Ease Headache with these Natural Remedies

Headache can be a symptom of a number of health problems. Experiencing frequent headaches can be discomforting and extremely annoying. Sometimes, the headache might disappear within an hour or two, while on other occasions the pain may last for an entire day. Knowing about the common causes of headache can help you to prevent it.

Causes of Headache

Headaches can be divided into two major types:

⦁ Primary headache
⦁ Secondary headache

Primary headache can be caused by conditions like cluster headache, migraine, and tension headache. Secondary headache, on the other hand, is a result of certain underlying medical conditions. Among the causes of primary headache, tension headache is the one that affects most people. Stress, anxiety, emotional imbalance, and depression are some common reasons for tension headache. Some common health issues that trigger secondary headache include high blood pressure, tumor, head trauma, infection, etc. For some people, eating certain kinds of foods can also cause headache. Withdrawing from caffeine is among the most common causes of headache.

Natural Remedies for Headache

Most of the times, you can get relief from headache by following some simple home remedies explained below. If you experience frequent headaches even after using these easy home remedies, then it is important to consult a doctor.

Massage

Head massage is one of the most popular and effective natural remedy for headache. You can either massage your head by yourself or take someone’s help. Applying pressure on the area that is affected the most will help to ease the pain. To achieve even better and soothing results, you can make use of peppermint oil or wintergreen oil. It is a must to properly massage the particular area that is causing headache. Gentle massages are particularly beneficial for pregnant women, as they are absolutely safe for the woman and her baby.

Aromatherapy

This age-old natural remedy for headache makes use of the aroma of certain essential oils to ease headache. The fragrance of essential oils like lavender, peppermint, sandalwood, and eucalypts is very helpful in getting relief from headache. You can enjoy the benefits of all these essential oils in the form of candles, soaps, massages, etc. To achieve best results, it is important to use the purest form of these essential oils. These essential oils are safe for both adults and children, as they are natural and have no side effects at all.

Herbal Remedies

There are quite a few herbs that contain beneficial headache relievers. Some of the best herbs for treating headache include peppermint, cayenne, rosemary, passionflower, feverfew, etc. Different herbs need to be applied in different ways. The best way to use rosemary for treating headache is to boil the leaves in water and inhale its steam. Consuming tea prepared from passionflower just before going to bed is a good way of reducing your chances of experiencing headache. You can use peppermint in various ways including essential oil, tea, etc. Most of these herbs contain ingredients that are used in many pain killers.

Healthy Foods

Many times headache takes place because of constriction of veins around neck, shoulders and head. Eating blood thinning foods will facilitate smooth flow of blood and ease headache. Avocado, wheat germ, and almonds contain high amounts of vitamin E, which is a natural vasodilator. Eating these foods will allow free flow of blood by widening the blood vessels.

Get Quality Sleep
Inconsistent or poor-quality sleep can contribute to chronic headaches. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night, and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

Sleep hygiene tips:
⦁ Avoid screens an hour before bed
⦁ Keep your bedroom cool and dark
⦁ Use a white noise machine or fan if noise disturbs your sleep

While natural remedies can be highly effective for occasional headaches, it’s important to listen to your body. If you experience frequent or severe headaches, or if they are accompanied by other symptoms like vision changes or numbness, seek medical advice. Natural relief is wonderful—but so is knowing when to get professional help.