Just three drops to kill a Migraine Attack
Many of you have heard of taking oil of Oregano for colds or the flu. Some people claim they can take it at the first sign of sniffles, and wake up the next morning feeling great. Others take it every day, and claim they’ve been able to avoid the flu all year.
But have you heard of using oil of oregano for migraine? Many people do.
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Just three drops under the tongue at the first sign of a migraine attack, and that’s it.
I’ll warn you, it’s pretty strong. And it’s not just the oregano you put on your pizza (although it’s still oregano – you’ll recognize the smell). This is a kind of oregano known as origanum vulgare.
Two of the key ingredients occurring naturally in this type of oil of oregano are carvacrol and thymol. We don’t know exactly why oregano seems to work for some people, though we do know it has anti-inflammatory properties.
If you want to give it a try, make sure you get a reputable brand with 70% standardized carvacrol. A good option is Aromavita Essential Oil of Oregano (it’s also available in capsules, but for migraine you want the liquid to drop under your tongue). You can use another oil such as coconut oil to dilute before taking – it’s pretty strong.
As well as being well known as being an anti-inflammatory, oregano is being studied for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, and for such diverse issues as metabolic syndrome, colon cancer and respiratory illness. It is a powerful herb packed with health benefits, and I’m sure we’ll see more studies on it as time goes by.
I have some friends who have found oil of oregano helpful as a migraine killer. Have you tried it? Leave a comment!
27 July 2009 @ 11:13 am
Hi James,
Interesting article, but I’m not sure about this bit:
“And it’s not just the oregano you put on your pizza (although it’s still oregano – you’ll recognize the smell). This is a kind of oregano known as origanum vulgare.”
Origanum vulgare is the Latin name for oregano. vulgare = vulgar = common, so the name just means regular old normal oregano. This is opposed to Origanum majorana which is the Latin name for marjoram. The two plants are closely related. To be honest, it sounds like the manufacturers are trying to impress people with important-sounding names!!
As I understand it, oregano oil is extracted by distilling the dried leaves of the oregano plant. And it’s the dried leaves that you put on your pizza.
So basically this isn’t any special different type of oregano, it’s just a plain and simple herbal extraction. Which means it’s good because it’s all natural!
I’ve never heard of using the oil for migraine before, I might just go get me a bottle.
All the best
Lizzie
27 July 2009 @ 12:58 pm
As I understand it, I could have put it this way,”It may not be the oregano you put on your pizza”. There are actually many different types of oregano, and often the kinds that are sold are not the kind that have the health benefits you need.
So in this case, I don’t think it’s a matter of manufacturers making it sound fancy (although I’m sure using the latin name helps!). Origanum vulgare is not always the kind used on pizza, and if you’re not careful you can end up buying a variety that has no evidence of migraine fighting properties.
So you can call it “plain and simple”, but the fact of the matter is there are many other varieties than just “plain and simple”, so look for the 70% standardized carvacrol (oops – I saw a typo there in the original post – fixed) origanum vulgare, not just a bottle that says “oregano oil”.
29 July 2009 @ 11:38 am
I stand corrected.
29 July 2009 @ 2:17 pm
Oh no, you don’t need to be corrected. Actually, we’re both right. 🙂 How politically correct is that? 😉
12 August 2009 @ 4:42 pm
James,
I saw your article on oregano oil aborting migraine attacks so I went right out and bought myself a bottle. What a lifesaver! It didn’t take the effects of migraine away completely but it helped enough that I didn’t have to take any other rescue meds.
Taking the oil is a real trial for me. The first time I dropped some under my tongue and I thought, “oh, that’s not so bad.” Then it hit me. I was running all over the kitchen trying to find something to get it out of my mouth. I put water in my mouth and spit it in the sink. I wadded bread up in my mouth then spit it in the trash. I drank a little milk and that helped a bit. My kids think it’s funny to watch me and keep urging me to take more oregano oil so they can videotape me and send it in to one of those funny video shows.
But within minutes I was feeling better. It’s worth the horrible, burning!
