Is it a Migraine or Headache?

Written by: Lian Hooi San, B.Sc in Food Science and Nutrition, M.Sc. Clinical Nutrition

IS GINKGO BILOBA GOOD FOR MIGRAINE?

Migraine, a topic long studied and yet still mysterious, continues to puzzle the health industry. Migraine is not just headache; it represents a complex neurological disorder affecting over one billion individuals globally. According to the Global Burden of Disease study (2019), migraine is the second largest cause of the world’s disability and is the leading cause among young women. The study estimated that it affected 18% of women and 6% of men worldwide, whereas chronic migraine affects 2% of the global population.

Migraine goes beyond mere headaches, encompassing symptoms such as intense pain, nausea, and sensory overload, which can turn an ordinary day into a struggle for calm and comfort.

Migraine and Headache: How to Tell Them Apart?

Many individuals mistakenly use the terms “headache” and “migraine” interchangeably, but medically, they refer to different conditions with distinct characteristics. A common headache typically presents as a dull, steady ache that affects both sides of the head and is often triggered by factors such as stress, poor posture, dehydration, or eye strain. These headaches are usually mild to moderate in intensity and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

In contrast, a migraine is a neurological disorder that causes a much more intense, throbbing, or pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head, and can last between a few hours to a few days.

Migraine is frequently accompanied by additional symptoms such as;

·       Nausea

·       Vomiting

·       visual disturbances (known as aura)

·       heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smell

Understand Migraine:  Types and Causes

Migraine come in different types, but the two most common are migraine with aura and migraine without aura. A migraine with aura includes warning signs before the headache starts, such as seeing flashing lights, zigzag lines, or having tingling sensations. These symptoms usually last less than an hour and can affect vision, speech, or touch. In contrast, a migraine without aura skips these early signs and goes straight into the headache phase, which often includes throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound. Migraine without aura is more common and can happen more frequently.

Migraine impact more than just causing pain—they can interfere with daily activities. Many individuals with migraine struggle to focus at school or work, often missing out on family and social events, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and frustration. Migraine attacks can last between 4 to 72 hours and may be triggered by hormonal changes, certain foods, sleep issues, or weather shifts.

Common Migraine Triggers

Environmental Triggers

·       Sensory stimuli like bright lights, strong odours, and loud noises often provoke migraine attacks due to heightened neural sensitivity. Pain originating from the head and neck — such as muscle spasms or cervical strain — can activate pain pathways linked to migraine. Weather changes, especially shifts in temperature or pressure, affect about 40% of sufferers and may influence brain chemistry or vascular tone, triggering attacks.

      Food Triggers

·       Foods can trigger migraines through various mechanisms, including their specific chemical components like nitrates, tyramine, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners, which can affect blood vessel dilation and constriction or trigger inflammation. Common dietary triggers are alcohol, coffee, cheese, yogurt, yeast products, processed meats, aspartame, and even MSG.

Physiological Triggers

·       Stress, fatigue, and sleep disruptions are major internal triggers. They can destabilize brain function and lower the threshold for pain. Hormonal changes—especially fluctuations in estrogen during the menstrual cycle — are strongly linked to migraine in women, influencing both vascular and neurotransmitter activity. Fasting is also a recognized trigger for migraine attacks in many individuals, primarily due to the resulting hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and dehydration.

Migraine: A Common but Manageable Health Challenge

Migraine Treatment: Conventional Pharmacological Options

Migraine treatment is divided into two main categories: acute relief and preventive therapy. For immediate relief, medications such as triptans, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, and anti-nausea drugs are commonly used. Triptans are particularly effective as they target serotonin receptors, reducing inflammation and constricting blood vessels to alleviate pain.

For those with frequent or severe migraines, preventive medications may be prescribed, including beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, and newer options like CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) inhibitors and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections for chronic migraine prevention.

While these treatments can be effective, they come with potential side effects. Triptans may cause chest tightness or dizziness, and NSAIDs can lead to stomach issues with frequent use. Preventive medications also carry risks, such as fatigue from beta-blockers and mood changes from anticonvulsants. Finding the right medication often requires trial and error, as some patients may not respond well or may experience rebound headaches from overuse.

Ginkgo Biloba and Migraine Relief: Can This Ancient Herb Help?

