Handy Home Remedies for Headaches

Most of us have suffered a headache in our life till now, and some of us have suffered it multiple times. A few among us have suffered it innumerable times, and there are fewer (in absolute terms the number is huge) who deal with such a menace on a regular basis. Even a mild headache can disrupt your daily routine and a severe headache can be unbearable.

There are several causes of headaches and stress and tension are the most common of them. The most common type of headache is the tension headache. Tension headaches occur as a result of contraction in neck and scalp muscles. The common causes of tension headaches can be traced to stress, depression, head injury or anxiety. Tension headaches result in mild to intense pain behind eyes, and on head and neck.

Cluster and sinus headaches are also quite common. Migraine is another type of headache and as we know every second of its experience can be nothing short of excruciating.

There are myriad medications to cure or alleviate headaches but there are several home remedies to treat or counter headaches too.  Yes, these home remedies have the potential to save you a trip to the doctor and also the possible side effects of some medicines.

Healing through Water

Here we are presenting some of them which may help you to arrive at the decision that which home remedy for headache is to choose for yourself. Of course, you can choose more than one of these remedies too at the same time. Some of them are natural remedies for headaches.

An effective home remedy for headache is consuming enough water and water-intensive food like watermelon, cucumber, celery throughout the day as often dehydration can cause headache.

Studies have shown that chronic dehydration is a common cause for tension headaches and migraines. Consuming adequate water is one of the natural ways to get rid of a headache.

Tea, Coffee and Massage

Tea and coffee intake also has the potential to relieve you of headache. If you drink them when the headache has just started it may ease away quickly.

Sometimes tension or stress induced headaches can be relieved by a simple massage of few minutes on forehead, neck, and temples. Acupressure message can get to quicker relief but don’t do it unless you or the masseur concerned have complete knowledge of acupressure points needed to cure headache.

Another common cause for headache may be inadequate sleep. So in case you are sleeping less than six hours daily and having frequent headaches, increase your quota of sleep and there is likelihood that your headaches would soon erode. Adequate sleep can be said to be one of the most simple natural remedies for headaches.

Avoid Food High in Histamine

In case you are sensitive to migraine, avoid food which are high in histamine; a chemical found naturally in the human body. It plays role in immune, digestive and nervous systems. Beer, wine, aged cheeses, smoked fish and cured meats have histamine and if you are sensitive to migraine, consuming histamine in high dosage may cause migraine in you.

Herbal Remedies

There are some herbs for headache relief too. Inhaling lavender oil or applying diluted lavender oil to temples may also give you relief from migraine rather quickly. Applying peppermint essential oil on temples has the potential to address tension headaches well.

According to a study, the menthol in peppermint oil can prevent migraine from marching in your head. Besides the influence of herbs like lavender and peppermint, herbs like feverfew and butterbur may also reduce headache symptoms. Both feverfew, and butterbur root are endowed with anti-inflammatory properties.

Feverfew supplements are generally safe when they are consumed in recommended amounts. There are studies which suggest that intake of feverfew supplements in doses of 50–150 mg per day may reduce the frequency of headaches. However, more caution needs to be exercised in consuming butterbur as its unpurified forms can cause liver damage. Moreover, the effects of its long-term use are still not known.

Ginger powder is also known to decrease the severity and duration of migraines.  Ginger brewed in a warm cup of tea may be a nice home remedy for headache.

Applying Cold Compress

Using cold or frozen compresses to the neck and head area may give you some relief from headache as it can reduce inflammation and constricts blood vessels. Making a cold compress is easy. Just fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel to get this natural headache relief option.

Applying cold compress in neck or forehead for 15 minutes can do the trick. Sometimes even taking a cold shower can ease the pain of headache. Yes, sometimes life can become simple too… it not always have to be complicated.

Have Magnesium Rich Diet

Magnesium deficiency can also be a cause of headaches. Findings indicate that magnesium deficiency is more common among people who suffer frequent bouts of migraine headaches, as compared to those who don’t. Almond, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, peanut butter, oatmeal, egg, milk and cashew are some of the food whose intake on a regular basis can help you get your required daily dosage of magnesium.

Having adequate magnesium in your diet has the potential to keep headache away from your home. It is much better to have more magnesium in your diet to counter magnesium deficiency than taking magnesium supplements, which can cause diarrhea in some people.

Yoga and Meditation

Daily yoga and meditation can also keep your headaches at bay. According to National Library of Medicine, a study demonstrated a significant reduction in migraine headache frequency and associated clinical features in patients treated with yoga over a period of 3 months.  But it noted that further study of this therapeutic intervention appears to be warranted. In the study, seventy-two patients with migraine without aura were randomly assigned to yoga therapy or self-care group for 3 months. 

However, do consult a doctor or physical therapist before doing yoga even if you have some practical knowledge of doing it. Don’t undertake yoga exercise without proper training.

Of course, if one home remedy for headache doesn’t yield the desired result, you should try other ones. There is no best remedy for headache as such but a given remedy for headache may be a best remedy for headache for you. But if the exercise of home remedies to address headache doesn’t give you proper cure from headache, you should consult a doctor fast.

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