Headaches – ugh! They are the worst. However, more often than not, headaches aren’t taken seriously, maybe because they are so common or because there’s no magic cure that can make the pounding inside your head go away quickly. Despite that thinking, headaches are one of the most common health issues that many people suffer from at point or another.
The pain of a headache can make you absolutely miserable, forcing you to pop an aspirin or two and be done with it. However, taking over-the-counter analgesics only suppress the headache symptoms, not really addressing the issue of what exactly cause the headache in the first place. That’s why, opting for natural home remedies for headaches may be the best way to go, because they don’t have any side effects, plus they won’t become addictive either. So give natural home remedies a shot and see how effective they actually are.
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Categories of headaches
There are mainly three categories of headaches:
- Migraine headaches: A headache that varies in intensity, that is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound and light.
- Tension headaches: A mild to moderate pain headache that is described as feeling a tight band constricting the head.
- Cluster headaches: A severe headache where the pain is usually limited to one side of the head, and that which recurs over a period of several weeks.
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Causes of headaches
Let’s take a look at all the causes of a headache:
- Constriction of blood vessels
- Abnormal neuron activity
- Dehydration
- Oversleeping
- Overuse of painkillers
- Strain on the eyes
- Strain on the neck
- Genetic causes
- Physiological changes in the head
Home remedies for headaches
Although home remedies may take a bit longer than an over-the-counter pill to provide relief, they are effective, and more importantly, natural. Let’s take a look at some common natural remedies that are effective against headaches.
1. Apples
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Apples and apple cider vinegar, both have properties that have the ability to balance the acidic and alkaline levels in your body, thus helping relieve the pain of the headaches.
Remedies
- Eat an apple after applying some salt to it.
- Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a full glass of warm water and drink it.
2. Basil
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Basil is helpful in treating mild headaches because it works as a muscle relaxant. Plus, its analgesic and calming effects work wonders on a pounding headache.
Remedies
- Bring 1 cup of water to boil and add 3-4 fresh basil leaves into it. Let it simmer for a few minutes, before taking it off the heat. Add a little honey to this ‘tea’ and sip it slowly.
- Boil 1 tablespoon of basil leaves or add a few drops of basil oil to a pot of boiling water, and inhale the steam rising off it.
- Chewing fresh basil leaves or massaging the affected area with basil oil mixed with a base oil help too.
3. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is one of the most effective home remedies when it comes to treating headaches.
Remedy
- Take a cinnamon stick and powder it. Add a few drops of water to make a thick paste. Apply this paste on your forehead and temples and leave it on for about half an hour, before rinsing it off.
4. Cloves
Cloves have cooling and analgesic properties, which are perfect for relieving tension headaches.
Remedies
- Make a sachet of crushed cloves and inhale the smell whenever you have a headache. It will relieve the pain.
- Add 2 drops of clove oil in a tablespoon of base oil and massage your forehead and temples with it, using circular motions with your fingertips.
- Add 1 teaspoon of sea salt and 2 drops of clove oil to 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and mix well. Rub this mixture gently on your forehead.
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5. Ginger
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Ginger has the potential to reduce the inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, thereby providing relief from the pain of a headache.
Remedies
- Take equal parts ginger juice and lemon juice and mix them well. Drink this at least once or twice a day.
- Make a paste using 1 teaspoon dry ginger powder mixed in 2 tablespoons of water. Now apply this paste on your forehead and leave it on for a few minutes, before washing it off.
- Add 1 teaspoon of ginger powder or raw ginger root into boiling water and inhale the steam coming off it.
- Alternatively, chewing a couple of pieces of ginger candy helps too.
6. Ice pack
The inflammation that causes headaches in the first place can be reduced with ice packs. It also helps by numbing the pain.
Remedies
- If you have a migraine, applying an ice pack to the back of your neck will provide relief.
- Dip a soft washcloth in ice cold water and place it over your head for five minutes or so. Repeat this several times to help numb the pain.
- Another simple way to ice the affected area is to use a bag of frozen vegetables as a cold compress.
7. Lavender oil
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Lavender oil is an essential oil, and simply smelling the soothing scent helps relieve tension headaches.
Remedies
- Put a couple of drops of lavender oil into a tissue and inhale it.
- Add 2 drops of lavender oil to 2 cups of boiling water and inhale the steam rising off it.
- Mix 2 drops of lavender oil with 1 tablespoon of base oil and gently massage your forehead with it, using circular motions.
8. Mint juice
Mint had menthol in it, which is one of the primary components that is very effective in alleviating headaches.
Remedies
- Take a handful of mint leaves and extract the juice from them. Apply this on your forehead and temples to soothe the pain from the headache.
- Place mint tea compresses on your forehead to relieve discomfort.
9. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is an essential oil, and it contains menthol. This helps open up clogged blood vessels, thereby relieving the pain.
Remedies
- Add 3 drops of peppermint essential oil to 1 tablespoon of almond or olive oil and massage your forehead and temples with it.
- Add a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil to a small pot of boiling water and inhale the steam rising off it. This helps declog the blocked blood vessels, giving you relief.
- Crush a few fresh peppermint leaves and apply it on your forehead and leave it for at least 15 minutes, before washing it off.
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10. Rosemary
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Rosemary has rosmarinic acid in it, which has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. These help cure a headache.
Remedies
- Take a few drops of rosemary oil and mix it with 1 tablespoon of any base oil. Mix it well and apply it gently to your forehead and temples.
- Add 1 teaspoon of crushed rosemary leaves and 1 teaspoon of crushed sage leaves in a cup of water. Now boil this and cover it for a bit. Let it steep for about 10 minutes, before straining it and drinking it twice or thrice a day.
These are the home remedies for headaches that are more effective than any over-the-counter pills. So the next time you have a headache, give these natural remedies a shot and see if they work or not. You’ll never want to go back to popping painkillers again!
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