Home remedies for headaches is a popular subject because the most common health problem that happens to all of us, irrespective of age, is a headache. A serious headache can be a major turn off as it affects everything that you do – your work, your routine, and even your mood. Headaches can even make you feel nauseous or disoriented. Headaches is one of the ways that our bodies tell us that something is wrong. There are 3 types of headaches.
Types of headaches
Tension headaches
This is probably the most common type of headache that we all experience once in a while. The pain is more in the form of a constant pressure rather than a throbbing sensation. The affected area is usually the both sides of the head or the back of the neck or/and head. It can even come up from the thoracic area between the shoulders. 
This headache is usually triggered by tension, anxiety, stress or bad posture. These types of headaches aren’t usually severe or symptomatic of anything more serious, but if untreated, they can become chronic.
Cluster headaches
These are short lived one sided headaches that usually lasts around 15 minutes to 2 hours. They could occur anytime, once a day, a month or even a year or it could hit you multiple times in one day.
But when to do occur, the pain becomes so excruciating that cluster headaches have even been called suicidal headaches. They are more common in men than women, and they are mostly triggered by smoking, alcohol, certain foods, and high altitudes.
Migraine Headaches
Migraines are more common in women than men and they are very severe. Genetics and hormones have a role to play if you get migraines. The blood vessels in the head shrink and this is why you feel sharp sensations of pain in the temple area of your head.
Change is one reason for a migraine. If you have this kind of pain after a diet change, for example, then it might be an idea go back to your previous diet as the new one isn’t suiting you well.
Well then . . . . what natural remedies can we recommend for headaches?
Top 10 Home Remedies for Headaches
When most people have a headache, they resort to over the counter medicines with their potential side effects. For example, paracetamol can damage your kidneys. But did you know that there are some effective home remedies for headaches that work very well? Of course, if the headache is symptomatic of something serious, then you should visit your health professional to have it diagnosed, so that the underlying cause can hopefully be removed.
1. Ginger
Ginger has long been regarded as one of the best home remedies for headaches. It helps with digestion as well and kills that nauseous feeling that you might experience during headaches. Ginger can be used in the following ways.
- Chewing pieces of crystallized ginger candy.
- You can boil raw ginger or ginger powder in water and inhale the vapors that come from it.
- You can mix equal parts of lemon juice and ginger juice. Consume it daily, once or twice a day depending on the severity of a headache.
- You can also make a paste of one teaspoon of dry ginger powder and two tablespoons of water. Mix them well and apply on the forehead for a few minutes.
2. Mint Juice
Mint’s primary component in relieving pain is menthol, which helps open up clogged blood vessels and regulates blood flow in the body. Here are some ways that you could use mint or mint juice to get some relief.
- Mix mint juice with almond oil and gently massage the temple are. This helps greatly in getting quick relief.
- Just by sniffing mint leaves you can get instant relief from pain.
- Make an herbal tea by adding mint juice and lemon juice in boiling water and honey as a sweetener. Sip the tea slowly.
3. Basil
Basil has many uses and one of them is, that it works as a muscle relaxant. Basil has an analgesic and calming effect, which makes it a helpful treatment for minor headaches that are caused by tense muscles.
Basil can used in the following ways:
- Chew few fresh basil leaves or massage your forehead with basil oil mixed with any base oil.
- You can also inhale the steam that comes from adding a few drops of basil oil or one tablespoon of basil leaves to a pot of boiling water. When the mixture starts to evaporate, inhale the steam carefully.
- Make a basil herbal tea by adding a few basil leaves in a cup of boiling water, simmer it for a few minutes and if you have a sweet tooth, then you can add honey and enjoy your herbal basil tea.
4. Lavender Oil
If you have a severe headache or even a migraine, then you will enjoy inhaling the soothing scent of lavender essential oil which will significantly help in relieving pain. You can use the lavender oil in the following ways.
- Inhale the lavender by adding two drops of it in boiling water and inhale the steam it gives off.
