a complete rehabilitation of our world view and assumptions.

Bach Flower remedies can provide some relief for depression and can be a great natural remedy in times of need. Here are some of the basic essences to treat mild depression.

• Mustard: This remedy is a basic remedy for all types of depression.


• Aspen: Depression caused by fear


• Cerato: Depression caused by helplessness or perceived helplessness.


• Gentian: Depression caused by failure or humiliation. It can help restore optimism.


• Hornbeam: Depression due to a fear of failure or feeling that we are not up to the challenges of everyday life.


• Olive: Depression due to weakness or exhaustion.


• Pine: Depression due to guilt.


• Red Chestnut: Depression due to excessive worry.


• Star of Bethlehem: Depression due to an unresolved shock or unbearable problem.


• Wild Oat: Depression due to a lack of purpose in life.

Mustard is the basic essence for depression. Otherwise choose the essences that sound close to what you are experiencing and up to 6 of the remedies can be mixed together at a time for maximum effectiveness.

If you are currently being treated for depression, I do not recommend stopping treatment in lieu of these remedies. These can be added to any current therapy you are on or tried as a starting point. Never stop anti-depressants cold turkey. There can be severe side effects to the abrupt discontinuation of some anti-depressant medications.

For more information on Bach Flower Remedies, check out these posts

• Using Bach Flower Remedies to Treat Seasonal Allergies
• Bach Flower Remedies for the Stomach Flu
• Bach Flower Remedies for Headaches and Migraines

Karla

Source: Advanced Bach Flower Therapy: A Scientific Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment: Gotz Blome, M.D.

Ways to Treat Varicose Veins Naturally

Well, after Shannan's post on Raw Brownie Bites yesterday, I will admit that this topic doesn't sound very glamorous. It's unfortunately something that many women deal with at some point in their lives and I thought a little information might be helpful. I'm in my third pregnancy right now and have noticed a few unsightly veins developing. I've gotten together with a few other friends recently who are either pregnant with their second or third child and they are also dealing with this not so fun malady. The good news is that there are some things you can do to prevent and treat varicose veins naturally.






What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged blue-ish, lumpy-looking veins close to the surface of the skin. They are caused by malfunctioning valves in the veins. Veins unlike arteries have valves in them that prevent blood flow from traveling backwards toward the arteries. When these malfunction, blood pools in the particular vein and varicose veins develop. There are several possible causes including pregnancy (pressure from an increased uterus size blocks the upward flow of blood from the legs), prolonged sitting or standing, lack of exercise, and habitually sitting with legs crossed. Constipation, heart failure, liver disease, and abdominal tumors can also play a role in the development of varicose veins.



Recommendations

• Sit with feet elevated above heart as often as possible
  
• Change positions frequently. Do not stand for long periods of time or sit in cross-legged positions


• Walk at least a mile every day to improve overall circulation. This doesn't have to be done all at once either. Park farther away and walk into work or make a few laps around the house. Just increasing the distance you walk every day increases the circulation.


• Avoid elastic-topped knee socks, garters, belts, or high-heeled shoes.

Nutritional Ways to Strengthen and Heal Varicose Veins

• Get plenty of essential fatty acids which reduce pain and help keep blood vessels soft and pliable.


• Dose up on vitamin C and vitamin C rich foods. Vitamin C aids circulation by reducing blood clotting tendencies.


• Try herbs like bilberry, butcher's broom, ginkgo biloba, gotu kola, and hawthorn berries which are known to improve circulation in the legs.


• Foods that are great to include in your diet to prevent and treat varicose veins include blackberries, cherries, garlic, ginger, onions, and pineapple.


• Look into a few homeopathics that have been used to treat varicose veins. These include Ferrum metallicum, Hamamelis virginiana, and Pulsatilla.

Karla

Those Pesky Ear Infections

Do any of your children suffer from frequent ear infections? My little guy is quite prone to them in the winter season. It's completely genetic as I can recall frequent ear infections and the "purple medicine" that tasted like grapes my mother gave me to cure them.

