Home Remedies for Headaches

These home remedies for headaches may help provide headache pain relief. If you suffer from constant headaches, find out the different headache types, the causes of headaches and headache symptoms so that you can identify the underlying cause and try the right headache remedies.

There are different types of headaches. Tension headache is the most common headache. One of the symptoms of tension type headache is mild to moderate pain across the forehead or the sides and back of the head. Migraine is a chronic headache which is usually confined to one side of the head. A cluster headache is distinguished by a one sided severe pain and is generally located in or around the eye. Another type of headache is sinus headache and one of the symptoms is the feeling of pressure around the eyes, brows, cheeks and forehead.

The possible cause of a cluster headache is abnormalities in the hypothalamus. Some of the causes of migraine headaches are hormonal changes, foods and stress. Sinus infection or sinusitis can trigger sinus headaches. The possible cause of tension headache is a change in brain chemicals and also triggers such as stress, jaw clenching and depression.

Other possible triggers of headaches include change in temperature or the weather, viral infection such as the common cold or flu and eating foods that are high in tyramine.

Home remedies for headaches No. 1 - Herbs for headaches

1. If your headache is caused by anxiety and stress and lead to sleep difficulties, chamomile may help. Chamomile helps in relaxing the nervous system. A chamomile pillow would help if you suffer from sinus or tension headache. Other ways to use chamomile as home remedies for headaches include taking chamomile dietary supplement, drinking chamomile tea or inhaling chamomile oil.
   
   
   
2. Cayenne pepper has analgesic or pain relieving activities and functions as a natural pain killer. A report published in the Clinical Journal of Pain stated that capsaicin which is the active constituent in cayenne is able to deplete a neurotransmitter in the brain called substance P which is responsible for pain impulses. Cayenne may help especially if suffer from cluster headache.
   
   
   
3. Echinacea may help as one of the home remedies for headaches especially if your headache is caused by sinusitis. Echinacea has the potential to support sinus drainage and lessen sinus congestion pressure and the accompanying headache pain.
   
   
   
4. Feverfew is one of the most popular herbs used as home remedies for headaches especially migraine. Feverfew supports the nervous system by ensuring smooth blood circulation to the brain.
   
   
   
5. Ginseng is helpful in reducing stress and anxiety and restoring hormonal balance because of its adaptogenic properties. It also strengthens the immune system and fights off infections that can lead to headaches.
   
   
   
6. One of the ways to use peppermint as natural headache treatment is to apply peppermint oil on your temples and massage gently. You can also apply the oil under your nostril and inhale it deeply. It helps especially if you have tension headache.
   
   
   
7. White willow bark is known as the natural aspirin because it contains salicin which produces salicylic acid. Aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid or ASA which is a derivative of salicylic acid. It is a natural pain killer or analgesic and doesn't irritate the stomach lining.

Other herbal remedies for headaches include lavender, rosemary and yerba mate.

Home remedies for headaches No. 2 - Apple cider vinegar

If you don't want to take herbs, take organic, raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar instead. To use it as a headache cure, drink a mixture of 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of honey and a little bit of lemon juice and half a mug of warm water. Drink it several times a day. If you don't have honey and lemon, just mix the apple cider vinegar with water.

Home remedies for headaches No. 3 - Use heat or cold compress

When you notice the onset of a headache, wrap a thin cloth around an ice pack and place it on the painful area. Another option is to warm a piece of cloth and place it on the affected area. Heat helps provide muscle relief and a cold compress allows for vascular constriction.

Home remedies for headaches No. 4 - Avoid the triggers

Keep a headache diary so that you can identify the triggers. Certain foods and beverages such as caffeine, processed meat and foods containing monosodium glutamate or MSG can trigger headaches. Alcohol and smoking can cause migraine and cluster headaches and if either one of these or both are the cause, reduce or quit drinking and smoking.

Home remedies for headaches No. 5 - Relax

Physical and emotional tension can cause or worsen headaches. So, you must learn to relax. Doing regular aerobic exercise or physical activity is one of the ways to relax your body and mind. When you exercise, you stimulate the release of natural pain relieving substance called endorphins.

Deep breathing exercise or any other relaxation technique such as meditation and yoga are also beneficial. Having a routine sleeping and waking up pattern and getting sufficient sleep also help in preventing headaches.

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