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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 1 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches and migraines everyday!
Migraine sufferers take double the amount of prescription medications, and 91% of the people affected have to miss work during attacks. They also have to visit the emergency room twice as many times than those who do not suffer from serious headaches.
Different Kinds of Headaches
There are three basic kinds of headaches: tension headache, cluster headache, and migraines.
1. Tension Headache
Tension headaches are the most common type and are caused by constricted muscles in the head and the neck. This headache is characterized by a dull pressure or tightness on both sides of the head and neck.
2. Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches are sharp, severe, and come on rapidly. These headaches are focused around the eyes, and last from a few minutes to a few hours. Common symptoms are eye irritation and nasal congestion.
3. Migraine
A migraine is a primary headache disorder. Migraine pain is brought upon by continuous constriction and expansion of the blood vessels in the head.
Migraines are usually characterized by a pulsating one-sided pain, and can last anywhere from a few hours, up to a few days. Migraines are accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to your senses, and increased pain from daily activities.
Common triggers for migraines include: stress, inadequate sleep, smoking, alcohol, bright lights, loud noises, improper nutrition, dehydration, and hormone imbalances.
A headache is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong or deficient within your system. If your headache is a result of a chronic health condition, you need to visit your doctor to further discuss what’s going on.
I’m sure all you want to do when you have a killer headache is to pop a painkiller, but natural remedies can work just as fast and efficiently, without the side effects of painkillers.
There are natural ways available that can help diminish the pain from chronic headaches and migraines.
Natural remedies can be used to safely alleviate the pains associated with headaches. These remedies can be used alone, or in conjunction with other natural reliefs and therapies.
1. Oils – Peppermint, Lavender, Thyme & Rosemary Essential Oils (EO)
Carrier oils are derived from the fatty part of vegetables (seeds, kernel, nuts). Essential oils (EO) are derived from the bark, root, and leaves of the plant.
If undiluted (without a carrier oil) EO’s are applied directly to the skin, the aromatics can cause severe irritation, such as burns or rashes. It is best to mix essential oils with a carrier oil, such as Jojoba, Almond, or fractionated coconut oil.
Peppermint
Another great natural analgesic is the peppermint plant. It contains menthol, which provides a cooling and tingling sensation as it alleviates the pain.
This organic compound is also useful for its anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Peppermint can also be used as a mood stabilizer, or an insect deterrent.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its anti-inflammatory characteristics, and its ability to dilate blood vessels. This explains why lavender is so commonly used for alleviating pain.
Rosemary & Thyme
Rosemary and thyme contains carvacrol. Carvacrol is a substance that acts like a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS), but without the added side effects.
Essential oils and NSAID drugs, such as Advil, take about the same amount of time to relieve pain, but NSAIDS are known to cause damage to your stomach and bowels. NSAIDS can cause internal bleeding and painful ulcers.
Method for EOs: Solution: mix 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil and 1-4 drops of an EO into a container (or a roll-on-bottle). Start with only 1 drop, if it is your first time using an EO.
Depending on where the pain is, use a cotton swab to dab this mixture onto your temples, forehead, or the nape of your neck.
Lotion: mix an unscented lotion with 3-6 drops (per ounce of lotion) of an EO.
Foot Bath: add 1-3 drops of your EO into a bucket of hot water. Soak your feet in the water. The heat relaxes you and draws the blood from your head, into your feet. This is a great remedy for relieving head tension.
Aromatherapy: Add 2 drops of your EO to either a tissue or boiling water. Inhale.
2. Ginger Tea
Ginger contains over 200 powerful substances in its oils and has been around for over 2,000 years.
Among many uses, ginger calms muscle contractions and inflammation, which is great for combating migraine pains.
This root is also good for increasing appetite, decreasing nausea and vomiting, protecting the stomach lining from alcohol and NSAIDS, and preventing GI ulcers.
Methods: Wash and peel off the brown skin and boil the sliced up root with some lemon, and lemon rind. Lightly sweeten with honey, or add sliced pear while making the tea, for taste. Boil for 30 minutes. Inhale the delicious smell of the drink and enjoy.
3. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
A lot of severe headaches are caused by dehydration. To efficiently re-hydrate your body, try boosting your water with extra vitamins and minerals.
An easy way to do this is to add organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your daily water. Organic ACV is packed with: beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, fruit acids and pectin.
This natural option is more efficient and healthier than popular sports drinks, which are loaded with sugar and chemicals.
Apple cider vinegar also balances your body’s acid and alkaline levels. This equilibrium is essential for preventing and combating migraines.
Don’t overdo the water though! Drinking too much water can actually suck the essential vitamins and minerals out of your bones and blood, and cause them to be excreted out with your urine.
Method: Mix 2 tablespoons of organic ACV with 24 ounces of water. Add honey for taste. If you cannot tolerate 2 tablespoons in the beginning (which most people cannot), start off with only 1 teaspoon, and then slowly work your way up to 2 tablespoons.
4. Magnesium
Magnesium is responsible for over 300 metabolic reactions that go on in the body. One of these reactions is regulating serotonin.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known to be involved during the start of a migraine. Low levels of magnesium have been associated with migraine headaches.
In 1996, a study was performed on 81 subjects who took 600 milligrams of Magnesium Citrate for 12 weeks. Participants who took magnesium reduced their frequency of migraines by almost 50%.
You can also get magnesium from natural food sources. Foods that contain high levels of magnesium are: green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, bananas, and seafood.
Method: The recommended daily dose of Magnesium is 400-600 milligrams. If you start experiencing diarrhea, stop the magnesium for a few days, and continue taking a lower dose.
5. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is essential for growth, production of red blood cells, and creating energy for the body. A deficiency in riboflavin can cause migraines.
Vitamin B2 is proven to lowers the frequency and severity of headaches. This vitamin is naturally found in green leafy vegetables, liver, legumes, eggs, and dairy products.
Method: If you cannot get enough from food alone, the recommended daily dose for Vitamin B2 supplements are 400 milligrams.
Final Word
Don’t let a migraine get you down. There are many natural remedies that work extremely well.
You can try multiple remedies at a time, or just find one that works best for you. Get started now and save those sick days for another day!
Migraine sufferers take double the amount of prescription medications, and 91% of the people affected have to miss work during attacks. They also have to visit the emergency room twice as many times than those who do not suffer from serious headaches.
Different Kinds of Headaches
There are three basic kinds of headaches: tension headache, cluster headache, and migraines.
1. Tension Headache
Tension headaches are the most common type and are caused by constricted muscles in the head and the neck. This headache is characterized by a dull pressure or tightness on both sides of the head and neck.
2. Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches are sharp, severe, and come on rapidly. These headaches are focused around the eyes, and last from a few minutes to a few hours. Common symptoms are eye irritation and nasal congestion.
3. Migraine
A migraine is a primary headache disorder. Migraine pain is brought upon by continuous constriction and expansion of the blood vessels in the head.
Migraines are usually characterized by a pulsating one-sided pain, and can last anywhere from a few hours, up to a few days. Migraines are accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to your senses, and increased pain from daily activities.
Common triggers for migraines include: stress, inadequate sleep, smoking, alcohol, bright lights, loud noises, improper nutrition, dehydration, and hormone imbalances.
A headache is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong or deficient within your system. If your headache is a result of a chronic health condition, you need to visit your doctor to further discuss what’s going on.
I’m sure all you want to do when you have a killer headache is to pop a painkiller, but natural remedies can work just as fast and efficiently, without the side effects of painkillers.
There are natural ways available that can help diminish the pain from chronic headaches and migraines.
Natural remedies can be used to safely alleviate the pains associated with headaches. These remedies can be used alone, or in conjunction with other natural reliefs and therapies.
1. Oils – Peppermint, Lavender, Thyme & Rosemary Essential Oils (EO)
Carrier oils are derived from the fatty part of vegetables (seeds, kernel, nuts). Essential oils (EO) are derived from the bark, root, and leaves of the plant.
If undiluted (without a carrier oil) EO’s are applied directly to the skin, the aromatics can cause severe irritation, such as burns or rashes. It is best to mix essential oils with a carrier oil, such as Jojoba, Almond, or fractionated coconut oil.
