Supplement | Details | Dosage | Warnings |
Coenzyme Q10 |
A study by Philadelphia’s Jefferson Headache Center found that a daily dose of Co-Q10 cut the frequency of headaches by 50 percent among two-thirds of migraine sufferers. |
150 mg/day |
Do not use if you are taking warfarin, an anticoagulant. |
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) |
This herb’s pain-relieving and inflammation-fighting properties have been clinically shown to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. |
Up to 250 mg/day of a standardized supplement containing at least 0.4% parthenolides |
Do not use if you are taking blood-thinning drugs or during pregnancy or lactation. |
Fish oil |
Clinical studies have found that supplemental fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory that can reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraines. |
3,000 mg/day |
No known side effects. Safe for use during pregnancy or lactation. |
Magnesium |
People with frequent headaches tend to have low levels of this important mineral. Combining magnesium with feverfew may be more effective than taking either supplement alone. |
250–350 mg/day |
Taking more than 350 mg/day may cause diarrhea. |
5-HTP |
Research shows that this natural amino acid is effective for taming both tension headaches and migraines. |
100 mg, 3x/day for tension headaches |
May cause stomach upset. Do not use if you are taking anti-depressants or during pregnancy or lactation. |