I'm hoping that as he is turning 4 that maybe he will outgrow some of hisear infections, but if not I'm going to arm myself with some good natural remedies to try to fight them naturally.

Here are some ideas:

1. Fresh raw garlic juice applied directly to the ear. (I hear it also keeps the vampires away this time of year!) :)


2. A few drops of lobelia extract applied into the infected ear.


3. Wash the affected ear with colloidal silver. It's a natural antibiotic.


4. Oil of Mullein applied to the ear numbs the pain and has an antibiotic effect. This can be purchased in a store or made at home. Check out my post on mullein for more ideas.

Do any of you have a child that suffers from frequent ear infections? What have you tried that works?

Karla

Cold and Flu Season

I saw on the news yesterday that the first doses of the swine flu vaccine were being given. I haven't gotten into the swine flu debate much up to this point for several reasons.

• For one thing, I really don't know and neither does anyone else whether this virus will really sweep the nation this fall and winter or if it will be a minor blip on the sickness radar. I work in a hospital so I know that last spring there were quite a few serious cases and some deaths attributed to the swine flu. However, there are many deaths yearly from the regular flu.


• Even if the swine flu does sweep the nation, I don't know for certain that a new, as yet untested vaccine will stop the progression. I also don't know what kind of harm the vaccination will cause. Or, is this vaccination really a life-saver? I really don't know the answer and really none of us will until after it's over.

I'm choosing to prepare for this flu season by improving my health and stocking up on a few of my favorite natural remedies. Here are a few suggestions.

• Eat a whole foods diet with 50 to 60% raw food. There is nothing like real food to strengthen your body and immune system to help it fight off bacterial or viral invaders. Search our recipes section for great ideas on whole foods or how to modify favorite foods to get more nutrition in.


• Juice! Raw juice is so full of nutrients and enzymes. Enzymes are important in helping digest your food, but did you know if they aren't used up in the digestion process they actually head over and join the immune system task force? Conversely, if you eat only cooked and processed food, your body must produce all the digestive enzymes and some of those are stolen from your immune system leaving you wide open for attack. Click here, here, and here for great posts with juicing info and ideas.
  
• Purchase some Colloidal Silver and take at the first sign of sickness. Colloidal silver is a broad spectrum product that will kill more than 650 disease producing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Read more about it in this post.


• My new favorite product is Oscillococcinum. This is a homeopathic that you take at the first signs of flu or when you get that run down feeling. It lessens the impact of the flu and shortens the duration of sickness. I can tell you that it works too! One of the kids brought something home from school the very first week and it spread to both kids and my husband. My daughter and husband only needed one dose of O and they were feeling better the next day. The little guy needed another round but was feeling much better soon after. I was impressed. For more interesting reading on other great homeopathics read these posts.


• Olive Leaf is another potent antiviral that I plan to keep around the house this winter. Mountain Rose sells it in capsule form or in leaf form. Of course the capsule form is sold out (everyone is stocking up), but the leaf form is available. You can add it to a tea, smoothie, or make a nice tincture of it to keep on hand.


• One last thing I would recommend is making sure you are getting enough Vitamin D. Although it's not in a published study, there has been some sort of link identified between low vitamin D levels and more severe cases of the flu. Low vitamin D levels can impact your health on many fronts though so it will benefit you to keep a healthy level, especially going into the winter season with less sun exposure. If you are like me and you don't really like to take supplements without knowing if you are deficient, ask your health provider at your next visit to test your vitamin D level. I was surprised to find this August that mine was low. I'm outside all summer and tan very well, but still mine was low. With the combination of pregnancy and winter on it's way, I'm taking extra vitamin D this winter.

These are just a few of my favorite ways to prevent and treat the flu. The natural remedy world is thankfully rich in ways we can protect and heal our bodies. Most every herb has some sort of anti-microbial properties in addition to healing properties. Feel free to share in the comments section if you have another favorite remedy for our readers to prepare for this cold and flu season.

Karla

Nettle Leaf: More Help for Seasonal Allergies

Stinging Nettle is the common name for this herb. It grows thick along the stream banks and in shaded areas of most temperate climates including Europe, China and North America. The plant has dark green leaves with bristles that transfer irritating chemicals on contact, thus the name Stinging Nettle. When the plant is cut and air dried, the stinging principles degrade substantially and the plant can be used as a medicinal herb.

