10 All-Natural Headache Home Remedies

Headache Home Remedies Are Easy, Safe and Effective

If you suffer from headaches and / or migraines, you are not alone. Millions of people around the world suffer from headaches on a regular basis.

But don’t go straight to the medicine cabinet.

Consult with your doctor certainly, but give these safe, all-natural headache home remedies a try.

What Type of Headache?

Headaches range from uncomfortable to extremely painful.

There are many different types of headaches, but to keep it simple, I’ve divided them into 3 main categories:

1. Tension headaches
2. Cluster headaches
3. Migraines

These headaches need different remedies, so you first need to identify which type you have.

Here are the best non-drug remedies for the three most common types of headaches. And at the end of this article, I look at some tips that work for all types of headaches and migraines.

Tension Headache Home Remedies

More people get tension headaches than any other type.

With this type of headache, the muscles contract and you feel a constant ache or pressure around the head – especially at the temples or back of the head and neck.

Tension headaches are usually caused by stress or tension. However, a lack of sleep can also cause a tension headache, as can a lack of movement or exercise of the neck, shoulders and back.

Try one of these tension headache home remedies:

Tension Headache Remedy #1: Ginger Tea

1. Finely chop about an inch (2-3cm) of peeled fresh ginger (you can buy it easily at the grocery store, or grow your own).
2. Add the ginger to a pot of boiling water and drink the tea.

This homemade headache remedy will help reduce inflammation and ease your headache.

Much safer and healthier than medicine tablets, it’s an all-natural, plant-based remedy.

Tension Headache Remedy #2: Peppermint Oil

Another easy remedy is peppermint oil.

Health stores sell peppermint oil – look for one with as few ingredients as possible. Or even better, make your own by simply adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a carrier oil such as jojoba or olive oil.

Apply the oil to your hairline, all the way around. The cooling sensation created by the oil will help to relax the muscles in your head and neck.

Tension Headache Remedy #3:  Combine

You can combine both these headache remedies to sooth the pain – apply the oil AND drink the ginger tea.

Cluster Headache Home Remedies

Cluster headaches may seem similar to migraines in that the pain is concentrated in one area of the head.  But the similarity ends there.

The sharp pain of a cluster headache is often accompanied by a watery eye and nasal congestion or a runny nose on the same side of the face.

Cluster headaches happen suddenly and usually occur in a cluster of days (hence the name) or in cycles – often at the same time of year (for example, each Spring). They affect more men than women.

During an attack, people often feel restless and unable to get comfortable; they are unlikely to lie down, as someone with a migraine might.

Cluster Headache Remedy #1:  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.

You can apply the cream up to 4 times a day. You may feel a slight itching or burning sensation the first couple of times you use the cream, but this will gradually decrease with each use.

Never apply the cream to broken or irritated skin, and wash your hands thoroughly after each use to avoid getting the cream in sensitive areas such as your eyes.

You can find Capsaicin cream at your local health food store.

Cluster Headache Remedy #2:  Chlorophyll Supplements

Chlorophyll is used by plants for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll supplements and liquid promote the flow of oxygen to cells and also contain magnesium, so they can naturally help with cluster headaches.

1. Place ten drops of liquid chlorophyll concentrate on the tongue
2. Drink a glass of water
3. Repeat a few times throughout the day.

Migraine Headache Home Remedies

Ah yes, migraines.

Migraine headaches are very debilitating.

Migraines cause a throbbing pain on one side of your head.  (I call it my personal jackhammer).  The pain may be accompanied by nausea.

Migraines normally last 4–72 hours, and often, the pain is worsened by (or prohibits) routine activity. Often, migraine sufferers are sensitive to light and sound – bright lights and loud noises make it worse. I also get a heightened sense of smell.

Migraines can be genetic, and women are three time more likely to suffer from migraines than their male counterparts.

Despite trying multiple over-the-counter and prescription drugs over the years, I haven’t managed to find one that works.

I’ve had much, much better results from natural remedies.  Here are my favourites.

