21 Home Remedies for Migraines and Headaches
Eliminate the cause
This is more of a long term approach, but it's by far the most effective. Food additives like aspartame and MSG can cause migraine headaches. So can food allergies like gluten intolerance. Find out if your diet is causing your headaches, and you'll be on the road to real recovery.
I learned this at age eight when i found out I had an iodine allergy. Nobody believed me but till this day anytime I eat anything with high levels of salt I get intense head aches and get extremely nauseous. Finding out, what caused me discomfort, label detecting and allergy sensitivities is the root of my practice and is my passion. What we put in our body determines the outcome of our lives.. There is no one diet for anyone. Food can make you thrive or slowly make you sick. Learn how to thrive through the proper food choices. I will be on a radio show next week talking about this very subject.
1. Peppermint oil. Rubbed on the forehead, temples or back of the neck, peppermint essential oil has a way of dissolving headaches into nothingness.
2. Willow bark. Known as the natural alternative to aspirin, willow bark is actually what aspirin was originally made from. It contains the pain-relieving compound salicin, and is one of the most common natural remedies for headaches.
3. Take a nap. Ever notice how the world seems renewed after a nap? Sometimes just a simple power nap is enough for your body to reboot and squash your headache.
4. Eat something! Headaches are often a sign that you've gone too long without eating a balanced meal. In fact, my last headache is a good example: I'd gotten caught up in working and hadn't eaten in a while. Next thing you know, I had a raging headache pounding my brain. Needless to say, I couldn't work much after that. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure in this case!
5. Acupuncture. This increases blood flow to tissues.
6. Water. Headaches can be a sign of dehydration. Sometimes drinking a tall glass of pure water is enough to stop a headache in its tracks. Staying hydrated is also a good way to prevent headaches from occurring in the first place.
7. Massage. A good massage improves circulation and is obviously relaxing, and it might be just what you need to melt away that headache. In any case, we all need more excuses to get a massage!
8. See a chiropractor. Being out of alignment can definitely give you head pain. Many report that regular visits to the chiropractor is highly effective for relieving headaches and migraines.
9. Feverfew. This herb has been used since ancient times to treat pain, including headaches.
10. Hot showers. As with a massage, I'm always up for an excuse to take a hot shower. I always feel more relaxed and rejuvenated afterward, which goes a long way in relieving headache pain.
11. Acupressure. Not quite the same as acupuncture (no needles), one suggestion is to pinch the spot between your thumb and index finger. Gently increase pressure until there's a dull ache, then hold until your head pain subsides.
12. Magnesium. If you're deficient in magnesium, it could very well be the cause of your headaches and migraines. Correct the deficiency, end the migraines. And magnesium supplements can get rid of a headache that's already begun as well.
13. Cold packs. Whether an ice pack or a cool washcloth, cold can definitely ease headache pain.
14. Yoga. improves circulation, relaxation, healthy blood pressure, and heightened neurotransmitter levels. All of these combined make for a great headache remedy.
15. Cherries. Cherries contain the active compound Quercetin, which is a powerful antioxidant and has strong anti-inflammatory properties.Users report that eating cherries or drinking cherry juice helps tremendously with headache pain.
16. Get outside. Fresh air is vitally important for health, as is getting adequate sunlight. A few minutes outdoors can be surprisingly refreshing, even enough to relieve your head pain.
17. DLPA. This supplement (a form of the amino acid phenylalanine), naturally increases dopamine levels, which can help ease pain of all kinds.
18. A cup of tea. Not only is a warm cup of tea relaxing, but a tea that uses herbs like peppermint or willow bark can also directly help reduce your headache pain. Green tea is also especially helpful, as it contains a small amount of caffeine, which some people find helps with headaches and migraines.
