Migraine attacks are widespread and long-term causes of headaches that can lead to disability and loss of productivity. According to the American Migraine Foundation, 1 in 4 Americans experiences migraine headaches, with over 90% of individuals reporting its terrible effects on their social, academic, and professional activities. The total indirect cost of migraines is estimated to be $19.3 billion in the United States, with 81% of this amount due to loss of productivity from being absent during migraine attacks. Despite being the second most common neurological problem all over the world, people with migraines are often undiagnosed and self-medicate.1 Hence, its impacts on daily activities and healthcare costs remain unrecognized and underestimated. While numerous allopathic treatments are available to alleviate migraine symptoms, these are commonly associated with serious side effects that may affect your overall health and well-being in the long run. Understanding the importance of avoiding triggers and incorporating natural approaches to assist your body as it maintains its inherent balance should take precedence to promote healing without having to compromise other valuable aspects of your health.
Understanding Migraines
Migraine is associated with episodes of mild-to-severe throbbing or pulsating headaches. About 1/3 of individuals with migraine experience a brief neurological disturbance called a migraine aura.1 The reason as to why migraines develop are not fully understood, but is currently believed to be associated with the release of powerful peptides that can cause blood vessels in the brain to expand, resulting in inflammation and activation of your pain receptors, eventually causing headache and pain. Risks of having migraine headaches are predominantly influenced by genetic predisposition to the condition, with environmental triggers, such as stress, hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, inadequate intake of food, lack of sleep, excessive sleep, certain odors, light exposure, alcohol use, and smoking, increasing your chances of experiencing migraine attacks.1
Migraine attacks typically present in phases:
Food Triggers
Several foods may trigger migraine attacks within an hour of intake, while other people may experience headache up to 12 hours after intake.2
It is important to note that food triggers for migraine attacks are associated with many factors and may be different for each person. Foods that may cause you to experience headaches may not cause migraine attacks to other people! Learning more about your personal food triggers and how these can precipitate migraine attacks are essential in reducing the duration, severity, or frequency of migraine attacks. At Natural Path to Wellness, we are committed to helping you make food and lifestyle decisions that will assist your body as it naturally heals itself to prevent future migraines. Through exploring the benefits of intuitive eating practices, we assist you in becoming more conscious in selecting foods that help your body thrive and eliminating ingredients that increase the severity and frequency of your migraine attacks. The Role of Stress
Stress is a natural phenomenon where your body responds physiologically and psychosocially to perceived dangers, challenges, or obstacles from your interaction with your environment. Did you know? Stress is the most common self-reported trigger for migraine headaches! Stress and migraines generally have a complex and collateral relationship, since frequent migraine attacks may also increase your stress levels.3 Identifying stressors which can trigger your migraine attacks and learning to avoid them through lifestyle adjustments and mind-body techniques with the guidance of your naturopathic medicine advisors not only prevents you from having migraine headaches, but also promotes positive mental outlook and well-being.
Screen Time and Migraines
Most of us have become accustomed to starting and ending our day by checking our smartphones and laptops for work, school, or entertainment. Especially with the growing number of people who use social media, it has become an undeniable reality that screens have become integral to our daily lives. However, spending so much time looking at your screen may impose several negative health consequences, especially towards your mental health, metabolic health, and sleep. Looking at digital displays for long periods of time can cause digital eye strain and eye fatigue, which may precipitate a headache.4 Additionally, flickering lights emitted by screens can trigger migraine headaches because of how your eyes need to constantly adjust to changes in emitting light.4 Generally, the amount of time spent in front of your computer, tablet, or smartphone screens increases your frequency of experiencing migraine headaches! Taking charge of your health and controlling the amount of time spent on your screens in a given period of time are few practices that minimize your risk of experiencing migraine attacks.
Allopathic Options for Migraine
Migraine attacks are conventionally treated based on the severity of your symptoms, with over-the-counter pain relievers (analgesics), such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin (Excedrin), diclofenac potassium (Cataflam), and ibuprofen (Advil) used for mild headaches.1 Severe headaches, on the other hand, are usually managed with prescription triptans. Using the allopathic approach, simple analgesics are initially taken with the possibility of shifting to stronger medications if symptoms are still present during the same migraine episode. Despite its effectiveness in relieving discomfort, analgesics only act to rewire how your brain perceives pain signals, tricking your body into believing there is no actual pain.
Take note: allopathic medications are used to temporarily alleviate migraine symptoms; these do not address the underlying triggers or causes of your migraine attacks. To avoid a cycle of recurrent headaches, it is important to identify and manage your personal triggers, rather than using medications to mask symptoms. Allopathic approaches are not without safety risks. Chronic medication use has long-term effects that can cause liver or kidney damage, as these medications are extensively metabolized by the liver before reaching the bloodstream and filtered by the kidneys after use. Anti-seizure medications used to prevent chronic migraine in some patients may cause memory deficits and problems in cognitive function.6 Prescription triptans, in particular, may lead to temporary or permanent blindness or loss of vision. Some may have other health conditions that can be worsened by taking medications to manage migraine attacks, doing more harm than good. Additionally, you may have relapse of migraine attacks within 48 hours of experiencing relief after taking medications, which may increase the risk of overuse and overdose.