Both of my daughters have tried oregano oil with the same good results. Friends of my children have purchased some to try for their next migraine. We’re spreading the word. It is worth trying.
Thank you for all the research and time you put into this website. You are my go-to guy for migraine information!
Suzie
12 September 2010 @ 6:35 am
Suzie,
I swallow it fast and follow it with as much water or juice as I can to kill the taste. I wonder if you would get a better result if you swallowed it rather than spitting it out after a few minutes.
Best wishes
28 October 2009 @ 9:50 pm
I wonder if oil of oregano in liquid capsules would work just as well. My gag reflex is seriously not good enough to allow me to try the dropper kind ever again!
29 October 2009 @ 2:27 pm
I am familiar with another type of oregano, Coleus aromaticus, I have used it for coughs by squeezing the juice out of the leaves. And yes, headaches when my migraine was still in its early stages. This oregano made me sleep…When I don’t have a headache and just plain want to sleep, but can’t, because migraine has destroyed the normal body clock, I take oregano tea…I’ll see if they have this oil at the health store. I bet I’ll also scratch my tongue like Suzie.
12 September 2010 @ 7:15 am
James,
Interesting! I suffered migraines my entire life. It was my earliest memory. I am no 48 years old.
I tried a variety of remedies, dealt with allergies to avoid triggers, and even underwent a hysterectomy to lesson the instances and intensity. Surgery helped but didn’t cure them.
Several weeks ago, I began treatment for parasites which calls for 3 drops of Oregano Oil 4 times a day for 9 days, 2 week break, followed by another 9 days of the above.
I noticed that I didn’t experience a migraine at all while I took the Oregano Oil. I thought, “Wow, did the parasites cause the migraines, too?”
After being off Oregano Oil 6 days at the break of parasite treatment, I had another migraine. On the 3rd day of the attack, I decided to try Oregano Oil. The first dose significantly reduced the pain within 20 minutes. Six hours later, I took another dose. Each does improved my condition. After 3 doses 6 hours apart, the migraine was gone.
Is it safe to take Oregano Oil as a migraine preventative? How much should I take? How often? Daily?
Thanks,
Bec
13 September 2010 @ 12:42 pm
Is it really true that Oregano oil helps, I am a suffer of both Menstrual migraine and weather related migraines and I have tried a lot of different things. I currently take prescription 10 mg Maxalt but that does not always help and then it makes me feel so sick afterwards,
I have been suffering from an attack since Saturday the 11th due to the weather. If anyone can confirm that oregano oil works I will definitely try it. Is it something you take only when you sense an attack or do you just take if daily?
27 October 2013 @ 5:26 am
Ive had menstrual and weather migraines my whole life also. The menstrual is worse, lasts for 15 hrs and nothing gives relief. I recently heard of a friend who discontinued dairy bc she found her migraines were linked. I was a major dairy fan, consuming raw milk and Greek yogurt. I’ve eliminated both and migraines are decreased by 80 percent. I could not be more surprised. I still use heavy cream and butter with no issues. I’ve had 2 cycles, and numerous storms with no migraines. Mi have had some small headaches that go away by themselves,or with 2 Advil.
16 September 2010 @ 11:56 am
Cleo,
Everything I read so far says Oregano Oil helps. I also spoke with a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and an Acupuncturist. Both Doctors stated it is important to take it only as a reactive and not a preventative. If you take it daily to prevent, it will become less effective over time.
The Doc of Chinese Medicine expressed concern that daily preventative use may create a situation where the tissues could absorb too much thus creating a toxic situation. I performed numerous web searches on Oregano Oil toxicity. I was unable to substantiate nor deny the possibility that one could overdose by using it daily.
I normally take Imitrex Nasal and Fioricet (a narcotic) when I get a migraine.
In the handful of days since I wrote the above post, I had 2 migraines start. Before they got a foot hold, I took 3 drops each time. In both instances, it stopped the migraines. Usually, I take Imitrex at the same point but the migraine still proceeds even with the drugs on board. Wish I had 2 years worth of data behind me to make it conclusive for you.
