Whenever I mention my migraines on my blog, I get an email or two from people asking me if I've tried taking magnesium. And every time I get one of those emails, I remember that I should post an update about how the magnesium experiment I started last year turned out. Because yes! I do take magnesium for my migraines!
I had a stretch last year where I was getting migraines just about every other day. It was brutal. And I felt completely hopeless because I had tried everything at that point--TMJ treatment, Imitrex, all kinds of supplements, changing my diet. I was even given an epilepsy drug as a preventative, which made me feel exhausted all the time, but did not help my migraines. I don't think people who don't suffer from migraines really understand how debilitating they can be. For me, it's not just a headache--I sometimes lose my vision completely from auras, I can't keep food (or medication!) down, and I've even passed out from them. Despite all that, I had trouble getting doctors to take me seriously.
So things were pretty dire when I decided to try magnesium for my migraines. I had a few people suggest it to me, but it was my friend Kelly (who blogs at Texas Type A Mom) who convinced me--she started taking magnesium supplements and hadn't had a migraine since. I started out by attempting to up the amount of magnesium I got in my diet (which I wrote about in my No-Bake Molasses Bites post), but I switched to magnesium pills and then to Natural Calm.
The magnesium in Natural Calm comes in ionic form, which is more easily absorbed by the body. This gives it an advantage over the pills I used to take. I take two teaspoons everyday--at first I did one in the morning and one at night, but now I take them in one larger dose. Since I started supplementing with magnesium, I have gone from several migraines a week to getting them once every month or two. I know this sounds incredibly corny, but magnesium has changed my life. And Natural Calm is my favorite way to get magnesium.
Natural Calm comes in several different flavors and can be mixed into both warm and cold drinks. As the name suggests, Natural Calm also helps you relax, so I like ending my day with a mug of this Lemon Ginger Tea. I often make a ginger herbal tea by boiling pieces of ginger and slices of lemon with a few cups of water--it's great for stomach aches and colds, but I mostly just like the spicy flavor of ginger. Now when I make it, I add Natural Calm. You can add a bit of stevia or honey if the drink is too tart for you, but I like it as-is.
Obviously, there are many causes of migraines and just because magnesium worked for mine, doesn't mean it will work for yours. But if you haven't tried it, it's definitely worth a shot. To learn more about magnesium, check out Dr. Carolyn Dean's magnesium ebook or her print book, The Magnesium Miracle. You can purchase Natural Calm on Amazon or at most retailers of natural products.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1- inch piece ginger peeled and sliced into rounds
- 1-2 slices lemon optional--for a more lemony drink
- 2 teaspoons Lemon or Lemon Raspberry Natural Calm
Instructions
- Combine water, ginger, and lemon slices in small saucepan; bring to boil over high heat. Once mixture has come to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Place Natural Calm in large mug; pour tea into mug, discarding lemon and ginger. Add sweetener if desired.
Nutrition
Disclosure: Natural Vitality compensated me for the time spent developing and photographing this recipe. I was excited to have the chance to work with them, because I really believe in their products!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Thanks for this info! I need to give this a try the next time I get one of my dreaded migraines! Love lemon ginger tea too! xoxo
Kiersten says
I take it as a preventative--2 teaspoons a day. I don't know if it works once you've gotten the migraine. Well, for me, I can't keep anything down once I've gotten a migraine, so it definitely wouldn't work. 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I loooooove Natural Calm. The stuff is miraculous. Glad to hear you're a fan, too! I've been using it, on and off, for about 7 years now!
Michelle says
I've been taking Cal/Mag pills from the Vitamin Shoppe for years now. I still remember when I took the first one. About 10 minutes later it was like a veil had been lifted and I could see and think clearly for the first time in years. I still get auras from time to time, but with the magnesium I can function and I don't get that hit-by-a-truck feeling. I'll have to look for this Natural Calm.