Nutrients: This herb is very high in many nutrients including calcium, chromium, cobalt, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, protein, riboflavin, selenium, silicon, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc.

Nutritional Healing

• Nettles is a fantastic remedy for all inflammatory and mucous forming conditions. Allergies, asthma, bronchitis, eczema, psoriasis to name a few.


• Nettles is a blood purifier. Because of this, it is known to increase the efficiency of liver function. Another great blood purifier is Red Clover.


• Nettles has diuretic properties which increases the production of urine. It has been known to increase the efficiency of kidney function.


• Nettles has been included in hair tonics for centuries due to its purported ability to stimulate hair growth. I actually have a friend at work that swears this is true. She used Nettle leaf for a period of time and now has nice thick hair.


• Nettles also has an effect on the respiratory system treating asthma and bronchitis.

Ways to Use

• Add a little of this herb to any smoothie recipe. For some ideas check here and here.


• Make a tea or strong decoction of this herb.


• Make your own tincture.


• I recently added Nettles to a tea mix that I am drinking while pregnant. There are so many great nutrients in this herb that it will help nourish the baby and I during my pregnancy.

You could probably find this herb at any local herb store. I purchased mine online at Mountain Rose Herbs.

For more ideas on how to soothe seasonal allergies check out my post on Bach Flower Remedies and Homeopathics.

Karla

Using Bach Flower Remedies to Treat Seasonal Allergies

Here in the Midwest, we are heading quickly toward fall. Fall bring about many wonderful things including apples, pumpkins, cool nights and fall celebrations, but for many it also means the return of seasonal allergies. For those of you looking for more holistic treatments for those pesky allergies Bach Flower remedies are a wonderful alternative. We've already discussed how homeopathy can help with allergies. For more information on that click here.

Bach flower remedies are a little difficult to describe in the context of a short blog, but I will try to give you a little background information. First and foremost they are made from natural herbal substances such as walnut, holly, oak, and crab apple to name a few. Their purpose is really to treat the emotional aspect of a person and therefore the emotional aspect of a disease or ailment. This may sound strange for most of us, but if you believe like I do, that much of our chronic problems are stress related; and most stress can be tied into an emotion, such as fear, anxiety, or hopelessness. Over time you can see how these emotions could lead to physical distress. You might say then that these remedies are designed to get at the root of the problem.

Now, let's move on to allergies. Allergies are strong reactions that are triggered by certain substances. Our bodies have been previously exposed to a substance (such as pollen, animal hair, food, or chemicals), becomes sensitized, and cannot tolerate that substance anymore. In some cases, these reactions can be very strong and cause severe even life-threatening conditions.

Here are some great Bach flower remedies to try

• Beech: Beech should be used as a basic essence for treating all allergies and conditions related to intolerance.



• Crab Apple: Sometimes chronic infections play a role in allergies. They can poison the body and make it overly sensitive. Crab Apple is the most important detoxifying essence.



• Holly: Holly helps in cases of strong immune reactions. This can be used, for example in severe fits of sneezing, clear cases of irritation, or allergic shock.
  

You can use the essences alone or combine all three. Look for Bach Flowers at your local natural health store or order them online. Frontier is a place I've ordered them before. Give Bach Flowers a shot - you'll be surprised how great they work.

Karla

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

While at my new physician's office last week, I picked up some interesting reading on how to avoid inflammation in the body by eating better. I found the pamphlet very interesting and it got me looking in a few of my other text books to see what else I could find out.

Inflammation is a natural reaction to injury or infection. The affected tissues redden, become warm and tender, and may be painful. In the case of an external injury or bruise/sprain etc., inflammation is a normal process that helps to heal the body. Internal inflammation, however, can be much more serious. Internal inflammation can be brought on by allergies, anemia, arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases, Crohn's disease, osteoarthritis, peptic ulcer disease or ulcerative colitis.

