Headache remedies?

Question

Does anyone know of any "home" remedies for headaches? I have chronic daily headache and I would really like to find a way to get some relief without having to take a lot of medicine (like Tylenol, etc.) and without having to look to caffiene. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

I am a physician and if you have daily headaches, then something is wrong. If your headaches occur during the afternoon, then you may have hypertension...if there is no special time involved, we have to consider allergies, or even foods as a possible cause, and lastly there are organic causes. I have lived in Asia for a long time and while I don't follow herbal remedies, I believe in accupressure. One of the accupressure points for headaches is the web between your thumb and forefinger...take your right hand and pinch down on the web...pretty hard....then repeat to the opposite hand. Keep pressure on for a few minutes. A better method is very difficult to explain but take your fingers and apply pressure to the end of your eyebrows above the nose....you will know the correct place as it will be a little painful...if no pain, then you haven'f got the right place...apply pressure for a minute or so...then the same at the hair line in the center of your head...then middle, progressing backward just above the knowledge bump...then down the muscles of your neck (it is best if someone else can do it for you)....works for me. But headaches can be caused by food allergies, so you should begin to eliminate things like bread, fish, etc....if there is no improvement, then add that food item back. Some headaches stem from posture....new shoes can cause headaches...but if nothing really works, then it is time to see a physician and find out the actual cause...and don't accept a bland answer.

Answer 2

You're right to want to get away from the OTC meds like Tylenol. They damage the liver over time.
B/P?
Have you checked your blood pressure? Chronic headaches can indicate high b/p.
TOXINS
Are you being exposed on a daily basis to a toxin of some kind? Does the headache go away when you sleep/stay/work somewhere else? Write down any patterns to get clues.
MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
It could be a magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is a mineral and about 70% of the population is deficient though they can have different symptoms.
Below is a link to foods rich in magnesium. You could also take a supplement. If supplementing with magnesium Mg Oxide is the least effective.
The best forms end in "ate" such as mg malate, mg asparate, mg taurate (especially good for migraine headaches). Mg citrate especially in an liquid form is very fast acting however it can cause diarrhea if one takes too much at once.
All Mg supplements should be taken with food.
I use Triple Magnesium Complex from Swanson Vitamins (1-800-824-4491). It’s about $3.50 for a bottle of 100 capsules.)
If you have the loose stools or "the runs" you've taken too much. Try 1 then increase as you have no problems.
I wish you luck. Headaches are no fun.

Answer 3

Head ache has many reasons and all head aches cannot be cured immediately. If you have cold then the head will be persisting and will not be easy to cure it. You can have only temporary relief. For All headaches I take aspirin or paracetamol for immediate relief. If I could avoid it then I do the following. Going for a short walk in the busy street. Doing neck exercises. Apply balms and rub vigorously on the affected areas. Heat the sides of head by keeping a hot cloth. The cloth is heated by iron box, or even by a hot utensil kept over the stove. The same treatment can be carried out by washing the face and neck with hot water.. You will feel fresh and head ache gone. Try any of these methods.

Answer 4

Some foods are known to trigger headaches - cheese, chocolate and red wine are often the problem. If you can, keep a diary and try a week without just one at a time of these, and see if there is any difference.

Or you might want to for a full food allergy test.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I have migraines and here is one thing that helps me, when I lay down at night I spread a layer of Vicks vapo rub on my forehead. I wake up with no headache. Sounds crazy but try it!! Also some triggers of headaches for me and lots of others are: aged cheese, wine, onions, chocolate, clorox, ammonia, purfumes ect. Blue cheese has actually sent me to the ER!

Answer 6

Sit on the floor and massage your big toes. That is where the accupressure point is for your head. Also try rubbing some vicks vapour rub into your temples. Both work!

Answer 7

Avoid bright lights, peppermint oil on the back of the neck and forehead, add a cool rag to your forehead, and rest in a quiet room.

Answer 8

herbal supplements are excellent, safe and non addictive. This site has lots of information

Answer 9

I had daily migraines until I starting drinking this natural juice. You can email me at [e-mail] if you want and I can tell you about it.

Answer 10

SLEEPING. You're probably sleep-deprived.