I suggest you buy a bottle and give it a try. I bought “Oreganol” by NAH&S Co from my local Health Food store.
Best Wishes
24 September 2010 @ 8:42 am
This is fascinating for me, because when I get a “common cold” which I have now, I almost always end up with a multi-day migraine that my regular migraine killer drug (recently changed from Zomig to Axert) won’t touch. Of course that just magnifies the misery of the cold by many times! So I am thinking that oil of oregano might be just the ticket as it might relieve cold symptoms too. Even if it is too late to help my cold, it probably can’t hurt it and it might help the headache. (In fact, my new specialist here in Toronto recommends Benadryl extra strength for times when the migraine killer doesn’t work, and I find that if I take it at bedtime, it usually helps. But during a cold, the migraine comes right back again during the day!
(BTW, a friend/colleague of mine took oil of oregano quite a bit as a cold preventive, and ended up with chronic horrendous burping that disturbed everyone around him in the office. He finally stopped using it so much because of our complaints.)
16 January 2011 @ 11:27 pm
Thank you so much for this information. I am going to try it soon, when I get the money because I suffer from migraine headaches and missed about probably half of the school days out of the year because of them. I hope this works!!
29 March 2012 @ 5:16 pm
CAN OIL OF OREGANO HELP ME FALL A SLEEP?
HOW MANY SHOULD I TAKE
6 March 2013 @ 10:04 pm
What about the idea of putting those drops on the sugar cube and let it melt instead of taking them just raw!?
10 May 2013 @ 12:28 pm
I have been known to use any extremely spicy food at the start, and have similar effects (not always, and not the bad ones, and not the nauseated, can’t eat anything ones). Hot and Sour soup, chili paste, even garlic vinegar.
I would venture to say it has the same effects of the oregano oil.(since I have tasted it and know it BURNS) I know capsacin (the active ingredient in the hotter peppers) has been shown to affect the nerves that cause migraines, by changing their messages to the brain.
11 February 2017 @ 12:59 pm
How many times a day should I take it?
26 April 2017 @ 12:15 pm
Hi,
I am just now researching migraines and oregano oil caps. Doing this backwards.
I suffered a closed head injury in a vehicle accident 5 years ago and it left me with chronic migraines ( I did not suffer from migraines prior to the accident). I was having on average 15 per month and some months over 19. I take Imitrex at the onset of a migraine and found it very useful, but the side effects are not nice. Having been an RN for 40 years I am opposed to taking any pharmaceutical products, I have normal to low blood pressure so many of the horrible drugs the doctors wanted to put me on were contraindicated. Botox is very suspect and is derived from one of the most powerful neuro-toxins known, so I was not interested in this. It also requires 3 monthly sessions of 40 odd injections, not good for quality of life.
I started to research natural compounds and eliminate triggers. Soy lecithin and any soy compound would always induce a migraine, so I do not eat anything that contains it. I have since found out the horrible health risks of taking soy compounds so I do not miss it.
I was then introduced to fever-few by listening to neurologists on YouTube. I take this herb everyday and grow my own to use as well. It cut the duration of a migraine, but did not stop them starting.
I happened to pick up some oregano oil caps to take to prevent a candida infection. I found that a side effect was my migraines stopped! I was curious as to why this should be, but continued on with the caps and the migraines have stayed away. The only time they start up now is when the barometric pressure drops or rises suddenly.
I don’t like pharmaceutical products, because the scientists have tried to isolate what they think the beneficial compounds are in a product and process them as a pure form for profit. I believe this is akin to having only the struts of a ladder,( just a pile of sticks) you need the rest of the product to act in harmony with the medicinal compound. I believe white willow bark is better than salicylic acid in the form of asprin. That is just my opinion but I am delighted with the results of the Oregano oil, growing my own plants to make my own oil.
18 August 2017 @ 1:40 am
I take oil of oregano by putting 3 drops in a large shot glass with tomato juice goes down a treat.
