Headaches may be one of the most common ailments among humans, but that does not make them any less painful or annoying. Headaches can stem from a number of sources: stress, allergies, pain, etc., which means that finding how to cure headaches at home can be beneficial. Read on to learn about several ‘at home’ cures that could help heal your next headache.
Use of Essential Oils
One easy cure is lavender oil. Lavender is used for many remedies including stress relief and relaxation, but can also be used to help end your headache. Lavender oil can be inhaled or rubbed on the temples. Two to four drops for every two cups of water that is being boiled can serve as an inhalant, but should never be drank. Additionally, you can apply lavender oil to the skin without dilution.
Another type of oil that can be soothing is peppermint. Peppermint oil is especially useful for tension headaches as it offers vaso-constricting and dilating properties. This helps control the blood flow in the body and relieve the headache. Just like lavender oil, simply sniff the peppermint oil or apply a couple of drops to the back of the neck or wrists. A third type of oil that can be effective is basil oil. Basil works as a muscle relaxant and can be applied to the skin to relax the body and relieve the headache.
Natural solutions to curing headaches have become more popular in recent years in contrast to traditional over the counter medications.
Self Care and Healthy Eating
If oils are not your thing then try a do-it-yourself scalp massage. Use enough pressure to get the blood flowing, but not so much that you cause more pain. A few minutes of massage should help ease the tension. Additionally, keep track of what you eat prior to getting a headache. It could be that your diet has caused the headache. Too much caffeine, or too little if you are a heavy caffeine drinker, can often cause a headache. Eating too many processed foods or sugars can also lead to headaches for some. Some headaches are caused by inflammation, which can be reduced by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. One food that can offer a boost in omega-3 is flaxseed. These can be eaten, used as oil, or ground and added to foods.
So next time your head start pounding, avoid reaching for a bottle of medication and try a natural remedy instead. Which one are you willing to try?