Headaches affect almost everyone now and then. The steady throbbing pain of a headache can really drain your energy and interfere with all the activities you need to perform during the day as it may cause a serious lack of concentration.
If you area trying to avoid painkillers, you may like to experiment with some natural headache cures.
Headache Pain Relief Information You Can Try at Home
Massage. For tension headaches, ease tension by having someone massage your head, neck and shoulders, or you can try massaging your scalp with your fingertips. Put both middle fingers on your forehead at your hairline. By gently applying pressure, move them back to the crown of your head. Keep repeating this motion until you get to your temples. You could also use a natural bristle hairbrush and brush your scalp from just above your eyebrows towards the back of your head in slow circles.
You could also try this. Place your thumbs in the center of each temple and massage using a circular motion for about two minutes.
Drink three glasses of very cold water when you first notice any pain.
Have a snack. Being hungry can cause headaches.
Apply ice to your head. It will create a numbing and cooling feeling. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel on your forehead or on top of your head when you first notice any pain while soaking your feet in hot water.
Apply heat. Try a heating pad or hot water bottle on your head, neck and shoulders. Or take a hot shower. It will help relief the tension off your muscles.
Relax. When you have a headache you are more sensitive to light and noise. Find a dark and quiet room and sit in a comfortable chair or lie down. Breathe deeply. Tighten and then relax your muscles starting with your feet. Apply this process to each muscle group, moving up your body until your reach your hands. Visualization works great. Visualize all the tension from your muscles leaving your body while you see yourself in your favorite environment.
Acupressure. Using the thumb and index fingers of your right hand, press on the web of skin between the thumb and index finger of your left hand for one minute. Repeat this process on the right hand.
Herbs
Feverfew can be taken as a treatment and prevention of migraine headaches. A relative of the sunflower plant, feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. Feverfew blocks the excessive secretion of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter secreted in the brain. In the initial stage of a migraine, the blood vessels constrict and serotonin is released. Feverfew is believed to counteract this contraction by dilating those blood vessels.
You can grow feverfew in your garden and chew on its leaves, one or two daily to prevent migraine headaches. These leaves are very strong and may cause blisters in your palate. Try making a feverfew sandwich instead. Or you can buy it at health food stores in the form of tea, capsules or tinctures.
Use care when taking feverfew. Pregnant women or nursing mothers should not take feverfew. If you are taking a blood thinner, you should not be taking this herb either. If you experience stomach irritation or other condition, cut back, discontinue its use or consult with your physician.
Chamomile has natural relaxation properties and can help with nausea and stomach upset caused by migraines. More popular is the German variety and it can be taken as a tea or in the form of capsules.
Ginger may reduce the frequency of migraines and may also help with the nausea that accompanies migraines.
Cayenne pepper is used for cluster headaches and appears to increase one's resistance to pain.
