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Headaches can be extremely painful and debilitating, and sometimes the medication you take for the headache leaves you feeling washed out and nauseous. If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from headaches on a regular basis, this article is for you. Before you decide to reach for the medicine cabinet, try these natural remedies the next time you have a headache. Here are the best non-drug remedies for the three most common types of headaches.
Tension Headaches
Of the three main types of headaches, tension headaches are the most common. With this type of headache the muscles contract and it feels like something is literally squeezing your head. The pain can run from one ear to the other and back around. Tension headaches are usually caused by a lack of sleep and/or stress.
Natural Remedies For Tension Headaches
Ginger Tea
Fresh ginger can easily be found at your local grocery store. Crush up no more than an inch of ginger and put it in a pot of boiling water. This homemade remedy will help reduce inflammation and ease your headache. It works just as good, if not better than an aspirin and is a completely natural plant based remedy.
Peppermint Oil
Most health stores sell peppermint oil for about $6, or you can order pure therapeutic grade peppermint oil online. Take the oil and apply it to your hairline. The cooling sensation created by the oil will help relax the muscles in your head and neck.
Cluster Headaches
Those who suffer from cluster headaches often describe it as an ice pack in their head. This is because the pain is very concentrated and it feels like someone is stabbing them in the head. Cluster headaches usually occur in a cluster of days, hence the name cluster headaches. They are most common in the winter.
Natural Remedies For Cluster Headaches
Capsaicin Cream
Cayenne pepper is the main ingredient in Capsaicin cream. Put a dab on your finger and apply it to the inside of your nostril. Be sure to place it on the side where you are experiencing the pain. Once applied the cream will go to work. It works by blocking pain signals. You can often find Capsaicin cream at your local health food store.
Chlorophyll Supplements
Chlorophyll is used by plants for photosynthesis in the process of turning carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. Chlorophyll supplements promote the flow of oxygen to cells, while also protecting the cells from oxidation damage and can naturally help with cluster headaches. Placing ten drops of liquid chlorophyll concentrate on the tongue several times throughout the day and then drinking some water will help with these types of headaches and can also provide natural energy to get you through the day.
Migraine Headaches
Last but not least, we will cover migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are very debilitating and can have you in bed, unable to move for extended periods of time. Migraines cause a throbbing pain to occur on one side of your head. As a result of this pain, individuals are usually sensitive to light and sound. It some cases it can even cause nausea.
Migraines can be genetic as they are found to run in certain families. The bad news however is women are three time more likely to have them than their male counterparts. Many experts believe migraines are a result of nerve signals being misinterpreted by the brain. Instead of interpreting them for what they really are, they interpret them as pain.
Natural Remedies For Migraine Headaches
Acupressure Massage
Acupressure massage has been around for hundreds of years. It is an ancient Chinese healing method that centers around applying pressure to certain points on the body. The pressure is applied to help relieve pain. Doing this type of massage on yourself is very easy.
First, take your finger and place it in the groove between your first and second toe. Press firmly and apply pressure for at least three minutes. If you can, hold it for a total of 5 minutes before letting go.
Feverfew
Feverfew is an herbal supplement that comes from the sunflower family. It has been tested in clinical trials with great results. During these trials, Feverfew was shown to be a very effective treatment for migraines. It works by decreasing the amount of inflammation in the area where there is pain. When inflammation is reduced, it eliminates pressure on the nerves. As a result, the migraine starts to subside. You can buy feverfew in capsule form online, or from your local health store for around $12.
Changing Your Diet
As you can see, there are many different natural remedies for the various types of headaches. However, one remedy can be applied to all headaches no matter what type. That remedy is to simply change your diet because certain foods can trigger a headache.
Start paying close attention to the foods you consume on a daily basis. Keeping a journal and jotting down everything you eat for at least 7 days is helpful so you can track any specific foods that cause you to have an adverse reaction. Once you identify a pattern, you will know which foods should be removed from your diet.
Some foods that have been known to trigger headaches include:
· Wine
· Caffeine or the lack of it once one drinks it regularly.
· Cheese
· Cold Cuts
Headaches can also be a result of skipping meals. Anytime you skip meals your blood sugar levels drop. The best way to prevent this is to make it a point to always eat your meals on time and never let hunger lead to a headache.
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