Headaches are one of the most prominent ailments in the world. In fact, about 45 million people complain about headache symptoms every year in the United States.
However, finding a successful headache treatment can be difficult due to the many causes.
Using at-home remedies can help alleviate head pain and discomfort.
To learn about some popular natural remedies for headaches, keep reading!
- Drink Water
Staying hydrated is vital for everyone’s overall health. Once you start becoming dehydrated, your body begins showing symptoms. Dehydration is a common cause of headaches.
Once you feel a headache coming on, try drinking water. Drinking water has been proven to alleviate headache symptoms in as quickly as 30 minutes.
It’s also essential that you drink an adequate amount of water each day. Adult men should drink at least 15.5 cups per day, and adult women should drink at least 11.5 cups per day.
- Massage
Tension headaches are often caused by inadequate sleep, stress, or poor posture. They are usually described as feeling like a tight band is around the head, causing pain and discomfort.
A popular natural headache remedy is massage. Massaging pressure points is a great way to release the pressure caused by tension headaches.
You can massage pressure points on your own or book a full-body massage. Standard pressure points to try massaging yourself include the temples, jaw, neck, or between the eyebrows. You can learn more from nationalheadacheinstitute.com about this technique.
- Essential Oils
Essential oils and aromatherapy are other terrific options for headache sufferers. There’s a wide selection of oils that can help lessen the pain and discomfort of the head. Inhaling certain scents has been proven to reduce the severity of these ailments.
Inhaling lavender for a few minutes can relax your body and head, taking the pressure away. Peppermint oil can also help with tension headaches.
You can directly place these oils on your skin near your nose for inhalation. Placing oils in a diffuser may be a better option for severe headache sufferers, so it fills the room over time.
- Take Magnesium
Many people suffer from severe migraines, which often cause unbearable pain and can be debilitating. Those who get frequent migraines are commonly low on magnesium in their bodies.
Magnesium is a natural mineral that we need to maintain healthy blood sugar, nerves, muscles, etc. Those deficient in magnesium should take an oral supplement each day to help reduce the severity and frequency of migraines.
Always start with a low dose of magnesium and work your way up to a healthy amount. It’s good to consult your physician with any questions or concerns about magnesium intake.
- B Vitamins
B vitamins are micronutrients found in the body that help your overall health. They help with energy production, neurotransmission, body tissues, etc. Those low on these vitamins may have poor functioning cells that negatively impact the body.
Those who suffer from headaches may need more B vitamins in their system. Taking certain supplements can help protect against headaches. Helpful supplements include B2, B12, folate, and B6.
You can take these supplements regularly since they are water-soluble. You can find these at your local pharmacy or online.
- Herbal Tea
There are many benefits that herbal tea provides like hydration, sleep aid, relaxation, etc. Additionally, herbal tea is another excellent option for headache relief.
Ginger tea has been proven to be almost as effective as medication for migraines. Mixing ginger powder and warm water is all you’ll need for this herbal tea. Other teas to consider include chamomile, peppermint, and lavender.
These teas are usually inexpensive and can be taken when needed. You can find them at your local supermarket in the drink aisle.
- Adequate Sleep
Your body needs the proper rest to recover from day-to-day activities. The lack of sleep can cause many negative impacts on your body. As your immune system is affected, more symptoms start to appear.
Headaches are one of the most significant signs of not getting enough sleep. Typically, adults should be getting around seven hours of sleep per night for adequate rest.
However, too much sleep could also cause headaches. Over nine hours of sleep can negatively affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore, it’s important not to oversleep often.
- Food Intolerances
A poor diet is a massive red flag when having frequent headaches. Eating junk food often can affect your health and head since you aren’t getting the proper nutrients. Too much processed food and sugar can cause weight gain, diabetes, blood sugar problems, etc.
If you have decent eating habits and still have headaches often, you may be eating something that your body is intolerant of. Some people are intolerant to gluten, sugar, lactose, and casein.
To figure out what your body is unhappy with, you can start a food elimination diet. Start a journal of things you eat each day and note when you get a headache. You can then eliminate certain foods until you find the trigger.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a practice where tiny needles are placed on the skin. This is done to use body energy to relieve pain and tension.
Many people use this as a treatment for headaches and migraines. Regular treatments also help lessen the frequency and severity.
The Best Natural Remedies for Headaches
All of these natural remedies for headaches can help take the edge off your symptoms. Find which technique works best for you to feel better in no time!
A clear head starts with self-care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Always consult your doctor if your headaches persist or become too severe.
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