People are dealing with all kinds of ailments, but it seems that headaches are among the most frequent ones. Headaches can occur in individuals of all ages, genders and ethnicities. Every individual experiences headache from time to time. Headaches are usually separated into three basic categories: migraine, tension and cluster headaches.
A headache can be triggered by many different things including constriction or limitation of blood vessels, physiological alterations in our head, irregular activity of the neurons, genetic issues, alcohol abuse, too much smoking, dehydration, low quality of sleep, oversleeping, eye strain, excessive use of painkillers, neck strain etc.
When people experience headaches, they usually use prescription drugs or over the counter drugs to solve this problem. However, there are a huge number of natural remedies that can help you eliminate headaches in a fast and simple manner.
For example, lack of water in the body (dehydration) is a very frequent cause of headaches. In cases like this, drinking one or two glasses of water can help you with your problem in a matter of minutes. Experts advise consumption of at least eight glasses of water a day in order to ensure proper hydration.
Besides water, you can use several different natural ingredients to ease or eliminate a headache.
This is a list of the 10 best natural home remedies for headaches.
1. Ginger
Ginger has the ability to soothe inflammation that occurs in the constricted blood vessels located in the head. this ultimately means that the headaches will be eased.
Take equal amount of lemon juice and ginger juice and mix them well. Drink this mixture two times a day.
You can also use ginger in the form of a paste. Create a paste that consists of two tablespoons of tap water and one teaspoon of ginger powder also known as sonth. Use this paste directly on your forehead and wait for a few minutes before you rinse it.
Another option is to take raw ginger and ginger powder and boil them in water. While they are boiling inhale and exhale right above the mixture.
Finally, take a crystallized candy based on ginger and chew it.
2. Mint juice
Menthone as well as menthol are the main ingredients of mint and they have proven to be quite useful when it comes to headaches.
Take a handful of fresh mint leaves and extract their juice. After that, use this juice on your temples and forehead to ease your headache.
In addition, some people make compresses soaked in mint tea and apply them on their forehead for instant relief. Besides mint juice, you can also use coriander juice for headaches.
3. Peppermint oil
Peppermint is rich in menthol and this compound can also help people you open blocked blood vessels that lead to headaches. Peppermint has strong soothing and calming properties too.
Take one tablespoon of almond oil and mix it with three drops of peppermint oil. You can use olive oil or tap water instead of almond oil. Rub this mixture on the temples and forehead. In addition, it is also a good idea to place some crushed peppermint leaves directly on the forehead.
Finally, you can also try a natural steam treatment – put 4-5 drops of peppermint oil in a small pot filled with boiling water. Breathe in the vapor for 5 minutes.
4. Basil
Basil is a well known natural muscle reliever which means that it is efficient in cases of headaches that come as a result of constricted and tense muscles. In addition, this herb has powerful analgesic and calming properties.
Add four basil leaves (using fresh leaves is better) in one cup of boiling water. Leave the mixture to simmer for 3-4 minutes. You can also add a small amount of organic honey and drink the tea.
Some people pour 4-5 drops of basil oil or one tablespoon of leaves of basil in a small pot of boiling water and stand above the pot for steam treatment.
Feel free to chew basic leaves or rub basil oil on the forehead (just mix it with some base oil because basil oil is very strong)
5. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has a specific calming scent and by smelling it you should feel better when you are experiencing a headache. Scientific studies have shown that this oil is useful in cases of migraines too.
Pour a small amount of lavender oil on an ordinary tissue and breathe in. Additionally, try adding two drops of this oil in boiling water (two cups) and breathe the steam.
There is another way to use this oil – take one tablespoon of base oil like olive oil or almond oil and two drops of lavender oil and mix them well. After that, rub the forehead with the mixture.
Keep in mind that you should not consume lavender oil.
6. Ice Pack
Ice radiates cold and this is definitely something that can lower inflammation that triggers headaches. In addition, ice has numbing properties which is good for any type of pain.
Placing an ice pack directly on the neck (the back of the neck) can ease the pain caused by migraine headache.
In addition, you can put a washcloth soaked in cold water on the head for about 5 minutes. Perform the same procedure throughout the day for at least 3 times.
Finally, feel free to make a cold compress with the help of a bag filled with frozen veggies. Use it for 30 minutes and you should be able to soothe the headache.
7. Rosemary
This special oil contains rosmarinic acid which is known for its anti-inflammatory and calming effects that can eventually ease and heal headaches.
Just rub some of this oil, mixed with one tablespoon of olive oil or other carrier oil, directly on the temples and forehead.
Additionally, prepare a tea that contains one teaspoon of sage leaves (crushed) and one teaspoon of rosemary leaves (also crushed). While the mixture is still boiling, cover it and leave it like that for about ten minutes. Wait until the tea reaches regular room temperature and consume it. Drink this tea twice a day. In case you don’t have access to these two herbs, you can use only one of them to prepare tea.
Individuals dealing with hypertension and epilepsy should avoid rosemary oil.
8. Cloves
Cloves have been used to relieve tension headaches for hundreds of years because of their pain-relieving and cooling effects.
Take a few cloves and crush them carefully. After that, place them in a handkerchief or a sachet. Breathe in the scent of the cloves when you notice headaches and keep doing this until the pain is eased.
There is another way to use cloves. Use 2-3 drops of clove essential oil in one tablespoon of olive oil or some other carrier oil and rub the temples and forehead with this mixture. You should get instant relief.
9. Apples
Apple cider vinegar and apples come with properties that can bring harmony when it comes to alkaline and acid levels in our bodies which also mean reduced intensity of headaches.
Just eat one apple with a small amount of salt.
Alternatively, take one glass of water, pour 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in it and consume it.
10. Acupressure
There is an acupressure known as “joining the valley” which is believed to provide headache relief.
Put some pressure and rub the part of the hand located right between the index finger and the thumb. This point is also close to the highest place of the muscle when you bring the finger and thumb together. Perform this procedure for two minutes and perform the same procedure with the other hand.
Pregnant women should not use this method.
So, when you experience a headache, apply some of these natural methods for quick relief. But, in case you experience severe headaches or you experience any type of headache on a regular basis, it is the best idea to visit your doctor.
In addition, pay special attention to the headaches that come together with symptoms and signs like speech problems, sudden loss of balance, stiff neck, numbness in different body parts and mental problems.
Via Top 10 Home Remedies | Healthline | NCBI | NCBI