Peppermint
Another great natural analgesic is the peppermint plant. It contains menthol, which provides a cooling and tingling sensation as it alleviates the pain.
This organic compound is also useful for its anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Peppermint can also be used as a mood stabilizer, or an insect deterrent.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its anti-inflammatory characteristics, and its ability to dilate blood vessels. This explains why lavender is so commonly used for alleviating pain.
Rosemary & Thyme
Rosemary and thyme contains carvacrol. Carvacrol is a substance that acts like a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS), but without the added side effects.
Essential oils and NSAID drugs, such as Advil, take about the same amount of time to relieve pain, but NSAIDS are known to cause damage to your stomach and bowels. NSAIDS can cause internal bleeding and painful ulcers.
Method for EOs: Solution: mix 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil and 1-4 drops of an EO into a container (or a roll-on-bottle). Start with only 1 drop, if it is your first time using an EO.
Depending on where the pain is, use a cotton swab to dab this mixture onto your temples, forehead, or the nape of your neck.
Lotion: mix an unscented lotion with 3-6 drops (per ounce of lotion) of an EO.
Foot Bath: add 1-3 drops of your EO into a bucket of hot water. Soak your feet in the water. The heat relaxes you and draws the blood from your head, into your feet. This is a great remedy for relieving head tension.
Aromatherapy: Add 2 drops of your EO to either a tissue or boiling water. Inhale.
2. Ginger Tea
Ginger contains over 200 powerful substances in its oils and has been around for over 2,000 years.
Among many uses, ginger calms muscle contractions and inflammation, which is great for combating migraine pains.
This root is also good for increasing appetite, decreasing nausea and vomiting, protecting the stomach lining from alcohol and NSAIDS, and preventing GI ulcers.
Methods: Wash and peel off the brown skin and boil the sliced up root with some lemon, and lemon rind. Lightly sweeten with honey, or add sliced pear while making the tea, for taste. Boil for 30 minutes. Inhale the delicious smell of the drink and enjoy.
3. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
A lot of severe headaches are caused by dehydration. To efficiently re-hydrate your body, try boosting your water with extra vitamins and minerals.
An easy way to do this is to add organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your daily water. Organic ACV is packed with: beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, fruit acids and pectin.
This natural option is more efficient and healthier than popular sports drinks, which are loaded with sugar and chemicals.
Apple cider vinegar also balances your body’s acid and alkaline levels. This equilibrium is essential for preventing and combating migraines.
Don’t overdo the water though! Drinking too much water can actually suck the essential vitamins and minerals out of your bones and blood, and cause them to be excreted out with your urine.
Method: Mix 2 tablespoons of organic ACV with 24 ounces of water. Add honey for taste. If you cannot tolerate 2 tablespoons in the beginning (which most people cannot), start off with only 1 teaspoon, and then slowly work your way up to 2 tablespoons.
4. Magnesium
Magnesium is responsible for over 300 metabolic reactions that go on in the body. One of these reactions is regulating serotonin.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known to be involved during the start of a migraine. Low levels of magnesium have been associated with migraine headaches.
In 1996, a study was performed on 81 subjects who took 600 milligrams of Magnesium Citrate for 12 weeks. Participants who took magnesium reduced their frequency of migraines by almost 50%.
You can also get magnesium from natural food sources. Foods that contain high levels of magnesium are: green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, bananas, and seafood.
Method: The recommended daily dose of Magnesium is 400-600 milligrams. If you start experiencing diarrhea, stop the magnesium for a few days, and continue taking a lower dose.
5. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is essential for growth, production of red blood cells, and creating energy for the body. A deficiency in riboflavin can cause migraines.
Vitamin B2 is proven to lowers the frequency and severity of headaches. This vitamin is naturally found in green leafy vegetables, liver, legumes, eggs, and dairy products.
Method: If you cannot get enough from food alone, the recommended daily dose for Vitamin B2 supplements are 400 milligrams.
Final Word
Don’t let a migraine get you down. There are many natural remedies that work extremely well.
You can try multiple remedies at a time, or just find one that works best for you. Get started now and save those sick days for another day!
