Natural Remedies for Headaches

By - 2007-01-05 - Viewed 4246 times. Find more articles like this in our Supplements Information category.

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Everyone gets a headache from time to time. Most headaches are not serious and will pass with time.

However, they can be annoying and may cause us to lose concentration and not be able to enjoy what we are doing. While there are many over the counter and prescription medications for headaches they are not without side effects.

There are natural ways to get rid of a headache that you can try. Many natural headache remedies work better than drug medications and can effectively get rid of a headache quickly.

Herbal remedy for headache

Herbal remedies have been used for centuries and are making a comeback in recent years. They are readily available in many forms at your local health food or natural food store. Many are now available at pharmacies. Herbs can be used in many different forms. Tea is the most common. However, capsules are now available in almost every herbal formulation.

Chamomile - Chamomile has a natural calming effect. Drink a cup of chamomile tea to help calm your nerves and naturally relieve a headache.

Ginkgo - Ginkgo can relieve a headache pain by dilating blood vessels in the head.

Feverfew - Feverfew contains substances that inhibit the release of mood hormones in the brain. For best results, use fresh feverfew. When this isn't available, consume as tea or in capsule form.

Bay - Combine bay with feverfew for headache relief. You can often find a combination available in most health food stores.

Ginger - Ginger has long been known to relieve and also to prevent headaches. It is anti-inflammatory and contains substances that relieve pain. Take in capsule form, according to directions.

Peppermint - Taken internally or used externally, peppermint can naturally relieve a headache. To take internally, drink peppermint tea. To use externally, mix several drops of peppermint oil with lotion or body oil and massage into the temples.

Home remedy for headache

One easy method to try is to apply a cool compress on the forehead. This helps to keep the blood flowing by opening constricted blood vessels. Hold a cold pack on your head or forehead for several minutes at a time. This is most effective if applied immediately at the onset of a headache.

Aromatherapy is often helpful in relieving a headache. The scent of lavender has been shown to be very effective as a natural remedy for headache. Apply some lavender oil to your pressure points (temples, wrists and neck). The aroma will help calm and soothe you and is a natural pain reliever. There is lavender scented spray that can be applied to a cloth and inhaled. Always dilute essential oil before using and do not consume internally.

Stress headaches are caused by tension. If you feel tension in your neck apply a warm compress to your neck or shoulders. A simple neck and shoulder massage is a natural remedy for headache.

You may need to try several of these natural headache remedies to find one that works best for you.

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