19 Natural Remedies for Headaches

Headache is a very common form of pain and when someone has a headache it can be a bother. Different and healthier than over-the-counter pain relievers, there are many natural remedies people can try to help them get relief from headaches.
In this article, we look at a number of home remedies and natural remedies for headaches. People can try many of these remedies right away, and some may even help prevent headaches in the future.

1. Water

Drinking water will stop dehydration, which can be an underlying cause of many headaches.
Drinking enough water can help prevent or reduce the severity of headaches.
Dehydration is an underlying cause of many simple headaches. It can also change how a person feels, acts, or thinks.
According to a study in the journal Antioxidants Trusted Source, even mild dehydration can alter people's thinking and function, making them feel worse with or without a headache.
While some research is more cautious, water may help someone with this condition feel better.
A study published in the Journal of Evaluation in ClinicalPracticeTrusted Source took a critical approach to this idea, noting that drinking water did not reduce the duration of people's headaches, but made them subjectively feel better.
Staying hydrated is as easy as carrying a water bottle throughout the day and sipping it. Eating foods high in fluids, such as fruits, smoothies or soups, can also improve hydration.

2. Cold compress

A cold compress can be a simple headache solution that many people have on hand. Applying an ice pack or other cold substance to the head or neck can help constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation in the area. Doing so may temporarily relieve headache pain.
A study in the Hawaiian Journal of Medicine and Public Health found that applying ice packs to the neck for 30 minutes significantly reduced pain in people with migraines.

3. Hot compress

In other conditions, such as a tension-type headache where the muscles are very tight, a warm compress can help loosen and relax these muscles.
A warm compress is possible as simply as a heated towel. People can get the same effect from a warm shower or bath.

4. Take the pressure off the head

In some cases, the headache has a physical cause. Check for anything that is putting too much pressure on the head. This could be a very tight ponytail, a bun, or a hat or headband worn too long.

5. Turn off the lights

Some people with headaches become light sensitive. Bright office lights or even bright light from a smartphone can make symptoms worse.
While you are recovering from a headache, resting in a dark or dim room can help.

11. Massaging pressure points

Massaging specific pressure points can help relieve tension in the head and reduce headaches. Many people do this instinctively, such as rubbing their neck or pinching the top of their nose when stressed.
There may be some truth in these instincts. Many people find that massaging the temples, chin, or neck can help relieve tension and reduce tension headaches caused by being too stressed.
Some other areas you can try massaging include the area between the eyebrows and the two points at the base of the eyebrows on either side of the bridge of the nose. These points can hold tension in the eyes or head, and massaging them can help relieve that tension.
Massaging the neck near the base of the skull can also help relieve tension.

12. Relaxation techniques

Again, the review in Kids notes that relaxation training and techniques can help many people with headache symptoms while also reducing stress and anxiety.
Relaxation techniques include practices such as deep belly breathing, guided meditations, and an active focus on relaxing the muscles.

13. Caffeine

Drinking a caffeinated beverage such as coffee, tea, or soda can sometimes help relieve a headache.
Some pain medications designed for headaches contain caffeine, as the compound can increase their effectiveness.
As noted in a review published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, caffeine alone may help reduce symptoms of tension headaches or migraines. Caffeine tends to relax blood vessels, which can promote circulation and reduce tension.

14. Essential oils

Using essential oils can relieve headache symptoms.
Aromatherapy using certain essential oils can also relieve headache symptoms. A 2018 study noted that inhaling lavender essential oil for 15 minutes reduced the severity of headaches.
A separate study published in the journal Pain suggested that peppermint oil was more effective than a placebo at reducing tension headaches.
The scents of essential oils can bother some people, and trying different oils that individuals find comforting can be a way to relieve headache symptoms.

15. Magnesium

A 2015 review published in the journal Nutrients Trusted Source suggests that people who regularly experience cluster headaches or migraines may be more likely to have low magnesium levels.
Adding magnesium to your diet can help reduce or prevent headaches in these situations.