The Naturopathic Approach
Rather than masking symptoms of migraine attacks, the naturopathic approach to migraine headaches focuses on identifying solutions to the problem. Through targeting the root cause of your problem, we work towards lasting change, deep and personal healing, and non-drug preventative strategies that will assist your body’s healing journey without having to deal with the unwanted effects from medication use. Your personalized therapeutic plan is designed to help you achieve your health goals and make changes essential to assist your body as it heals itself. Through this strategy, we aim to improve your quality of life and achieve lasting health. Exploring herbal medicine options and adopting lifestyle changes may seem like a daunting process, but time passes by swiftly regardless, and we are here to help make every moment in your health journey count! In this naturopathic care journey, we make sure to help you in every meaningful progress towards achieving your health goals.
The naturopathic approach focuses on:
Talking to your naturopathic medicine advisors about your personal experience with migraine attacks will help guide you as you make conscious and informed choices for your health. With a wide variety of allopathic and naturopathic options to help in managing your condition, understanding what approach is best for your overall health is essential in making sure that your migraine attacks are alleviated without compromising other essential aspects of your health and well-being. To learn how to work with us to prevent and manage your migraines, talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
Endometriosis is a painful condition that has affected the lives of women who menstruate. It occurs when endometrial tissue grows in other areas aside from the wall of the uterus, which is where it is originally found. Unfortunately, endometriosis is a predominant cause of infertility, causing a variety of psychological and physical stresses to those who want to build a family.
Understanding Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial glands and stroma develop outside the uterus, commonly involving the uterus but with high tendency to affect different pelvic structures.1 The causes of endometriosis vary and may be due to immune dysfunction, hormonal imbalance primarily driven by excess estrogen levels, retrograde menstruation, or a combination of these factors. Retrograde menstruation is a phenomenon that occurs when there is backflow of blood back into the peritoneum (a lining that protects most organs in your abdomen) from the Fallopian tubes (structures that connect your ovaries to your uterus) during your period.1 This can cause oxidative stress, which damages to cells and tissues in high amounts.3 Estrogen, as previously mentioned, plays a huge part in endometriosis since it is the primary hormone that is responsible for the development and expansion of your endometrium. Genetic factors may also play a role in its development. However, not one cause has been known to fully explain the signs and symptoms associated with the disease.
There are different clinical subtypes of endometriosis, each of which may severely affect your overall health and well-being. Although signs and symptoms of each subtype may be unique and mimic other medical conditions, these may overlap with each other when not properly diagnosed. Talking to your healthcare provider is essential in diagnosing your unique case and exploring the best options for your optimal health and wellness. Signs and Symptoms
People with endometriosis typically have pelvic pain and problems with fertility, but the signs and symptoms of the condition and their duration may be unique to each case. However, chances of endometriosis may be high if you experience pain during sex, defecation, urination, or menstruation.1 This pain may be chronic and progress over time. Interestingly, some individuals with severe endometriosis have allodynia, which causes them to feel excruciating pain even when a non-painful object or stimulus is applied! This occurs secondary to nerve damage from invasion of abnormal endometrial cells, disrupting your brain’s ability to sense and respond to pain.
Allopathic Options
Allopathic treatment options for endometriosis focus on improving fertility and reducing disease symptoms. This can be achieved through hormonal contraception that predominantly contains progesterone, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists), or aromatase inhibitors, all of which aim to reduce excessive estrogen levels by blocking its formation. Although beneficial, the use of contraceptive hormones may put you at risk of vitamin B and folate deficiencies, aside from the high possibility of having mood swings, abnormal bleeding, and headaches, which are common side effects associated with contraceptive pills. Surgical removal of abnormal tissue can also be done in severe cases.
The Naturopathic Approach
Since endometriosis is primarily driven by inflammation or hormonal imbalance, the goal of naturopathic medicine for people with endometriosis is to reduce inflammation and regulate estrogen levels, thereby relieving and preventing flare-ups.
