However, no matter what the cause of your headache or migraine, it can be dulled and even vanished by using simple and easy home remedies.
2. Drink coffee ( but only for people who drink coffee sparingly)
Many people use coffee as a simple remedy for any kind of headache, be it tension headache, cluster headache,
sinus headache or migraine. Prepare coffee with some healthy sugar like cinnamon or stevia ( not without sugar because sugar powers the brain ). Drink it and also take the vapors of coffee aroma.
This home remedy usually works only for those people who drink coffee sparingly. If you are a heavy coffee drinker, then coffee is known to trigger monster headache because of the caffeine in it. So, you see the same thing can be beneficial for some and harmful for others.
4. Put eye drops to de-strain your overworked eyes
Working on the computer for hours on end is the life of most of us. Well, it really strains the eyes like anything. A headache can be triggered by the build up of stress and pressure behind the eyes. . Use them and see if it relieves headache. Many eye drops pinch a lot ( generally the herbal ones ), but they have the potential to reduce a headache.
If you have tremendous eye strain, then apply cool cucumbers over the eyes after washing them with eye drops. Then relax completely and try to avoid thinking about your headache. The good old cucumbers are friends of our eyes, preventing them from dark circles, wrinkles and generating headaches.
( Photo Courtesy: barkbud )
5. Drink Ginger Tea
You love your ginger tea. It is time your favorite tea gave you some relief from a searing headache.
- Ingredients
1 inch ginger chunk
Water
Green or Black Tea
- Directions / How to use
Ground the ginger a bit. Now, put the ginger in a cup of boiling water. Strain it out and put your favorite tea into it. Sit back and enjoy the ginger tea.
- Why it works ?
Ginger works similar to aspirin. It may reduce the synthesis of prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins are the special compounds which make the nerves sense pain. Drinking ginger tea can thus dull the sensation of pain, providing prompt relief from a headache or a migraine. Plus, it has the goodness of tea in it, which is a very powerful antioxidant.
( Photo Courtesy: sheenajibson )
6. Cold Or Hot Compress
Headaches are very diverse in nature and they may have different mechanisms. But, most headaches respond to either a cold compress or a hot compress. You have to figure which one works for you. So, when you are suffering from headache, try applying a hot compress or a cold compress. If you do the wrong one, it may worsen the headache, but you at least learn that the other one works for you.
Once you know that , say a hot compress works for you, then you can use it any time in your life to relieve a headache. Use warm water or if you dislike water during a headache ( like me ), you can warm up salt and place it in a cloth. It stays warm for a long time, providing relief from fevers and headaches.
7. Oxygen, Oxygen and more Oxygen
Our bodies run on oxygen. It is the life giver. When our blood is running low on oxygen, the brain doesn't get enough oxygen. The common signs prior to a headache are dizziness, breathlessness, unable to think or remember something. Our blood and brain should never be low on oxygen. This is what you need to do.
- Open the blinds and the windows. Let the fresh air come in. It is rich in oxygen. Let go of the stifling air in the office or home. If you can, take a walk outside in the fresh air.
- If you are consistently breathless, you might want to consider getting your hemoglobin levels checked. A low hemoglobin value reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood.
- Regularly consume beet, spinach and pomegranate juice to keep the blood healthier.
These simple steps can go a long way in preventing headaches caused by oxygen deficiency in brain.
( Photo Courtesy: 79818573@N04 )
8. Cayenne Pepper Kick ( Instant Headache relief )
This remedy really kicks headache out of the playground. Cayenne pepper is really hot, much more than spicy.
- Ingredients
Red cayenne pepper powder
Warm Water
Cold Water ( it is literally going to burn your mouth, so you need cold water to quench it )
- Directions / How to use
Take 1 pinch of red cayenne pepper powder ( about 1/8 of a tablespoon ). Add to 1 glass ( approx 250 ml ) of warm water. Open your mouth wide like you would gargle. Drink this water deep down into your throat, avoiding the tongue as much as possible. It feels hot inside your throat instantly. Within a few seconds blood flow increases tremendously. You should experience relief from headache within 5 minutes.
- Why it works ?
Cayenne pepper has mechanisms by which it reduces pain. It is commonly used in creams to curb arthritis pain. It works for headache as well. But, do not overdo it.
( Photo Courtesy: grumpychris )
9. Applying Peppermint Oil Topically ( Works for most people )
This is a home remedy which benefits almost all people and in all kinds of headaches and migraines.
