Hi. I am new to your forum and site having been "off the grid" for quite a while. I have suffered CH for 37 years, mostly episodic but for the last two years chronic. My story is probably really familiar to everyone here, but I have something I believe is important to share. I am what you would call a lay herbalist; I have helped lots of people, dogs, cats and horses but I was never able to do anything for myself. About a year ago I embarked on a search for a truly effective herbal analgesic, since I dislike and distrust pharmaceuticals (having tried just about all up to and including opiates). I didn't find one, which is probably no surprise to most of you. No known analgesic works at all on clusters, and that should have been a clue, but anyway:- I will cut to the chase as my research makes for a thrilling tale which I would love to share but it is quite besides the point.
I finally found what I was looking for in an herb I had previously used mostly for cases of depression or liver damage: licorice root.
Glycyrrhiza glabra is an herb of truly ancient medicinal pedigree with many and varied virtues. I could go on at length about this stuff, but here is what is pertinent: Licorice root contains isoflavans, completely unique phytoestrogens (demonstrated in an Israeli University study in 2003 ) which affect the serotonergic system and inhibit serotonin re-uptake. It also inhibits the breakdown of cortisol. I believe its actions are more in the nature of a balancing and normalizing; as many herbs have this quality (of adjusting either 'too much' or 'too little' by its own innate intelligence.). But enough of the chemistry; I can tell you this:
I have the luxury of myself to experiment on. I was in the full throes of a chronic period which had lasted 11 months with abatement of maybe a week or so at most every so often. Lately it had been roughly 4-6 episodes a day, several times a night as well. Usual durations were short, 15 min. to an hour; but several times I had the 24 hour marathons with short breaks. I am sure just about all of you know exactly what I was going through.
One standard dose of licorice root tincture aborted the cluster, and I have been PF since.
This stuff goes right to where the demon lives. I would be happy to discuss the particulars with anyone interested via email vis a vis causality;... but for our purposes here, let me just say this: I cannot and will not give anyone medical advice, but I can tell you what I did and why. I am casting it out there freely in the hope that someone may find the relief I did.
Here goes:
1. Not all licorice preparations are created equal. DO get the highest quality tincture you can find. It will cost you no more than about $20 for two ounces, which should last quite a while. I know thats small change to imitrex users.  I make my own and it is highly potent; you want a 1:5 tincture 40% alcohol by volume (don't worry the dose is so small the alcohol won't trigger you).
2. Use tincture, not tea or pills or extracts or anything other than a whole plant product.(Not all of the actives extract in water, and whole plant products are vastly superior to any extracts. Trust me, or read up on it. You'll see.)
3. I take a fairly standard dose of about 2 milliliters (about thirty drops) in a small amount of water 3 times a day. I plan on reducing the dose further, and then stopping it altogether and seeing if it works as an abortive. Like I said, its good to have yourself as a guinea pig.
4. I augment the licorice root with skullcap tincture, a sedative nervine herb which is very gentle, does not have any unpleasant effects and is superlative at relieving stress and nervous exhaustion. Dosage is the same as for the licorice root, 2 ml. three times daily. I find they complement each other as both will elevate your mood markedly (the serotonin thing again) which can't hurt, right?
5. Be aware that licorice root gets a bad rap from some folks who cite studies that it can cause potassium imbalances, sodium retention etc.; but what they don't tell you is that a) this occurs only after protracted use of a month to six weeks b) it by no means affects everyone who takes it c)the doses involved were at least four times greater than recommended daily amounts. Also, they used extract, and the whole plant contains compounds that ameliorate these effects.
6. I would be happy to answer any questions that I could if anyone wishes to email me.
7. You can see the serotonin study for yourself: just google licorice root.
This site is a blessing. I wish it was around when I was younger, but its enough that its here now. Be well.

Igenser...you already have a thread started discussing this. No need to start the very same thread at a different location. I am locking this one.