Acupuncture Acupuncture helps relieve dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) from endometriosis by nurturing the movement of blood and preventing its stagnation, thereby promoting balance within.5 Supplementation High levels of estrogen have been associated with dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability. Dysbiosis happens when there is an imbalance in the natural variation of your normal gut’s normal microbiota. Increased intestinal permeability, on the other hand, occurs from the disruption of your gut’s naturally strong barrier, allowing unwanted microorganisms and substances to easily pass through it and enter the body. These two processes promote inflammation. Increasing fiber intake, eating foods rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients such as garlic and ginger, and supplementing your diet with probiotics and fish oils, are simple yet impactful practices that can help avoid this problem and nurture your intestinal health at the same time. Additionally, if needed, supplementation with zinc, vitamin D, and selenium can help support your body’s natural ability to prevent the build-up of abnormal tissue by promoting apoptosis (programmed cell death). Botanical Medicine Several herbs work wonders in managing endometriosis by exerting multiple effects that help prevent the growth of abnormal tissue and build-up of unwanted structures. These include:
And many more! Talk to us to discover the best options for your health. It is important to remember that the use of herbs may be contraindicated in some cases, especially during pregnancy or lactation. Additionally, medications you are currently taking may cause unwanted side effects when combined with specific herbs. Talking to your healthcare provider and naturopathic doctor will help you discover the best natural options for your well-being without putting your health and your baby’s well-being at risk. Nurturing Your Uterine Health
The health of your reproductive organs can affect both your physical and mental well-being. Despite being a chronic condition, endometriosis flare-ups can be prevented with the right natural solutions for your unique case. The naturopathic approach for endometriosis aims to help your body restore and nurture its ability to protect itself from internal and external factors that can cause dysregulation and unwanted growth. At Natural Path to Wellness, we are here to guide you throughout this journey. Take the natural path with us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
If we can only choose three herbs among hundreds of wonderful plants that effectively relieve stress and induce relaxation, we cannot help but give our vote to lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang. Aside from their wonderful effects on stress relief, these three herbs smell wonderful (making you want to spend more time dozing off in the bedroom). Additionally, these essential oils are highly likely to be available in your local health food stores, so you can have stress-free nights and not worry about running out of your relaxing staples.
What is Stress?
Stress is a normal phenomenon that we experience every single day, even from the moment we wake up in the morning! It is a form of response that occurs from the interaction between your body and the outside environment. Healthy levels of stress are actually beneficial for our bodies as these trigger regulatory and adaptive processes that keep our body working and alive! The problem occurs when we experience so much stress that our bodies are having a hard time compensating for daily demands. In situations that can trigger high levels of stress, your body’s ability to cope can go haywire and cause you to experience headache, fatigue, and an overwhelming set of emotions, thereby affecting your mood and productivity all day!
Herbs for Stress Relief
As we are primarily responsible for the optimal health of our bodies, we should explore the best options that will keep it alive and healthy!
1. Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is an effective herbal remedy to manage stress from the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) plant family, which has a rich history of medicinal use due to its antimicrobial effects.1 Lavender, particularly, is famously used in the beauty, food, and perfume industries due to its ability in adding delectable flavors and color to food, as well as unforgettable scents. The powerful effects of lavender for relaxation and stress relief comes from its most abundant active component, linalool, which can cause sedation through interacting with inhibitory transmitters in the brain. Lavender essential oil creates a sense of relaxation through activating various sensory receptors in the brain to produce endorphins (a hormone in the body that is activated to relieve pain and stimulate feelings of euphoria) and serotonin (a hormone that helps regulate your mood, digestion, memory, and circadian rhythm). The effects of lavender essential oil is comparable to benzodiazepines, which are drugs that increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter used to help regulate brain activities and relieve over-excitation that may trigger seizures and anxiety.1 
2. Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) belongs to the Asteraceae plant family, which originates from Europe and Asia. This wonderful herb has been used for centuries in relieving flatulence and bloating, exerting antimicrobial effects that help prevent and heal infections, and reducing stress and anxiety.2 Its wonders in relieving stress comes from its flavonoid component, apigenin, which helps modulate gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, helping you to relax after a hectic day. Chamomile essential oil also helps improve sleep quality, especially when you have problems with falling asleep and staying asleep at night.3 The plant’s antioxidant properties also help address oxidative stress, which can disrupt key processes in the body, such as the circadian rhythm.4 
3. Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) belongs to the Annonaceae family, which is native in Asian countries. Ylang-ylang essential oil is extracted from the flower. It contains antioxidant, antibacterial, and sedative properties that are effective in relieving external and internal stress.3 Its wonders in promoting sleep and relaxation is due to the plant’s active components, namely, linalool, geranyl acetate, and geraniol, which help reduce inflammation by regulating the production of inflammatory signals in the body, aside from linalool’s abilities in modulating GABA. Safety and Considerations
Whether as teas, tinctures, capsules, or essential oils, it is important to remember that the use of herbs for your health concerns should be first explored by your primary care providers and naturopathic doctors to ensure safety and effectiveness. Since most herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, recognizing which herbs are right for your case with your naturopathic doctor protects you and your baby from harm. Additionally, essential oils may cause skin or eye irritation, so it is vital for you to know proper use and handling of these concentrated wonders.