- You can massage it into your forehead. Just add lavender oil with one tablespoon of any other oil (such as olive oil) and your mixture oil for head massage is ready.
5. Ice Pack
Ice has a numbing effect, so it helps to reduce the inflammation that usually occurs during severe headaches. The ice pack can be used in the following ways.
- If you have a migraine, then you can apply an ice pack on the back of your neck to get instant relief from pain.
- Another way to reduce inflammation is to place a towel type cloth dipped in ice cold water over your head. Repeat the process multiple times to see quick results.
- In place of wet, cold cloth, an ice bag can be used. Fill the bag with ice and place it over your head. In about half an hour you will feel noticeable relief.
6. Rosemary
Rosemary oil contains an ingredient called rosmarinic acid which has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that make it one of the nice home remedies for headaches.
Rosemary oil can be used in the following ways.
- Use rosemary oil mixed with any carrier oil and massage your forehead and temples to get relief from the pain.
- Make an herbal tea by adding one tablespoon of crushed rosemary leaves along with one table spoon of crushed sage leaves in a cup of boiling water. Let it cool to room temperature and then drink it. Drink this tea twice a day for instant results.
7. Cloves
Cloves have cooling and pain-relieving properties that can be used to ease tension headaches. Cloves can be used in the following ways.
- By inhaling the scent of cloves. Gently crush the cloves and place into a clean handkerchief. Keeping inhaling the scent and soon you’ll feel relief from pain.
- Mix some clove oil with any carrier oil and massage into your forehead and temples.
- Clove oil goes well with coconut oil. Make a mixture of both by adding two tablespoons of coconut oil and two drops of clove oil and two tablespoons of sea salt. Use this mixture to massage your forehead.
8. Apples
We’ve all heard the expression “An Apple a day keeps the doctor away”. There is some truth to this, as apple and apple cider vinegar both have properties that can balance the alkaline and acid levels in the body and in so doing, provide relief from pain. You could apple and apple cider vinegar in the following ways.
- Eat an apple with a pinch of salt sprinkled over it.
- Add two table spoons of apple cider vinegar to a large glass of water and drink it. If you want to spuce it up a bit, try using sparkling water (like soda water, or mineral water) and adding some ice cubes. Very tasty!
9. Healthy and a Balanced Diet
Yes, it is true that a healthy and balanced diet is crucial. The common culprit for severe and sudden headaches is poor food and drink choices. Cut out cigarettes if you can and minimize alcohol intake. You’ll soon feel a noticeable difference in your physical and mental health. A balanced diet with quality proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals will keep your body fit and mind fresh, so it is imperative to eat right in order to stay fit.
- Set up a calendar and a diet plan which suits you best.
- Be sure that your diet is nutritious with balanced proteins
- Stop the habit of munching all the time, as it is not good for your health.
10. Exercise
With a proper diet to need to stay in shape and to do that you need to exercise regularly. Exercising regularly can help in a number of ways, and it can also assist you if you suffer from headaches time to time. You don’t need to hit the gym and start heavy weight lifting. There a few simple exercises that you can do at home that can help you greatly in getting relief from headaches.
- Simple breathing exercises
- Simple head and neck exercises
- Yoga (this helps you calm and helps in getting relief from tension headaches)
- Stretching exercises.
One More Thing
Proper Sleep
Many of us are not aware that mostly an ordinary headache arises from not getting proper sleep. Our body and mind need good rest before starting again. Therefore, it is essential that we get adequate sleep. You may have noticed that pain killers put you to sleep, but conscious deep breathing exercises can often achieve the same thing. Sleep on a headache and it is most likely that it will have gone when you wake up. Try to go to bed at a reasonable hour and get a good night’s sleep to keep your mind fresh.
Conclusion
So there you have the top 10 home remedies that will definitely help you in getting relief from those nasty headaches. If a headache continues for more than a day, then you should visit your health professional, as you will need a proper check-up to diagnose the cause of the problem.
