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Redhead woman lounges in bikini atop gel bottle on a deserted beach

If You Could Only Take One Migraine Home Remedy With You Which One Would It Be?

There’s a longstanding game that starts like, “If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one ______, what would it be?” Inserted in the blank is a noun like “book” or “album.” It’s never anything to actually help escape the island like a phone to call for help, matches to start a signal fire, or Tom Hanks to help build a makeshift raft. That’s not the way to play the game.

Deserted island games

This fun question game serves as a way to get to know the personality of the players. So, in case you’re wondering, I’d pick Abby Road by The Beatles and my book is a historical fiction novel called The Sunne in Splendour. What does this say about me besides The Beatles rule, and I might have a Renaissance Faire dress hanging in my closet? (Yes, two different time periods, but I digress.) I’m exactly not sure. What happens, though, if I change the question: “If I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one natural migraine remedy what would it be?”

Turning to home remedies for migraine

Over the years, I’ve accrued a great many potions, treatments, and medications to help me through my migraines. My neurologist and I have created a support plan with medication and diet changes that seek to limit my chronic migraines. This doesn’t, however, mean my migraines still don’t attack with a vengeance. This is when my home remedies come into play.

My go-tos

I have several go-to home treatments that help out: Caffeine can sometimes stop my migraine in mid-twinge, and a super hot shower is a good second step. A lot of times, a power nap may reset the boiling in my head, but that isn’t an item I’d need to pack in a suitcase. I can take a nap anywhere—on the couch, at the kitchen table, or sitting up on a park bench.

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Arnica gel

So if I were stranded and could only bring one natural migraine remedy with me, it would be my Arnicare Gel. It might sound like a usual pick, but it’s my greatest help when I’m experiencing a full-blown migraine. And if I’m going to be stuck on a desert island in the heat, humidity, and the bright sun--a migraine is inevitable.

Arnica gels and creams use the arnica plant in their topical ointment--which is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. The skin quickly absorbs the gel I use, and I love that it’s homeopathic. Its general use is to treat pain and swelling, which is why I use it on my achy neck and jaw when I’m experiencing a migraine. It dials the pain down for me enough to let me sleep. It’s a huge help when it comes to managing an attack. I never travel without it.

So, what does all this say about me? I guess it says I’d be stuck on a desert island wearing a Renaissance Faire dress, listening to The Beatles with my Arnica Gel, ready to take a nap.

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