Besides magnesium, the other thing that has changed my life in the past few years was the realization that whole wheat is a massive trigger for me. I should have figured it out after a week-long spate of multiple migraines per day, which I treated with my favorite comfort food, Cream of Wheat, which of course then was followed by yet another migraine. But as you know, we don't always think too clearly in the throes of a migraine.
As a vegetarian it's no fun not being able to eat whole wheat, but I muddle through. Thanks for this post!
Kiersten says
I'm sorry you can't eat whole wheat anymore--I would hate that! But at least you were able to figure it out. I did an elimination diet for my migraines, but couldn't find any triggers so I'm pretty sure they just get brought on by stress/tension.
Kristina says
I know exactly what you go through - I too have migraines, and with varying degrees of crippling pain, auras and loss of vision! Magnesium helps me as well, and I LOVE natural calm!!
Emily says
Natural Calm is AMAZING.
Hannah says
Oh my gosh this is so great. I have suffered from migraines for what seems like 4-5 years now and I am only 20! I am on a preventative too, but like you said, they do not seem to help. I also have been taking Imitrex and I hate it! I started taking Magnesium capsules and I think I will definitely pick up the Natural Calm mix. I had seen that stuff at my work (I work at Whole Foods) and wondered about it. Thank you sososo much for doing this post. It has given me the motivation to quit my preventatives and try something more natural to my body.
Kiersten says
Yeah, I stopped my preventative after a few months because it made me feel terrible AND it didn't stop my migraines. And with the Imitrex, I'm not sure if I have slow metabolism or what, but it takes 3 hours for it to kick in. Which is a long time to have a migraine! Excedrin works for me, but I've started getting bad stomach aches when I take it. So I definitely feel your pain. I hope the Natural Calm works for you too!
Hannah says
Oh that is strange about the Imitrex! It kicks in after about a half hour for me, but it makes me feel AWFUL. Very lethargic and sluggish, which is so inconvenient if I am at work or school. I wanted to ask you, I was looking at all the kinds of Natural Calm we have at my work , and noticed that one specific kind had "Plus Calcium" on the label and others did not. And I know if your post you mentioned its better to take with Calcium. So, which do you use?
Kiersten says
Do you take Imitrex in pill form? My doctor wouldn't prescribe it any other way for me and it was excruciating waiting for it to kick in. :/ I actually changed my post slightly because Natural Calm recommends starting out with their magnesium-only formula since most people get enough calcium in their diets anyway. So I'd buy the magnesium one, unless you think your calcium intake is low.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
Migraines are so horrific. I was in labor for 17 hours and had a 100% natural, no medication labor and delivery and I can tell you that my worse migraine was MUCH worse than childbirth. So if you want to have kids, you're all set 😉 Luckily, I don't get them very often, but I've also lost my sight (in target with a new born), thrown up and that sort of thing. My sister has them about 80% of her life and she recently was approved for Botox therapy for migraines and she said that she is down to having migraines only 25% of her life, which is a huge improvement.
Kiersten says
The first time I lost my vision from a migraine was when I was at work. I had never had an aura before that and I had no idea what was happening to me. My husband had to come pick me up to take me to the doctor and he had to guide me down the stairs and out the door because I literally could not see. I'm glad your sister's migraines are better--I thought about Botox too before I started on the magnesium supplements. That's pretty much the only thing I haven't tried!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I've never heard of using magnesium for migraines, but I would be interested in trying it. I haven't had a migraine in a long time (knock on wood), but this is good to know 🙂
Susan Rubinsky says
I don't have migraines but this tea sounds incredibly delicious. Can't wait to try it!
BusyWorkingMama says
I've never had a migraine but my husband gets them about once a quarter. They're usually awful, and he can't keep down medication or even sips of water. I'll have to get him on a supplement! Now if only it worked for sinus headaches, I'd be set!
Kiersten says
I'm the same way. It's impossible to keep the medication down when you get so nauseated with your migraines. Definitely have him try magnesium and see if it helps!