13 September 2017 @ 8:55 am
Three weeks ago I had my first episode of migraine. My face, arm and leg on my left side went numb. My vision was blurred. I thought I was having a stroke. After having a CT scan which came back clear , and blood tests , which came back clear, I was diagnosed with a hemaplegic migraine. It is like all migraines very debilitating. The last episode lasted 7 days.
I used to take oregano oil for colds and respiratory. Today I have just taken oregano oil and I will see if this works … ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
5 October 2017 @ 7:29 am
I am a 42 year old female who has suffered menstrual migraines from the age of 30. Nothing worked to alleviate pain. No pain meds would even touch the migraines. Imitrex worked but only for about 12 hours. I started taking oil of oregano two weeks ago. Usually I suffer the migraine within one day of menstruation. The headaches were so severe that many times my speech was affected. Totally debilitating for three or more days. I took the oil of oregano (3) drops per day in 8 oz of water. For the first time ever I had no migraine. I will continue to use the oil of oregano. I have experienced a slight tingling feeling over the body as well as some nasty stools. Not sure if this is due to the oregano but I feel so much better even with the mild side effects. My body has no inflammation. I Have a torn miniscus at which time flares up as well. Making it hard for me to walk. When pain hits..I mix three drops with coconut oil and rub on knee. Instant pain reliever!!! I wanted to share because I felt nothing would ever work. I will continue my use and post as I go. Hope this helps.
11 January 2018 @ 11:47 am
I put my drops of oregano oil in empty capsules (very cheap on amazon). That way the strong taste bypasses my mouth/tongue.
22 August 2018 @ 1:17 am
I have been taking oregano capsules for 8 months now and I haven’t had a migraine since I have been taking them. I take one daily. It says on the bottle that you can take them daily. I certainly don’t want to stop taking them. I usually get migraines every three months.
6 September 2018 @ 6:57 pm
I love oregano oil for my headaches. I started getting headaches about 8 years ago. I’ve been to every Dr I can think of and nobody can tell me what’s causing them and nothing has helped. I’ve had a mri and cat scan of my sinuses and everything is positive. Nothing worked until oil of oregano, if it’s real bad I have to use a capsule, if not I just roll it on temples and forehead.
11 October 2018 @ 7:36 pm
I love Oregano oil for my headaches. I’ve suffered with headaches for about 8 yrs. been to all kinds of drs. And no one knew what was causing my headaches and more importantly nothing helped. Until about 6 months ago when I used oregano oil And if it’s real bad I put a few drops in a empty capsule with olive oil.
14 October 2018 @ 11:11 pm
I too have been taking Oil of Oregano capsules for 10 months. I started them to prevent the flu and found that I didn’t get a migraine while taking the capsules. I am not going to stop taking it….It does seem to prevent the attacks.
7 November 2018 @ 11:57 am
Hello everyone well I’ve been using oil of oregano for year now for my migraines and it does work wonders.. I also just apply it to my temples & forehead when the migraine isn’t to hard and add a cool towel and it helps me. I also rub it on back of my neck as well just some ideas may help someone else as well.. I don’t leave home without it first thing in my purse in the morning..
Hope it helps everyone else.
21 February 2019 @ 7:10 pm
Just a note about taking the oil internally.
NEVER take it near (Straight in the mouth.) ALWAYS mix with a carrier oil, such a coconut oil or even olive oil.
Oils are powerful and potent, and can ruin your throat and stomach if taken neat.
*Studied aromatherapy and oils.
27 August 2020 @ 9:15 am
I pool some water in my mouth tip my head back and drop a drop or two of oregano oil into the water and swallow immediately. No burn. Just don’t swish.
9 November 2020 @ 12:21 pm
I have used oregano oil for migraine for a few years now. I am amazed at how quickly it works and how much more effective it is than any other medication. Even strong pain killers. I am so thankful to have to not turn to pharmaceuticals
for relief, which really never worked anyway and also nothing was ever as effective as oregano oil.
Amazing stuff.