A headache is a very common health problem that almost every person of every age suffers from. There can be various reasons causing a headache including excessive smoking, too much stress, lack of water in your body, eye strain, abnormal neuron activity, neck strain, and so on. No matter what the reason, the first thing that most of us do when we have a headache is to pop a pill. Surely, that does help provide relief, but why do you need to depend on any type of drug, even a prescription drug, when natural remedies can offer you relief? Without wait, let us get to learn about these natural ingredients that can help cure headache and cause no side effects.
The 10 Natural Home Remedies to Cure Headache:
10. Mint juice
Menthone and menthol are the main components of mint that prove very helpful in curing headaches.
Take a handful of mint leaves, extract its juice and apply a layer of it on your temples and forehead to enjoy relief. Also, you can use mint tea compresses on your forehead to cure headache.
9. Ginger
Ginger is known for helping reduce blood vessel inflammation in the head and thus can successfully offer relief from headaches.
You simply need to mix equal parts of ginger and lemon juice and drink the concoction one to two times a day. You may also mix a teaspoon of ginger powder with two tablespoons of water and apply this mixture on your forehead and let it stay for a few minutes to enjoy relief.
8. Basil
Basil is a popular muscle relaxant and if your headache is a result of tense muscles then basil certainly will prove helpful, also because it has analgesic and calming effects.
You simply need to add 2-3 fresh basil leaves in one cup of boiling water and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes. You may add some honey to this tea and then drink it while it is still warm.
7. Peppermint oil
Peppermint is rich in menthol that helps open up your clogged blood vessels that can cause headaches. It even has soothing and calming effects.
You just need to take 1 tablespoon of olive oil or almond oil or water and add 3 drops of peppermint essential oil in it. Apply this mixture on your temples and forehead and rest for a while. You can alternatively apply a few crushed peppermint leaves on your forehead to enjoy great relief.
See also; Top 10 Essential Oils and How They Can Help.
6. Ice pack
This is one of the simplest remedies to cure headache at home. The cold from ice reduces inflammation that may have caused a headache. Also, it has a numbing effect on your pain.
If you are suffering from a migraine headache then you can apply an ice pack to the back of your neck to enjoy relief. Also, you may dip a washcloth in ice-cold water and then apply it on your forehead for about 5 minutes. Repeat this a few times to enjoy relief.
5. Lavender oil
Just by smelling the soothing aroma of lavender oil you can enjoy relief from a tension caused headache. As per researches, it can also help provide you with relief from migraine symptoms.
You just need to take a tissue, put 3-4 drops of lavender oil in it and inhale. You may even add 2-3 drops of lavender oil in a cup of boiled water and inhale its steam. Not only will it give you relief from your headache, it will also help you relax. Alternatively, you can take 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil like olive or almond oil, and add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil in it. Mix it well and apply it on your temples and forehead and massage it to feel better.
4. Cloves
Cloves are known for their pain-relieving and cooling properties and thus are a great home remedy for headaches as well.
If you want to follow this remedy, you need to gently crush a few cloves and put them in a handkerchief or a sachet. Now, inhale the aroma of crushed cloves whenever you suffer from a headache and you will enjoy some relief for sure. Also, you may add a few drops of clove oil to your chosen carrier oil and then massage your temples and forehead with it to alleviate the pain.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary oil has rosmarinic acid that has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can help give you relief from a headache.
You just need 1 tablespoon of olive, almond, or any other carrier oil, add 2-3 drops of rosemary essential oil in it, mix well, and apply it on your temples and forehead and massage for a few minutes. Alternatively, you can prepare an herbal tea by adding one teaspoon each of rosemary and crushed sage leaves in a cup of boiled water. Let it steep for 10 minutes, strain, and once the tea reaches room temperature, drink it.
2. Apples
Apple cider vinegar and apples have attributes that help balance the alkaline and acid levels in your body and can thus offer relief from headaches.
You can just eat one apple with a little salt. Or, you can take a glass of water, add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, mix, and drink it.
1. Acupressure
Acupressure is known to provide relief from many problems including a headache. L 14 or the joining the valley is believed to cure headache effectively.
The fleshy part between your index finger and thumb, at the highest spot of your muscle, when both the finger and thumb are brought close is the point that you need to press. You need to perform acupressure at this point on both your hands for 1-2 minutes. However, if you are pregnant, then you cannot practice this acupressure therapy.
Next time, whenever you have a headache, instead of opting for any kind of medication or store brought balm, try these home remedies first. If, however, the pain does not subside or increases, then you must consult your doctor.