4 Natural Remedies for Headaches

 

If you’ve ever suffered with a headache, and there’s a very strong chance that you will have done in the past, you’ll know just how painful they can be.

 

Headaches can cause pain and discomfort, they can affect concentration levels and quality of life, and they can be very debilitating. Sometimes if you’re lucky your headache will go away by itself, sometimes it’ll clear up after a good night’s sleep, yet sometimes it will need treating with painkillers and medication.

 

The problem with painkillers and medication is the fact that they are only a temporary fix, they often just mask the symptoms, and they can damage your health and cause side effects, especially if consumed for long durations of time and in large quantities.

 

If you suffer from headaches and want to treat them naturally, there are plenty of natural and holistic approaches you can take. Here’s a look at 4 natural remedies for headaches.

 

Essential oils and aromatherapy

 

Rather than using painkillers and other artificially created lab-made drugs and medicines, why not treat your headaches with essential oils instead?

 

Essential oils contain aromatic compounds from herbal and botanical ingredients and they are renowned for their healing and medicinal properties. Different essential oils provide different health benefits.

 

Lavender and peppermint essential oils for example, provide anti-inflammatory benefits and can help to ease inflammation and congestion, which can both cause painful headaches.

 

Drink plenty of water

 

Perhaps the easiest, and one of the most effective natural remedies for treating a headache is to drink plenty of water.

 

Dehydration is one of the main triggers for headaches and migraines, so if you aren’t drinking enough water and getting enough fluid, you are far more likely to suffer with a headache.

 

Drinking water each day will not only help to ease the symptoms of a headache, it can also prevent headaches and migraines entirely. Aim to drink between 8 and 12 glasses of water each day.

 

Acupuncture

 

Another natural remedy for headaches is one which has been a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, and that is acupuncture.

 

Acupuncture is a technique which involves small and thin needles being inserted into the skin in order to stimulate specific parts located within the body.

 

When the needles are inserted into the skin, they stimulate the sensory nerves in the skin and in the muscles. The body naturally produces hormones and neurotransmitters, including endorphins which help to relieve and block pain and elevate your mood.

 

Studies have found that acupuncture is more effective at relieving headaches and migraines than some prescription drugs, with the added bonus of being far safer and completely natural.

 

Massage therapy

 

Finally, the last natural remedy for headaches and migraines we have for you today is massage therapy.

 

A massage such as Shiatsu massage can help to reduce the symptoms of headaches and migraines, while also reducing the overall frequency in which they occur.

 

Massage helps to boost circulation, it increases the production and secretion of endorphins, it reduces cortisol production, and it helps to enhance coping skills and stress management skills.

 

Massages can help to free up pinched or trapped nerves which could be causing a headache or migraine, plus they can help to reduce blood pressure and promote feelings of relaxation while easing tension. If you suffer with tension headaches in particular, massage therapy is well worth considering.