5 supplements to ease your aching head

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.