Evidence supporting the use of: Magnesium
For the health condition: Headache (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Magnesium is supported by scientific evidence for use in the prevention and treatment of certain types of headaches, particularly migraines. Several studies have found that individuals who experience migraines often have lower levels of magnesium in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid compared to those who do not suffer from these headaches. Randomized controlled trials have shown that oral magnesium supplementation can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in some patients, especially those with documented magnesium deficiency or menstrual migraines. Additionally, intravenous magnesium has been used in emergency settings for acute migraine relief, though results are mixed.
Mechanistically, magnesium plays a role in neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, and vascular tone, all of which are factors implicated in migraine pathophysiology. The American Headache Society and American Academy of Neurology consider magnesium to be "probably effective" for migraine prevention. For tension-type headaches and general headache disorders, the evidence is less robust, but magnesium is still sometimes used due to its safety profile and the overlapping mechanisms involved in headache disorders.
Overall, while magnesium is not universally effective for all headache types or all patients, the scientific evidence supports its use—particularly in migraine prevention—earning it a moderate evidence rating. It is generally regarded as safe when taken at recommended dosages, but high doses can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended before starting magnesium for headache management.
Other ingredients used for Headache (general)
alpha-pinenegreen chiretta
apple
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bamboo
basil
betel
black cumin
black tea
Indian frankincense
burdock
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
fennel
feverfew
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
guayusa
jujube
kudzu
lavender
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mint
moringa
mustard seed
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
purple butterbur root
quail egg
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose oil
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
spearmint leaf
triphala
watermelon
white willow
zhejiang fritillary
cardamom
capsicum
Indian bael
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
punarnava
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
rubia cordifolia
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
myrrh
root tuber
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
flowering quince
fern
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
birch
wintergreen
camphor oil
menthol oil
aster root
yerba mate
wood betony
paw paw
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Avens
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Anemone
Asam gelugor
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Blepharis
Balsam
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bael
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
black salt
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Balloon Flower
Bergenia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cinquefoil
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cymbopogon Martini
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Chinatree
Corydalis
Cynodon dactylon
Costus
Carthamus
Colocynth
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Erodium cicutarium
English Horsemint
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Eugenol
Goldthread
Galangal
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Orchid
Potato
Prickly Pear Cactus
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Vinegar
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by magnesium
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alkalosis
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Control (countering side effects)
Body Building
Body Odor
Boils
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular Disease
Chest Pain
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colon (atonic)
Constipation (adults)
Convulsions
Cramps (leg)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Exercise
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gastritis
Headache (cluster)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Insomnia
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neurosis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Oxygen Deficiency
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Pets (supplements for)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Psoriasis
Restless Leg Syndrome
Rhinitis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seizures
Senility
Shock
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Stress
Sugar Cravings
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Tachycardia
Tension
Testosterone (low)
Tetanus
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
Tinnitus
TMJ
Tooth Decay
Toxemia
Triglycerides (high)
Twitching
Wasting
Wheezing
Worry
Wounds and Sores
Products containing magnesium
Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Hydrate
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine AnxiousLess
Nature's Sunshine Calcium-Magnesium (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Calcium Plus Vitamin D
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Energy
Nature's Sunshine Chromium-GTF
Nature's Sunshine Coral Calcium
Nature's Sunshine Coral Calcium
Nature's Sunshine Fibralgia
Nature's Sunshine Free Amino Acids
Nature's Sunshine Gentle Move
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Heavy Metal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Magnesium
Nature's Sunshine Magnesium Complex
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine Mind-Max
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets To-Go Packs
Nature's Sunshine Sea Calcium (Nature's)
Nature's Sunshine Sunshine Heroes Whole Food Papayazyme
Nature's Sunshine Silver Shield BioGuard Hand & Body Cream
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Revive
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Urinary Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave
