There are various types of pain when it comes to headaches ranging from the typical tension headache to the debilitating migraine.
But is it possible to treat headaches naturally?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), headaches or tension in the head are the most common nervous system issue, a problem that nowadays we still don’t know very well and that isn’t always treated properly.
The most common type of headaches is tensional. These occur because of the force made in arm, neck, scalp, and jaw muscles. They’re usually related to stress, depression, or anxiety.
You could have a tendency to have this type of headaches if you:
- Work too much.
- Don’t get enough sleep.
- Add salt to your food.
- Drink alcoholic beverages.
Not all headaches require medical attention. However, sometimes they can indicate a more serious health problem. Talk with your doctor if your headaches are very sudden or severe.
In addition, you should seek immediate medical attention if you:
- Have a headache after hitting your head.
- Experience a stiffness in your neck, fever, confusion, loss of consciousness, or pain in your eyes or inner ear.
Headaches are caused by many different things. Before taking any natural treatment or turn to pills, find out the reason for your headache, and if they’re very regular, it’s ideal to consult with your doctor.
Home Remedies to Treat Headaches Naturally
Next, we will show you a few economic and effective natural remedies that you can make at home to treat headaches.
1. Ginger
The rhizome of the ginger has the property of inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, the substances responsible for the appearance of pain. You can drink up to 10 g of this ginger tea every day.
You can substitute this for a painkiller and won’t suffer from any side effects. It’s worth it to try it out and see how it works for you.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. of ginger (10 g)
- ½ cup of water (125 ml)
Preparation:
- Heat the water in a pot for three minutes.
- When the water is warm, add the ginger and let it steep for two more minutes.
- Drink it warm for the best effect.
2. Essential Oils
Aromatherapy is another interesting form of relieving headaches that’s worth the while to try. The essential oils provide pain relief, help with circulation, and reduce stress.
They also have a ton of other health benefits and stimulate your immune system instead of wreaking havoc in your vital organs.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. of essential oil, whatever kind you prefer (5 ml)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
- 2 cloths to moisten
Preparation:
- In a pot, pour in the water and essential oil.
- Keep the pot over a low flame for three minutes.
- Let the mixture cool and wet the cloths with it.
- Put them on your forehead and neck and let them sit for 20-30 minutes.
3. Matricaria Tea
You can find these dried flowers in natural stores. This plant is well known to treat headaches and migraines.
Thanks to its essential oils, containing alpha-pinene, borneol, lactones, phytosterols and tannins, it acts as an anti-inflammatory substance that’s very similar to painkillers. It’s a good sedative and you can take it once or twice per day.
Note: If you’re pregnant or are taking some kind of blood thinner, it is not recommended that you use this tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. of matricaria (5 g)
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation:
- Pour the water and the teaspoon of matricaria in a pot over a flame.
- When it begins to boil, remove it from the flame and let it sit.
- It’s recommended that you drink it when it’s still warm for the best results.
4. Chamomile Tea
We already know that chamomile is one of the most used medicinal plants because of its many properties. One of its therapeutic uses is to treat headaches.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ of chamomile (20 g)
- the juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup of water (250 ml)
Preparation:
- Pour the water and chamomile in a pot.
- Heat it over a low flame for five minutes.
- Remove it from the flame and let it sit.
- Add the lemon when it’s time to serve it.
- Drink it warm.
If You Have Chronic Pain, This Might Be Useful
Taking Vitamin B2
When we talk about vitamin b2, we are referring to riboflavin, which is found in the majority of leafy green vegetables, eggs, nuts, and enriched flour.
There are many people with magnesium deficiencies and also have a low amount of this vitamin. This causes muscle pains, cramps, eye problems, acne, and of course, headaches.
If you notice that you have chronic fatigue, that your nails break easily, that your hair is brittle, that you have a lot of infections and that you have constant headaches, try to improve your diet.
Control Your Triggers
Just like with most pains, a fantastic way of dealing with tension headaches and migraines alike is controlling their triggers. Therefore, keep in mind the following:
- Avoid dairy, wine, cured cheese, and heavily seasoned food.
- Control your stressors.
- Keep in mind that hormonal changes always act as triggers. So, you should be prepared during your menstrual cycle.
- For example, try to live a relaxing life, drink enough liquids, don’t over-exert yourself, and avoid the previously mentioned foods.
- Strong odors, lights, smoke, and heat or drastic changes in temperature are also often causes of headaches.
We invite you to share your thoughts on these remedies and to test them out. That way, you can live your healthiest life possible that’s far from the bother of headaches.
Via: ReadersDigest | MedicineNet | EverydayHealth
