A headache can cause you so much agony that it can be difficult to function properly, especially at work or school. It can also make you irritable at the expense of your family or housemates. While many people turn to over the counter aspirin and ibuprofen products for relief, natural remedies for headaches are usually far more effective.
Many, if not most, headaches are caused by dehydration. Therefore, a very effective way to cure many headaches is to simply drink water. When dehydrated, it is best to sip the water slowly rather than gulp it down. You can also add one-half teaspoon of sea salt to a gallon of water. This will replenish your electrolytes.
If you find that you are getting headaches frequently, you may be chronically dehydrated. This is especially true if you have a tendency to drink a lot of caffeinated beverages like soda, coffee, and tea instead of pure water. Getting the habit of carrying a canister with filtered alkaline water is a good way to prevent headaches.
Drinking hot tea made from fresh ginger and cardamom is another proven technique that cures most headaches in a hurry. It is best to grate fresh ginger so it releases more of its juices. If you don’t have a way to grate it, slice the ginger very thinly. Buy cardamom seeds still in their pods. Crack the pods open to release the fuzzy black seeds inside. These will have more potency than cardamom powder or seeds that have been removed from their pods. Add boiling water, and seep the ginger and cardamom for at least five minutes, but preferably ten.
To relieve tension headaches, you can try applying a folded washcloth soaked in hot water to your forehead. If possible, lay down while doing this, close your eyes, and relax. Alternatively, you can fill a sock with rice and microwave it to create moist heat. Lay this across on your forehead just as you would a folded washcloth. The hot compress will help relax the strained muscles that cause headache. For migraines, cold compresses often work better than hot compresses. For a cold compress, you can use a cool wet washcloth, a sock filled with crushed ice, or a bag of frozen peas.
The beauty of this method it’s simple and can be done anywhere. For this method, you apply constant pressure on the Hoku acupressure point, the spot right in the middle of the webbing between your index finger and your thumb. For best results, apply this pressure simultaneously on the front and back. To do so, use your index finger and thumb on the opposite hand. Apply the pressure first to the side where the headache is the worst and keep the pressure constant for three minutes before you release it. If this doesn’t work, try the Hoku point on the opposite hand.
The best cure for headache is peppermint oil. It is very effective and works faster than most other headache remedies. The majority of headaches result from tension in the muscles surrounding your head, particularly in your forehead and neck regions. If you can get these muscles to relax, your headache will just melt away. Open the bottle, close your eyes, and slowly inhale the scent. Repeat several times. If you don’t feel your headache subsiding, rub a drop or two of peppermint oil just under your nose. Also apply some on your forehead right around your hairline. You can also dab a little along the top edge of the nape. Relax and eliminate any distractions for the peppermint to work its magic. Wearing a sleeping mask can help.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage, commonly known as MLD, is an advanced therapeutic method that has been proven to stimulate the lymphatic system founded by Dr Emil and Mrs Estrid Vodder in the early 1930s. It is a light rhythmic massage in which the practitioner uses a range of specialized massage movements and gentle pumping techniques. It is also beneficial in the treatment of Sinus problems, Arthritis, Migraine and Acne. click here for more information.