Many herbal medicines can provide relief from migraine headache.
The herb feverfew is especially useful for this purpose. It is being used extensively in Europe for the prevention of migraine attacks. Feverfew contains parthenolide, the plant's active ingredient, that inhibits the brain chemicals that dilate blood vessels and cause a migraine. Thus, feverfew has some of the same anti-inflammatory effects as aspirin, without aspirin's side effects. The herb must be taken for several weeks before the effects are felt.