Headaches are a nuisance and I know that is an understatement. I get cluster headaches at the start of my menstrual cycle every month. We have tried switching birth controls with lower estrogen and have tried more hydrarion. Nothing seems to keep them from coming back each month. I am sort of just used to it by now. Plus some remedies I have tried seem to help a bit. For you, it may just be that you are tired, hungry or might not have enough caffeine. But headaches are never fun and can put a damper on anyone’s day. It doesn’t matter if it is a tension headache, migraine or a cluster headache, they hurt and you’ll want the pain to go away.
There are many over the counter drugs you can pick to help alleviate the pain. Sometimes the headaches aren’t too bad and you know that a natural option is best – while other times the pain pill isn’t working, so you’ve got to try something else.
Below are ten natural remedies that work.
Water
Most often than not, when your head starts to throb, you are just dehydrated. This can be especially true if it has been hot outside and you haven’t been drinking enough water. Or if you’ve had a busy day. When you feel a headache starting, instead of popping a couple of painkillers, drink a glass or two of water first and see if that works.
Ginger
Ginger is an excellent home remedy for headaches. This root crop reduces the inflammation of blood vessels in the head, which in turn relieves pain and tension. There are a couple of ways you can use ginger to treat a headache, drinking ginger juice or making ginger tea helps. You can even apply ginger powder diluted in water on the forehead.
Cayenne
Cayenne contains capsaicin. This unfamiliar substance halts the body’s pain perception. In other words, a little bit of capsaicin decreases the level of pain. Take 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder, 4 ounces of water and a couple of cotton swabs. Combine the dry ingredient with the wet and soak the swab. Apply the cotton swab in each nostril.
Mint Juice
This is more than just a refreshing way to cool off, mint juice is also an alternative to over the counter pain medicine. Mint contains menthol and menthone which have been proven to be effective in treating headaches. Applying mint juice extracted from mint leaves on the forehead can help a throbbing head.
Almonds
Like cayenne, almonds contain a substance called salicin. Salicin is a natural component of over the counter pain killers. Eat a few almonds when you feel your temples starting to hurt. Fair warning, it can go either way. There are people who are sensitive to almonds, so obviously this would not work and should be avoided for those people.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is often used for massage therapy because of its calming effects. However, like mint, peppermint also contains menthol which helps unclog blood vessels. If you have peppermint oil at home, all you need do is massage a few drops on your forehead or temples.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV is a natural remedy for quite a few issues. With that said, it is also an effective remedy for headaches. To use ACV as a headache buster, all you need is 1/4 cup of ACV, 3 cups of boiling water and 1 cup of cool drinking water. Pour the apple cider vinegar onto a bowl then fill the bowl with the boiling water. With a towel over your head, trap the steam and inhale.
Basil
Basil on food, especially on Italian dishes, tastes fantastic. But who knew this herb is also a headache remedy? Basil is particularly effective for tension pain since it is a muscle relaxant. You can make tea out of basil leaves or you can chew basil leaves for maximum effect.
Hot or Cold Compress
Headaches are tricky – it’s difficult to identify what causes them and how to make them stop without taking a few pain meds. But an option would be to alternate cold compress and hot compress and see what works.
Rest
Day to day life is tiring. Tasks at work and chores at home sometimes take a toll on your body. Headaches are common when you have strained your eyes from being on the computer too much or when you have been awake for extended periods. Take a break and rest. The headache is a sign your body needs to slow down.
Using natural remedies for headaches can work just as well as pain pills, but the trick is to find what works for you. If you suffer from major migraines these might not work, but you’ll never know unless you try. Usually these are triggered by certain foods or situations.
If you suffer from headaches every once in awhile, these are great alternatives to using ibuprofen or another over-the-counter medicine.