A number of medical conditions have been linked to too much inflammation in the internal tissues. These include:

• Heart disease


• Stroke


• Cancer


• Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (emphysema and bronchitis)


• Asthma


• Chronic pain


• Type 2 Diabetes


• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis)


• Alzheimer's Disease


• Diseases where the immune system attacks the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma.

What Can We Do To Avoid Inflammation?

Emerging research is showing that things like stress levels, how much we exercise and what we eat will influence how much inflammation we have in our bodies and therefore our likelihood to suffer from chronic disease. It is possible to eat in ways that decrease inflammation, pain and other symptoms of disease. Many studies have shown that people who eat certain types of foods are less likely to have problems with inflammation. Here are some of the guidelines to follow.

• Avoid unhealthy fats: Trans-fats and fats that are high in omega-6 fatty acids cause inflammation. Better choices are fats like olive oil, butter, or coconut oil.


• Eat fruits and vegetables: I know, we've harped on this over and over; but a diet high in fruits and vegetables is good for decreasing inflammation. The more servings the better!


• Eat fiber rich foods: Diets high in fiber are shown to help decrease inflammation. A good goal is about 30 grams a day. Ideal sources are whole grains, fruits and vegetables.


• Eat more raw foods. A diet consisting of about 50 to 75% raw is recommended.

Eat More of These

• Foods high in omega-3 fats like cold water fish (salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel); ground flax seeds or flax oil; green leafy vegetables; and walnuts (see Shannan's banana bread recipe - Yum!).


• Food high in antioxidants like yellow, orange, and red vegetables; dark leafy greens; citrus fruits; black and green teas; and allium vegetables, like onion and garlic.


• Spices that contain anti-inflammatory compounds: ginger, rosemary, turmeric, oregano, cayenne, clove, and nutmeg.


• Herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties: boswellia, willow bark, and feverfew.

Avoid Eating

• Foods high in trans- and omega fats like red meats (4 ounces of lean meat okay in moderation); partially hydrogenated oils; corn, cottonseed, grape seed, peanut, safflower, soy and sunflower oils; foods with a long shelf life like chips, crackers, and etc; and pork and ham.


• Foods high in simple carbohydrates. Foods that cause a rapid rise and then drop in insulin levels seem to cause more inflammation. These include white bread or bagels; English muffins; instant rice; rice and corn cereals; pasta and potatoes; and fructose and high fructose corn syrup.


• Foods that cause allergies and these vary from person to person. Some common ones are dairy, wheat, eggs, artificial flavors and colors, and high fructose containing foods.

Very interesting stuff! I love finding out that I have some control over my future health by making good choices now!

Have a great weekend!

Karla

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux

My husband and other members of his family have been long-time sufferers of acid reflux. And despite my best efforts to help him control his heartburn through some small diet changes, he continues to take a daily dose of medication against my better judgement. I am back on a kick again.

As I have done a bit of reading about natural remedies for acid reflux, it is clear that there are lots of thoughts on the subject and that no "one-size-fits-all" solution has yet to be identified. In fact, most experts say that you need to experiment and see what works for you. If one remedy doesn't seem to help try the next.

Below is a list of 10 home remedies you may want to try. Keep in mind that these are not medically proven solutions, but may be worth a shot.

1. Drink a glass of milk. Even though opinions differ on whether it should be whole or skim milk, this is an accepted and often recommended measure for immediate relief for heartburn and acid reflux.

2. Drink water. The water will dilute the stomach acid and wash down anything that might be planning on defying gravity, so a big glass ort wo of water after your meal might do the trick.

3. Chew almonds. A few almonds, taken in the morning and/or after meals, chewed very well, have been hailed as the new miracle treatment for acid reflux by some people.

4. Chamomile or fennel tea. The soothing effects of chamomile or fennel tea are also known to provide acid reflux relief. The tea should best be sipped, not gulped, and should be of a moderate temperature, not too hot or cold.

5. Eat an apple. Eating an apple after a meal has also been found to alleviate acid reflux. Choose organic apples and chew well.

6. Candied ginger. Chew a piece when you're feeling the acid reflux kick in. You can also put a piece of candied ginger in your tea and let it sit for a bit before drinking it if you don't like eating candied ginger.

