Headaches are some of the most commonly occurring conditions that people have to deal with.
Based on the kind of headache that you experience, the pain level can range from being mildly uncomfortable to downright painful.
Not everyone likes eating medication on a daily basis. In this case, holistic, DIY remedies for headaches might be a good idea.
The following are some of the best remedies that you can try to counter the pain of headaches and keep them away.
Drinking Plenty Of Water
Dehydration can lead to one getting headaches on a regular basis.
Studies have showcased that chronic dehydration is one of the most significant contributing factors to frequent headaches and even migraines.
Individuals who drink water can also alleviate their headache symptoms within 30 minutes to 3 hours of doing so.
Dehydration is also said to cause irritable moods, sleepiness, impair concentration abilities and also cause one to feel hungrier.
All these factors can make headaches even worse to deal with.
If possible, carry a water bottle around with you and eat foods with a high-water content like watermelon or cucumbers.
Using Magnesium Supplements
Lack of magnesium is also known to cause severe headaches and migraines in a person.
As a vital mineral, magnesium is needed by the body for nerve transmission and blood sugar control.
Studies have also shown that magnesium supplements can help to keep headaches away and lower the risk of migraines that one might have.
Care has to be taken when consuming magnesium supplements, as it can cause an upset stomach.
However, it is incredibly effective in lowering pain, preventing headaches and even reducing the frequency of headaches for a person.
Taking Vitamin B Complex Supplements
Another supplement that can help is the Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B is a water-soluble micronutrient.
While it has other roles to play in the body, it can also help to protect one against headaches. It has also been said to reduce the symptoms of headaches.
Vitamin B-complex contains all eight variants of vitamin B, including folate (B12) and riboflavin (B2).
This supplement is also safe for consumption as any excess will get flushed away in the urine of the person.
Given this aspect, it is safe to say that there is no harm caused and no chance of buildup in the body.
Limiting Alcohol Intake
Not all people get headaches because of alcohol consumption, but it can cause migraines in one-third of every person.
Alcohol is also known to be a vasodilator, which means that it increases blood flow by widening the blood vessels.
This extra blood flow can cause headaches in a person. Alcohol also causes dehydration, functioning as a diuretic and increase frequency of urination.
This can also cause one to experience migraine headaches or to worsen the headache that they are already experiencing.
By limiting alcohol intake, it is possible to reduce headache frequency.
Getting Sleep Properly
Lack of sleep is also known to cause headaches and increase the risk of getting migraines.
In a study, it was shown that people who get less than 6 hours of sleep have a higher chance of getting headaches.
Less sleep also caused more severe and more frequent headaches.
Improving your sleep schedule is known to reduce the chances of getting headaches.
It was found the people who got at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep can experience the maximum benefits and avoid getting headaches so frequently.
Avoiding Foods With High Histamine
Histamine is a naturally found chemical in the body and helps the immune system, nervous system, and digestive system of a person.
This chemical is also found in fermented foods like wine, cheese, smoked fish, beer, and even cured meats.
High levels of histamine is also known to cause headaches, particularly in people who are already at a higher risk of migraines.
Additionally, many people are unable to break down the histamine that their body makes. In such cases, eating high histamine foods can cause an excess of histamine.
For them, this excess will then cause headaches. By cutting down histamine rich foods, frequent headaches can successfully be avoided.
Using Essential Oils
Therapeutic essential oils can be used to counteract pain from headaches, migraines, and also to reduce their frequency.
Many essential oils can be used topically, but some can also be ingested to get the most benefits out of them.
The most popular essential oils for headaches are:
- Peppermint oil – Applying it topically to the temples can reduce the pain and other symptoms caused by tension headaches.
- Lavender oil – Inhaling lavender oil is also useful for reducing the symptoms of pain and more caused by headaches and migraines.
Both oils also have calming and soothing properties and can help to alleviate stress or tension. This is also known to reduce the chances of experiencing a headache.
Trying A Cold Compress For Pain
Certain types of migraines and headaches can also cause pain to radiate down the neck and shoulders.
In this case, using a cold compress can be helpful to alleviate and soothe the pain.
Cold compresses have been known to reduce inflammation, slow down nerve conduction and effectively constrict the blood vessels.
All of these steps help to lessen the pain caused by a headache. The best part is that a cold compress can be made at any time at home.
All you need to do is fill up a bag full of ice-cubes and wrap it in a towel. Apply this to the temples, the shoulders or the neck to get relief from a headache.
Having Some Ginger-Infused Tea
Ginger-infused tea has been shown to have a positive effect on reducing pain caused by headaches.
Ginger root is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It also helps to reduce nausea, vomiting and other common symptoms of a severe headache.
Ginger-infused teas are the easiest way to consume ginger root.
However, you can also find supplements of ginger powder or brew a strong tea made with fresh ginger root for the maximum benefits.
You can also have it with honey to make it easier to sip.
With these DIY remedies for headaches, you can effectively deal with any migraine or headache associated pain with ease.
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