Herbal Remedies For Headaches

Herbal Remedies For Headaches

Most people have had a headache occasionally and aspirin usually does the trick. But if headaches are more frequent instead of using medication with potentially unknown side-effects it makes sense to look into more tradition, drug-free, natural ways to prevent and treat headaches and migraine.

What did people do before they invented pain relievers? I think more and more people are turning to alternative medicine because they worry about what they are putting into their bodies.

For instance there are some traditional herbal remedies for headaches that may help prevent migraine. Feverfew is probably the best known, however you should not use this is you are pregnant, likely to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Butterbur is a less well known for migraine prevention, but well worth investigating. Ginkgo biloba and ginger may also help, by increasing blood circulation. A ginger tea can be soothing to the digestive system if you experience nausea as a migraine side-effect.

Valerian and Kava Kava have also been noted as helpful, possibly because of their relaxing qualities. Valerian will tend to make you drowsy, so do not use when driving or operating machinery. Kava Kava is no longer available to buy in some countries.

Herbal medicine is powerful, so because of the possibility of herbal remedies interfering with any medications you are already using, or underlying medical conditions, it is important to consult a qualified herbalist rather than try to self-prescribe. If you have severe headaches or migraines and if you are taking prescribed medication, you should check with your doctor before trying herbal remedies for headaches.

I tried a specific herbal tea – purely because I enjoyed it – and after some experimentation and exclusion proved to myself that the lovely brew was actually triggering my migraines.

So if you don’t want to consult a herbalist, what else can you try?

Certain nutritional supplements (Magnesium, Vitamin B2, and 5HTP) may reduce the severity and frequency of these headaches. Again, your supplement program should be devised with reference to your total body balance. As a qualified nutritionist I always recommend my clients to have a Hair Mineral Analysis test (available world-wide). You can read more about that on my Hair Mineral Analysis website.

Probably 90% of all headaches are primary. This means they do not have an underlying cause such as a sinus infection. They may be tension headaches, cluster headaches, or migraine headaches. Cluster headaches usually occur in clusters of several headaches in a short period of time. Melatonin is a nutritional supplement that may help reduce the severity and frequency of this type of headache. However, melatonin is not allowed on sale in some countries.

Tension headaches are probably the most common type and may have several causes, including poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, and depression. Sometimes just being around annoying people or circumstances are enough to trigger one. My mother used to claim that my arguing with my siblings gave her a headache. She was probably right. I used to have a very stressful job and arguments between co-workers used to make me tense. I have to say I have not had a headache since I left there. However, leaving work is not an option for most people, so they need to investigate other life-style issues.

Lifestyle changes are highly recommended because may keep you from getting a headache in the first place. Maintain a healthy diet and don’t let yourself get too hungry or thirsty. Caffeine, chocolate, cheese and many other foods can cause headaches. A good friend of mine was very upset to learn that her passion for dark chocolate was causing some of her headaches. Every time she indulged; she was rewarded with a blinding migraine.

One thing that works for me is going to a quiet place, preferably dark when I feel a headache coming on. Even ten minutes without outside stimuli can do the trick. A cool compress applied where it gives most relief is also helpful.

If you have already tried the above simple remedies, fear not, there are many other tips and tricks to prevent and cure migraine without resorting to medication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Articles

• About Migraine
• Excedrin Migraine
• Migraine Headache Treatments
• Cause Of Headaches
• Migraine Symptoms
• Headache Cures
• Tension Headache
• What Is A Migraine
• Migraine Headache Remedies
• Natural Cures For Headaches
• Metal Toxicity
• Herbal Remedies For Headaches
• Prevent Migraines
• Headache Pain
• Types Of Migraines
• Headache Medication
• What Causes Migraines
• Fever Headache
• Migraine Relief
• Home Remedies For Migraines
• Headache Help
• Chronic Migraine Headaches



• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Contact Us
• About Us
• Sitemap