7. Apple cider vinegar. Swallow two to three table spoons undiluted for an acute attack, or dissolve the same amount in warm water to drink to prevent acid reflux from recurring.
Note: Concerns with swallowing undiluted vinegar include the fact that it can start to eat away tooth enamel. Our recent post on fruit juice/honey apple cider vinegar by Body Ami recommends diluting a few teaspoons with 8 or more ounces of water.

8. Papaya enzyme. Available in the form of papaya enzyme pills, this enzyme has helped end acid reflux symptoms for some people.

9. Aloe. Despite its consistency which takes some getting used to, aloe juice also is some acid reflux patients favorite remedy.

10. Chew gum. After your meals, chew sugarless gum for 30 minutes. This stimulates saliva production which in turn like water that you drink dilutes the contents of your stomach and helps wash down anything from your esophagus into your stomach.

I also read that eating a piece of celery before and after a meal helped one person. Hey, why not try it!

I personally feel that diet is the key to controlling acid reflux and often press on this point when discussing this issue with my husband. It makes sense that a more alkalizing diet (mainly fruits and veggies) would at least help relieve this constant heartburn. Below is a table of foods that should be avoided as you try to get your acid reflux under control.

Foods To Avoid

Fruit • Orange juice • Lemon • Lemonade • Grapefruit juice • Cranberry juice• Tomato
Vegetables • Mashed potatoes • French fries • Onion, raw
Meat • Ground beef, chuck • Marbled sirloin • Chicken nuggets • Buffalo wings
Dairy • Sour cream • Milk shake • Ice cream • Cottage cheese, regular
Grains • Macaroni and cheese • Spaghetti with sauce
Beverages • Liquor • Wine • Coffee, decaffeinated or regular • Tea, decaffeinated or regular
Fats / Oils • Salad dressing, creamy • Salad dressing, oil & vinegar
Sweets / Desserts • Butter cookie, high-fat • Brownie • Chocolate • Doughnut

Processed Snacks • Corn chips • Potato chips, regular

Note: This is by no means a complete list, and in your personal situation, you may either find you can eat the foods from the "Avoid" group with no problem or have problems with foods not listed. It is a good idea to keep a Food Diary. For approximately two weeks, write down what you eat, when you eat and any symptoms you may experience. This will help you and your doctor plan your diet and decide on any change in eating habits you may need.

- Shannan

Sources: about.com, revolutionhealth

Migraines

I've received inquiries from various sources recently wanting some natural remedies for migraines. When that happens, I know it's a burning question and it's time to post about it. If that many people in my circle of friends are questioning, then chances are it's an issue for our readers as well.

I don't want to focus as much on what a migraine is in this post. Those of you who suffer from these terrible headaches are well versed in what they are. I want to focus more on possible causes and holistic ways to treat them to hopefully avoid pharmaceuticals. I know the side effects of some of the prescribed pharmaceuticals are terrible. Just as a matter of definition though, migraine headaches are severe, throbbing headaches that may or may not be accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, and other symptoms.

Possible Trigger for Migraines

• Certain food or beverage allergies such as cheese, chocolate, hot dogs, bacon, processed meats that contain nitrites, food containing MSG, fermented foods such as beer, yogurt, sauerkraut, yeast, brewer's yeast, aspartame, or lack of caffeine.
  
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) between meals. Low blood sugar causes inadequate glucose (sugar) transfer to the brain. The brain needs an almost constant supply of glucose as the brain uses glucose for energy.
  
• Hormonal disturbances


• Constipation


• Stress and emotional changes


• Liver malfunction


• Too much or too little sleep


• Sun glare or flashing lights


• Lack of exercise
  
• Change in barometric pressure

Natural Healing Therapies

Carefully review the list of triggers and see if anything can be modified. Have you tried avoiding the common food allergy items? A big issue is hypoglycemia. Are you eating frequent, small meals to keep your blood sugar at a good level for brain function? Have you thought about doing a liver detox program?