6. Try some herbal tea

Herbal tea can be a helpful way to add water to the treatment while reaping the benefits of other natural compounds.
For example, ginger tea can help with migraines. A 2013 study found that ginger powder had similar effects to a common drug for reducing migraines. A simple tea of ​​warm water and ginger powder can help with symptoms.
Other potentially calming teas include teas such as peppermint, chamomile, and lavender.

7. Exercise

Exercise can help keep the body healthy and promote better circulation, which can reduce the chances of headaches occurring.
A 2018 research review noted that very little exercise can actually trigger headaches among adolescents. Regular, moderate exercise like brisk walking or cycling for 30 minutes a day can help you avoid it.

8. Check for food intolerance

Sometimes food intolerances can be the underlying cause of symptoms such as headaches.
If a headache occurs after meals, it may be helpful for people to keep a food diary of everything they eat each day. This can enable them to identify and avoid foods that can trigger a headache.

9. Sleep

Sleeping too little can cause headaches.
As mentioned, different problems can cause headaches and sleep problems are among the very common ones.
Sleeping too much or too little, or not being able to sleep soundly, can cause headaches in some people because they cannot fully rest their bodies.
As an article in the Sleep Trusted Source magazine points out, adults should try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

10. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine in which practitioners insert tiny needles into the surface of the skin. The goal is not to cause pain, but to stimulate the body's own energy.
He notes that research has shown that acupuncture is an effective way to prevent or reduce the frequency of migraines and tension headaches.

16. B vitamins

Some B vitamins can help protect against or reduce headaches. A 2015 review in Biomed Research International noted that vitamins, including folate and vitamins B-6 and B-12, may all play a role in preventing migraine headaches or reducing headache symptoms.
B vitamins are readily available as supplements from various brands that people can purchase from pharmacies or online.

17. Vitamin E

Vitamin E may also play a role in headache symptoms. A 2015 review of vitamin supplements noted that vitamin E can relieve headache pain and migraine symptoms from menstrual migraines, with a low risk of side effects.
This can be valuable for women who experience migraines during their menstrual cycle, as vitamin E can help keep their hormones in balance to prevent symptoms.

18. Limit alcohol intake

Some people may not respond well to drinking too much alcohol. A headache is one of the common side effects of a hangover. This may be because alcohol acts as a diuretic, making the body excrete more water through urine.
These types of headaches do not occur only with bouts of heavy drinking. Alcohol, even with light or moderate drinking, can cause mild dehydration symptoms and trigger headaches in some people.
Anyone who is unsure whether alcohol is affecting them in this way can try limiting their drinking and see if this changes or prevents their symptoms.

19. Avoid contact with chemicals or other strong odors

For people who experience migraines frequently, avoiding strong smells can be a wise step in trying to prevent them.
A 2013 study found that scents from sources such as perfumes or other strong-smelling chemicals can trigger migraines even after just a few minutes of exposure to them.
It can be helpful for people to avoid odor sources such as department stores, those who use a lot of perfume, or chemical scents from cleaning products.

What kind of headache?

There are many different types of headaches, and one natural remedy may be more appropriate than another to relieve a particular type. Some common types of headaches are:

Tension headaches: The most common headaches, these usually occur after a person is under extreme stress and their muscles are strained. The pain may be felt in the middle and top of the head as if there is a tight rubber band around it.
Sinus headaches: This type includes pain behind the eyes and nose, and a general feeling of congestion in the head. A similar headache occurs when a person has a hangover.
Cluster headaches: These headaches can occur throughout the day and the blade that occurs at one point in the head becomes stuck, causing a sharp pain.
Migraines: Migraines usually cause a throbbing pain that grows behind the eyes and pulsates all over the head. The person may also be very sensitive to light, activity, or movement.
 

There are several natural and home remedies that people can try to get relief from a headache without medication. Some of these may work better for different types of headaches.
Eventually, some headaches may still not respond to these methods, and taking an over-the-counter medication may provide relief.
It is important not to ignore a persistent headache. An ongoing symptom may be a sign of an underlying problem. In order to find and resolve this problem, it is necessary to discuss and treat a persistent or particularly severe headache with other symptoms by making an appointment with a doctor.