Can turmeric help with migraine?

Turmeric is a plant that is derived from the ginger family, which is native to Southeast Asia. It has been studied widely for its potential health benefits, such as alleviating migraine symptoms.

Migraine is a common neurological condition affecting nearly 40 million people in the United States, according to the American Migraine Foundation. This condition affects more women than men, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and can last up to 3 days without treatment.

It may feel like an intense headache with pulsating pain on one side of the head and can be caused by inflammation in the brain. Research published in 2015 suggests that migraine can also result from stress, which in turn can lead to inflammation. 

Many factors can trigger the condition, including:

• hormonal changes
• not eating or drinking enough
• not getting enough sleep
• stress
• changes in weather

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric may help reduce the severity and duration of migraine, as shown in a small 2021 study involving 44 women with migraine.

Read on to learn more about how turmeric may offer migraine relief.

How can turmeric help with migraine? 

The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A 2017 review of research indicated that turmeric can be beneficial for people with inflammatory conditions like arthritis and mental health conditions such as anxiety.

A 2020 literature review suggests that curcumin can help reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of migraine.

Research also indicates that curcumin consumed alongside the antioxidant CoQ10 or the fatty acid omega-3 can help reduce migraine symptoms and duration. The study confirming this indication involved 100 men and women with a confirmed diagnosis of episodic migraine, per clinical guidelines, and a mean age of 32 years.

It’s important to know that turmeric is considered a complementary treatment. It’s important that you speak with a healthcare professional before using it alongside prescription treatment.

What turmeric forms are best for migraine?

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are contained in its active ingredient, curcumin. The concentration of curcumin depends on the form of turmeric.

For example, pure turmeric powder contains about 3.14% of curcumin, whereas essentially pure turmeric extracts, or curcuminoids, typically contain 95%.

To relieve migraine, it may be best to consume turmeric with a higher curcumin content to help address oxidation and inflammation. There is not enough research to understand what dosage of turmeric is recommended.

It’s important to know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements. You may also not find relief as quickly as you would from taking medication.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.

How much turmeric should you have? 

There is not an exact dosage of turmeric you can take for migraine relief.

However, older research from a 2013 study exploring the effects of curcumin in people with different types of cancer indicated that an average of 8 grams of curcumin a day can be safe and beneficial.

The World Health Organization mentions that up to 3 mg of curcumin per kilogram of body weight is an acceptable daily dosage. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you may take up to 204 mg of curcumin.

For migraine specifically, a 2021 review of clinical trials studying the effects of curcumin on migraine found that a daily dosage of 80 mg of curcumin over a period of 2 months showed positive results in migraine relief, reducing frequency and severity. 

However, as this trial only monitored participants’ results over 2 months, no data is available for the mid-long-term effects. Further research is still needed to understand the effectiveness of curcumin for migraine.

Other treatment options

You can find relief from the symptoms of a migraine attack with several treatment options, such as medications, natural remedies, and lifestyle measures.

Medication

Medication option for migraine include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: OTC drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce migraine symptoms. Examples include:
  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • aspirin (Bayer)
  • ibuprofen (Caldolor)
  • naproxen (Naprosyn)
• Prescription migraine medication: If OTC options do not work, your healthcare professional may prescribe you:
  • triptans such as eletriptan (Relapax), rizatriptan (Maxalt), and sumatriptan (Imitrex)
  • antiemetics such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Need a refill for sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex)? You may be able to get an online prescription through Optum Perks in as little as 15 minutes with no video or appointment needed. Learn more here.

Complementary treatments

There are several complementary treatments that can help, such as:

• Avoiding triggers: Try to avoid things that trigger your migraine like certain foods and stress.
• Hydration: If you have migraine, it’s important to stay hydrated. Headache triggers like allergies and food poisoning can also lead to dehydration.
• Acupuncture: This treatment can provide relief to chronic pain, headaches, and migraine. A 2016 study suggests that acupuncture can be a treatment option to help reduce the severity and frequency of episodic migraine.
• Lifestyle strategies: Some lifestyle strategies like eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and getting enough rest can also help you prevent migraine.
• Aromatherapy: Essential oils such as lavender and peppermint may help reduce and relieve symptoms.

When should you speak with a doctor?

When your migraine symptoms last for more than 3 days, or 72 hours, it’s important that you talk with a doctor. Migraine that lasts longer than this period can lead to complications like status migrainosus, which is a migraine attack without pain interruption during this period. 

You should also get care when you experience severe symptoms of migraine, such as:

• sudden headache that’s very painful
• confusion
• dizziness
• vision problems
• difficulty speaking
• nausea and vomiting
• migraine with aura, including numbness and seeing zigzag lines or flashing lights, that lasts more than 1 hour
• frequent migraine attacks

Summary

Turmeric has many health benefits from the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of its main ingredient, curcumin. Research has shown that turmeric can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine, but cannot provide immediate relief.

There are other treatment options like prescription medications and lifestyle measures that can help reduce and prevent migraine. 

Talk with a doctor if your migraine lasts more than 3 days or you experience severe symptoms like:

• difficulty speaking
• dizziness
• vision problems

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.