Herbal and Nutritional Therapies

• Sometimes as crazy as it sounds an external application of cabbage leaves can relieve a migraine headache.
  
• Infusion or decocotion of chamomile, cayenne, fumitory, ginger, peppermint, rosemary, valerian, willow bark, black cohosh, or wormwood.


• 2 teaspoons of honey (get more bang for your buck and have two teaspoons of honey in your tea! See the list above.)


• Eating fish, consuming fish oils, or taking primrose oil: The omega or essential fatty acids are fantastic brain food.


• Cordyceps is a Chinese Herb that may, through its ability to reduce anxiety and stress and promote sound sleep, help people who suffer from migraines.


• Include almonds, almond milk, watercress, parsley, fennel, garlic, cherries, and fresh pineapple in your diet.


• Women whose migraines occur as a result of their menstrual cycle may benefit from the use of a natural progesterone cream.

Bach Flower remedies for headaches: Bach flowers remedies focus on treating the mental and emotional factors that cause disease. I have found that they produce amazing results.

• for tension: Agrimony


• for problems with concentration: Clematis


• for feelings of stress and overwork and fear of failure: Elm


• for nervousness or impatience: Impatiens


• for grimness and stress-related tension: Oak


• for guilt feelings: Pine


• for excessive activity: Vervain


• when we are thinking too strenuously: White Chestnut

Homeopathics: although much more complex, these are basically natural, herbal remedies for everyday ailments. Once again, I have had awesome results using homeopathics. The key is to find the right one.

• Aconitum Nappellus: Characterized by a sudden, violent hadache all around the head like a band, or in the forehead like a bursting pain. The person is restless, fearful, and thirsty. The symptoms are worse in the evening or night, in a warm room, and on getting up from bed, and better in the open air.


• Belladonna: For the headache that comes on suddenly and violently, like the Aconite headache, but in addition is characterized by throbbing, pounding pain, restlessness, a hot head, and a red, flushed face.


• Bryonia: One of the most commonly indicated remedies for acute headache. The pain is stitching or tearing and is most apt to be right-sided. The person feels worse from motion, even moving the eyes or raising the head. There may be a bursting sensation on stooping or on coughing. Constipation often accompanies this headache.


• Gelsemium: May be needed by the person who has a vague but distressing headache beginning in the neck and extending up over the head, settling in a band around the head. It may develop into a bursting sensation in the eyes and forehead, and the scalp feels tender. It sometimes comes on after exposure to too much sun or from mental stress, bad news, or apprehension. It is worse from lying down. The Gelsemium person is languid, chilly, and without thirst and wishes most to be left alone.


• Iris Versicolor: Often needed when a migraine-like headache begins with blurring of vision. The scalp may feel tight and there is profuse flow of saliva with burning of the tongue, throat, and stomach. The person may lose his or her appetite and there may be nausea and vomiting. Iris headaches are usually worse in the evening and at night, and better from continued motion.


• Kali Bichromicum: Matches the symptoms often referred to as "sinus headache": pain is in the "mask" area, either over, under, or behind the eyes, or at the root of the nose in a small spot that can be pointed to with one finger. Motion aggravates the pain, as does stooping or bending forward. The person feels worse from warmth, better in the open air.


• Nux Vomica: Has a well-deserved reputation as "the hangover headache" remedy. It is a splitting headache all over the head, with nausea and an out-of-sorts feeling. The person is irritable, oversensitive to everything.


• Sanguinaria canadensis: Very often fits the typical "sick headache." It begins in the morning, increases during the day, and lasts until evening. Pain is bursting, beginning in the back of the head, spreading upward and settling over the right eye; it is accompanied by nausea and often by vomiting and dizziness.

Natural Therapies

• Reflexology Treatment where the practitioner concentrates on the points for the head, solar plexus, spine, neck, sinuses, eyes, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, ovaries, digestive system and liver.


• Acupressure and Acupuncture


• Massage Therapy

Sources: Advanced Bach Flower Therapy, The Reflexology Manual, Acupressure Techniques, Homeopathic Medicine at Home, Putting It All Together: The New Orthomolecular Nutrition, and Prescription for Nutritional Healing.