Migraines are awful. Dealing with them on an occasional basis is bad enough, but can you imagine what it must be like for people who suffer from them chronically? People suffering from migraine headaches often find themselves chewing on a variety of pain pills, both over-the-counter and prescription, but what if there were other options? Would you consider trying them?

If you answered yes to the last question, here are eight natural remedies that can potentially help you battle these debilitating headaches.

1. Caffeine

This sounds wrong doesn't it? Caffeine seems like something that would make a headache worse, not help deal with the symptoms. The reality is that most medicine that is designed to deal with headaches in general, already include caffeine. It actually reduces the inflammation that triggers migraines.

Combining caffeine with over-the-counter medicine you can actually increase your relief by 40 per cent. Be careful though, becoming addicted to caffeine can actually cause headaches if you end up going through withdrawal symptoms.

2. Banana and Ice Cube Compress

According to some research, if you apply a banana peel along with ice to your forehead while you are suffering from a migraine, it will allow you to absorb extra potassium directly into your skin. You could also try eating that banana before using its peel as a compress.  

3. Basil Oil

Some migraines are caused by muscle pain and tension, and basil oil works as a natural muscle relaxant. For the easiest way to use basil oil to fight headaches, use basil oil instead of olive oil when you are cooking and enjoy.

4. Lavender Oil

You wont be cooking with this oil. Instead boil water and add drops of lavender oil in order to create a vapor you can inhale. This will help relieve tension headaches, and if it isn't strong enough, try rubbing some directly onto your temples.

5. Butterbur

This flower extract helps to directly increase blood flow to the brain. Your best bet is to consume 50 - 75 milligram pills of this extract twice a day for migraine relief. With anything you take in pill form though, check with your medical professional.

6. Buckwheat

Inflammation is one of the leading causes of migraine headaches, and buckwheat is a great source of rutin, a compound that has been proven to reduce this inflammation. Just find a way to add it into your diet for best results. It doesn't taste great, but there are ways that you can make it interesting.  

7. Feverfew

Feverfew is a small flower that looks a lot like a daisy, and it is most commonly consumed as a supplement or extract. Not only is it said to help treat migraines, but some studies even say that it can help prevent them before they start.

8. Flaxseed

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be able to treat migraine headaches. Flaxseed has a high omega-3 content, and by adding flaxseed into your diet you can actually help treat your migraines long term. Again, flaxseed isn't that appetizing so find creative ways to incorporate it into your meals.

Share this with someone who you know suffers from debilitating migraine headaches.