Cranberry says
I had awful migraines and realized it was a reaction to aspartame, which is found in a surprising number of things (and almost never on the label). I've been really careful and my migraines are much better, but I have some magnesium around just in case!
Kiersten says
I try to avoid aspartame too--I don't know if it contributed to my migraines, but it's scary stuff regardless!
Barbara says
My migraines ended in my mid 40''s. I sure hope that you have that to look forward to!
Kiersten says
I hope so too! But compared to how they used to be, I'm happy with one every month or two. 🙂
[email protected]'s Recipes says
Don't know about the product, but I have been taking Lcarnitin-magnesium tablets.
The lemon ginger drink sounds really tasty.
Holly says
Glad to hear that you've found something that has helped you. I hope not to need the advice of how to cope with migraines but if I ever do, I'll be sure to start with magnesium. I think I've read lately about other benefits of it and need to brush up on the details. Thanks for sharing!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
I've never had migraines, but my mom and sister do. They will be happy to try this out.
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
This looks so much more appealing than swallowing those magnesium horse pills! I'm so glad you found something that works for you and those nasty migraines have gone away. Hopefully all of the ocular ones are gone!
Kiersten says
Thank you for convincing me to try magnesium last year! 🙂
Stephanie @ henry happened says
wow, I can't even imagine how horrible those migraines must have been! I'm so glad you found something that helped. I don't get migraines - just sinus headaches (ugh) - but I might need this just for the dose of "natural calm" - I could use some anti-stress help!
Kiersten says
I know a lot of people take it before bedtime because it helps them sleep!
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
I've only had a couple migraines before and I felt so terrible but they still don't sound anywhere near as bad as yours, that's horrible! I'm so glad you found something that works for you (and tastes good!)
Joy says
I love Natural Calm. And this tea sounds wonderful. I feel more relaxed just after reading this post. I used to get migraines frequently as well. Some of the worst pain I've ever felt. Glad you figured out what worked for you
LyndaS says
Magnesium relaxes, calcium consitpates. Magnesium is also good for those who might need a little help now and then with *ahem*, going to the bathroom.
Meghan @JaMonkey says
I love this stuff. I had to drink it all the time when I was pregnant
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
I'm one of the lucky ones. I get the auras, but not the migraines... Can I get approved for botox therapy for auras? 🙂
On a more serious note, my mother suffered from migraines for years then she cut out all sugar from her diet and over a 12-month period they disappeared completely. The doctors tell me my auras may develop into migraines one day, as they can be hereditary. I will definitely have to look into Natural Calm I think. Gorgeous photos, as usual!
Kiersten says
I got migraines for many years before I ever got auras--it's strange how everyone experiences migraines differently! I hope yours never progress to the actual headache, although the auras are definitely annoying too.
marissa @ the boot says
i'm new to your blog and i just want to say how much i love it! (those baked carrot chips down there lured me in! so good!) i have an aunt who suffers from migraines so i'll definitely be passing this along to her. 🙂
Kiersten says
Thank you! 🙂 And I hope the magnesium works for your aunt!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
I'm going to share this with my mom. We both get migraines (she more frequently) and I would love, love, love a solution.
Thanks, Kiersten.
(and, I want that measuring spoon!)
Kiersten says
I hope it works for you both! And the spoon is from Crate & Barrel. 😉
Lisa says
I have had hormonally caused migraines for many years and taking magnesium citrate has really helped lessen duration and frequency. I have been taking the pill form which is enormous and tends to get stuck. Thanks for your post, think I'll be trying the powdered next time. I just wanted to let you know it can also be purchased at http://www.vitacost.com. The brand name and their label (which is about 1/2 the price for the same thing.) I have used this site for my supplements and also things like raw honey, Bragg's vinegar, chia seeds. They have very competitive pricing. I am not affiliated with them in any way, just a happy customer. Love your blog and recipes...thanks!! 🙂
Kiersten says
I have trouble swallowing pills too--the powdered magnesium is much, much better. 🙂 Thanks for the link!