Migraine Remedy #1:  Water

Whatever natural remedies you try, always, always include water. Drink lots of pure water – hydration is one of the simplest possible natural headache home remedies.

Migraine Remedy #2:  Pressure Points / Acupressure Massage

Applying pressure to key points in the body to relieve pain or discomfort is an ancient Chinese healing method known as Acupressure massage.

Luckily, doing this type of massage on yourself is very easy.

There are 2 main pressure points for migraine relief: the feet and the hands.

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. (If you would prefer not to do this yourself, ask a good friend or a massage therapist for help).

Apply pressure to the point located in the web between your thumb and index finger. Press firmly and apply pressure for at least three minutes.

Migraine Remedy #3:  Iced Water

I have had some success with iced water. Plunge both hands into a large bowl of water with lots of ice. Make a fist and hold it for 20 seconds, then relax the hands but keep them in the water. Repeat.

To be honest, this may help with migraine because it’s pretty uncomfortable on your hands (especially in winter), and so it takes your mind off the head pain for a while! But I have experienced some relief with this method. Try it yourself and see how it goes.

Migraine Remedy #4:  Feverfew

Feverfew is a type of daisy which has been used for centuries as a pain reliever.

It can act as a preventive measure, or to help with an existing migraine.

Clinical trials of feverfew showed that it decreased the amount of inflammation in the area where there is pain, thus reducing pressure on the nerves.

Alternatively, there are studies which show that feverfew, when taken daily in capsule form, prevents migraines from even starting, or at least reduces their frequency.

You can drink feverfew tea, or eat the leaves of the plant, but feverfew has a very bitter taste. Taking capsules eliminates the nasty taste.

Most of the clinical trials use freeze-dried feverfew capsules, so they are probably the best ones to take. You can get the capsules at health stores or chemists.  You’ll need to take them for a few weeks before they start to prevent migraines.

As always, talk to your medical practitioner first, especially if you are taking other medication.

Migraine Remedy #5:  The Right Juice

Creating a juice drink which contains:

• fresh lemon juice
• pineapple
• celery
• ginger
• cucumber
• kale or spinach leaves

may also help to relieve the pain.

I have a juice or smoothie most days containing all or some of those ingredients, and I’ve found it has decreased the numbers of migraines I get i.e. it acts as a preventative.

This leads me neatly into my tips for managing all types of headaches.

Food, Glorious Food!

Now that I’ve covered headache home remedies for the 3 main types of headache, let me leave you with some final tips on the subject of food.

There is one remedy that can be applied to all headaches no matter what type.

That remedy is to simply change your diet, the foods you eat.

Why? Because certain foods can trigger a headache.

You may only need to make small changes to avoid headache pain.

But how will you know what foods cause the problem? We are all different, so each one of us may have different triggers.

Below is a lot of common headache and migraine triggers, and then I’ll outline how to make it more specific for you.

• Alcohol, especially wine
• Caffeine (or the lack of it, if you normally drink a lot of it and then stop)
• Cheese
• Cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs
• Chocolate

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.

Do You Need to Change Your Diet?

The easiest way to find out if certain foods are triggering your headaches or migraines, is to keep a journal or diary.

Keeping a journal means you’ll be able to identify patterns to your headaches and migraines, and be able to spot triggers.

A good example of a free diary can be found at the Migraine Trust – you can download a free document and print out as many copes as you wish, or you can keep an on-line journal if you register with them.

Once you identify a pattern, you will know which foods should be removed from your diet.

Of course, food isn’t the only trigger. Menstrual cycles, hormones and even changing weather conditions can trigger an attack.

Oh, and something else to consider – always try to get enough exercise for your shoulders, neck and back – even stretches will help to loosen those muscles.

Safe, Self Care

Luckily, migraines and headaches do respond well to self-care.

And if you find that these natural headache home remedies work for you, they’re often cheaper, and normally safer, than prescription drugs.

Do you suffer from headaches and/or migraines? What do you do? Let me know in the Comments below.

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