The Naturopathic Approach
The naturopathic approach to relieve stress and achieve relaxation follows a holistic process that combines the wonders of herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and lifestyle and nutritional modifications, which are all aimed at regulating the balance within. To learn more about the natural path in achieving relaxation and stress relief, talk to us today!
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
2/2/2025 A Controversial Take on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Pain Relief with Added Health RisksRead Now 
The wonders of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief cannot be understated. In just a few minutes after taking the medication, you can get back on track and forget about your headache for the rest of the day. Although the discovery of the power of NSAIDs for pain relief is groundbreaking in allopathic medicine, their unregulated and frequent use can cause dire health consequences, especially to your gastrointestinal tract.
What are NSAIDs?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a class of medications that help reduce inflammation and pain relief, making them useful in managing muscle pain, fever, migraines, arthritis, and even period cramps. The wonders of NSAIDs come from their ability to block the action of cyclooxygenase, a special enzyme that exerts protective and regulatory effects to body processes and at the same time drives your body’s inflammatory response. Cyclooxygenases are divided into two subgroups: cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-1 is regularly expressed in the body, as it plays a big role in nurturing the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, promoting platelet aggregation to stop bleeding and assist in wound healing, and regulating kidney function. COX-2, on the other hand, is not regularly expressed and is only present during inflammation.
The wide variety of NSAIDs available in the market allows people to choose their preferred type and brand. A very important consideration to remember when choosing the type of NSAIDs for your health problem is that not all medications are made equal. In fact, NSAIDs are classified into two types: nonselective COX inhibitors which block the effects of COX-1 and COX-2, and COX-2 selective inhibitors which only suppress COX-2. This means that although their actions in suppressing inflammation are the same, their side effects may be different from the other.
The Consequences of NSAID Use
NSAIDs affect all major organ systems in the body. From the very first day of taking the medication, your risks of having stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding (GI bleeding), heart problems, and stroke, are higher than those who have not taken the medication.2 Since non-selective COX inhibitors affect both COX-1, that helps protect your gastric mucosa, and COX-2, which is necessary during inflammation, you may experience pain relief but at the same time put yourself at risk of stomach irritation and ulcers with long-term and unregulated use. Opting for a COX-2 selective NSAIDs may mitigate these risks since it does not hamper the protective effects of COX-1.
However, the use of COX-2 selective NSAIDs is not entirely beneficial since these medications do not help regulate platelet aggregation, putting you at risk of developing blood clots with prolonged use.2 The risk of side effects with NSAID use is higher in the elderly population, since these people are likely to take medications that may modify the effects of NSAIDs and because it can reduce the effects of aspirin therapy.2 Safety and Considerations
NSAIDs may cause hypersensitivity reactions to people who are allergic to the medication. Additionally, the use of NSAIDs are contraindicated in people who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and mothers during the second half of pregnancy.1 When ultimately necessary, the benefits of its use for your health should outweigh possible health risks.
The improper use of NSAIDs may lead to toxicity, damaging your kidneys and liver, inducing high blood pressure levels, and causing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.1 As previously mentioned, the use of non-selective NSAIDs may also cause gastrointestinal damage, since it blocks the protective effects of cyclooxygenase to your stomach and intestinal lining. Once prolonged, this damage can lead to decreased nutrient absorption, putting you at risk of developing anemias and malnutrition. Naturopathic Solutions for Pain and Inflammation
Rather than dealing with unwanted consequences of long-term NSAID use, naturopathic medicine offers alternative holistic remedies that will not only help relieve pain and inflammation, but also target the root cause of your health problems.
Botanical Medicine
Acupuncture Acupuncture has been used by traditional medicine to manage pain and reduce inflammation by inserting needles through the skin at specific surface points to recover the natural energy flow within. Its wonders in pain control comes from its ability to nurture your body’s natural energy flow.3 Acupuncture has been observed to provide pain relief within 30 minutes of the procedure, which can last for months or even a whole year after therapy.3 Aromatherapy Aromatherapy focuses on applying essential oils on the skin or inhaling them to relieve pain and provide relaxation.4 These essential oils are made from plants that contain healing and relaxing properties. Additionally, the pleasant smell of essential oils can help you enjoy each aromatherapy session.4 Aromatherapy can be an invaluable treatment option, but this realm is also full of false claims, greedy companies, and pseudoscience. Burns, kidney failure, worsening of chronic disease and cancer, and even infant deaths have occurred because of inappropriate use of aromatherapy. Always talk to a trusted and knowledgeable healthcare professional before utilizing essential oils. The Naturopathic Approach
The naturopathic approach aims to support the body’s natural ability to heal itself. This is done through exploring holistic solutions that incorporate lifestyle, nutrition, supplementation, and natural remedies that are all aimed to nurture. Explore the wonders of naturopathic medicine for pain relief and inflammation today.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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