Does Lipigesic Work For Migraines?

Lipigesic-M, a product with feverfew, is being marketed as an alternative medicine for migraines. This was also the same product used for the study by Cady et al, a study which has been dissected and analysed in this post. But does Lipigesic-M work for migraines?

Before we analyse if Lipigesic M is effective for migraine therapy, let us review what has been said about this drug preparation.

 

Lipigesic-M

This drug is manufactured by PuraMed Bioscience and was used as the drug for the feverfew and ginger study by Cady et al. The following information has been provided by that study and the website of the manufacturer.

• Most studies involving feverfew claim that it is not effective in treating migraines, but that’s because the concentration of feverfew is low in these products. The concentration of the active ingredient varies greatly among different products, which partly explains why these studies have failed to show the effectiveness of feverfew in migraine treatment.
• Lipigesic-M is problematic because its formulation needs further improvement; however, the manufacturer claims that feverfew in itself is actually quite effective in relieving migraines and providing natural pain relief. PuraMed Bioscience claimed that perhaps they need to change how the drug is delivered systemically to improve the anti-inflammatory action of the drug and also its anti-platelet action.

Perhaps Lipigesic-M has a long way to go before it can be declared effective for migraine therapy. Are you suffering from migraines? Have you found a drug or natural pain remedies that work? Many people suffering from migraines will sure want to know about what you have to share, so leave a comment and let us know what has provided you natural pain relief from migraines.

Sources:
Cady R, Goldstein J, Nett R, Mitchell R, Beach ME, Browning R. A DBL-blind controlled pilot study of sublingual feverfew and ginger in the treatment of migraine. Headache. 2011;51:1078–1086.

Feverfew, Ginger: Effective for Migraine?

Are feverfew and ginger effective for migraines? Migraines can cause much disability, which is why people often look to alternative medicine for migraine pain relief when conventional Western medicine fails. However, is feverfew or ginger an effective migraine treatment? Let’s see what the best research has to say.

What is the most recent research on feverfew and ginger as migraine treatment?

In a randomized, double blind, placebo control (RDBPC) study by Cady et al, feverfew and ginger were found to be effective for mild headaches.

In the study, there were about 45 participants who complained of headaches. They were divided into two groups: one group received a preparation of feverfew and ginger, while the other groups received placebo, which had no active ingredients.

Was the above study reliable?

An RDBPC study, such as the one above, is the best study design because it eliminates bias. However, all studies, regardless of design, should be evaluated for other flaws.

What were the flaws of the feverfew and ginger study?

Several flaws were found in the study that determined the effectiveness of feverfew and ginger for migraines. Some are listed below:

• Randomization was incomplete. That means that although the researchers tried their best to group the patients without bias (without meaning to favor either the group receiving the treatment or the group receiving the placebo), those with less severe headaches were actually grouped under the feverfew plus ginger group. It would then suggest that because they had less severe headaches, they would also experience less pain after treatment with ginger and feverfew compared to placebo – and that lead to a false conclusion that ginger and feverfew are effective for migraines.
• Almost 17 percent of the participants might have discovered if they were receiving placebo or the actual feverfew + ginger combination. This was due to the difference in taste between the placebo and the feverfew-ginger combination. That would also influence their perception of what was effective and what wasn’t.

Does that mean that ginger and feverfew are not effective for migraine treatment?

No; it simply means that the study was flawed and that a better design is necessary to come up with reliable findings. The above study by Cady et al was a pilot study, so more studies should be done to supplement or improve its findings.

Is alternative medicine effective for migraines?

There is no magic bullet for migraines. Western medicine recommends that treatment be based on evidence gleaned from research; Eastern medicine, on the other hand, relies on cultural beliefs and anecdotal (story-based) evidence. However, Western Integrative Medicine (WIM) is on the rise, promoting the idea that Eastern medicine may be effective, and that they should be thoroughly researched based on Western medicine theories. Already, much about Eastern or alternative medicine is being proven (or disproven) as effective natural pain remedies.

It is not yet certain whether feverfew and ginger are effective in providing natural pain relief from migraines. The study mentioned above provides optimistic results, but the study was flawed. It may be best to stick to proven remedies; however, new research just might prove that feverfew and ginger provide natural relief from migraines in the future, fingers crossed.

Think the above post on feverfew and ginger for migraine treatment is inaccurate? Have any suggestions or comments? Do leave your comment below.