What is Ginkgo Biloba?

For centuries, natural remedies have been explored to ease migraine attacks. Among them, Ginkgo biloba, an ancient herbal remedy from the Ginkgo tree, that known as living fossil, has gained growing attention. Ginkgo biloba extract, derived from the leaves of the ginkgo tree, has attracted scientific interest due to its potential effects on neurological conditions.

How Does Ginkgo Help Migraine?

The ginkgo leaf extract is rich in excellent bioactive properties, primarily flavonoids (such as flavone glycosides, quercetin, and kaempferol) and terpene lactones (such as ginkgolides A & B, and bilobalide). In brief, they help protect our brain cells from damage caused by harmful molecules like free radicals and oxidative stress, and also prevent blood clotting. Because of the protective and stabilising roles, plus improving blood flow, Ginkgo biloba may support better brain health and decrease the severity or frequency of migraine attacks. Ginkgo biloba also has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing swelling and irritation in the body, which are key factors in migraine.

This natural ability to calm inflammation and strengthen neurons or brain cells makes Ginkgo biloba a promising option for people looking for alternative ways to manage migraine.

What the Research Says?

A small preliminary trial in Italy explored the use of ginkgolide B—an active compound from Ginkgo biloba leaves—in preventing migraine with aura. 25 patients (both male & female) diagnosed with typical aura or aura without headache participated in the study using a combination of Ginkgo biloba terpenes phytosome (ginkgolide B), coenzyme Q10, and vitamin B2. The results showed neurological symptoms relief in more than 60% of the patients and the pain phase disappeared in about 18% of the patients.

Another larger multicenter preliminary trial with the same study design evaluation on 50 women diagnosed with typical aura or aura without headache participated in a six-month study, which included a two-month drug-free period followed by four months of treatment (same ginkgo combination). The results revealed a significant reduction in both the frequency and duration of migraine aura episodes, with over 40% of participants experiencing complete symptom relief by the final phase. No serious side effects were reported, highlighting the potential of this herbal-based approach as a safe and effective option for managing migraine with aura.

Ginkgo has also been found to be effective in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks and relieving the symptoms in children and teenagers suffering from migraine without aura, with the youngest being 8 years old.

Researchers believed that the main therapeutic pathway or the mechanism of action in ginkgo is the inhibition of PAF (platelet activation factor) and the regulation of glutamate, which are both involved in inducing excitatory and pain. In addition, Ginkgo enhances blood flow to the brain and helps deliver oxygen and nutrients, which may prevent the vascular changes linked to migraine.

Migraine is associated with oxidative stress. Unlike some other plant antioxidants that mainly act as general scavengers of free radicals, Ginkgo’s antioxidants have additional functions—they can calm or stabilise nerve cell membranes, reduce harmful chemical signals involved in migraine, and have a high stability in different body environments. This combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects makes Ginkgo biloba particularly suited to supporting brain health and potentially helping with migraine. Moreover, studies showed these compounds are highly biocompatible, meaning they are well-tolerated and less likely to cause side effects compared with other antioxidants.

Non-Drug Strategies for Migraine Management

Due to the impact of migraine on daily life, appropriate management should be considered. Different non-pharmacological approaches are suggested for migraine management. Recommendations are considering lifestyle and diet modifications, such as:

ü  Adequate sleep and rest

ü  Regular exercise and weight management

ü  Stay hydrated, and eat balanced meals consistently

ü  Practice stress management (yoga, meditation, breathing exercises)

Besides that, identifying and avoiding personal triggers and behavioural treatments that help you to control thoughts and tension linked to stress can also help in managing migraine.

Additionally, considering having complementary and alternative medication interventions, including acupuncture and herbal remedies/dietary supplements, such as incorporating ginkgo in daily routine, helps with the management of migraine. These approaches to non-pharmacological interventions are more effective if combined.

Conclusion

Migraine is a debilitating but manageable condition. Conventional medications remain important, but their side effects and limitations highlight the need for safer alternatives.

Ginkgo biloba shows promising benefits in reducing migraine frequency, improving circulation, calming inflammation, and protecting brain health. While more research is needed, it may serve as a valuable complementary approach for those seeking natural migraine support.

References

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