According to some viral TikTok posts, treating and preventing migraine could be as simple as eating a bit of mustard. Mustard does contain certain minerals that may relieve mild migraine pain in a pinch, but eating it isn’t a practical way to prevent migraine long term.

You’d need to eat a lot of mustard to make a difference, and it’s not safe for everyone. Here’s what to know about consuming mustard for migraine relief.

Why Are People Using Mustard for Migraine?

Using mustard for migraine relief may have been popularized in Western culture by a 2014 article by pharmacologist Joe Graedon and medical anthropologist Teresa Graedon. The authors claim to get “two hours of pure pain relief” from ice pick headaches (head pain that feels sudden and sharp) after consuming a teaspoon of yellow mustard.

Recently, other people have taken to social media to share their personal experiences with eating mustard or soaking in a mustard foot bath to relieve migraine attacks.

Although it seems like a new trend, using mustard for pain relief may have originated more than 2,000 years ago. Researchers from Aditya Pharmacy College say mustard has been referenced as a medicinal agent as far back as the sixth century B.C.E. in the Indian subcontinent.

Can Mustard Actually Help a Migraine?

Yes, there’s some evidence that ingredients in mustard can help with migraine, particularly magnesium, selenium, and allyl isothiocyanate.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is commonly implicated in migraine, and magnesium deficiency is common in people with migraine. Mustard seeds contain magnesium, a mineral that’s known to help prevent migraine attacks by supporting blood vessel function. Doctors recommend taking at least 400 milligrams of magnesium oxide supplements per day for migraine prevention.

One tablespoon of mustard seeds contains about 33 milligrams of magnesium. So in order to consume a therapeutic level of magnesium from mustard seeds, you would need to eat about 12 tablespoons per day. That’s about three-quarters of a cup.

Prepared yellow mustard — the kind you might put on a hamburger — has lower magnesium content. One cup of yellow mustard contains 95 milligrams of magnesium, so you’d need to eat about 4 cups to get the daily recommended amount of magnesium for migraine prevention.

Selenium

Selenium — another mineral found in mustard — may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches because of its anti-inflammatory effects. One study found that taking up to 93 micrograms of selenium per day helped prevent migraine. A tablespoon of mustard seeds contains about 15 micrograms of selenium, so about 6 tablespoons would provide the maximum dose.

Allyl Isothiocyanate

Allyl isothiocyanate, also called AITC, is a compound found in mustard oil. It can both cause and relieve pain. Smelling mustard oil is all it takes to potentially benefit from AITC, as it’s believed to distract the nervous system from migraine pain.

Potential Dangers of Mustard for Migraine

As with any herbal or nutritional supplement, it’s important to talk to your doctor before you use mustard for migraine. Some people can experience allergic reactions from mustard, including a potentially life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. If you have a known allergy to broccoli, cabbage, or other Brassica plants, you may also be allergic to mustard.

Some mustard products contain a compound called tyramine, which may worsen migraine especially in histamine-sensitive individuals. Additives and preservatives may also trigger migraine in some people.

Better Ways To Treat Migraine

If you’re interested in treating migraine with nutritional supplements, talk to your headache specialist or a naturopathic doctor. They can help you find high-quality products, provide precise dosing recommendations, and check for potential drug interactions or contraindications.

Your doctor can also recommend prescription medications that may help prevent and treat migraine. There are many treatment options available, and it may take some trial and error to find the best ones for you.

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On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

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