- Ingredients
Peppermint Oil
Olive or Coconut Oil (as a carrier oil )
- Directions / How to use
Take 15 ml of carrier oil. Add 3 -4 drops of peppermint oil to this. Mix well. Now rub this oil over the forehead, at the temples and wherever you are feeling your headache. It goes in through the skin and inhaled through the nose. It works quickly and provides generally lasting relief from headache.
- Why it works ?
Peppermint oil is very high in menthol. This compound helps to combat mental exhaustion, making it alert and reducing the symptoms of a headache.
10. Do What You Really Like To Do
The human brain is a very complex mechanism. It can generate pain or ache for any reason whatsoever. However, one thing almost always works for relieving a headache , and that is doing what you like most. It elates the brain, makes you feel happier and more satisfied. So, if you like watching football, then do that and your brain will thank you.
Doing your hobby possible releases feel good hormones, called the endorphins. They signal the brain to lower its stress and headache is reduced.
11. Drink chamomile tea
This tea is the finest tea in the world for reducing stress through food. Chamomile is what you need when stress triggers your headache. Even if you do not know what triggers your headache, drinking it would really provide much needed relief. Chamomile tea also helps in migraines.
12. Turn Off The Lights
This trick may help you get even more relief from a headache or a migraine. After applying one of the remedies mentioned above, go to the bed to take rest. Switch off the lights and make your room a dark room. Darkness may trigger a special response which can further lower a headache. Try this out, it is very effective.
( Photo Courtesy: meeboo )
13. A Foot Bath
Create a bath for your feet. This calms a headache and drains out excess blood flow to the brain.
- Ingredients
Lavender essential oil
Warm water
- Directions / How to use
Prepare a good amount of warm water. Add 5- 6 drops of lavender essential oil into it. Now, dip your feet in this water. If you want, you can cleanse your feet while in the water. It should relieve a headache ( of any kind ) or a migraine.
( Photo Courtesy: ramona538 )
14. Caraway seeds
Roast these seeds and inhale the vapors. The fragrance belongs to anise family. Its aromatic smell relieves a headache.
15. Rose Water Wash
This is a home remedy that you can try for a headache. Get some bottled rose water. Add a few drops to a cotton ball and smear it all over your face. Its lovely fragrance should calm an upsurging headache. It smells nice and cleans the face off dirt and dead skin cells. It also helps to slow down skin aging.
Some other lesser popular home remedies for headaches -
- Eating almonds. They may be a trigger for some, but in most others , they relieve a headache.
- Taking steam from apple cider vinegar.
- Taking a shower.
- Taking a willow bark extract. It contains salicylic acid which is a natural pain reliever.
- Massage your scalp with a hair oil. Within a few minutes, the pain starts to recede.
- Drink dill pickle juice. It might just work for you.
- One thing that works for me is drinking a carbonated beverage with a pinch of baking soda in it.
Home Remedies Especially for Migraines
These are some home remedies and herbal cures meant for migraines.
- Feverfew - This is a herb which has been used for centuries in Balkan region for relieving migraines. It has gained worldwide popularity for its miraculous effect. You can consult with your doctor on the right dosage of feverfew extract.
- Butterbur - This is a herb which is used in some herbal combinations for migraines. Numerous studies have been performed on Butterbur, and it has been found to be effective in reducing the frequency of migraines in chronic migraine sufferers. It is commonly prescribed by doctors, so you can talk about this.
Ancient Egyptian remedies for headaches using herbs :
- Apply Aloe Vera on the forehead : The healing effect on the skin reduces problems with the blood vessels in the forehead.
- Myrrh : It is the resin on a tree which can be applied to the head.
- Sandalwood : This tree is valued for its powder. Sandalwood can be applied as paste to relieve headache.
Ancient Ayurvedic herbal remedy for headache.
- Cumin and honey : Mix some roasted and ground cumin seeds in honey. Eat this mixture as a medicine.
- Jasmine flowers can be crushed and juice mixed in hair oil to apply to the scalp. This can reduce a headache.
At a Glance
| Water |
Always have adequate water specially (old age ) |
| Coffee |
Very good but do not overtake |
| Herbal Balm |
Herbal , Require herbs to prepare |
| Apples |
Calms your body and brain |
| Lavender Oil |
Fragrance helps and calms brain |
If the home remedies do not work in reducing pain or if the headache is becoming more severe ( which is common in migraine ), one should consult a doctor. They can be really stressful and getting prompt relief is great.
