Home Remedies and Herbs for Headache

A headache is any pain in the head, and it may be accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light¹. The types of headache issues are as follows:

• Vascular - These headaches are caused by high blood pressure and may include periods of intense pain.
• Muscle Contraction (Tension) - A tension headache forms due to the tightening of facial or neck muscles, which is oftentimes caused by stress.
• Traction and Inflammatory Headaches - These two types of headache problems stem from other disorders, such as stroke or sinus infections².
• Migraine - A migraine is characterised by an intense throbbing or pulsing pain in the head that is often accompanied by nausea or seeing an aura³. Migraines have been linked to genetics, and women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men are³.

What Causes Headache?

Headache causes are very diverse. Primary headaches, which means there’s no underlying disease, are caused by lifestyle factors. Secondary headaches are symptoms of bigger problems. Common primary headache causes include:

• Alcohol
• Changes in sleeping habits or positions
• Changes in diet or certain foods like processed meats
• Poor posture
• Skipped meals
• Strep throat
• Stress⁴

Headaches may also be a symptom of a physical condition. Secondary headache causes can include:

• Sinus infection
• Blood clot in the brain
• Brain aneurysm
• Brain tumor
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Concussion
• Dehydration
• Glaucoma
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Medications⁴

Most headaches are not cause for concern, but if you suspect your headache is a symptom of a bigger issue, it may be time to check in with your doctor.

Headache Symptoms

Headache symptoms are fairly straightforward. They include pain in any region of the head. You might experience headache back of head pain, pain on one or both sides of the head, isolated pain, or radiating pain⁵. Accompanying symptoms may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sweating
• Periods of feeling hot or cold⁶

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Headache

Luckily, there are many types of headache treatment options, including at-home headache remedies. Start with the following natural headache treatment solutions for migraine and headache relief.

• Apple cider vinegar - Apple cider vinegar can help reduce inflammation, so it’s a good headache treatment for underlying issues like a sinus infection. Take it orally by mixing a teaspoon in a glass of water.
• Lavender- Aromatherapy has been used for ages to aid in headache relief⁷. If you’re looking for headache remedies suitable for relieving a tension headache, try inhaling lavender scent as often as needed to reduce stress and tension in your face, neck, and shoulders.
• Ginger - Another one of the popular headache remedies is drinking ginger tea. Do this whenever a headache forms, or use it as a preventative measure.
• Passion Flower - Passion flower tea is also beneficial for headache relief, and you can drink it as often as needed to ease your tension headache.
• Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne pepper can be used each time you get a headache. Simply place a small amount on your tongue, hold for 15-30 seconds and then wash it down with a glass of cold water. This will help open the blood vessels to your brain for quick relief.

References

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024771/
2. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/headache.htm
3. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/migraine-headache
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/headache/basics/causes/sym-20050800
5. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Migraine/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23030536