Sources:
Cady R, Goldstein J, Nett R, Mitchell R, Beach ME, Browning R. A DBL-blind controlled pilot study of sublingual feverfew and ginger in the treatment of migraine. Headache. 2011;51:1078–1086.

Natural Relief from Migraines

It’s like your usual headache, only worse. You first start feeling that pounding pain in one part of your head, like your eye socket, until it spreads around your entire head and becomes unbearable. You might even feel dizzy and have the urge to vomit. It is the attack of the migraine, and almost anything else is a welcome relief.

Fortunately, there are many natural and easy ways to give you relief from that migraine. Read on below and find out:

• Rosemary oil. Yes, this relaxing oil is not only for aromatherapy but also effective for migraine relief. If you are away from home and you feel that intense pain, simply inhale the rosemary straight from the bottle or drop a little onto a tissue then keep inhaling it. if you are at home and have more time in your hands, mix ten drops of rosemary essential oil with olive oil or almond oil then massage it onto your face and neck.
• Celery juice. This may not sit well with you if you are not a fan of veggies, but know that celery is quite a powerful relief against that migraine. Celery is packed full of coumarins, which effectively soothes the vascular system and is excellent for people prone to having migraines. Just make sure that your celery juice is fresh from your juicer. If you cannot drink it alone, you can mix it with cucumber and/or carrot. Drink at least eight ounces twice a day.
• Diet. Some foods can just be the culprit for your migraine. Foods containing tyramine are to watch out for. Food and drinks with tyramine are all alcoholic drinks, especially red wine, sausage, salami, canned meat, salted dried fish, pickled herring and commercial gravies. Ditch these foods and observe if your migraines disappear. No need for quick relief if this is the case.

Moreover, there are foods that are commonly to trigger migraine. See if you are eating anything in this list and observe your condition once you stop eating it: chocolate, coffee, tea, pork, beef, cow’s milk, goat’s milk, wheat, the food coloring tartrazine (which makes food appear yellowish), rice, fish, oats, yeast, cane sugar, nuts and corn. See if stopping consumption of these food items gives you any relief.

Above are some natural remedies for your migraine. The most important tip may just be the special diet tip, as you might just be able to get rid of recurring migraines forever once you identify the cause.

Natural Relief for Headaches

Tired of popping an aspirin or your usual meds when that headache kicks in? Below are some tips for natural relief from headache:

• Peppermint oil. Aromatherapy is in, and not only for calming or relaxation. It is also one of the safest – not to mention soothing – ways to give you natural relief from headache. Los Angeles aromatherapist Michael Scholes claims that inhaling the peppermint scent directly from the bottle can ease headache pain. A drop of this oil can also be added to your facial lotion and patted under your nose and behind your ears. To get natural relief from the more severe headaches like migraine, however, rosemary oil, a more potent essential oil, is recommended.
• Head massage. This is especially helpful for headaches caused by tension. Massage your scalp using your fingertips, moving your scalp back and forth by around half an inch. Do this for the entire scalp area. Afterwards, gently pull your hair, one clump at a time, to stimulate your scalp. Then massage your forehead and temples. This head massage will not only give you natural relief – it will also make your head feel deliciously relaxed afterwards!
• Meditation. Headaches are often caused by tension and stress. Meditation can help you reduce your tension and stress levels, and thus give you natural relief. There are many kinds of meditation, but one simple meditation technique is to simply breathe in and out deeply for at least ten minutes every day. Feel and be aware of each breath going in and out of your body. In addition to this technique or as a separate technique, you can also regularly visualize and imagine that you are in a place that relaxes you, like a pristine beach on a summer day or a deep blue mountain lake surrounded by evergreen trees.
• Eat right. This is a long-term but wise solution, especially if you have a recurring headache. With this method, though, your natural relief will not be temporary but will definitely last. First, avoid foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame (like Nutrasweet) as these are usually triggers for headaches. Then, start eating more foods with omega-3 fatty acids like sardines, mackerel, salmon and anchovies as these inhibit blood clotting, which reduces headache and its intensity. Fruits and vegetables that also help are carrots, garlic, ginger, parsley and cantaloupe.

With these methods for natural relief, trust that your headache will be a thing of the past.

Did you know that according to researchers from Peninsula Medical School, magnetic bracelets provide natural pain relief? Read about how magnets provide relief.

And feel free to post your comments!